Pure opinion
At 200-300 round per loading session, you are close to being a good candidate for a progressive, and the Pro-1000 is certainly the most economical. But given the feeding problems, quite possibly the slowest of the progressives.
I have two Pro-1000s. One for small primers and one for large. I was able to keep primers flowing reliably by ALWAYS watching the primer feed chute and keeping it FULL, at least 5, but preferably all the way up to the primer flip tray.
I would also pause the stroke of the press' operating handle as the shell plate was rotating and the cartridge case hit the detection lever. If the primers did not advance at that exact time, I would stop right there and advance the primers by hand with a custom made tool (bent paper clip). Then continue the stroke of the handle.
This kind of attention to multiple events happening in quick sequence or simultaneously slowed me down from what might have been my maximum speed, but I did alright. I developed a checklist to follow to ensure I never missed a step
Make sure finished round cleared the press
Put bullet on the next case.
half-stroke
check primer movement
finish stroke
check powder drop
Insert new case on the case feed device (I didn't use the case feeder tubes)
down-stroke
etc.
Ultimately, I developed a mantra of one syllable per event. But I was still slow and halting.
Finally, I got tired of that. When I added another caliber, I decided not to get another shell plate and shopped around for a turret press.
I upgraded my bench by switching "down" to a Lee Classic Turret. The Lee Deluxe Turret is not as expensive, but also, in my opinion, not as good as the Classic Turret.
I couldn't be happier.
I can use the same shell holders as my single stage press.
My second time using the press, I loaded 100 rounds in 47 minutes, which was about as good as I ever did on my Pro-1000.
Changing calibers was simplicity itself.
My Pro-1000s would catch only about 75% of the spent primers (and even then stored them under the press, which required dismounting the thing for disposal). My Classic Turret drops them down a tube, 100%.
The little "pez dispenser" primer feed is not 100% perfect, as it does not feed the last two primers without assistance, but that is still two and a half times (2 vs 5) better than the Pro-1000. And I can SEE if the primer is sideways BEFORE seating it.
However, to get the best use out of your Lee Turret (Lee, because no other manufacturers' turrets have automatic advancing of the turret), you should ("should"- opinion) leave the cartridge case in the press and perform all loading functions in a through-put mode, not removing the case until it has been turned into a finished cartridge. All that inserting and removing takes time. The auto-indexing turret saves that time.
Of course, the Progressive saves the same time (but only if you don't do the extra insert/remove cycles), and gives you one finished cartridge per stroke instead of one cartridge per four strokes.
But the Classic Turret can be had for under $100 and about $10 per extra turret, involves no other extra parts (like shell plates or carriers) and (in my opinion and my estimate) will deliver about half the production rate of the Pro-1000 on its best day.
In summary, for a sub-$200 investment for a good jump in production, I would get either Lee Turret (preference to the Classic Turret).
For $85 plus shipping, you can get a Classic Turret. Add $10 (shop around, otherwise it's $13) per caliber you load for, for extra turrets (less the one that comes with the press) and you have completely retained the simplicity and control of the single stage with a concomitant doubling (or more) of production rate.
For best results, you will want to change your operational plan. Sizing/decap/reprime in a step separate from the Charging/seating/crimping operations is (my opinion) pointless. Do'em all in one pass with 4 strokes of the handle per round.
If you need more than 150-200 rounds per hour you are a good candidate for a progressive, but you are not going to get away with it for under $200, probably $250 or a little more by the time you are done and have given up the simplicity of the single stage and turret for the complexity of the Progressive.
Not that the progressive route is a bad thing, and since you are considering these factors
Is this a reasonable way to increase my output. I have a $200 budget and want to reuse as much as I can such as the Lee Auto Disks and Safety Prime system.....
Increasing output for $200 budget and reusing as much as you can... The Lee Classic Turret is the obvious choice.
If you are going to shoot a LOT of rounds (for competition), I would consider skipping the Lee Pro-1000 altogether and going Dillon, Hornady or Lee Loadmaster. Biting the "bullet" for Dillon will only hurt once. Wrestling with your loading gear when you have a competition in the morning hurts more.
My choice for me was the Turret. My choice for you?....well that is why my post is so long.
Good luck and thanks for asking our advice,
Lost Sheep
