Get a progressive press from Dillon, RCBS, or Hornady. Lee makes OK single stage and turret presses, but their progressives aren't very good. The price difference between a cheap press and a good one is insignificant over the long run compared with the cost of the components you will consume, not to mention the time cost of having to fiddle with the machine.
Lee pro 1000 reloader for a starter press
- Thread starter Z0MBIE
- Start date
Isn't that the same with all presses?
It's a hobby, so you can't really count the time. To me, it's not about cranking out as many rounds as possible/hour BUT hey, the Dillon 650 doesn't even have a case feeder as standard.
People who load a lot, do it often for their friends and acquaintances, I would never do that, that's no hobby anymore, that's work.
Agreed, I load for me, I teach them to reload and they can get there own press hehe, We did a reload party once, YES 4 guys 7 presses (some brought 2)
Our buddy has a LARGE MAN GARAGE and its strickly for Guns and Quads, Lots of PIZZA and yes some beer (after the reloading of course ...wink)
it was FUN! And believe it or not, the Dillon (Square DB) was the first to bust out a bad round LOL, we had money it was the Lee's
LOL...That theory would work if you could get paid for your time whenever you wanted to. Me, after I get home from work I don't have many options to pay me even $10 an hour.
I have two 1000s one in 9mm and on in .45. I load about 500-1000 per month and love them.
If someone is not mechanically inclined I don't think reloading is for them period.
I just got back into reloading. I had a Lee turret press which worked well, but when I pulled out of the basement after about 8 years, the ram was seized. I bought a Lee 1000 because I was hoping to get more than 200 rds per hour.
I have to say that the 1000 was finicky, however the more I use it, the better it seems to get. Or is that me getting used to the press??
Overall, for $124.00 (new from their refurb page) it's pretty good and now that I know I can hunt down some 'tuning' tips, I'm sure it'll be OK for the near future anyway.
I also have a Dillon Square Deal (auto indexing) which I use for .45 ACP it occaisionally needs a bit of TLC but for the most part I can crank out about 400 per hour if I set my mind to it.
Member CSSA
I have to say that the 1000 was finicky, however the more I use it, the better it seems to get. Or is that me getting used to the press??
Overall, for $124.00 (new from their refurb page) it's pretty good and now that I know I can hunt down some 'tuning' tips, I'm sure it'll be OK for the near future anyway.
I also have a Dillon Square Deal (auto indexing) which I use for .45 ACP it occaisionally needs a bit of TLC but for the most part I can crank out about 400 per hour if I set my mind to it.
Member CSSA
Last edited:
Even for someone who is mechanically inclined the 1000's can be a PITA and simply irritating. After a long day at work making and fixing crap for other people the last thing I want to do is come home and screw with a press that isn't working right. I was even given a Lee Pro 1000 for free yet I still went and bought Square Deal B's by Dillon so that my time is better spent actually reloading and not tinkering with my press
And the Lee sits in the corner hopefully never to be touched again
Even for someone who is mechanically inclined the 1000's can be a PITA and simply irritating. After a long day at work making and fixing crap for other people the last thing I want to do is come home and screw with a press that isn't working right. I was even given a Lee Pro 1000 for free yet I still went and bought Square Deal B's by Dillon so that my time is better spent actually reloading and not tinkering with my press
And the Lee sits in the corner hopefully never to be touched again
that's AWFULLY SMALL MINDED of you- what you should do is PASS IT ON to somebody that maybe already has one, or UNDERSTANDS IT- there's NOTHING worse than an UNUSED TOOL- SURE, STEAL the dies and possibly the powder measure( they can be used elsewhere) , but then give it away to someone-
Even for someone who is mechanically inclined the 1000's can be a PITA and simply irritating. After a long day at work making and fixing crap for other people the last thing I want to do is come home and screw with a press that isn't working right. I was even given a Lee Pro 1000 for free yet I still went and bought Square Deal B's by Dillon so that my time is better spent actually reloading and not tinkering with my press
And the Lee sits in the corner hopefully never to be touched again
Jefro: I'd be happy to take it off your hands for the shipping costs if you like.
What caliber is it set up for?
I am new to reloading, I purchased a Lee Pro 1000 for 9mm. It doesa have a touchy priming system but if you take your time and pay attention to the press you will do fine. Take the time to set it up properly as they DO NOT run right out of the box! Its not the fastest progressive but I believe its the cheapest (insert irony here). At the end of the day I enjoy reloading and take my time. If you need to crank out rounds like production your gonna need to spend the cash for the blue press. just my two cents! Happy Reloading!
