Lee Pro 1000 or Lee load master?

eroc1l

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Would like to move to a full auto press from my classic turret, which one would you recommend, and why? Lee pro or load master?
 
I use Lee Pro 1000's for my pistol reloading. If you plan on reloading rifle cartridges as well then the Loadmaster would be the way to go. The Lee Pro 1000's can do .223 only but I really wouldn't want to try on a 1000. YMMV.......
 
the loadmaster has really 4 holes,(yes, i can count to 5, but the second hole is for priming only, or resizing, provided you decap only at station 1) the 1000 three- the only difference is whether you're going to do revolver or auto pistol, and if you want to include the FACTORY CRIMP DIE- that's the main crux of it- i've got 3 1000 and 1 loadmaster- 223, 9mm and 45 are all 1000 and the loadmaster is a 44 mag-because of the factory crimp die- no other reason- i just didn't want to do the "extra " step of running the ammo though a single stage just to gain the advantage of the factory crimp die- you really don't have to on auto loaders anyway, but revolvers it solves a lot of problems when the round woun't chamber- the l/m wasn't around back then, and it really is the better press
 
I've just finished setting up my new loadmaster, and it seems to be working quite well. Haven't loaded a ton of ammunition yet, but have been "dry running" a bunch through to check consistency and smooth operation.
It takes a bit of mechanical inclination to get it set up and smoothed out, but after spending about 3 hours setting dies, assembling, lubing, and knocking some of the rough bits off, it's rolling pretty smoothly thus far.
I got mine from a company in the states. Took a bit longer to get here (about 4 weeks from time of order), but it was significantly cheaper than buying in Canada.
Loadmaster .45 with an extra turret, 25-06 dies, a scale, shipping and duty came to ~$350.
 
Hey t-star
How does the pro 1000 work on .223? I am running the pro 1000 for 9mm (working great), but I just got my AR in .223 and realized that I am going to have to start reloading .223 or go broke .

Does the .223 do a full case resize? And what do you do about case size/trimming and primer pocket cleaning?

Thanks
Kevin
 
Loadmaster is great. I use the "5th" hole (being the primer hole) for the expander die to bell the case on rifle ammo.

Depends on what caliber you want to reload. I use the Turret press as well as my Loadmaster. My buddy only does handgun ammo with his three Pro 1000's.

The only fault with the Turret and Pro 1000 (being the same frame) is they aren't long enough to do rifle ammo unless turning the turret manually very carefully. .308's will hit the dies even if you turn the turret if you aren't careful.

I got my Loadmaster used, so I can't recommend paying the extra for a new one if all you are doing is handgun ammo. Highly recommend paying more for the Loadmaster, new or used, if you are doing rifle ammo as well as handgun ammo.
 
the 1000/223 works the same as any of the other 1000, but you have to be sure and lube first- the case feeder in this case is somewhat of questionable value b/c of the lube, and you can't pull the 15 degree cant trick to make the primers feed better b/c it throws the casing out of line with the depriming rod- i've done this trick on both the 9mm and 45 acp- the other thing i found is that the powder measure is inadequate in terms of capacity- 25 grains a pop makes that little hopper drain quickly in terms of production- i've substituted a DILLON powder measure- this was back in the days when we had standard cap mags, so spending 250-500 rounds ( that's only 17 mags full) a session at the range was not unheard of- it works for me, so i never changed back
it's a full length resize, ( hence the admonishment to lube) and i use the lee case length cutter and pilot thing - it's pre- set, so you don;t have to figure anything out- that's all part of your case inspection/prep
 
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if you're really smart, you can rebuild your turret( provided it's the old 3 hole style) into a 1000- they share a good deal of the same components- and the loadmaster comes "fully dressed" when new- dies, primer feed, etc- unless you get a used or stripped model( the factory seconds may also be less dies- i don't know) - whatever you do . don't buy the floor demo- i did, and i swear i 've just about had to do a complete rebuild- you don't know how many times joe public has pulled on the lever just to see it work
 
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