First off, I'm glad the OP is OK - I can only imagine the fear you went through in the moments after the bang. Second, I've loaded a few rounds on Lee equipment (somewhere around 60,000 including 30,000 on a turret) I currently use a 1000 to load 9mm and 45 acp. The machines are finnicky, they need to be kept clean inside and the timing is a constant source of frustration, are they as good as a Dillon, probably not - but then they don't cost like one either. I do load with Federal primers (on my Turret) for my PPC revolver, because they are the only primer the light action will ignite, it's 100% reliable with Federal primers ONLY and I was aware of this when the gun was bought. This should give you an idea of how much softer Federal primer cups are; with Winchester primers the same gun will fire 70% and with CCI it's more like 45%. Something to consider when buying primers. I have found the usually finnicky Lee primer system is actually smoother, and far more positive if you only use CCI primers in the Pro 1000 - I guess the extra thickness equates to a slightly heavier primer which helps the Lee primer system. FWIW I'm looking at moving to a Dillon, principally for speed as I find I have less time to reload these days, but without the Lee equipment I've used I'd not have been able to shoot as much, or possibly at all.
Lee 1000 auto prime blew up about an hour ago *PICS*
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You're right! Doing all those things manually is such hard work.....
Once you've had a case feed, you never go back.
He never had any Lee presses, he is stuck with a Dillon 550B cause he wants to get his fingers squished.
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Never had a Lee press, never had reason to. My two old Lyman presses worked perfectly before Lee came out with their junk.
I currently have two Dillons, 550B and my old 1050. It is possible to crush a finger with either if you are an IDIOT!
When I was into competition heavily (pun intended) I ended up with seven Dillons; three 1050s, two 550Bs and two Square Deals, half of which were prizes, it was an impressive bench! Their quality of rounds and speed allowed me to become IPSC Ontario provincial champion six times, 1985-88, 91 and 92, as well as many three gun, rifle and shotgun championships. I have tried some Lee stuff over the years, moulds, dies, etc., but no presses, I didn't want to get stuck with a turkey I couldn't sell. Without exception it was all useless junk . Look on ebay to see what pitiful prices used Lee junk goes for, that's why my Lee junk went to Goodwill last spring, might be a good place to look if you need more junk even cheaper.
I understand that some shooters get satisfactory performance from Lee junk but their expectations are obviously low, IMHO. You may notice the lack of advertising of anyone winning anything with Lee junk. Its sole attraction is the low price, caveat emptor, let the buyer beware.
I have an almost new Hornady projector with several shell plates and POS primer feed for sale to the best offer. If no sale it goes to Goodwill next spring too. Send PM with offer. Lee junk has all gone to charity.
This has been my experience, yours may differ, and I stand by my statement.
Cheers, Bryan
As ong as they work.
I put a case feeder on my 550...and hated it.
It's a well designed retro fit...but an after thought just the same.I have friends who love the feeder on the 550 (including the guy that bought mine) but I found it far too unreliable.
When you buy your Dillon...my honest assement is...a 550 with no case feeder...or a 1050 (nothing in between)
For starters, you're wrong about people winning with Lee gear: http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek075.html
Granted it's rare, but Jerry does it, and I've done it in local pin and clay competitions.
For finishers, your repetitive use of "Lee junk" shows a person either too angry to speak clearly or too fragile in ego to just let it go, or both.
Lee equipment isn't "junk" - it's lower-priced gear for people whose needs, clearly, are not yours.
Thank the lord, that the shrapnel was only pot metal. I'd really be pissed if it were higher quality steel.
At the ranges of sitting directly in front of something, I really doubt it matters overly what the metals are. High speed zinc will cut you just as bad as high speed steel.
Glad to hear the OP is not seriously hurt, and willing to continue loading.
Never had a Lee press, never had reason to. My two old Lyman presses worked perfectly before Lee came out with their junk.
I currently have two Dillons, 550B and my old 1050. It is possible to crush a finger with either if you are an IDIOT!
When I was into competition heavily (pun intended) I ended up with seven Dillons; three 1050s, two 550Bs and two Square Deals, half of which were prizes, it was an impressive bench! Their quality of rounds and speed allowed me to become IPSC Ontario provincial champion six times, 1985-88, 91 and 92, as well as many three gun, rifle and shotgun championships. I have tried some Lee stuff over the years, moulds, dies, etc., but no presses, I didn't want to get stuck with a turkey I couldn't sell. Without exception it was all useless junk . Look on ebay to see what pitiful prices used Lee junk goes for, that's why my Lee junk went to Goodwill last spring, might be a good place to look if you need more junk even cheaper.
I understand that some shooters get satisfactory performance from Lee junk but their expectations are obviously low, IMHO. You may notice the lack of advertising of anyone winning anything with Lee junk. Its sole attraction is the low price, caveat emptor, let the buyer beware.
I have an almost new Hornady projector with several shell plates and POS primer feed for sale to the best offer. If no sale it goes to Goodwill next spring too. Send PM with offer. Lee junk has all gone to charity.
This has been my experience, yours may differ, and I stand by my statement.
Cheers, Bryan
Question is what you are when you have to repeat yourself over and over again BUT you even admit that you have no f**king idea what you are talking about.
So who is the idiot?
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I am sorry to see that this thread turned into a little bit of bashing. But alas, I did see it coming.
I admitted my mistake, and posted this thread as a warning that many people use federal primers, and SUGGEST that it is okay to do so. These suggestions are what made me try it out and ignore the precautions from LEE. My mistake. I made my bed, and I will sleep in it. Save the attacks for someone with thinner skin than me.
Should you choose, and I know damned well those of you who swear by federal primers in autoprimes will not sway from your opinions, please please please wear safety glasses or a face shield. I am unlucky in that i blew my tray, but lucky in that i am not really hurt. A few scabs on the face and arms, and a gash on my hand is eff all compared to losing sight. This is serious s**t, and for 19 years never did I wear a pair of glasses, and from this day on I will. It can happen, and if you think it cant, look once again at post #1.
I suggest that the Lee is substandard due to my experience with it, and for any of you who have used a LEE1000, you will know how finicky it is to auto prime, and how easy it flies out of alignment. There is play in the carrier, and the dies are garbage. Does it make bullets? Sure. Is it pretty and always a pleasure? No. Its a PITA 50% of the time and once you get rolling, you will probably have a primer feed problem, or an alignment problem within 50 rounds. Its not the tightest piece of equipment, and I will be upgrading now when I can afford it.
Like previously mentioned by another poster, there is a safety flaw in the plastic autoprimer, and this does in fact turn to sharp shrapnel in the even of an explosion. Would a metal tray contain the explosion? Ask an engineer, but surely there is a safer design possible.
I am going to be using this Lee1000 until I can afford a Dillon550b. At this time I will decide where it goes. It makes bullets, but I am no longer a fan. Sorry. I am no Dillon rep and this isnt a big conspiracy to bash Lee. I just dont like the problems associated with the system.
All I can say about this thread is thanks for the concern and good wishes, your experiences and stories, and please avoid Federal primers and wear your safety glasses.
BTW, this is right after I washed my face a minute or so after she blew. It could have been worse
I admitted my mistake, and posted this thread as a warning that many people use federal primers, and SUGGEST that it is okay to do so. These suggestions are what made me try it out and ignore the precautions from LEE. My mistake. I made my bed, and I will sleep in it. Save the attacks for someone with thinner skin than me.
Should you choose, and I know damned well those of you who swear by federal primers in autoprimes will not sway from your opinions, please please please wear safety glasses or a face shield. I am unlucky in that i blew my tray, but lucky in that i am not really hurt. A few scabs on the face and arms, and a gash on my hand is eff all compared to losing sight. This is serious s**t, and for 19 years never did I wear a pair of glasses, and from this day on I will. It can happen, and if you think it cant, look once again at post #1.
I suggest that the Lee is substandard due to my experience with it, and for any of you who have used a LEE1000, you will know how finicky it is to auto prime, and how easy it flies out of alignment. There is play in the carrier, and the dies are garbage. Does it make bullets? Sure. Is it pretty and always a pleasure? No. Its a PITA 50% of the time and once you get rolling, you will probably have a primer feed problem, or an alignment problem within 50 rounds. Its not the tightest piece of equipment, and I will be upgrading now when I can afford it.
Like previously mentioned by another poster, there is a safety flaw in the plastic autoprimer, and this does in fact turn to sharp shrapnel in the even of an explosion. Would a metal tray contain the explosion? Ask an engineer, but surely there is a safer design possible.
I am going to be using this Lee1000 until I can afford a Dillon550b. At this time I will decide where it goes. It makes bullets, but I am no longer a fan. Sorry. I am no Dillon rep and this isnt a big conspiracy to bash Lee. I just dont like the problems associated with the system.
All I can say about this thread is thanks for the concern and good wishes, your experiences and stories, and please avoid Federal primers and wear your safety glasses.
BTW, this is right after I washed my face a minute or so after she blew. It could have been worse
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Lets keep the thread away from personal jabs please
No metal what so ever in the tray, all plastic for obvious reason's, and molded that way to blow apart safely.
If that make's sense.
Its not personal its just observations from people that have different brands of equipment and have used the two most mentioned on this post.They have simply stated which one works better.Maybe down the road somebody wanting to get into loading will be saved allot of aggravation and disappointment..
Never had a Lee press, never had reason to. My two old Lyman presses worked perfectly before Lee came out with their junk.
I currently have two Dillons, 550B and my old 1050. It is possible to crush a finger with either if you are an IDIOT!
When I was into competition heavily (pun intended) I ended up with seven Dillons; three 1050s, two 550Bs and two Square Deals, half of which were prizes, it was an impressive bench! Their quality of rounds and speed allowed me to become IPSC Ontario provincial champion six times, 1985-88, 91 and 92, as well as many three gun, rifle and shotgun championships. I have tried some Lee stuff over the years, moulds, dies, etc., but no presses, I didn't want to get stuck with a turkey I couldn't sell. Without exception it was all useless junk . Look on ebay to see what pitiful prices used Lee junk goes for, that's why my Lee junk went to Goodwill last spring, might be a good place to look if you need more junk even cheaper.
I understand that some shooters get satisfactory performance from Lee junk but their expectations are obviously low, IMHO. You may notice the lack of advertising of anyone winning anything with Lee junk. Its sole attraction is the low price, caveat emptor, let the buyer beware.
I have an almost new Hornady projector with several shell plates and POS primer feed for sale to the best offer. If no sale it goes to Goodwill next spring too. Send PM with offer. Lee junk has all gone to charity.
This has been my experience, yours may differ, and I stand by my statement.
Cheers, Bryan
lmao.....were you beaten by Lee junk when you were young? Did you come home and find Lee junk in bed with your wife? Did Lee junk come to Canada and steal your job? Sure sounds like it!!! lmao
- Location
- Maple Ridge
Great post, glad you are still intact. I think it shines light on the idea that perhaps people get complacent with the familiarity of our jobs or hobbies. My step father (god rest his marvelous soul) taught me to reload for trap shooting. He wasn't the type to by eye protection, I guess if something blew up he figured just close your eyes fast. I was young and didn't know any better and he was always away driving truck. I knew that if I wanted to go shoot with him on the weekends I had to load shells during the week. I was lucky, very lucky.
Now I work for the regional transit system but in the overhaul facilities. We work with caustic chemical dip tanks, and parts washers as well as around the machine shop and welding shops. I am always surpised when I see my co workers opening boiling or near boiling dip tanks with highly caustic chemicals (they'll strip an engine block clean or pull the paint off body parts) and they don't wear any protection, no apron, no visors etc...
Safety first, teach our kids, set an example and follow instructions, they aren't always just so the manufacturer can try to avoid liabilities.
Again, glad you are still intact.
Douglas
Now I work for the regional transit system but in the overhaul facilities. We work with caustic chemical dip tanks, and parts washers as well as around the machine shop and welding shops. I am always surpised when I see my co workers opening boiling or near boiling dip tanks with highly caustic chemicals (they'll strip an engine block clean or pull the paint off body parts) and they don't wear any protection, no apron, no visors etc...
Safety first, teach our kids, set an example and follow instructions, they aren't always just so the manufacturer can try to avoid liabilities.
Again, glad you are still intact.
Douglas
Nope, 45 years experience with Lee junk! It all went to Goodwill. When will the next one explode? Like plastic schrapnel in your face, use Lee junk. If you don't like my opinion KMA.
Nope, 45 years experience with Lee junk! It all went to Goodwill. When will the next one explode? Like plastic schrapnel in your face, use Lee junk. If you don't like my opinion KMA.
Check your blood pressure.
Nope, 45 years experience with Lee junk! It all went to Goodwill. When will the next one explode? Like plastic schrapnel in your face, use Lee junk. If you don't like my opinion KMA.
You sound like a real tool with an anger management problem.
Lee presses are perfect for the recreational shooter who is not afraid to tinker a little bit with it. They are priced accordingly. The loadmaster and pro 1000 come standard with a case feeder, true, simple one but it does work until the tubes are empty and the odd case is upside down. It would drive me crazy if that would happen to a $250 or $500 case feeder, of course. Same with the Lee bullet feeder (which I haven't tried yet), look at the prices.
The powder measure all work great, I have tried all of them, yes, a primer can go in upside down or sideways (usually when you feed it wrong), therefore Lee has the warning sign in regards to Federal primer. I am using CCI primer and have the shield installed, no problem, the OP ignored warning signs, does this has anything to do with the product?
If I would constantly making 500 rounds/hour, I would probably go with a Dillon, Hornady or other brand, but I am not. Even the normal 3 or 4 hole progressive turret press is enough for most people, very fast for pistol rounds if you are using the safety primer.
Fortunately, Lee products are manufactured in high numbers which helps to keep prices down, my bet is, that most people will be happy with them.
I had many BMW when I was younger, now I am driving a Honda, still happy.
The powder measure all work great, I have tried all of them, yes, a primer can go in upside down or sideways (usually when you feed it wrong), therefore Lee has the warning sign in regards to Federal primer. I am using CCI primer and have the shield installed, no problem, the OP ignored warning signs, does this has anything to do with the product?
If I would constantly making 500 rounds/hour, I would probably go with a Dillon, Hornady or other brand, but I am not. Even the normal 3 or 4 hole progressive turret press is enough for most people, very fast for pistol rounds if you are using the safety primer.
Fortunately, Lee products are manufactured in high numbers which helps to keep prices down, my bet is, that most people will be happy with them.
I had many BMW when I was younger, now I am driving a Honda, still happy.
