Looking at Lee Loadmaster (or pro 1000)

[taseal]

I have a single stage setup for my bolt gun, because it's not much of a mass cartrdige producing setup that I currently run for it. it's a very tedious process for my bolt action where all the charges are individually weighed, all bullets are checked for OAL once seated etc...

well for the 300 BLK i'm not gonna be looking into 100% precision. I want to increase cartridge output... so I was looking at the Lee loadmaster progressive presses...

does anyone have experience with them? it looks like it will really simplify things and make it easier to hand load mass amounts of ammo.

I don't see them having anything available for the 300 BLK so I guess I will have to accesorize it myself, or wait until they come with one...

so my question is, is anyone using a lee loadmaster (or another inexpensive progressive press) to load the 300 BLK? I can't go spend several hundred on a Dillon or anything. Lee should do the job.

Thanks!

oh and what's the diff between loadmaster and pro 1000? It seems like the pro 1000 has less stations. I'm not sure how many stations I need, but I think 4 should suffice?

 

[kd185]

Re: Looking at Lee Loadmaster (or pro 1000)

i had one for a while
worked ok
the only problem i had was the primer station was very finiky
to the point that i didnt trust it
other wise it did everything else just fine

 

[LARMIKE]

Re: Looking at Lee Loadmaster (or pro 1000)

A friend had one of those a few years ago, I tried to get him to buy a RL550 or RL 650 he said the Lee is just as good. It dumped half of the powder on the machine and the rest in the case every time. Save a little more and buy a dillon.

 

[taseal]

Re: Looking at Lee Loadmaster (or pro 1000)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LARMIKE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A friend had one of those a few years ago, I tried to get him to buy a RL550 or RL 650 he said the Lee is just as good. It dumped half of the powder on the machine and the rest in the case every time. Save a little more and buy a dillon. </div></div>

I've been looking at the hornady too, apparently it's a good one too.

I just can't justify the cost for a dillon, it's too much. WAY too much.

it's like getting a prothemeus scale. I'm sure it's great and all, but I can't justify spending over a thousand dollars for something.

maybe if I shit money here and there

 

[5R Milspec]

Re: Looking at Lee Loadmaster (or pro 1000)

one thing about the Lee press.if you look around you will see that they are an OK press.I can say this because I own one ( the Pro 1000 )for the powder being all over the press its a quick fix.just use the side of a pencil to coat the disk and it goes away.this allows the little rubber pice to slip across the disk better causing less of a mess or no mess at all.

to your answer its able to load some of the best ammo you can.they can have problems but what press or reloader doesn't.

 

[wadebrown]

Re: Looking at Lee Loadmaster (or pro 1000)

I would get a dillon, I had a Lee auto loader and it caused nothing but problems. I bought the low level dillon for 40 S&W took it out of the box set up the powder amount, after about 90 minutes after opening the box I went out to buy a couple of 500 count boxes of bullets as I had loaded 500 round already. I was amazed how easy the dillon worked.

I use the dillon for 40 and 45, I load up about 5 gallons of brass and then switch calibers and load up the same. I do not compete with handguns so 6 gallons of loaded ammo lasts me quite a while, I only shoot pistols to maintain proficiency in case I ever need them. Changing calibers every 3 or so years is no problem.

 

[luvmy40]

Re: Looking at Lee Loadmaster (or pro 1000)

The Pro 1000 is a 3 station press. The Load Master is a 5 station press. The Load master has a beefier ram and is the "O" style cast frame.

I've been loading pistol cartridges for quite a few years on a 3 station Lee Deluxe indexing turret. I've never had a problem with the Auto Disc spilling powder but I can see how it could. The idea of lubing the slide plate with graphite sounds like it would stop any spillage if it was an issue.

I just ordered the basic Pro 1000 press as an up grade from my 3 hole Deluxe Turret press. I'll only be using it for my handgun loads but I'll let you know how it works. I have heard that they are finicky and tiresome to set up but I will not be using any of the auto feeding attachments for cases or bullets and I think that this is where the trouble would be.

I load my .223 on a Lee 4 hole indexing turret and use the Lee Perfect Powder Measure with the universal charging die instead of the Auto Disc. It doesn't need any any added parts to throw rifle charges and I had several laying around. A good, stout rubber band does a fine job as a return spring.

I really only need 3 stations for the .223 as I find that I prefer to decap and size in a separate single stage operation.


Check out titanreloading.com for good prices and excellent CS on Lee products.(No, I am not affiliated with Lee or Titan reloading. Just a loyal customer.)

ETA: You would not need to use a rubber band return for the Perfect Powder Measure on either of the Lee progressives. It would use a chain for a positive return on the up stroke.

 

[justinbaker]

Re: Looking at Lee Loadmaster (or pro 1000)

go for a dillon

when you price it all out, its not that much more

there is a smoking deal in the for sale section right now

$425

4 tool heads, 3 powder dies, 4 caliber conversion Kits- 6.5X55,300WSM,308 and 223


http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3246332#Post3246332


but youll have to convince the guy to ship. which should only be about $20

 

[LARMIKE]

Re: Looking at Lee Loadmaster (or pro 1000)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 5R milspec</div><div class="ubbcode-body">one thing about the Lee press.if you look around you will see that they are an OK press.I can say this because I own one ( the Pro 1000 )for the powder being all over the press its a quick fix.just use the side of a pencil to coat the disk and it goes away.this allows the little rubber pice to slip across the disk better causing less of a mess or no mess at all.

to your answer its able to load some of the best ammo you can.they can have problems but what press or reloader doesn't. </div></div>

I am not sure what we did, It has been a few years. I do know that when it returned to Lee they could not figure out what was wrong with it either. My Dillon's work day in and day out. I have a 1050 Super and a 650 They just work. I have also heard some good things about the Hornady.

 

[Kinsman]

Re: Looking at Lee Loadmaster (or pro 1000)

I have three Lee 1000's, and am quite satisfied with their performance. Yes, there have been a few problems, but over all, good machines. I think that most of the problems stem from improper initial set up.
You can pay more, and should if you intend to load a thousand rounds a day, but for the average, or less than average reloader, the Lee is a good deal.

 

[Neo]

Re: Looking at Lee Loadmaster (or pro 1000)

I got a Loadmaster a few years ago to load 223 and 45acp and IMHO it was the biggest POS I have ever used. The primer system sucked and it's full of cheap plastic parts. I had it for a week before I sent it back. Picked up a Hornady LnL and after 15,000 rnds. I haven't had one problem. Before I got it I was looking at a 650 too but for the price difference and the ease of switching calibers I went with the LnL.

 

[texdoug1]

Re: Looking at Lee Loadmaster (or pro 1000)

I've had my loadmaster for about 3yrs, and have only loaded pistol. "I got what I paid for" is about the best I can say about it. Throw the priming system in the trash right off the bat. You will need to hand prime. I've loaded thousands of rounds with it, so if your cool with hand priming and don't want to spend alot of money, go for it. It will be quirky, but you will save about $750 vs. buying a comparable Dillion. That being said, as soon as mine wears out I'm getting the Dillion XL650.

 

[luvmy40]

Re: Looking at Lee Loadmaster (or pro 1000)

I got my Pro 1000 set up tonight.

First off, I am using the Auto Disc Pro with the spring return(it came with my first indexing turret kit) as opposed to the ball chain return. The chain return is one thing that I have hear a lot of complaints about.

I don't think that I will be loading any rifle cartridges with it but it's definitely faster than the indexing turret for hand gun cartridges. I did 300 rounds in the time it would take to do 100 on the turret press.

The primer feed system is definitely the weak point. It's a bit of a pain to load the primer tray onto the feed chute and you need to make sure that you monitor the flow of primers during the loading process. I found that the small pistol primers fed fairly consistently but the large pistol primers needed some help. Tapping on the tray on the up-stroke seemed to help considerably.

There was also a big adjustment for me in the mechanics involved. This is my first progressive press so I have nothing to compare it to, but once I got the components situated and the motions set in my head I was able to work it fairly consistently.

I will be getting the bullet feeding assembly ASAP. The bullet seating die is positioned adjacent to one of turret plate supports. It's enough of an obstacle that I think the feeder will be a good add on. The case feeder may be convenient but it is definitely not an absolute necessity.

You will definitely want to do some dry runs to make sure everything is set up properly before you start loading.

 

[rusty815]

Re: Looking at Lee Loadmaster (or pro 1000)

I would actually recommend the Lee turret press, you can still reload bullets faster and use it for other rifle loads as well since the turret can be rotated automatically or manually.

 

[zuke]

Re: Looking at Lee Loadmaster (or pro 1000)

Be fore warned about the bullet feeder.
I have one for my Loadmaster that still sit's in it's original tube.They don't work good at all with tumble lubed boolit's.

 

[boltgunluvr]

Re: Looking at Lee Loadmaster (or pro 1000)

Make sure all flash is removed from all plastic parts, take your time to setup. There are some vids on youtube about the setup!