Lee Pro 6000 unboxing and testing for OAL consistency

LiveLife said:
NOTICE: Important product update and no charge replacement if you are experiencing priming rod/pin sticking and/or powder charging in station #2. Updated self-cleaning priming pin resolves pin sticking problem and self-cleans even though powder granules are poured/dumped in station #2.

Anyone that wants a new pin simply has to give us a call or email with address. These pins started running today, 11/30. We are still a one shift company and the machine can only run 8 hours a day, please urge patience. We will make this right to anyone that reaches out at no charge.​

As expressed, let's exercise patience as Lee Precision replaces priming pin for users who are experiencing problems.


Got this email today:

Hello John,

We read through some of THR posting going on and want to furnish some new and updated information with you to share.

In my previous communication I said we were looking into the primer sticking problem. John Lee redesigned the pin, and the resultant product is now almost goof proof. We are very fortunate the pin is easily retrofitted on any press. Every press shipped from today forward includes this pin.

Anyone that wants a new pin simply has to give us a call or email with address. These pins started running today, 11/30. We are still a one shift company and the machine can only run 8 hours a day, please urge patience. We will make this right to anyone that reaches out at no charge.

Attached are some pictures showing the primer pin and guide area. You will note a copious amount of small grained powder is present. Our redesigned primer pin will allow this incredible amount of spilled powder to be self-cleared without any user intervention. (Still try to avoid powder or debris in this area)

People are really hung up on your posts pertaining to the primer pin. The radius on the tip of the pin was not the change that prevented them from sticking in the primer pocket rather it was the diameter. That radius difference most likely came from a very minor change in the setup of the machine that run. All that is a moot point with the new pin.

Attached is a picture of the old and new side by side for positive identification.

Calvin Katzfey
Lee Precision
​
(Following pictures were emailed to me by Lee Precision and cropped to show detail)

New self-cleaning priming pin on top compared to "old" priming pin that could stick in the sleeve with powder granule.

index.php

​
Yikes, talk about pouring/dumping powder in station #2

index.php

​
The new updated priming pin shaft design allows the pin/sleeve to be self-cleaning. If powder got poured/dumped, I would brush/blow station #2 clear and cycle the pin to clear the sleeve of powder granules.

index.php

​
Click to expand...
So, help an old geezer out. Took delivery of my Six pack last week 2/14/2 and it still has the old pin causing some jamming issues. I have reached out to Lee for the new version, but how do I replace it? Dare I assume that the two Phillips head screws under the carrier and the one screw at the front of the press going thru the black cover are what holds it all together? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
 
RandyP said:
So, help an old geezer out. Took delivery of my Six pack last week 2/14/2 and it still has the old pin causing some jamming issues. I have reached out to Lee for the new version, but how do I replace it? Dare I assume that the two Phillips head screws under the carrier and the one screw at the front of the press going thru the black cover are what holds it all together? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
The info you are looking for is in this post:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-oal-consistency.911743/page-17#post-12550748
 
RandyP said:
So, help an old geezer out. Took delivery of my Six pack last week 2/14/2 and it still has the old pin causing some jamming issues. I have reached out to Lee for the new version, but how do I replace it? Dare I assume that the two Phillips head screws under the carrier and the one screw at the front of the press going thru the black cover are what holds it all together? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Yes, that is all it takes to replace the primer pin. Two phillips head screws under the shell plate on top of the carrier cover and the one screw on the bottom. Be careful when you lower the bottom cover as the detent ball has a tendency to spring out and hide.
 
I use and very much like the new Lee Spline Drive Breech Lock Bushings. The small 3/32 allen head screw works great to lock the die position in the bushing once you set it. What is less than ideal is how many times I end up dropping that dinky little allen wrench onto my reloading room floor. MY solution? Amazon to the rescue and for $7 I've just taken delivery of a 3/32 allen head screwdriver. No more fumbling with the little wrench, nice size handle and it allows for gentle snugging-up of the clamping screw. No need to manhandle it. Simple, affordable and easy to use.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GFBVV5G?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
 
Adding "Beta testing Part 3: Stepped "M" style powder through expander R&D" to "New Products".

Press Set Up:
New Priming System:
Press Disassembly and Reassembly:
Fine tuning press operation for consistency:
Troubleshooting and Solutions:
Lee Precision Update Parts/New Products:
 
Does anyone know what the torque specifications are for the top 3 socket head cap screws that attach the top tool head to the three support rods? I removed the top to install the new KM Squared light and wire holders. I tightened them back "TIGHT" but would prefer to torque them if I knew the specifications.
 
Which style primer pin is shipping with the latest production Six Pack Pro presses?

The self cleaning style is on the left, this pin replaced the original pin, The pin on the right is the gold primer pin that was introduced with the new updated carrier cover which was introduced around the first part of February 2023. From the Lee Site "The “gold" primer pin is simply the original design primer pin with yellow zinc plating". I am curious because the gold primer pin is not shown as an available spare part on the Lee site.

This is a link to the Lee site with info about the new cover and gold pin - https://support.leeprecision.net/en/knowledgebase/article/carrier-cover-updated

IMG_3253.JPG
 
curlysir said:
Which style primer pin is shipping with the latest production Six Pack Pro presses?
Click to expand...
Same as original priming pin, just in "gold" color as carrier cover has been updated with bottom flared primer pin sleeve to be self-cleaning and resolved sticky pin - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-oal-consistency.911743/page-17#post-12550727

If you have early production carrier cover, you want the "self-cleaning" priming pin to clear powder granules to prevent sticky pin - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-oal-consistency.911743/page-15#post-12482598
 
Last edited:
LiveLife said:
Same as original priming pin, just in "gold" color as carrier cover has been updated with bottom flared primer pin sleeve to be self-cleaning and resolved sticky pin - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-oal-consistency.911743/page-17#post-12550727

If you have early production carrier cover, you want the "self-cleaning" priming pin to clear powder granules to prevent sticky pin.
Click to expand...

I replaced my old cover with the new carrier cover and gold pin on both my presses. I contacted Lee shortly after they became available and they sent me a link to get the new cover and gold pin. I was just curious as the "NEW" gold pin is not available as a spare part on the Lee Site. I think the new carrier cover is an improvement over the old cover.
 
RandyP said:
I use and very much like the new Lee Spline Drive Breech Lock Bushings. The small 3/32 allen head screw works great to lock the die position in the bushing once you set it. -- gentle snugging-up of the clamping screw. No need to manhandle it. Simple, affordable and easy to use.
Click to expand...

Yes, totally concur. If you remove the clamping screw and put a tiny drop of oil on it it makes the dissimilar metals interface happier and very easy to just "snug".

The old steel Breech Lock Bushings with clamp were very nice also.

GD
 
Thanks for starting this thread, OP. It helped me a lot. I've been using a refurbished Lee Breech Lock Challenger to learn the basics. Lately, I've been researching progressives and was deciding between the Lock-n-Load AP or a Dillon 750.

My shooting or ego doesn't require me to pay Dillon money. The Lee 6000 provides more value than the Lock-n-Load AP.

Until I read your thread, I was either going to overpay for features I didn't use (Dillon) or overpay for less (Lock-n-Load AP). Now, I am confident that I found the best press for my situation, and your thread was a big part of that. Thanks again.
 
Stefan A said:
Things are mostly working pretty well with the press. Now that I have a bullet feeder for several calibers, I feel like I am finally able to take full advantage of the press. I am having problems with the case feed through and would like some advice. 2 main problems. First, when I get down to 1-4 cases left in the tube, a case will drop onto the slider but then tip over. Either the case just falls to the floor, or it moves forward of the guide and then I get a double feed. This is pretty consistent and is really frustrating me. Of course, everything has to stop and I have to clean it up. The other issue is that occasionally the case does not get pushed all the way onto the shell plate. If I manage to notice in time, I can just set it correctly. But sometimes I don't notice it and I end up screwing up the case mouth. It's trashed when that happens.

Another issue is that my FCD for 38 special is real clunky - literally. As the case goes into the die, it is very rough. Shakes the whole table. Like it gets a bit stuck going in and out.
Click to expand...
Apply a little crimp with the bullet seating die. Just enough to close the flare from the expanding die. The flare on the case is preventing the case from easily entering the FC die
 
R44 flyer said:
Apply a little crimp with the bullet seating die. Just enough to close the flare from the expanding die. The flare on the case is preventing the case from easily entering the FC die
Click to expand...
it does the same thing as the cartridge is coming out of the die - after it is crimped. I am not hearing any scraping as it goes in. It's just bumping
 
Stefan A said:
it does the same thing as the cartridge is coming out of the die - after it is crimped. I am not hearing any scraping as it goes in. It's just bumping
Click to expand...
Try using a non-crimp die to see if it still happens. That will tell you if it is an alignment issue or a die issue.

I had that happen on my Hornady LNL AP when loading .45ACP. Pulling the crimp die and replacing it with a non-FCD (RCBS) made the issue go away
 
= NOTICE TO ALL THR MEMBERS =

I had originally meant for this thread to be a "primer" for those new to SPP/Pro 6000 get familiar with the new press and significantly reduce the learning curve.

But we are already at page 18 and post #444 and moving forward, I am requesting that we keep the discussion specific to SPP/Pro 6000 and post other generic questions like proper use of FCD, etc. on other threads or start a new thread for member discussion.

I am hoping that by keeping this thread discussion specific to SPP/Pro 6000, those new to the press can better find the information they are seeking instead of swimming in the sea of posts.

For those needing SPP/Pro 6000 specific information, particularly troubleshooting problems to resolution, I have consolidated thread discussion into a list of content here - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-oal-consistency.911743/page-18#post-12564292

And "Best Practices" checklist here - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...x-pack-pro-pro-6000-kit.913577/#post-12564288

Thank you.
 
Am I being a worry wart or is something wrong? Set up the pro 6000 to run some 40’s, mixed head stamp, x-treme plated bullets. COAL was .005 spread, not bad but started looking around. Found shell plate was flexing about .015 at station 4 and 5. Other stations are tight, is this normal ?
 
2 Horse said:
Found shell plate was flexing about .015 at station 4 and 5. Other stations are tight, is this normal ?
Click to expand...
That's normal as SPP/Pro 6000 utilizes "floating" shellplate design and meant deflect down and shellplate bottom contacting top of carrier core is the limit of travel, like Dillon 550 design (But SPP captures case rim within shellplate, like Dillon 650/750 design).

2 Horse said:
40’s, mixed head stamp, x-treme plated bullets. COAL was .005 spread
Click to expand...
.005" OAL spread is pretty good using mixed range brass and plated bullets. :thumbup:
 
Do the Lee ultimate locking rings work on the SPP? I found during set-up that my Hornady rings are too big and don’t clear the rings next to them…then I read on a review that the Lee rings with the Allen bolt won’t work either, as the bolt sticks out too far. Is that correct?
 
GarnetandBlack said:
Do the Lee ultimate locking rings work on the SPP? I found during set-up that my Hornady rings are too big and don’t clear the rings next to them…then I read on a review that the Lee rings with the Allen bolt won’t work either, as the bolt sticks out too far. Is that correct?
Click to expand...
Again, Yes and No. It is only an issue when a bolt head needs to clear a tooth in an adjacent bushing

I'm using the Spline Drive Breech Lock bushings on my dies and it does get pretty cramped on the die platform.

It is pretty tight between my Lee powder measure (Station 3), Lee in-line bullet feeder (Station 4), and Redding Competition Seating die (Station 5). You're a bit limited as to the orientation of the three due to their "bulgy parts"...while still wanting to watch that the powder measure rotor was going through a full stroke. Getting all the bushings tightened is complicated by their need to rotate through 90 degrees to fully tighten.

It is a matter of determining which die to place first and in which order to tighten them...either incrementally or fully. It's just trial and error to figure out the clearances...mine are all installed now. Once I get Lee's M-profile expansion insert, I should be able to move my powder measure to Station 2 to make more room
 
Last edited:
Earlier this week, mine was delivered. It’s my first progressive and my first new press. I have been learning the basics on a reconditioned Lee Breech Lock Challenger.

I took my time setting up the press. I have it configured to load 223 Rem. Today was my first time loading with it and I couldn’t be happier. It just works and at a fraction of the cost of the “other guys.”

Lee has been serving me well since my beginning and this press has made me a lifelong supporter. I doubt that I’ll buy another press. If I do, it will be another Lee.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Lee 6000 Personal Experience
2 3
Replies
54
Views
3K
9mmepiphany
9mmepiphany
LiveLife
Myth Confirming - Sorting Brass for More Consistent OAL on Progressive Press
Replies
16
Views
709
AJC1
AJC1
GW Staar
Coupling a 3D case feeder to a Lee Pro 6000
Replies
8
Views
714
RightAngle
R
LiveLife
New Lee inline bullet feeder/rotary magazine for SPP/Pro 6000 - Beta testing
2 3 4 5 6
Replies
135
Views
11K
Gillie Dog
Gillie Dog
LiveLife
  • Locked
What works for you?
Replies
4
Views
453
1SOW
1
Back
Top