EQUIPMENT QUESTIONS

[BUBSDAD]

HELLO ALL,
I'VE HAD A FRIEND GIVE ME A LEE PRO1000. I DONT KNOW A THING ABOUT IT AND WAS WONDERING IF THIS IS GOOD EQUIPMENT. ALL PARTS ARE ACCOUNTED FOR I JUST NEED DIES.
EVERYONE I KNOW WHO IS RELOADINNG IS USING DILLON EQUIPMENT AND DONT SEEM TO HIGH ON LEE, SO I WANTED TO GET SOME UNBIASED FEEDBACK FROM KNOWLEDGABLE PEOPLE.
ANY ADVICE / WARNING IS APPRECIATED.
THANKS
BUBSDAD

[hunter63]

I use Lee equipment, not the turrets, but the single presses.
So, I can't comment on that particular press, but as far as I'm concerned I haven't had any problems, and it's really lower cost than some of the others.

I do like the carbide dies, and buy them if possible.
'

[kawalekm]

I've never even touched a piece of Dillon equipment in my life. Almost all of the thousands of rounds of ammo I've made over the years has been with a dinky little RCBS jr press that I bought for 34$ in 1980.

I've never used it, but I would guess the Lee turret isn't very good at loading long rifle cartridges, just pistol size. I do however second Hunter's suggestion for Lee carbide dies. I use Lee carbide dies for all my reloading.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend a progressive press to any beginning reloader. What I do each and every single time I reload a batch of ammo is that I shine a light into each and every case in the block and SEE that the powder charge in each looks the same. One single double charge of Bullseye might just end your reloading project.

I would recommend you get a nice single stage press to start out, then work your way up to the progressive later.
Michael

[hunter63]

Personally, I wouldn't recommend a progressive press to any beginning reloader. What I do each and every single time I reload a batch of ammo is that I shine a light into each and every case in the block and SEE that the powder charge in each looks the same. One single double charge of Bullseye might just end your reloading project.

I would recommend you get a nice single stage press to start out, then work your way up to the progressive later.
Michael

Rodger that,
I just like to take every stage one at a time and do it right.
I have the time , so DO NOT RUSH IT.

[BUBSDAD]

THANKS GUYS

[Incoming]

I've got an old RCBS Rock Crusher that I've had for 30+ years and an old Lyman with a turret head that I don't use much at all and last but not least is my father's 50 year old Herters press that weighs like maybe 20 lbs but still works like a champ. My free can be the best deal in town and Lee puts out great equipment, enjoy the free gift.

[ldsparamedic]

Bubsdad,
I just started in reloading last November and have a grizzled old Korean vet who has been reloading since he was a kid showing me the ropes. He advised me to go with Lee for my equipment, which I did. I am happy with it. I have another buddy who reloads who uses Dillon and he is happy with it. I guess it comes down to personal preference as I don't think one is better than the other. I purchased my press and dies on ebay for really cheap. The dies are steel so they are usually in good shape.

My old vet mentor told me to stay away from the progressive presses until I become more proficient and have reloaded several thousand rounds. He also told me to measure the powder charge for each round via the scale and not to use the automatic powder measurer for the same amount of time. The reasoning behind this was until I get used to how everything was supposed to work and feel, it would be hard to put too much powder in a casing, unless I set the scale wrong. I believe hunter 63 uses the automatic measurer, which is why he inspects each round for a uniform powder charge.

I ran a call where a guy had a revolver detonate when he fired a .357. I asked the guy if he had reloaded his own ammo to which he stated he did. This guy proceded to tell me that he like to load his a little hot. This was fine and dandy except he ruined a fine revolver and the top strap was unaccounted for. His buddy who was standing next to him had a gash in his abdomen and I suspected that was where the missing piece was, so I put him on a helicopter to a trauma center.

That story was to illustrate the point of following the reloading directions to the letter. Depending on what kind of powder you use, having even a small amount of extra powder can lead to disaster. I use a Speer reloading book and load all of my rounds with the minimum charge. It not only saves on powder but provides a safety buffer. Reloading is fun.

[hunter63]

Yes, I do use the auto powder measure, AFTER I have checked it with the scale, and if the load is close, I also dump a load in one of their "dippers" of the proper size, just for grins.

THEN after I have charged a "batch", I do check each case to proper height.

I also check a completely loaded round into the rifle about every 5 round or so, as I have had issues with the round not chambering properly.

[ZOOBEAR]

I have never used a Lee press but I know many people who do and they seem to like them. I have owned RCBS, Lyman and Mec loaders in the past and they were all great. Now Im a Dillion guy 100%. I run a progressive because I reload quite a bit of ammo these days. I use an auto powder charge and I weigh 1 in 10 and have never had a problem.
I dont listen to the radio, watch tv or talk to my buddies when Im at the bench. I only reload 1 caliber at a time so I only have one powder on the bench and one size of primer. This prevents alot of trouble.

[ldsparamedic]

hunter63, I was pointing out that by visually verifying the powder charge height, you were in essence providing a quality check to be extra safe. I wasn't trying to criticize your technique. If my post was rude, I apologize as that was not my intention. I am not saying the automatic powder measures are bad, just that folks who are new to reloading utilize the scale for a while until they know what "normal" is for their particular load. It is similar to me not letting my son get a scope for his rifle until he can shoot it properly and accurately with the open sights.

[wbo3]

All my dies are Lee, my press is a RCBS. I had a gift card to Bass Pro, they carry RCBS, and not Lee. I got the RCBS. Now if I could just find some components, I may be able to actually use the thing...

[hunter63]

hunter63, I was pointing out that by visually verifying the powder charge height, you were in essence providing a quality check to be extra safe. I wasn't trying to criticize your technique. If my post was rude, I apologize as that was not my intention. I am not saying the automatic powder measures are bad, just that folks who are new to reloading utilize the scale for a while until they know what "normal" is for their particular load. It is similar to me not letting my son get a scope for his rifle until he can shoot it properly and accurately with the open sights.

No sweat, we are on the same page.

My response was meant to emphasize to new re-loaders( as well as keeping my self safe) the importance of proper loads.

Friend of mine came over and I helped him get started on his reloading.
While discussing it with him, after he had gone home to finish up,he realized he had used the wrong number on the scale and had really over-loaded his .41 mags he was working on.
Helped him pull the bullets on about 100 rounds, so as to do it properly.

The auto powder measure works well, but I only use it when I loading a large batch of a single caliber, as it is kinda a PITA to set up.
For small batches I use the scale or just the Lee dipper.