ABLP or Pro6000

[Bartojc]

Been thinking about an ABLP for a while, then the 6000 came out. I understand the ABLP has 4 stations and the 6000 has 6. Are there other differences ? Why would someone pick the 6000 over the ABLP ?

I currently load 2 pistol calibers on a Lee Classic cast turret and load between 3000 and 5000 9mm /year. Not a lot compared to many of you but at times it can seem like a job more than a hobby. I've never needed more than 4 stations, but maybe I am missing something. The price difference between the two is not insurmountable so what other advantages are there ?

I would keep the Classic cast to use for lower volume rifle cartridges that I also load for.

-Jeff

 

[WeekendReloader]

I have the ABLP and it works well for me. I use it in full manual mode. No case feeder. No bullet feeder. No automatic powder drop. People have added all these things to the ABLP and it can really pump out the ammo. The one thing that is missing is automatic priming. The ABLP easily pumps out more ammo than I need. Once you have it set up, it does not take long to load a few boxes of ammo for the weekend.

The 6000 has the automatic primer feed that sets it apart from the ABLP. If I were to upgrade, it would be solely for the primer feed, because everything else is so similar between the two.
And... The ABLP has 4 stations. The 6000 has 6 stations. That could be the deciding factor for some people.

 

[LiveLife]

ABLP or Pro6000

Why would someone pick the 6000 over the ABLP ?

These are primary differences.

Auto Breech Lock Pro press/Pro 4000 kit:

• Can only load short rifle cartriges like .223, .300 BLK, 7.62x39 - https://leeprecision.com/auto-breech-lock-pro-shell-plates/
• Manual primer feed using Safety Prime and small/large primer feet
• Easiest and fastest caliber change with simple primer feet swap out stored onboard
• 4 stations
• Bullet seating/crimping is done on the back side of the press (stations #3/#4) and ejects to the right side of ram lever with clockwise rotating shellplate
• $230 for kit

Six Pack Pro press/Pro 6000 kit:

• Can load all short and long rifle cartridges including magnum cartridges - https://leeprecision.com/Pro-6000-Six-Pack-Shell-Plates/
• Ram lever and linkage from .50 caliber Classic Cast BMG press (Can you say "heavy duty"?)
• Automatic primer feed with easy small/large primer guide swap out (Uses same primer seating rod) allows higher production rate than Pro 4000
• New priming system readily seats all domestic and foreign metric primers to .002"-.004" below flush
• 6 stations
• Bullet seating/crimping is done at station #5/#6 right in front of operator on left side of ram lever and ejects toward operator with counter-clockwise rotating shellplate
• Even using mixed range brass without sorting by resized case lengths, capable of OAL variance down to .001"-.002" - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...r-oal-consistency.911743/page-3#post-12446468
• $339 for kit

 

[Bartojc]

Thanks @LiveLife. That sums it up perfectly. I would likely only run pistol on either so the rifle option doesn’t do much for me but it’s an option.

So $100 gets you 2 more stations and an automatic primer feed. I had missed the primer feed part. It would seem the 6000 is built heavier as well.

Time to read some real world usage threads.

Jeff

 

[12Bravo20]

I have to ask how the automatic primer feed on the 6000 is compared to the Lee Load Master press?

I had a very bad experience with the Load Master. No matter what I did, it would never feed primers reliably. Half the time it would try to seat the primers sideways. And all the calls to Lee didn't help, they couldn't figure it out either. They had me send it back to them for a full refund.

I have been using Lee turret presses for years now and actually like the manual primer feed setup on them and it looks like the Lee ABLP/4000 is a very similar setup. I like being able to see the primer right before it gets pressed into the case. I would like to get a progressive press for pistol rounds.

 

[LiveLife]

Thanks @LiveLife. That sums it up perfectly. I would likely only run pistol on either so the rifle option doesn’t do much for me but it’s an option.

So $100 gets you 2 more stations and an automatic primer feed. I had missed the primer feed part. It would seem the 6000 is built heavier as well.

If you plan on shooting any volume of pistol loads, I would suggest Pro 6000 over Pro 4000. (Yes, Pro 6000 is much "heavier duty" as ram lever linkage is from their .50 Cal BMG press ... Yes, heavy duty )

I have to ask how the automatic primer feed on the 6000 is compared to the Lee Load Master press?

Six Pack Pro press and Pro 6000 kit use totally new priming system unlike the ones used in Pro 1000/Load-Master.

Having taken a close look at it to full disassembly and being familiar with the Dillon 550/650 priming system I used, it is obvious Lee Precision worked to design and built:

• Simple yet reliable priming system
• Uses same primer rod to seat both small and large primers without imprint on primer cup
• Fast and easy small to large primer guide switch over (There is a hole at the bottom of slider channel that you can push the guide up to change)
• Double stack/column with ribbed slider that ensures next primer is on the right side of primer chute to be picked up by the primer guide EVERY left-right-left slide cycle
• When slider/guide is "docked" into station #2, primer is "trapped" above the priming rod and since the shellplate is always perfectly indexed with index pin through holes in the shellplate, even slightly larger metric primers have reliably seated to proper depth of .002" to .004" below flush with light to firm push on the ram lever.
• Looks like Stephanie Weber/Lee, Vice President, is overseeing the product launch and has been very responsive with communication and quickly addressing/fixing issues discovered/identified by customers and sending out replacement parts.

 

[Tilos]

Been thinking about an ABLP for a while, then the 6000 came out. I understand the ABLP has 4 stations and the 6000 has 6. Are there other differences ? Why would someone pick the 6000 over the ABLP ?

I currently load 2 pistol calibers on a Lee Classic cast turret and load between 3000 and 5000 9mm /year. Not a lot compared to many of you but at times it can seem like a job more than a hobby. I've never needed more than 4 stations, but maybe I am missing something. The price difference between the two is not insurmountable so what other advantages are there ?

I would keep the Classic cast to use for lower volume rifle cartridges that I also load for.

-Jeff

With the ABLP having the Pez Dispenser priming that requires input, the choice is clearly the Pro 6000/Six Pack (for me).
So, one less thing to do (or forget to do) with your left hand during every press cycle.
I know, an echo but it needs to be repeated.
jmo,
.

 

[LiveLife]

So, one less thing to do (or forget to do) with your left hand during every press cycle.

I know, an echo but it needs to be repeated.

Yes, very pertinent and important echo.

Once priming operations is deemed reliable, my right hand will work the ram lever and left hand will set the bullets for smooth operation for high volume progressive production.

 

[Tilos]

Yes, very pertinent and important echo.

Once priming operations is deemed reliable, my right hand will work the ram lever and left hand will set the bullets for smooth operation for high volume progressive production.

Yes, and adding a bullet feeder to the 6000, that comes with a case feeder , your left hand will have nothing to do (or forget to do).
.

 

[Bartojc]

If you plan on shooting any volume of pistol loads, I would suggest Pro 6000 over Pro 4000.

Large volume varies on the individual. For me loading on a classic turret when I got over 400 rounds a month it started feeling like a job. Reloading should be enjoyable. Is that a lot ? To some yes to others not so much.

I’m on the waiting lists for a 6000 so we will see.

Jeff

 

[9mmepiphany]

I started out with a Hornady LNL progressive press, so everything is compared to that...yes, even the Dillon 750 I had on the bench for a while.

For me the weak point of the Lee line has always been their priming system on the turret and progressive presses. I've encountered the same issues on my Lee Auto Bench Prime. I thought they couldn't do much more to improve their offering, as long as they stayed with the feeding system, when they introduced their ACP which has to be the best bench mounted priming tool on the market...except the primer feeding system.

I'd been looking at Lee for a companion progressive for my bench and just couldn't bring myself to commit to a Loadmaster or a ABLP. Then they introduced the Pro 6000.

After @LiveLife thread and examination of his Pro 6000 (and explanation of the priming system), I was willing to put aside my waiting for the Frankfort Arsenal FX-10 and ordered the Lee...should be here in the 11th



Note: the ABLP with only 4 stations was was never a starter for me. The additional station over the 5 I have with the Hornady would allow me to run both a Powder Check die and a bullet feeder, while still seating and crimping in separate stations. The use of Breech Lock bushing makes the 6000 as flexible, as to die placement, as my Hornady

 

[12Bravo20]

Large volume varies on the individual. For me loading on a classic turret when I got over 400 rounds a month it started feeling like a job. Reloading should be enjoyable. Is that a lot ? To some yes to others not so much.

I’m on the waiting lists for a 6000 so we will see.

Jeff

This is true. It usually takes me 50-60 minutes to load 100 pistol rounds with my Lee Turret press. At the most I will only reload 200 rounds at a time. I'm sure the ABLP/4000 will still be faster than the turret press.

 

[Tilos]

This is true. It usually takes me 50-60 minutes to load 100 pistol rounds with my Lee Turret press. At the most I will only reload 200 rounds at a time. I'm sure the ABLP/4000 will still be faster than the turret press.

Yes, all that.
"At the most I will only reload 200 rounds at a time"
The speed and amount being loaded should not be the reason for not buying a Six Pack.

My take is the manual operator input for priming on both the Lee Turret and ABLP/4000 is just another opportunity for error that the 6000 does not have.
With the Six Pack priming reliability recently proven by @LiveLife, that alone should be enough for Turret/ABLP owners to make the switch.
jmo,
.


.

 

[12Bravo20]

Yes, all that.
"At the most I will only reload 200 rounds at a time"
The speed and amount being loaded should not be the reason for not buying a Six Pack.

My take is the manual operator input for priming on both the Lee Turret and ABLP/4000 is just another opportunity for error that the 6000 does not have.
That alone should be enough for Turret/ABLP owners to make the switch.
jmo,
.


.

Unfortunately I got burned with the Lee Load Master/1000 and am a little hesitant to deal with auto primer feeds that are in the back of the press. I like seeing the primer easily . Plus I have not had any problems with the manual primer feed on my turret presses.

 

[Tilos]

Unfortunately I got burned with the Lee Load Master/1000 and am a little hesitant to deal with auto primer feeds that are in the back of the press. I like seeing the primer easily . Plus I have not had any problems with the manual primer feed on my turret presses.

I too have a loadmaster and have gotten it to work reasonably well with a few mods, but priming eats up a station so it's affectively a 4 station not 5.
That said, the loadmaster is my least favorite progressive of the 5 I have/use.
jmo,
.

 

[Bartojc]

My take is the manual operator input for priming on both the Lee Turret and ABLP/4000 is just another opportunity for error that the 6000 does not have.
With the Six Pack priming reliability recently proven by @LiveLife, that alone should be enough for Turret/ABLP owners to make the switch.

I've never had a lot of issues with the priming system on the turret. It's not perfect, but It works. It is also all I have ever know for priming on press. Most of my issues have been the operator and forgetting to set a primer. You notice when you start to have powder leaking out of a loaded round

Regardless I like automatic if it works. Early reviews on the 6000 say that it does. I'm hopeful and put my trust in the reviews here. Mine was ordered this morning.

-Jeff

 

[9mmepiphany]

It usually takes me 50-60 minutes to load 100 pistol rounds with my Lee Turret press. At the most I will only reload 200 rounds at a time.

On my Hornady, I usually load 100 9mm or .38Spl rounds in a bit over 10 minutes.

I don't do long sessions due to body aches, but I'll set up the press in the morning...set powder charge, load primer tubes (which you won't have on the Lee), pour cases into the case feeder, and pour bullets into an Arkon bin. Throughout the day, I'll go out to the garage and load 100 rounds, refill the primer feed, check case and bullet levels, and pour completed rounds into a ammo box. It's easy to load 500-600 rounds during a day and I can case gauge them in the evening

 

[GW Staar]

I've never had a lot of issues with the priming system on the turret. It's not perfect, but It works. It is also all I have ever know for priming on press. Most of my issues have been the operator and forgetting to set a primer. You notice when you start to have powder leaking out of a loaded round
-Jeff

Unfortunately, I can relate to that. I started my progressive press experience just after Obama was elected the first time. An RCBS Pro 2000.....wonderful press once you learn it. But of course the first thing I did on the second day learning on that new press, was to show it off to a friend. (not a good idea for a progressive beginner.) It primes with 25 primers on a strip. So I load 50 quick ones and was very pleased with myself until my friend picked up the last one and we watched the powder pour out through the primer hole. The first 25 were of course perfect....but you have to remember, after loading a few, to daisy chain the next strip to the first before it is finished. Yup had to pull 25 rounds.....never did that again.

This Lee 6000 will be my 3rd progressive.....a 5 station, and 7 station, and now this 6 station. I'm having way more fun than when I only was doing the Rock Chucker.

 

[Bartojc]

Well, thats fast. Ordered yesterday. Email from Fedex says delivery tomorrow. Firearm deer season opens Tuesday. Looks like the new press will have to wait a bit.

-Jeff

 

[GW Staar]

That's one of the perks to living closer to where you ordered it from. New Mexico is a world away.