Lee Pro 1000 - switching shell plates??

Snakehunter

Snakehunter

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Kenora, Ontario
I currently own a Lee 50th anniversary single stage press that I am using to load my .300 winmag. I bought a 4 die pistol set for my 9mm but I can't see me loading 100's of rounds on a single stage press. I am considering buying a Lee Pro 1000 to get into a progressive press without breaking the bank.

My question is about switching the shell plate for changing calibers. Is it complicated? I might get a .357 down the road so I could order the Pro in that caliber and utilize the 9mm dies I already own. Is this an economical way of going about it?

Thanks for any assistance you can offer a noob.
Glen
 
IMHO it's not worth the bother to change shell plates etc. on a lee 1000......

By the time you buy a shell plate, tool head, dies etc. you have already paid close to three quarters of the cost of a new lee1000.

Personally I have 5 lee 1000 presses set up. Once I set it up and get it running properly I tend to leave it that way. I installed mine a piece of wood that takes 2 min to take off the bench so I don't use too much bench space. When switching calibres I remove one bolt, slide the press off the bench, replace press with different press and then begin to load the different calibre.......

YMMV.
 
It's not hard. I just picked up an extra turret for mine so all I need to do to change calibers is change the shell plate (takes an allen key and a screw driver and about 1 minute), swap turrets (a few seconds) and change over the powder feed from one die to another (maybe a minute) and then change out the powder disk (two screws and about another minute)
 
I have been looking at reloading myself but don't want to break the bank either. Is the Lee PRO 1000 a good unit for a beginner?
 
interested in more info on the 1000, Ive been eyeing it to do some .308 and .45acp, where do you recommend buying it?
 
I've used my Pro 1000 to reload .38/357, .45, and 9mm....

Changing shell plates is a couple of minutes with a screwdiver and an Allen wrench.
Getting the shell plate to index properly can be a PITA....
One other thing you have to watch is the primer feed trough - it comes in a small and large size for different primer sizes.
 
WidowMaker check out reloaders.ca up above as one of the sponsers. I emailed them and received a reply in 5 mins at this time of night. Great customer service.
 
you can't do 308 on a 1000- even though it shares the same shelplate- 1) it's not tall enough, 2) not enough powder capacity, and it's not designed for it- however, 45acp is no prob; i prefer the loadmaster for ANY revolver round so you can utilize the factory crimp die; the 1000 can be somewhat troublesome as it charges powder and primes through the same station; miss a primer and you end up with a mess of powder all over the station
 
good input. I may keep looking as a few friends will be pitching in on the adventure. Ideally we want to be able to do 308, 243, 556, 45 and 9. Might as well spend more to get something that will do it all. Suggestions?
 
I started with Lee turret press reloading 9mm, .357 mag, .45 acp, 30-06. Got a sweet deal on used Pro 1000 set up for .45 acp. Since I shoot 9mm more than .45 I ordered a complete shell carrier (small primer feeder comes with.) $60. Then found out I also needed case feeder kit. $24. Changing entire carrier is easier than just the plate. I still factory crimp separately with turret press.
 
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