What's the bloody point of progressive presses?

[Astute Observer]

Just how long and how many cycles did it take to get it "up and running"?

I went through hundreds of cycles - testing out the charge load, then dumping the powder back , checking seating depth, feeding of components, etc. Probably five hundred before I started using components and actually going through the whole process of making rounds.

The main issue is with the feeding systems. About 2/3rds of cases require me to use my finger to push it fully feed into the tray, the spring doesn't do the trick most of the time. About 50% of bullets drop out of the feed arm and fall on the floor or onto the tray before the case rises up to the seating die. About 1/20 presses, all the bullets in the feed tube come streaming out at once. About 1/20 times the primer won't seat in the little priming tool, falling on the floor. If I don't notice it I charge powder and seat a bullet into a case with no primer.

I would estimate that getting two presses in a row with no problem happens less than 20% of the time. Three presses in a row is noteworthy how rare it is. I don't think I've gotten four presses in a row without having to intervene.

This thing is utter junk.

 

[PPCLI-Jim]

I split the difference between a single and progressive. I went with a Dillon 550, not as fast or expensive as a 1050. But faster than a single stage.

 

[call2arms]

I went through hundreds of cycles - testing out the charge load, then dumping the powder back , checking seating depth, feeding of components, etc. Probably five hundred before I started using components and actually going through the whole process of making rounds.

The main issue is with the feeding systems. About 2/3rds of cases require me to use my finger to push it fully feed into the tray, the spring doesn't do the trick most of the time. About 50% of bullets drop out of the feed arm and fall on the floor or onto the tray before the case rises up to the seating die. About 1/20 presses, all the bullets in the feed tube come streaming out at once. About 1/20 times the primer won't seat in the little priming tool, falling on the floor. If I don't notice it I charge powder and seat a bullet into a case with no primer.

I would estimate that getting two presses in a row with no problem happens less than 20% of the time. Three presses in a row is noteworthy how rare it is. I don't think I've gotten four presses in a row without having to intervene.

This thing is utter junk.

That sounds terrible. Almost as bad a time as playing the VLT.

 

[Candocad]

Which calibre is sometimes a factor. Pistol cartridges I find super easy and with a progressive you can really crank them out at good standard.

300 BLK with its near 50/50 bullet cartridge ratio can be awkward at times. I still have a challenge with primers on a Dillon, so I pre-prime by hand so I am certain on depth etc.

It only takes one area to be out to runin the smooth running of well set progressive! And there are many areas to be out.

Candocad.

 

[OkayShooter]

I went through hundreds of cycles - testing out the charge load, then dumping the powder back , checking seating depth, feeding of components, etc. Probably five hundred before I started using components and actually going through the whole process of making rounds.

The main issue is with the feeding systems. About 2/3rds of cases require me to use my finger to push it fully feed into the tray, the spring doesn't do the trick most of the time. About 50% of bullets drop out of the feed arm and fall on the floor or onto the tray before the case rises up to the seating die. About 1/20 presses, all the bullets in the feed tube come streaming out at once. About 1/20 times the primer won't seat in the little priming tool, falling on the floor. If I don't notice it I charge powder and seat a bullet into a case with no primer.

I would estimate that getting two presses in a row with no problem happens less than 20% of the time. Three presses in a row is noteworthy how rare it is. I don't think I've gotten four presses in a row without having to intervene.

This thing is utter junk.

Since you are not telling us what model you have and we cannot help you well. So it is just a #### on Lee post. It is like going on a car forum and saying my Ford has issues, but I don't want them fixed, I just want to #####. There are many versions of Lee Turret and Lee Progressive, and they're different in some ways. Also upgrades that went on through out the years.

For the case feeding, since they removed the Z bar and went with the spring, you need to insure the catch for the spring is behind the die, or else won't work well.. It is mean to break free if the case binds, it only does it a couple times before it you need to replace it. Also if you have the spring screw too tight, it binds up the spring and doesn't pull back. I barely have issue with mine.



Should have done reviews, I don't know anyone that uses the bullet feeder on the Lee presses and pretty sure they don't because they suck and PITA to get working right. I never used one, and I can still load 500 plus an hour.

 

[Meroh]

I am running two Lee Pro-1000 presses. You need to have the mind-set of a Mechanic and an Engineer, and an eye for predictive failure. I am able to run 250-300 an hour of 9mm, .40. .45 and 38/357 which includes topping up shells and primers. Primer system needs to be clean, clean, clean and kept that way. I do not use a bullet feeder.

Am I happy with them? I am contemplating buying a third, leaving it set up for 38/357, one for .45 large primer, and the other for 9mm and .40. Change overs are not all that simple.

I use an old Lyman turret press for rifle that I bought new in the 70's.

 

[mactroneng]

I have a Lee Loadmaster and pump out probably 150-200/hour of 357 mags, probably similar when I was loading 9mm. I could go faster but I'm too paranoid about things not to check regularly, even though it's all good most of the time.

One thing I will say though: the bullet feeder with the weird little grabber arm things has always looked real hokey to me and I simply don't trust it so I've never used it. I know a guy who has it and it works will with him (he mostly uses cast bullets). I'm almost not a fan of the priming on the upstroke but not because I have lots of issues with it, but because it's a waste of a die station. (Ironically enough, despite being paranoid by biggest failure is caused by not paying attention to the amount of primers left and running out... I should rig up a little sensor with a light or buzzer or something).

My only other issue with the Loadmaster is that the case feeder isn't big enough to feed S&W 500 cases... having to load both cases and bullets by hand slows things down more than I'd like. I'm gonna 3d print some kind of case feeder assembly to handle them eventually.

 

[BattleRife]

It's pretty clear from the discussion that turret presses are not at issue here, it is a progressive. I think turret presses are great for upping production rates significantly at very low cost. They usually have no automation to them though, the advantage is just that all dies are set up once and never readjusted. You just rotate them into place and run the handle.

 

[Astute Observer]

Which calibre is sometimes a factor.

9mm in my case

Since you are not telling us what model you have and we cannot help you well.

Sorry - it's an auto breech lock pro.

https://leeprecision.com/auto-breech-lock-pro.html

So it is just a #### on Lee post.

Yes. And deservedly so. My advice to anyone seeing this, avoid Lee like the plague.

 

[diopter]

I de-prime on an old CH single stage to keep other presses cleaner and crud free.
I find it easier to prime the pistol brass batch first on the LNL AP, less likely to forget full alternating upstrokes and downstrokes with the wife trying to distracting me, and uses less force for resizing, powder drop and bullet seating.
May take longer, but less mistakes.

 

[OkayShooter]

9mm in my case



Sorry - it's an auto breech lock pro.

https://leeprecision.com/auto-breech-lock-pro.html



Yes. And deservedly so. My advice to anyone seeing this, avoid Lee like the plague.

More like avoid that press. Even I won't recommend it. But not ALL Lee products are like that. Well I'm not ####ting on ALL Lee products, but yes that was a crappy press. I had one, sold it and went back to a Upgraded Pro 1000 ( cost me 206$ new and sold the 40 S&W dies that came with it )

The breech lock pro. I did not like the plastic carrier cover, and the rest of the plastic on it. I said before, you jam a case and it messed up the plastic case feeder tray, you'll have cases being tipped over. You had to replace the whole plastic carrier cover just to fix that. Parts were cheap, but paying 14-20$ in shipping sucked, had to buy kits. I went from the Z bar to the spring and it was a learning curve. But on my Pro 1000 it is very rare I need to push the cases in, once I tweaked it. But it came down to cost savings and bit them in the ass. The case flicker always popped out, when they should stuck with the simple rod like on the Pro 1000. And yes I had more timing issues with it, than my Pro 1000. Only thing I wish my pro 1000 had was the 4th stage, as I do my factory crimping a turret press with the indexing rod out. Turns it into a single stage.

But I never had issues with the primer system on that Breech Lock pro ( Way better than a Pro 1000 ) Its a simple design that been used on the Turret presses for 20 years, I had the safety prime for that system and never had a issue.

But I also don't use my Progressive press to prime, or deprime. I use my Single Stage/Turret to deprime, and I prime using a Hand primer. Keeps the Pro 1000 clean and gives me no issues.

 

[kb007]

Perhaps rather than trying to set it up to make finished rounds, you might want to go thru the various stations and figure out what the issue is with each one before you move on to the next. I know when I started with my Dillon 650, I spent quite a while just punching and sizing cases, this helped get familiar with the machine, and allowed me to get any issues sorted for the case feed and de-priming die. Next was priming. The Dillon is fairly easy with priming, but as luck would have it one of my springs was broken so it wouldn't prime 1 in 10 or so cases. Then move on to the next station, and make sure they are all truly adjusted before moving on to the next. If you're getting case feeding issues, you really shouldn't be trying to make finished rounds.

 

[Boomer686]

If your press is properly set up its no issue to kick out 500 rounds an hour regularly on a manually indexed turret press. More if it has auto indexing and case feeding etc.
I'd suggest getting in touch with a local that has a similar press and get some hands on help. It can be a frustrating task setting up a turret press when unfamiliar with them. This holds true regardless if you have lots of single stage experience. I run a Dillon and customer support is top notch Many moons ago when only a few of us (locally) had Dillons, they were super helpful in working thru the intricacies and setup: a small misalignment/ lack of adjustment (or too much) can have very detrimental effects!

Have you considered reaching out to the OEM and ask for help setting it up?

 

[lone ranger]

with sized & primed brass, Im at 100 per hour "9mm" with a single stage RCB Partner.
Progressive units are Impressive when working correctly,....but I'm not that guy.
I make it my Winter project and like taking my time. I inspect and wipe down each round thats done with satisfaction earned, LOL

 

[Janeau]

So I spent money on a four die turret / progressive press. Bought the case feeder, powder dispenser, bullet feeder, priming dispenser... The while shebang.

After I got it all set up and running, it still took me three hours and twenty minutes to make 100 rounds of 9mm. In the process I ruined 23 cases, either lost or destroyed 17 bullets, and lost about a dozen primers.

* bullets wouldn't feed, or a dozen would spill out at once

* Cases wouldn't align with the dies, and then would get wrecked on the down press

* primers wouldn't seat properly

I had to stop and troubleshoot something every 6 or 8 rounds. I could have done this just as quick with a single stage press.

I've been reloading on a single stage press for precision rifle for years. I know what I'm doing. But this thing didn't speed my process up whatsoever, in fact it's probably slower, and DEFINITELY wastes more components.

So I ask, if you're reloading on a progressive press... Why?

Been reloading on a Dillon 550 for 38 years and a 650 for 10 years +.
The 550 get out 300-400+ rounds an hour EASY and the 650 - 600+ EASY.
Thats why..
The 550 has over 500 K rounds done over both pistol and rifle caliber.(.308 - 30-06 and .223)
Thats why I use a progressive…fast - efficient - quality ammo.

I still use a single press for 6 PPC, 6 BR and 30 BR on my benchrest gun…but this is a different game that need different tools - dies set ect..

As for your press trouble..maybe it’s not for you or you need coaching to set it up and make it working…and the saying..’if nothing work read the instructions’ remain true…

 

[Gatehouse]

If you are loading pistol ammunition and are happy with 300 rounds per hour, the simplest way to do it is the Dillon Square Deal B. You manually insert the case and the bullet but once you get into a rhythm it's pretty quick. Only problems I've encountered have to do with getting some spilt powder in the priming system and the detent ball pocket. Keep some canned air handy and just blow it out of the primer system but if your press is not indexing properly and you are ripping up cases then you need to take off the shellplate and clear out the ball. Both are very simple and quick to fix.

If you want 600 rounds per hour a Dillon 750 will do it easy. Add a case feeder and Mr Bullet feeder and you are up around 800+ rounds per hour

For over 1000 rounds per hour you will want the Dillon 1050/1100. Again a Mr Bulletfeeder will up your production considerably.

If you want even faster you will need to automate so the press does the work while you keep it fed.

This is all assuming you have enough loaded primer tubes on hand. Primer tubes are inexpensive and a stack of loaded primer tubes makes a reloading session go much smoother than stopping and reloading the tube every 100 rounds.

 

[ted_dent]

I went through hundreds of cycles - testing out the charge load, then dumping the powder back , checking seating depth, feeding of components, etc. Probably five hundred before I started using components and actually going through the whole process of making rounds.

The main issue is with the feeding systems. About 2/3rds of cases require me to use my finger to push it fully feed into the tray, the spring doesn't do the trick most of the time. About 50% of bullets drop out of the feed arm and fall on the floor or onto the tray before the case rises up to the seating die. About 1/20 presses, all the bullets in the feed tube come streaming out at once. About 1/20 times the primer won't seat in the little priming tool, falling on the floor. If I don't notice it I charge powder and seat a bullet into a case with no primer.

I would estimate that getting two presses in a row with no problem happens less than 20% of the time. Three presses in a row is noteworthy how rare it is. I don't think I've gotten four presses in a row without having to intervene.

This thing is utter junk.

I am confused by your description. You say "About 1/20 presses, all the bullets in the feed tube come streaming out at once." The Breech Lock Pro doesn't have a bullet feed tube. You insert the bullets by hand into the sized/primed/charged case after it has rotated to the seating die stage.

You also note that "About 50% of bullets drop out of the feed arm and fall on the floor or onto the tray before the case rises up to the seating die." Again, I am not sure what "feed arm" or "tray" you are referring to. By "tray" do you mean the shellplate?

As for cases not feeding into the shellplate, I found that after I had my Breech Lock Pro for a while the pressure of the spring pulling on the black case feeder (which rides on a plastic "arm") caused the plastic arm to take on a slight upward bend. This created a small 'lip' between the end of the plastic arm and the shellplate which prevented the case from fully sliding into the shellplate. I did buy a replacement carrier but before going through the hassle of replacing it I heated the arm up with a heat gun and when it got hot but before it started to melt I quickly C-clamped it to the metal support under the arm to let it cool. This took the bend out of the arm. Once I did that the cases again fed into the shellplate with no problem. When I'm not using the press I unhook the long spring so there is no upward pressure on the plastic arm to distort it. Now the cases feed without a hitch.

While this press does use a lot of plastic parts (which is why it's a lot cheaper than other progressives), aside from the bend in the case feeding arm it has been pretty much trouble free. Since I only use it for 38 Special with Federal primers I hand prime the cases and don't use the Safety Prime system. However, Lee did produce a fix notification for the primer issue. Unfortunately I can't find the link but if you send them an email they should be able to help you.

I have probably loaded 5000 rounds on this press with no problems except the case feed issue noted above which was easily rectified.

 

[Astute Observer]

I am confused by your description. You say "About 1/20 presses, all the bullets in the feed tube come streaming out at once." The Breech Lock Pro doesn't have a bullet feed tube. You insert the bullets by hand into the sized/primed/charged case after it has rotated to the seating die stage.

This is what I'm referring to - it's an add-on.

https://leeprecision.com/reloading-...rogressive-press-accessories/bullet-feed-kit/

You also note that "About 50% of bullets drop out of the feed arm and fall on the floor or onto the tray before the case rises up to the seating die." Again, I am not sure what "feed arm" or "tray" you are referring to. By "tray" do you mean the shellplate?

Yeah, by tray I mean the shellplate. Sorry.

By feedarm, I mean this thing on the bullet feeder:

When the entire batch of bullets in the feed tube fall out, they're not coming out the arm but rather the base of the tube, they come out in rapid succession spilling everywhere.

As for cases not feeding into the shellplate, I found that after I had my Breech Lock Pro for a while the pressure of the spring pulling on the black case feeder (which rides on a plastic "arm") caused the plastic arm to take on a slight upward bend. This created a small 'lip' between the end of the plastic arm and the shellplate which prevented the case from fully sliding into the shellplate. I did buy a replacement carrier but before going through the hassle of replacing it I heated the arm up with a heat gun and when it got hot but before it started to melt I quickly C-clamped it to the metal support under the arm to let it cool. This took the bend out of the arm. Once I did that the cases again fed into the shellplate with no problem. When I'm not using the press I unhook the long spring so there is no upward pressure on the plastic arm to distort it. Now the cases feed without a hitch.

While this press does use a lot of plastic parts (which is why it's a lot cheaper than other progressives), aside from the bend in the case feeding arm it has been pretty much trouble free. Since I only use it for 38 Special with Federal primers I hand prime the cases and don't use the Safety Prime system. However, Lee did produce a fix notification for the primer issue. Unfortunately I can't find the link but if you send them an email they should be able to help you.

I have probably loaded 5000 rounds on this press with no problems except the case feed issue noted above which was easily rectified.

Ok, that's cool. My issue is the red plastic base on which the case base slides along, has a dent in it from the first time it didn't feed all the way. I didn't notice, pulled the arm, and apparently pushed the case down before it was seated in all the way and put a depression into the plastic - now the base is too low for the rim to enter the shellplate.

Anyways, I realize that the issue isn't progressive presses - it's Lee. In my opinion it's cheap junk and not worth buying. I'm glad you've had luck with it but my experience has been terrible.

 

[hunter5425]

I use a lee classic turret press that I reversed rotation direction to load 9mm. It has the lee auto drum and I manually add bullets and cases. It is much faster than my single stage press and once adjusted and left alone works fine. It has quirks like not slamming the handle but so far no issues after several thousand rounds.

 

[kjohn]

Lots of LEE bashing here! I have three or four LEE Progressives. Certainly, they have required some tuning. Timing is of utmost importance. RTFM is required, and can usually settle most trouble. My .45acp press worked right from the unpacking stage, no timing, no adjustments of the dies, case feeder, etc.

I dusted off my poor old 9mm 1000 this year and cranked out a pile of loads to feed my PC9. Didn't have to time it, only adjusted the bullet seating depth.

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