Lee Breech Lock Pro Die Locations

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Mar 22, 2023
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I’m thinking about ordering a Lee Breech Lock Pro. Can I put the dies in differing order than it’s designed to do? Meaning, I load 357 Sig on a single stage now, and go .40 S&W sizing die; 357 Sizing Die; Expander; Seater. Is there a problem setting up the Lee Progressive like that?
 
I’m thinking about ordering a Lee Breech Lock Pro. Can I put the dies in differing order than it’s designed to do? Meaning, I load 357 Sig on a single stage now, and go .40 S&W sizing die; 357 Sizing Die; Expander; Seater. Is there a problem setting up the Lee Progressive like that?
If you take out the decapper on the 357 SIG die, so that you can prime and not push out the primer in the 2nd station. I don't see why it wouldn't work.
So you would decap and size with the 40 S&W in the 1st station. Full length size and prime at the 2nd station. Powder charge at the 3rd, then seat bullet at the 4th. It may be awkward reaching the back side to place bullet in the case.
 
If you take out the decapper on the 357 SIG die, so that you can prime and not push out the primer in the 2nd station. I don't see why it wouldn't work.
So you would decap and size with the 40 S&W in the 1st station. Full length size and prime at the 2nd station. Powder charge at the 3rd, then seat bullet at the 4th. It may be awkward reaching the back side to place bullet in the case.

That makes sense, thanks. I’m trying to decide whether to order that press for $115 delivered if it will work for what I’m doing (357S and 10MM), or step up to the Six Pack for $225 delivered.
 
Welcome to THR! :)
I couldn't sway you either way, as I only have the Breech Lock Pro. Others may say the 6 stations would be better, especially for future purposes that may arise.
 
BTW, I load for the 357 SIG, but I still do it on the Lee Classic Turret press. I don't get in any hurry loading for the SIG, and I have a better feel for what's going on in the process than with the progressive.
 
I have the ABLP Lee press. It is a solid press like kcofohio said. I run my .357Mag through in two passes and it is still fast. The only limiting factor to what you put in it is it is going to eject at station 4, so seat/crimp must happen there. I don't prime on mine, I prime off the press for .357mags.

If it were me I would look at the six pack pro, even though I bought one and it turned out to be a train wreck and I sent it back for a refund.
It has six stations over four.
If you want to run everything through in one pass than the SPP is the only option.
I bought one of the first ones and the carrier fell off of it before I even got to load on it, the primer system didn't work either.
I would hope they have fixed some of their issues by now, but my fear would be that I would get one that doesn't have all the recent new parts on it.
That press is work in progress, so the one you get may or may not work as advertised. If your a patient person and willing to work with Lee on the SPP, it may be exactly what you want.

The ABLP does work as advertised but has a primer system that is an add on and extra steps to make it work. It's not built into the operation of the press like it is on the SPP.
The only problem I had with the ABLP is the side torquing at full extension with the roller handle which was making my OAL vary more than was acceptable.
I put my straight handle assy off my Pro 1000 on it and the problem went away.
The SPP has the straight handle with ball already, because of the same problem.
No progressive press is free of all problems, and there is lots of support here for the SPP, the ABLP didn't really need any but is limited to 4 stations.
 
I ended up getting the Six Pack. At the end of the day, it comes with the case feeder so I justified the $100 price difference in my mind somehow. I’m going to sell my single stage Hornady to offset that difference. One press with the amount I reload will be plenty and I can do rifle too if I need to.
 
Most all of us progressive guys have one sitting around. They are still quite useful.
I agree with this.

I started with a Hornady LNL AP...I learned on a Lee Classic Turret and a Dillion 550...and didn't have any issues figuring it out; being able to easily install and remove individual dies really helped.

After a while I figured that I needed a single stage as a companion press. There are things much harder to do on a progressive than a single stage...like pulling bullets or performing a simple function in a caliber that your progressive isn't currently set up for like depriming brass for cleaning; it keeps your progressive cleaner
 
I ended up getting the Six Pack. At the end of the day, it comes with the case feeder so I justified the $100 price difference in my mind somehow. I’m going to sell my single stage Hornady to offset that difference

The SPP came out last fall just as I was about the get the ABLP. I made the same decision as you. For me the better priming system and the ability to have 2 more stations were the deciding factor. You won't miss the extra $100 when you get up and running :)
I agree with keeping the extra press as well. I kept my Classic Turret as well as a single stage I had laying around.

-Jeff
 
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