Author Topic: Lee 1000. Anybody using one? (Read 785 times)

Tacoma · « **on:** November 10, 2003, 04:50:15 AM »

I 've been using a Lee Turrent for the last 8 years and it has worked fine ( for my purposes). It just takes 3 strokes per round so is a little slow. I'm already set up with the cal conversions ( shell plates, turrent heads, carbide dies etc) for the Lee so am thinking about a PRO 1000 just to speed up a bit. My question is : Does it work reasonaly reliable and trouble free or am I expecting too much?
p.s.
Yes, I realize the progressive press of choice for pistol shooters is the Dillon 550/650. I also realize it is built for life with a no BS warrenty. However, I'm only shooting 100-250 rounds a month and am not sure I want to spend $400-$500 on a new press. This next press won't see anynore than 20,000 rounds in it's life. So barring a deal on a used Dillon, I'm leaning towards a llee ( if feedback from users is OK.)

Dave in WV · « **Reply #1 on:** November 10, 2003, 06:38:00 AM »

IMHO you're expecting too much. I know a guy that had a Lee 1000 that blew up on him. No injury but scared him. If you're going to use a progressive get the Dillon. I don't own a progressive but know several people that do and they all say the same thing, "get a Dillon". Two guys said that after much disapointment. One bought a RCBS turret press that could be converted to a progressive and the other I can't remember which brand he got. Both sold their presses and bought a Dillon. BTW, the guy that had the Lee 1000 press, he sold Dillon equipment and didn't want to spend the money for a Dillon either. He had the press in his shop and showed customers what happened. I know he was telling the truth because I saw him using the Lee press before it blew up.

Questor · « **Reply #2 on:** November 10, 2003, 10:32:01 AM »

Dave in WV makes a point that is near and dear to my heart. When I first got into shooting I bought some ammo that had been reloaded with a Lee 100. A double charge had been loaded into one of the cases. It may have been neglegence of the operator, or it may have been failure of the machine, or both. I also don't believe that Lee products will stand up to heavy use. None that I've owned have lasted long.

trapdoor84 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 10, 2003, 08:36:59 PM »

Good morning,
I've had a Pro 1000 since 1984. I bought it soon after it came out and have loaded tens of thousands of rounds of .45 ACP and Colt with it. It's true it's no Dillon, and it sometimes needs some tinkering, but I haven't been able to wear it out.
On the presses primer trays blowing up, when you feel something not normal, stop pulling or pushing on the handle and find out what is amiss. Some modicum of common sense and feel is required for all stages of reloading.
Lee has since solved the double charge possibilities with a redesigned powder measure.
Good luck and God Bless,
Randall in Houston

Duffy · « **Reply #4 on:** November 10, 2003, 10:17:06 PM »

A shooting buddy has the 1000 and I have the Loadmaster. He has loaded ten's of thousands of rounds in his and it's starting to show some wear. He said he liked mine better because it's easier and cheaper to change calibers and has a bit more room to work around. I have loaded about 5000+ rounds with very little trouble and most of that was operator error. I like the primer feed better on the Lee than the Dillon. Hate those tubes! The most important thing to do on ANY progressive press is to take your time setting it up and read all the instructions. If you don't rush it things will work much better right off the bat.

Ryan

Savage · « **Reply #5 on:** November 11, 2003, 02:08:35 PM »

I have a Pro-1000 set up for 45ACP. I've been using it for years. Best $120 I've spent on reloading equipment.
Stay Safe,
Savage

kciH · « **Reply #6 on:** November 12, 2003, 09:29:06 PM »

Dillon 550B. 1 hour will load your ammo for two months.

I can't support the Lee progressive press, most of them I've seen have been UNDER the loading bench, not on top of it. Lee makes a few products that work as advertised, but most of their stuff I've used is crap, so I can' support what they produce. As far as I see it, you make good products, or you don't, and on the bigger scale Lee does not.

revolverman · « **Reply #7 on:** November 13, 2003, 12:35:56 PM »

Honestly, Lee products are the best that I have used. I'm thankful that they are also the cheapest! I have a Pro 1000 that is 20 years old, I use it often, and I have NEVER had a problem. With any progressive press, the operator MUST be very aware of what is happening, and be looking out for an "off" feel in the stroke. I would not hesitate to recommend the Lee progressive presses to anyone.

KN · « **Reply #8 on:** November 13, 2003, 03:42:49 PM »

If your only loading that many rounds a month why not look into the Dillon Square Deal. I use one for all my 9mm and 45ACP rounds and it works great. And won't break the bank. I can load 300 rds an hour pretty easily, and I usually load 600-800 rounds at a sitting. KN

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #9 on:** November 13, 2003, 11:03:03 PM »

save your money and buy a 550 dillon

Savage · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2003, 02:25:16 AM »

Let's see--------I can buy a DL550 for about four times the price of a P-1000. For my money, I can get a press that I must index manually, deal with those wonderful primer feed tubes like I did on my old RCBS thirty years ago-------And load at about half the rate of the Lee----------

Stay Safe,
Savage-

Questor · « **Reply #11 on:** November 14, 2003, 04:09:48 AM »

Are there two parallel universes connected by the Lee 1000? It seems like people either love them or hate them.

Savage: I have a Dillon and the primer feed mechanism is the only thing that gives me any trouble at all. Of all the primer feed mechanisms, I like the MEC shotshell loader approach the best (like on their loadmaster press). It just works flawlessly.

On the plus side for the feed tubes on the Dillon, they do work very well, but require periodic maintenance. It takes me 10 minutes to load tubes with 500 primers for a reloading session. Maintenance schedule seems to be determined about how irritable and rushed I am at the time. If I'm really having a bad day and I just want to load some ammo to relax...well, that's when I have problems.

Savage · « **Reply #12 on:** November 14, 2003, 07:57:49 AM »

Questor,
Interesting theory on the parallel universe thing, you may have something there! The Lee progressives are inexpensive enough that a novice reloader might move up from single stage simplicity a little too soon. An auto indexing progressive has a lot going on at the same time and requires one to develop a consistant stroke to complete the multiple operations without a hitch. I would wager that's where the majority of the problems lie. There is also some tweaking required on the initial setup. It requires one to read and follow the instructions carefully. A basic mechinical aptitude doesn't hurt either. On the other hand, a reloader moving up to a Dillon is more likely to be an experienced/accomplished individual who has little trouble with the mechanics of a progressive. If the Dillon were anywhere near the price of the Lee, I'd probably have one!
Stay Safe,
Savage

kimber45fan · « **Reply #13 on:** March 21, 2004, 05:00:24 PM »

I have had a Lee Pro 1000...constant tinkering,funky case feed pusher,main pivot pin creeping out, mine ended up under the bench, I later gave it to a fellow that had borrowed 20 bucks from me , i told him to keep the Lee we would be even. I like Lee dies,,lead furnaces, but there is a REASON why Lee has NO PHONE # on their ads..Dillon's is 1 800 223 -4570. And yes I have Dillons, a SDB, a 550 and a 1000..they have a home as long as I have guns. As far as price goes well you spend a little and get a Rave 25 auto and with care it will shoot, or you spend more and get a Ruger and they will outlast you ..JMHO

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #14 on:** March 21, 2004, 11:37:16 PM »

I agree totaly. I like most lee stuff as a matter of fact there the only dies i order anymore. But I would guess that theres alot of 1000 in the closets of reloaders. I dont think ive ever loaded more then 100 rounds on one of them without having to adj. something or wiggle something to keep them working. The primmer feed on a dillon may be its only week point but in my opion its much better then the 1000 or the promaster. If you want automatic turrent opperation you can get a square deal for less then a 550 or buy a 650 for a little more. One thing i know about a dillion is that its a lifetime purchase thats well worth the money. You wont out grow it or get so tired of it that you stick it in the closet! Personally i dont know how i got along without one as long as i did!

Quote from: kimber45fan

I have had a Lee Pro 1000...constant tinkering,funky case feed pusher,main pivot pin creeping out, mine ended up under the bench, I later gave it to a fellow that had borrowed 20 bucks from me , i told him to keep the Lee we would be even. I like Lee dies,,lead furnaces, but there is a REASON why Lee has NO PHONE # on their ads..Dillon's is 1 800 223 -4570. And yes I have Dillons, a SDB, a 550 and a 1000..they have a home as long as I have guns. As far as price goes well you spend a little and get a Rave 25 auto and with care it will shoot, or you spend more and get a Ruger and they will outlast you ..JMHO

Questor · « **Reply #15 on:** March 22, 2004, 03:24:53 AM »

My first and only experience with a Lee 1000 was while shooting a box of ammo that I bought from a guy who had loaded it. There was a double charge. Fortunately the original load was light and the gun didn't blow up.

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 22, 2004, 07:05:00 AM »

I have too much Lee stuff to consider myself brand predudice, if Lee makes it and it'll work for me, then I like paying a two thirds less. The Pro 1000 I had was in my posession for less than a month, I am mechanically inclined, and still disliked the continual requirement to tinker with it. I have replaced it with a Dillon SDB, far less expensive than the big'un but works like a dream. Ya actually have to tinker with it to mess it up. I set the powder measure, changed the seating die insert from flat points to round nose and loaded a quick 2000, I'd have loaded more, but I just can't cast that fast with my dipper.