lee pro 1000 press

ruger357w · July 8, 2012, 10:32 PM

Man I swear I just got beat up by that thing. It works great when it wants too, but not tonight. seems everytime I got it going good something else would go wrong. I've had it for about 5 years, but really haven't used it much in the last year or so. Now i remember why. I only use it for 9mm lugers, was going to get one for the 357's but I think for now I'll keep useing my single stage press for those. can't really beat the old RSBC. Sorry guys I guess I just needed to vent after that.

Lost Sheep · July 9, 2012, 12:11 AM

I hear you.

I started out on a RCBS Jr and shortly after, got a chance to trade for a RockChucker which served me for a few years. But then I got a couple of Pro-1000s that raised my output, but which I never got used to.

So, I traded up to a Lee Classic Turret. Out of that, I can match the output I used to get out of my Pro-1000s and felt much safer doing it. Changing calibers is a breeze, too. If you think you might like to consider it, I have more advice I could share.

Lost Sheep

beex215 · July 9, 2012, 12:29 AM

its the stupid primer mechanism. i just disabled it all together to get it to work.

ruger357w · July 9, 2012, 06:19 AM

Thanks guys. and yes it's always something to do with the primers. it either misses cases or it trys to push them in side ways. and if it misses a case you get powder all over the place so you got to clean it or the primers wont feed at all. lovely I say. I'm thinking it might be time for a nice dillion.

rebs · July 9, 2012, 07:48 AM

I am considering the Lee classic turret and would appreciate more information on it.

MikeRussell · July 9, 2012, 10:00 AM

My old Pro 1k gets used as a rapid depriming press now. When kept perfectly clean, it was good for about 300-350rnds per hour. Most of the time it was more like 200. Now, it deprimes as fast as I can pull the handle & keep the case feeder full. I cut the primer feed off the shellplates & removed the guts.

Amazingly, even though similar in design, I don't have trouble with the Loadmaster. I just loaded 1k ea of 9, .40, & .45 this weekend and had about a handful of rejects that were primer issues.

BDS-THR · July 9, 2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruger357w

Quote:

Originally Posted by beex215

its the stupid primer mechanism.

yes it's always something to do with the primers. it either misses cases or it trys to push them in side ways.

Pro 1000 primer feed system is gravity based and to keep it working reliably, you need to keep the feed ramp clean, ensure the push rod top is not dropping above the ramp surface and don't let primer run empty in the feed ramp (especially with small primers that are lighter in weight). When a primer is jammed against the push rod/bottom of shell plate and you force the ram lever, you'll gouge the feed ramp surface that will keep the primers from smoothly feeding.

Here are some solutions to address Pro 1000 primer feed issues (see posts #65 and #67) - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthrea...36#post7773536

ruger357w · July 9, 2012, 04:58 PM

Thanks BDS-THR that link is very helpful. I'm going to look over my press tonight and check it all out.

5R milspec · July 10, 2012, 06:14 PM

I will have to say that the Lee Pro 1000 is a little tricky at times.when I first started I messed up a few rounds.( mostly missing primers )but now and knowing what to do I can load more rounds with it and faster than my dad with his old Dillon.

like one said you have to really watch out for the primer feeder.keeping the area clean and the hopper full helps out alot.I like to just giggle it at times to make sure the primers are falling like they need to.even keeping a close eye on it so it doesn't run out.other than that all of my 380,9mm and 40 ammo comes out just fine with great accuracy.

heck if I had the room I would just buy a press for each cal I load for.but I don't have the room for that many press'.just have the room for the tool heads.

mumbo719 · July 12, 2012, 05:36 AM

Prime off the press and you will be much happier.

darkgael · July 12, 2012, 05:53 AM

i have two of the things. One for .45 ACP and the other for .38/.357. The .45 press has loaded in excess of 60k rounds.
The advice about the primer feed is spot on. Keep it clean and full - check it to make sure it is feeding and the thing will run just fine.
I have two Dillon presses also; they don't work any better than the Lee.
Pete

1stmar · July 12, 2012, 07:55 AM

I had 2 lee pro 1000, like everyone else I started with them because they were cheap and i loved them till I started having problems with the priming. I switched to a dillon 550, I never have a problem with it. I never have rejects. If they were cheaper, I'd have 2, 1 for small primer and 1 for large. I am always looking for a deal on a second.

July 8, 2012, 10:32 PM	#1
ruger357w Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: Maine Posts: 161	lee pro 1000 press Man I swear I just got beat up by that thing. It works great when it wants too, but not tonight. seems everytime I got it going good something else would go wrong. I've had it for about 5 years, but really haven't used it much in the last year or so. Now i remember why. I only use it for 9mm lugers, was going to get one for the 357's but I think for now I'll keep useing my single stage press for those. can't really beat the old RSBC. Sorry guys I guess I just needed to vent after that.

July 12, 2012, 05:36 AM	#10
mumbo719 Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2008 Location: Tampa Bay, FL. Posts: 346	Prime off the press and you will be much happier. __________________ CZ 75 P-01 . CZ-75B . CZ 912 . CZ 920 . Glock 26 Gen 3 . Kimber Pro Crimson Carry . XDm 45 3.8 Compact . Ruger 22/45 MKIII

July 12, 2012, 05:53 AM	#11
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	Lee i have two of the things. One for .45 ACP and the other for .38/.357. The .45 press has loaded in excess of 60k rounds. The advice about the primer feed is spot on. Keep it clean and full - check it to make sure it is feeding and the thing will run just fine. I have two Dillon presses also; they don't work any better than the Lee. Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

July 9, 2012, 12:11 AM	#2
Lost Sheep Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2009 Location: Anchorage Alaska Posts: 3,341	I hear you. I started out on a RCBS Jr and shortly after, got a chance to trade for a RockChucker which served me for a few years. But then I got a couple of Pro-1000s that raised my output, but which I never got used to. So, I traded up to a Lee Classic Turret. Out of that, I can match the output I used to get out of my Pro-1000s and felt much safer doing it. Changing calibers is a breeze, too. If you think you might like to consider it, I have more advice I could share. Lost Sheep

July 9, 2012, 12:29 AM	#3
beex215 Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2010 Posts: 317	its the stupid primer mechanism. i just disabled it all together to get it to work.

July 9, 2012, 06:19 AM	#4
ruger357w Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: Maine Posts: 161	Thanks guys. and yes it's always something to do with the primers. it either misses cases or it trys to push them in side ways. and if it misses a case you get powder all over the place so you got to clean it or the primers wont feed at all. lovely I say. I'm thinking it might be time for a nice dillion.

July 9, 2012, 07:48 AM	#5
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	I am considering the Lee classic turret and would appreciate more information on it.

July 9, 2012, 10:00 AM	#6
MikeRussell Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2006 Location: Carencro, LA Posts: 335	My old Pro 1k gets used as a rapid depriming press now. When kept perfectly clean, it was good for about 300-350rnds per hour. Most of the time it was more like 200. Now, it deprimes as fast as I can pull the handle & keep the case feeder full. I cut the primer feed off the shellplates & removed the guts. Amazingly, even though similar in design, I don't have trouble with the Loadmaster. I just loaded 1k ea of 9, .40, & .45 this weekend and had about a handful of rejects that were primer issues.

July 9, 2012, 04:58 PM	#8
ruger357w Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: Maine Posts: 161	Thanks BDS-THR that link is very helpful. I'm going to look over my press tonight and check it all out.

July 10, 2012, 06:14 PM	#9
5R milspec Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 360	I will have to say that the Lee Pro 1000 is a little tricky at times.when I first started I messed up a few rounds.( mostly missing primers )but now and knowing what to do I can load more rounds with it and faster than my dad with his old Dillon. like one said you have to really watch out for the primer feeder.keeping the area clean and the hopper full helps out alot.I like to just giggle it at times to make sure the primers are falling like they need to.even keeping a close eye on it so it doesn't run out.other than that all of my 380,9mm and 40 ammo comes out just fine with great accuracy. heck if I had the room I would just buy a press for each cal I load for.but I don't have the room for that many press'.just have the room for the tool heads.

July 12, 2012, 07:55 AM	#12
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	I had 2 lee pro 1000, like everyone else I started with them because they were cheap and i loved them till I started having problems with the priming. I switched to a dillon 550, I never have a problem with it. I never have rejects. If they were cheaper, I'd have 2, 1 for small primer and 1 for large. I am always looking for a deal on a second.