Lee Pro 1000 / 9mm Help !!!

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Semi12

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So I purchased this kit at wholesale the other day, was sick of the only ammo being available is overpriced american eagle... it has a 3 hole top turret, powder measure works fine, primer feeder started jamming up not feeding primers... Took it all apart, can't seem to put it all back together the same now :/ got 2 good rounds done and about 30 ####ed up, with various problems, from proper length with powder and no primer, to too short, too long, not straight, primer half in, very frustrating... I believe where I went wrong is I unscrewed the various depths of the dies... Is there a thread ANYWHERE that walks me through step by step set up from the begining, instructions seem very poor to me :( I spent over 650 on all related brass / heads / powder's / extra dies /primers... / gloves / caliper, still need a case trimer (for future)and tumbler... And digital powder scale, tempts me to hand prime and get a lee classic loader, single / hand loader...

Thanks in advance !
 
I have the same press. SLOW DOWN develop a system. I jumped in quick to and the press wasn't egor as i was. After so many primer Jams, I would just prime cases 500 at a time. Then i would power and bullet. there is all so an awesome youtube vids on the take down, cleaning, and re assemble of the 1000.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzaPXj4g8D0


Or with a that money you should have ordered a dillion...
 
ya you should have skipped the reloading Gloves? and put the money to better use, Dillon.

Having said that i dont own a dillon but many lee's. #1 problem with the pro 1000 is the primer system.

keep the black primer slide clean and free of any lube/powders and make sure the primer tray doesnt go empty. some people add o rings to the vertical upright to add more "shake" to the primer tray. Myself i just flick the tray when req.

if you want trouble free loading , return or sell the lee and get a dillon. if you can think things threw and are mech. inclined you will do fine with the lee.
 
There are some good videos on the Lee website.
Once the Lee is properly set up, it works very well. I have reloaded many thousands of rounds with it in many different calibers.

No, it is not a Dillon, but it doesn't cost anywhere near the price of a Dillon either.
 
I ran a Lee Loadmaster and while it worked it definitely requires a lot of TLC to keep it running.

I found the Lee videos helped and there are a few threads on here that had some good info.

Take your time a work a few cases through one at a time 'til you get the bugs worked out.

Good luck. :)

John
 
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For hedgehog, I'm working with powder(chemicles) and lead, don't wanna absorb that stuff, I also wearing a face sheild in case primer or primer tray goes off.. Better safe than sorry I say !

Thanks all for the advice so far ! But still, what about the proper depths of the dies ? How do I go back to spec ? What is the original depth ? Why the #### is the depth even adjustible ?
 
Thanks all for the advice so far ! But still, what about the proper depths of the dies ? How do I go back to spec ? What is the original depth ? Why the f**k is the depth even adjustible ?
Click to expand...

I would definitely suggest O rings on the notches to aggitate the primers; I use a very tight shoe lace to the same effect.

The dies are adjustable since every press is different (dies not just meant for Pro 1000) and the OAL and crimp can affect accraucy, so you want to be able to adjsut this. I suggest openning the bookelt that came with the dies; it will give a good description of the setup of the dies. Go to a reloading manual (suggest Lyman) to find the proper AOL for the bullet you are using.

One alst thing I recommned is do not rush through the postion of the stroke where it accuates the primer feed system; if you do, it will bugger it up. Also, if you have had a few rounds dumo the powder through empty primer pockets, I suggest dismantling the head and cleaning it thoroughly (will cause feed problems).
 
Semi12 said:
Thanks all for the advice so far ! But still, what about the proper depths of the dies ? How do I go back to spec ? What is the original depth ? Why the f**k is the depth even adjustible ?
Click to expand...

Sorry you got stuck with the lee progressive, they're frustrating as all get out, but since you have it, you might as well make the best of it. Here's the basic method to set the depths. (This should be in your lee die manual)

Start with all your dies adjusted high.

Deprime / resize: bring the ram all the way up and screw the die down until it kisses the shell plate. Tighten with lock nut.

Powder drop / flare: take a case and put it in the shell plate. Raise it to the top then screw the die down until it touches. Lower the ram and turn the die a full turn. Raise the ram and see if you have enough (Holds bullet) or too little flare (Doesn't hold bullet). Adjust accordingly. You don't want any more than you have to get to hold the bullet.

Bullet Seat: Make sure the top bullet depth adjustment is all the way up in addition to the die. Take a good factory bullet and put it on the shell plate Raise up the ram. screw the die down until it contacts, back off the ram. Turn the die another 1/4 turn (This sets your crimp) and lock it. Push the bullet back up and screw the bullet depth adjustment down until it touches the bullet.

I take a sharpie and mark the dies in relation to the tool head so I have a guide as to where I start from for the future.

Everything is adjustable because you can "tune" the press and your ammo now. Some guns like longer bullets for feeding or accuracy, some don't.

Good Luck - sounds to me like you'll be shopping for Hornady or Dillon soon, though.
 
Freedom ventures has done a good job of describing die setup.
You need to do one die at a time, and one case at a time. Once all three dies are adjusted to do their jobs properly, then run one case through to make a loaded cartridge. I always do this final check.
Slow and steady is the trick. I use a full stop at the bottom of the stroke, and a full stop at the top. I feel the primer being pushed into the case. I also flick the primer tray every time I see that it is not feeding into the trough.
If you are having difficulty, run one case through at a time until you are comfortable with all of the steps before you start a big production run.
As for volume, I load about 300 + per hour on my Lee. If I try to run it faster I end up with mistakes. At 300+, I have 0% error rate on my cartridges.
 
Semi12 said:
For hedgehog, I'm working with powder(chemicles) and lead, don't wanna absorb that stuff, I also wearing a face shield in case primer or primer tray goes off.. Better safe than sorry I say !
Click to expand...

what ever helps you sleep at night. Lead doesn't absorb threw skin, you can rub it all over your body if you wish with no ill effects. Dont drink or eat until washed up, and keep your hands away from your face.

as for you face shield, sure why not.
 
I do not use a full face shield, but I do use safety galsses when I am working. I also wash up with D-Lead when I am done; I can't work with gloves as I loose the feel on the bullets as I seat them.
 
Found I had to tape a washer underneath the primer seater to seat them a little deeper, other than that go slow once its adjusted. Agree that are finicky to setup (and watch that chain when taking it apart or will learn new words) but once working are okay (just okay).
 
lineofsight said:
Found I had to tape a washer underneath the primer seater to seat them a little deeper, other than that go slow once its adjusted. Agree that are finicky to setup (and watch that chain when taking it apart or will learn new words) but once working are okay (just okay).
Click to expand...

Washer or a couple layers of aluminum tape (HVAC), hell any tape would do even some electrical.

#1 issue with primer tray is the agitation is not sufficient. As stated. O-rings work, or you can use pieces of shoe string and tie them in the "agitator slots".

Once you get the tray shaking well, your primer feed issues will most likely disappear.
 
The problem with my lee loader is squibs.Lots of hassles with the Lee at first ,thought I had it figured out .Took my time I even periodically checked cases for powder,all seemed well.Loaded up 500 38spl. for the wife, averaged about 12 squibs per hundred......not a happy wife............ saving up for a Dillon.
 
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