• You are using the old High Contrast theme. We have installed a new dark theme for you, called UI.X. This will work better with the new upgrade of our software. You can select it at the bottom of any page.

Alright, I think I am ready to try out a progressive press

kmw1954 said:
If all you are looking to do is produce 9mm in a simple efficient manner and faster than your turret then I would suggest just moving up to either the are model Pro1000 or the Pro4000. I have both and use both. The 4000 is mostly used for my 45ACP loads which I use a FCD on cast lead bullets. Both are simple to set up and are very consistent. I do not need Powder Check Dies, Case feeders, bullet feeders, Swagging station.

I regularly load 380, 9mm, 38spl, 45ACP on my Pro1000 while just using a standard 3 die set of dies. Also I can easily produce 1k rounds in an afternoon. Matter of fact the last time I loaded pistol ammo for all my pistols was almost a year ago. I also cast my own lead bullets so it doesn't pay for me to load small quantities.
Click to expand...

Targa said:
Yep Show Me, I always get a kick out of Mark myself. Like he said, the enticement of Lee is certainly the the price point and as others mentioned a lot of their products are a bit of a diamond in the rough and once polished up run like a champ. I just don’t think I want to take the time to build on this press in particular to make it run efficiently.
I have no doubt that there is a bit of trial and error to setting up a progressive the question for me is how much. I have watched numerous you tube videos of dialing in the Lee Six Pack and they are very informative but a I am just looking for something to run out of the box, obviously after dialing in, rather than having to add or modify parts to make it run properly.
Click to expand...
this is what I would do for a Lee 6pack without 3D or such. Use what’s in the kit, that tube feed brass feed is simple and effective, it’s literally a plastic tube! can’t mess that up

then get a powder check die, cheapest one you can find

when tube is loaded with brass, all you have to do is use Right hand to crank… Left hand to feed bullets!

they do make a bullet feed but I don’t know anything about that! that would literally free your Left hand for a cool drink!
 
Targa said:
That’s where my problem is, if I am going for quantity with a case activated powder drop a powder check die is a must have for me. I don’t trust the case activated powder drops to consistently do what they are suppose to do unchecked. This is just me, my hang up so to speak but that isn’t going to change. So basically I need a five station shell plate simply because I also like to crimp separately from the seating die, although 9mm isn‘t such a bid deal, I have done it before.
Because of my little insurmountable hang up :), loading three hundred rounds of 9mm on my Classic Turret is about a three hour endeavor and that’s when the brass is already prepped and primed.
Click to expand...

That's one of the reasons I went with my Hornady press... 5 stations. I wanted the ability to crimp on a separate step.

FWIW, if you have good lighting, and your press allows you to look into the case before seating... your own eyes can be the powder check. My Hornady does, the charged case is right there in front of me before I put the bullet in the case.
 
I pretty much just load pistol and if you use the Lee 4 die sets you need a minimum of 5 stations to use a powder check die (I use RCBS lockout die). This add a light and look down the case is a pain in the neck and not for me. I see people even add cameras. Too easy to mess up. 6 stations on the Lee let you add a bullet feeder.
I am very happy with my Lee six pack pro, have a 3D printer but have not needed to tweak anything or print anything but I did for spare parts if I need them. Just use the case feeder, Lee 4 die sets, RCBS lockout die, manually place a bullet. Primers loading seems to work just fine. Easy to change calibers. Run it through as a single stage until you learn it and then go progressive. Works very well. I moved up from a Lee classic turret and also have single stage presses.
 
Targa said:
Yeh, that might be where I end up.
Click to expand...
I started with the Hornady LNL AP and have loaded tens of thousand of rounds through it. I really like that I can easily adjust things on it to run smoothly...without being especially mechanically inclined. I used to have a Dillon 750 on my bench and the adjustments were often frustrating (too coarse) , but that did appeal to my friends who tended to be more ham fisted...I helped them set up their 650s.

Even though the Lee SPP replaced the Dillon on my bench...because the FA X-10 was vaporware...I think I'll always keep the Hornady for it's flexibility and accessibility. My Hornady is currently set up for .38Spl while the Lee is set up for .45ACP. Between the Dillon, Hornady, and Lee, the SPP has the easiest change over between SPP and LPP while having a priming system which is just as reliable...makes it easy to change between loading SPP and LPP .45ACP cases
 
Guess that is just my obsession. I have to look into every case before I place a bullet on the case.

Once a long time ago I did a little test with some fast burning AA#2. I charged 5 cases with a target weight load and then charged 5 more .5gr over and .5gr under. Placed them all on the bench and mixed them up. I could not separate them afterwards. They all looked the same!

So I learned then that I have to trust my measure is throwing consistently close to target weight or I cannot trust my drops w/o actually weighing them. Now someone should take their Powder Cop and see if it will pick up that +/- .5gr difference.
 
kmw1954 said:
Now someone should take their Powder Cop and see if it will pick up that +/- .5gr difference.
Click to expand...
If you don't forget to look at it.
I use the lock out powder dies, they are pretty much fool proof for catching a double charge. I won't load 9mm without using one.
I wanted to use them for my .357 Mag loads so I bought the Lee Pro 6000 but the entire carrier fell off of it before I could load a single round so it went back to Midsouth Shooters Supply for a refund and I'm back to using my ABLP for .357mags.
I've been looking for a good deal on another LNL-AP and if I find one I will set it up for bare bones reloading, No case feeder or bullet feeder. Just grass roots reloading for everything else, except 9mm.
 
tightgroup tiger said:
If you don't forget to look at it.
I use the lock out powder dies, they are pretty much fool proof for catching a double charge. I won't load 9mm without using one.
Click to expand...
There is no forgetting to look.
I also load a ton of 380acp of which the difference between start load and max load is only .5gr. So when one has a charge load of only 2gr. of powder 2.5gr. is huge.
 
Targa said:
Yep Show Me, I always get a kick out of Mark myself. Like he said, the enticement of Lee is certainly the price point and as others mentioned a lot of their products are a bit of a diamond in the rough and once polished up run like a champ. I just don’t think I want to take the time to build on this press in particular to make it run efficiently.
I have no doubt that there is a bit of trial and error to setting up a progressive the question for me is how much. I have watched numerous you tube videos of dialing in the Lee Six Pack and they are very informative but a I am just looking for something to run out of the box, obviously after dialing in, rather than having to add or modify parts to make it run properly.
Click to expand...
$$$ ?
 
Just got this email from Dillon:

Dillon Precision is pleased to announce the release of Reloader.com, the ultimate source for reloading education.
Pros, cons and everything in between.
Reloader.com​


Reloader.com

reloader.com reloader.com

I have no affiliation with them, other than I own two of their machines and really like them. I have a couple of LNLs, they were my first progressives and do a good job.
 
Targa said:
Actually it’s the extra time and added frustration I don’t care to invest in.
Click to expand...
After spending a lifetime of work maintaining everything from farm equipment to USAF Jets to high speed packaging machine the one thing I've learned is everything mechanical at one time or another is going to need maintenance and adjustment. As I tried pointing out earlier the Lee Pro series of presses are about as simple as they get. But it still comes down to how complicated does one want to make it with each additional piece.
 
I don't know where the OP lives. Around me, I see used Dillon 650s up for sale pretty often. I think a lot of people are switching over to the new 750. I just picked up another used 650 myself.
 
I have loaded a CRAP LOAD of 9mm on my Six Pack Pro. Only "tinkering" has been putting a piece of wire clothes hanger cut to length in the primer and case feed springs. I have a DAA powder check and Lee inline bullet feeder. The thing is awesome, especially once you find your "rhythm". I have done .300 blackout and .223 on it as well, with really good results. I size and trim my bottleneck cartridges before running them through the progressive. I was looking pretty hard at the LNL before I bought this as well, and am still looking pretty hard at one.
 
9mmepiphany said:
The LNL makes it very easy to look into the case at Station 4 before it enters the Seating die.
Click to expand...

Same with my ProJector. If you have good lighting, it's easy to see the charge in the case. If your lighting is suspect (mine was until I updated to an LED fixture in the reloading room...) you can get a light strip made specifically to mount inside the frame of the press.
 
Mark_Mark said:
I don’t know about the new Lee Primer system. but if it’s good, I would rock a 6-Pack. $369 on sale and comes with dies!

thing about progressive, you will run into issue, and lean to deal with issue. I deal with it by posting here! 😂
Click to expand...
I have 2 of the Lee 6PP, first was a demo unit when introduced, second was free from Lee with their trade-in program. The only parts I've added were the upgrades Lee made for them and sent free. They work just as well as my Hornady LNL AP and Dillon XL750. The Loadmaster I have is functional since (1) never used it to prime, (2) installed the index rod quide holder sold on eBay.
 
Mark_Mark said:
I don’t know about the new Lee Primer system. but if it’s good, I would rock a 6-Pack. $369 on sale and comes with dies!

thing about progressive, you will run into issue, and lean to deal with issue. I deal with it by posting here! 😂
Click to expand...
The new Lee priming system works fine on the 6PP, they are installing it on the new Pro 1000 and Deluxe APP and works fine there also.
 
ReloaderNoob said:
The new Lee priming system works fine on the 6PP, they are installing it on the new Pro 1000 and Deluxe APP and works fine there also.
Click to expand...
I’m going to get one, not in a rush. I got this new 3D printer and they got tons of stuff for that machine. Lee, should get in the 3D printing business for reloadeds! be the 1st and don’t miss out like Kodak did in the 90’s
 
Mark_Mark said:
this is what I would do for a Lee 6pack without 3D or such. Use what’s in the kit, that tube feed brass feed is simple and effective, it’s literally a plastic tube! can’t mess that up

then get a powder check die, cheapest one you can find

when tube is loaded with brass, all you have to do is use Right hand to crank… Left hand to feed bullets!

they do make a bullet feed but I don’t know anything about that! that would literally free your Left hand for a cool drink!
Click to expand...
The new Lee bullet feed dies are okay, occasional fail to drop, the DAA mini Mr Bulletfeeder setup is still the best, no issues for several years now.
 
ReloaderNoob said:
The new Lee bullet feed dies are okay, occasional fail to drop, the DAA mini Mr Bulletfeeder setup is still the best, no issues for several years now.
Click to expand...
I want to try a bullet feeder with the tube setup! Love the simple tube design. I don’t need 1,000 rounds a hour but, 100 every 15 minuets is just right!
 
Targa said:
Actually it’s the extra time and added frustration I don’t care to invest in.
Click to expand...
Then the obvious answer is the Mark 7 Apex-10. Every operation is separated out so it is easier to set up and any errors are easily addressed. Once set up and tuned...as long as you haven't automated it...all it requires is adding primer, powder, and bullets.

Of course this convivence comes at a price point , which you'll need to decide if it is an acceptable trade off
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
  • Locked
I need advice on upgrading to a progressive press
Replies
18
Views
852
Gigs
G
J
  • Locked
Reloading Rifle Rounds on a Progressive Press Question
2
Replies
36
Views
3K
Deavis
D
C
  • Locked
Can't decide on progressive press
2 3 4
Replies
87
Views
6K
newrugersafan
N
G11354
  • Locked
First Progressive Press Input
2 3
Replies
53
Views
3K
GW Staar
GW Staar
Retreever
  • Locked
Reloading 45-70 with a Progressive Press
Replies
6
Views
526
Shak3s1977
Shak3s1977
Back
Top