Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro (4K)

[brasscollector]

I am wondering how these turned out after almost a year of public beta testing?
I'm looking into getting something a bit faster than a lee turret or S/S press. I am mostly looking to do the standard 9mm, 38/357 and 45auto loading and also something to speed up priming, charging and seating most of my 223. There was endless talk before the presses hit the market and pretty much static since which I'm hoping is a sign they're at least standard Lee quality.

 

[kcofohio]

Here are a couple threads that covered the roll out and some teething of the press.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...pro-user-review-discussion-no-bashing.835426/

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...0-technical-support-thread-no-bashing.835405/

I've only ran 100 9mm through mine. Since then, I have only been working on 357s and 8x57 on my LCT.

 

[thomas15]

I am wondering how these turned out after almost a year of public beta testing?

I guess the thing to do is if one is curious enough is to get one and see how it runs. It's only about $100

 

[maxxhavoc]

I ended up not using mine much. I am a big Pro1000 fan for pistol. I use a turret or single stage for rifle.

I thought the additional station would be nice, but the additional manual step for priming really makes it hard to keep a rhythm going. It's not bad, but I never had issues with Pro1000s and they just work better for me.

 

[brasscollector]

I guess the thing to do is if one is curious enough is to get one and see how it runs. It's only about $100

I would rather just ask here if its something I should buy or just step up to a Hornady AP.

 

[kmw1954]

I would rather just ask here if its something I should buy or just step up to a Hornady AP.

Question you have to ask yourself then is what is your expectations or requirements.

I have at present a Lee 3 hole turret, a Lee Pro1000 and the new Breech Lock Pro. The BLP is a decent press and has strengths and weaknesses. This press could easily do 250/300+ per hour with a powder measure and case feeder. The Safety Prime is a Question Mark to me. I'm still trying to get use to it myself because I don't use it on the 3 hole press. From what I read from the Turret users is most love the Safety Prime while others hate it.

One advantage is if you have a Lee turret then most everything can be migrated to the BLP other than the Breech Lock bushings and you will need shell plates, But those will also be required for the Hornady press also. The case feeder with the little red collator does speed things up and makes things easier. I think the press itself is pretty smooth and tight. I only wish Lee would have made the shell plate carrier all metal like the Pro1000 is.

 

[brasscollector]

My two biggest concerns were the claims of OAL varying and the primer system. It's not that I don't like the safety prime, I have one on my turret press. It's that I'd prefer it to be automated. Also, at some point, I'd like a bullet feeder and I've not heard too many positive things about the Lee system. For a few hundred more dollars (and a few hundred more after that) I know the AP will deliver the results I'm looking for. I was initially thinking I could buy a couple of the Lee presses and leave them setup but now I have talked myself into the ammo plant

 

[kcofohio]

My two biggest concerns were the claims of OAL varying and the primer system. It's not that I don't like the safety prime, I have one on my turret press. It's that I'd prefer it to be automated. Also, at some point, I'd like a bullet feeder and I've not heard too many positive things about the Lee system. For a few hundred more dollars (and a few hundred more after that) I know the AP will deliver the results I'm looking for. I was initially thinking I could buy a couple of the Lee presses and leave them setup but now I have talked myself into the ammo plant

IIRC, some reports of varying OAL was attributed to improper setup with the sizing die. That allowed flex of the plate. But I'm sure you won't go wrong with the Hornady either.

 

[kmw1954]

For a few hundred more dollars (and a few hundred more after that) I know the AP will deliver the results I'm looking for. I was initially thinking I could buy a couple of the Lee presses and leave them setup but now I have talked myself into the ammo plant

My advice, that is what you believe you want or need then go buy it and do not second guess yourself. I truly believe it's better to go with first instinct and find you were not quite right and have to make a change than to find you made a change and your first impression was correct to begin with.

 

[thomas15]

For a few hundred more dollars (and a few hundred more after that) I know the AP will deliver the results I'm looking for.....

You just answered your own question.

 

[brasscollector]

I really went and answered it this morning..

DSCF9062

• brasscollector
• Feb 9, 2019

 

[Rule3]

I really went and answered it this morning..

DSCF9062

• brasscollector
• Feb 9, 2019

Good choice!
but now all the Blue Boys will say you should have bought a you know what

 

[Blue68f100]

You will be happy with it. Just take all the time you need to get every thing adjusted right. Do it now and you will have less problems later on.

 

[kmw1954]

Congratulations on your new purchase. All that matters is that you believe you made the correct choice. Now set that thing up and get going!

 

[brasscollector]

Thank you. I've always wanted one so here it is.

Now set that thing up and get going!

I had planned on starting off with some 9mm to try things out but it appears they forgot to put the small primer plunger in the kit . I guess my AP experience will start out with a call to Hornady Monday morning. Oh well, it can only get better from there. Other than that I am totally digging this thing, it looks a lot better installed on my bench than it did on display at the store but that might just be me.

 

[D Rock]

Thank you. I've always wanted one so here it is.

I had planned on starting off with some 9mm to try things out but it appears they forgot to put the small primer plunger in the kit . I guess my AP experience will start out with a call to Hornady Monday morning. Oh well, it can only get better from there. Other than that I am totally digging this thing, it looks a lot better installed on my bench than it did on display at the store but that might just be me.

Congrats on the new press. Most people I know have Dillon presses, LCT for me, but I've always thought the LNL was a really smooth operating press. Probably the way I'd go if I wanted more than the LCT.

Keep us informed of your impressions once you're up and running.

Dave

 

[thomas15]

Thank you. I've always wanted one so here it is.

What ever stuff Hornady uses to keep the powder measure and associated hardware from rusting before the customer sets it up is a chore to remove. Just saying.

 

[dave333]

I’m sure you will really enjoy the LnL, I just switched to one after years of loading on Lee progressives. Taught myself to load on a Pro 1000, moved to Loadmasters for a few years, this past thanksgiving made the move to Hornady. Wish I would have done it sooner.

My advice, take your time and get the timing set up perfectly. Search for DRAINSMITH’s setup method and you will be way ahead of the game. If using the case feeder nake sure your bench is rock solid. I’ve got a little work to do in that area.

 

[dave333]

What ever stuff Hornady uses to keep the powder measure and associated hardware from rusting before the customer sets it up is a chore to remove. Just saying.

This is very true. The Hornady one shot gun cleaner and dry lube really works well though. Make sure you take the powder measure completely apart to clean, Hornady has a good step by step video you can follow if needed.

 

[brasscollector]

I played with it enough to spin a 223 case around a few times and get the e-z-ject to work (mostly just getting the spring to fall into the groove correctly). I also cleaned the powder measure and assorted parts and indeed that rust preventative lived up to the hype. Now I wish I had some 45 auto bullets on hand just so I could do some loading with it..

 

[Blue68f100]

There is a very easy mod to help the retainer spring drop out of the way earlier. It requires you to grind/remove the sharp ledge that supports it. All it takes is a bevel tapering back 3/16"-1/4", down to the lower level.