Progressive Press Question

[plottrunner]

I have a question about the Lee 1000 ..... From what ive read on this forum it seems most people have more than one for different cartridges.  Cant the dies just be changed out.  I have a single stage rockchucker and have never used a progressive press but with the price ammo is getting I would like to be able to load alot more rounds in less time.......  I have already ordered the 1000 and already have a bunch of dies..... 223,7mm-08,243,44 mag, 45lc,30-06,300 win mag,357, also the dies i have are all standard rcbs 7/8 14 and I thought I would be able to use them in this new press.

[Lloyd Smale]

no the 1000 is just for handgun ammo and has its own dies. Alot of guys like the 1000s but im not one of them. If your a nervous or impatient man buy yourself lots of drugs!

[jgalar]

I don't own one, but it is based on the old model turret press so it will not work for rifle cartridges. You can change calibers, but from looking at the web sight it would probably be much easier/faster to just get another press....

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1174477412.529=/html/catalog/lp1000.html

[Blackhawk44]

With the number of calibers you list, I believe that you would be far better served with a Lee Classic Cast Turret with its interchangeable turrets.  I have my old 3 hole turret set up for 13 calibers and haven't used my Rock Chucker in years.  While I also have a Dillon (set up for 5 calibers), the Lee Turrets (not progessives) are far handier, especially for runs of less than 3-400.

[plottrunner]

well i cancelled the 1000 (didnt realize 223 was the only rifle caliber it could load.......Im now looking in to a load master any input would be appreciated.....

[jgalar]

Even with the loadmaster it is pricey and inconvenient to change calibers. Get the Classic Cast Turret press like Blackhawk suggested. Extra turrets are around $10 and you will be surprised at how fast the turret press will be. Not as fast as a progressive but a heck of a lot less trouble and expense.

[Catfish]

For the money,,,, The 550 Dillon is the best way to go in my oppenion. It will load anything short of 50 BMG, is very fast to change from 1 round to another, turns out ammo that is at least as consistant as you can get with a single stage press, WITH BALL POWDERS, and is very fast. If you keep buying guns the Dillon will keep costing you money though. I load 7 different .22 cal. rounds alone. I load for several handgun rounds also, so I`ve got alot of tool heads and cartridge conversion laying around. But, then, I got my press in the early 1980`s so I`ve been adding things for years now. I have had several rifles that would shoot sub 1/2 moa groups with the ammo loaded on the Dillon and 2 that would shoot 1/4 moa regularly.

[Lloyd Smale]

I have agree with catfish I had a loadmaster too and it was the only press ive had more problems with then the pro 1000. Your better off to use what you have and save for a bit longer until you can but a 550. Youll never regret it. There a press youll never outgrow and will load anything. I like the square deals better for handgun ammo but if i was only to have one press on my bench it would be my 550