Unboxing Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro - User Review / Discussion < No Bashing >

[GW Staar]

Has anyone tried loading Rifle on Lees new 4 hole progressive yet?

I'm testing a new product from RCBS that expands rifle cases "M" die style with a step to stick rotating rifle bullets on their trip around the shell plate.....then feeds them Mr. bullet feeder-like, for $110. My plans are to use it on my 7 station press. Even with 7 stations such takes two passes but that's typical with rifle loading requiring trimming cases off press:
Because of the two pass (or 2 press) requirement norm, I think it might be feasible even on a 4 station press:

First Pass (or do it on a single station press.)

1. deprime and size, then trim, off press.


Second Pass combining Lee's four holer and RCBS’s new tube-fed Rifle Bullet Feeder.

1. Expand with the supplied RCBS step expander.

2. Prime then Charge?

3. Feed bullets reliably with the RCBS tube-fed rifle bullet feeder (RBF)

4. Seat bullets (and crimp if you need to)

This is really new, and maybe might be an option some of you might be interested in. New RCBS Tube Rifle Bullet Feeder

 

[someguy2800]

That should work. If your loading a case any longer than a 223 you would need to manually index.

 

[GW Staar]

You could also use the Mini Mr. Bullet Feeder with it's multi tube feed that comes with a Lee Seater/Crimper, for $154. But it comes with a PTX that expands in a Dillon P.M. or alternatively a Hornady/RCBS P.M.

You probably already have a Seater/Crimper, and with the RCBS Tube Rifle bullet feeder you don't need a PTX on a P.M. since it expands with a bullet sticking set before you advance to the P.M.

One could even convert Lee's collator idea to work with rifle.....like I did. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...er-how-to-build-included.679005/#post-8427171

 

[pinesprings]

Received my Pro 4000 last Friday. Set it up yesterday (Sunday). Loaded 150 or so 45 ACP. The primer system does NOT work well. Don't know how many primers were dropped. Simply lost count. And I have the "new" primer system with the flip "lid". Doesn't work as good as the primer setup on my Lee Classic Turret. Did not try it on the 4000. The most significant problem was with the universal case feeder setup. Actually broke the flimsy plastic part that the spring attached to under the tool head. Work in progress.

 

[D Rock]

pinesprings, did you see the Third Version of the primer system in this thread #17
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...0-technical-support-thread-no-bashing.835405/

This is the link for the new Gray primer parts.
https://leeprecision.com/4-cav-safety-prime-parts.html

I don't own the press or the new primer system, so I can't really comment.

Dave

 

[bfox]

My safety prime is still not working great . First one I had was dropping primers like crazy . Called Lee and they said there was a third version in gray . Lee will let you return the old version for a new one for $15 if you ship the old one back .

 

[bfox]

Titan reloading said they had the new gray one so I ordered another one . Not gray , same as the other one . Works better but sometimes it drops one .

 

[SamT1]

So guys what’s the advantage of this over a load master? I’m tempted to just buy another load master so I can leave them setup.

I’d be loading rifle rounds. 308, 223

 

[bfox]

I have two Loadmaster"s . Bought this because it was a new toy to play with . If you have a Loadmaster set up and like it I would just get another one . I had trouble with them at first but guys on these forums and Youtube helped me get them running good . The new Lee press is very easy to set up though .

 

[pinesprings]

D Rock.. did see that post. Thanks. Asked the folks at Lee about it. To the best of my understanding, there was a problem with a spring + some of the components (internal) of the primer system. They are sending the aforementioned parts and replacement for the case feeder spring attachment part that broke. The tech I spoke with knew nothing about a third version, however. If anyone has any advice on setting up the case feeder.. would greatly appreciate it. Feel like my problems with it were mostly my lack of familiarity with it.

 

[Livin_Cincy]

I have two Loadmaster"s . Bought this because it was a new toy to play with . If you have a Loadmaster set up and like it I would just get another one . I had trouble with them at first but guys on these forums and Youtube helped me get them running good . The new Lee press is very easy to set up though .

I am comparing these two LEE models. Because I already own a LEE LCT for several Calibers I can get a BLP running for less $$ than a LM. I am also thinking the LM is in its final season. I started hand priming as I inspect my Brass so the weak link in the design may not bother me. I can then use a bullet feed die like on my LCT. Another option is to use a LEE Universal Flaring tool with a NOE insert and use the LEE Bullet Feeder.

 

[joeanybody]

I bought the press from midsouth shooters supply for $102 plus a lee universal shell feed tube set. My intention was to use the press for 223 only. For only a hundred bucks it's not a bad investment for single caliber reloading. I need to get a lee or hornady powder dispenser to have a case activated setup. Right now I have my lyman 55 in that spot. Some things to keep in mind:
1. I hate priming online. Nomatter what press I'm using. I always prime offline. I don't like not being able to inspect things.
2. This is my first progressive press. I have a lee challenger. I then upgraded that to a lyman crusher. I have a 1975 lyman spar-t and a lee classic turret.
3. I'm a clutz so ease of use is very important to me.

Right of the box I was I was getting it to work which is a good thing for me. That is until I hooked up the case tubes. After that it all went downhill. That thing went into the trash after it shot a case out through the press bouncing it off the wall and hitting me square between the eyes. I disconnected that contraption and fed the cases one at a time after that and it was smooth sailing. Once I get the powder dispenser I imagine it won't be anything to load up 500 rounds. My vote: I like it.

 

[pinesprings]

After two weekends of working the Pro 4000, 500 rounds of 45ACP ,the following are my impressions:
1) The priming system simply does not work consistently. Period. Way too many dropped primers, primer arm hangs up in the slot made for it, primers not quite seated and lodging in the cup. Locks up the shell plate/indexing.
2) Got the universal case feed to work 85-90% of the time. Feeding NO MORE than 4 cases at a time. Crushed about 20+ cases that did not properly feed.
3) Utilizing the press as a quasi turret press it works well. With the EXCEPTION of the primer system.
Summary.. after using the Classic single stage and turret presses, for many years, I am disappointed with this press. Had high expectations.

 

[D Rock]

Thanks for the review, pinesprings. Sounds like there are some things to be worked out on the press. Have you contacted Lee about any issues. Just wondering if they can comment/resolve issues for you.

Dave

 

[someguy2800]

I was able to get mine to work well but for you guys having problems put it back on Lee so they do something about it. The case feeder on mine works perfect. The primer feed took some work to sort out.

 

[pinesprings]

Sent an e-mail to Lee describing what I wrote here earlier. After the first weekend working with the press.. I did call them. Mostly about the case feed problems. Lee did send replace parts for that. The person I spoke to did not seem to be familiar with the press. I did bring up the primer issues but really did not get much feedback. All my equipment ( 3 presses) is Lee. Would like for them to just work when initially set up. And, not have all the issues.

 

[GW Staar]

.........Would like for them to just work when initially set up. And, not have all the issues.

I'm afraid we ought to be more realistic about all this. We all get excited over a new inexpensive press, we buy hot off a new assembly line, and expect "for them to just work". Patience is the key.

Consider what the press would cost if Lee spent the money for two years of "beta testing" first. With that added expense Lee probably wouldn't bother. The presses don't have that kind of mark up.

Even Dillon presses still cause grief for some new users, and they haven't had anything new for quite some time. An advantage to that is that they know their presses well, and have become really good diagnosing what customers do to them, and can walk most new users straight to nirvana, even most slower learners......but they still have users that send them back once in a while....those who don't adapt to the Dillon way, within the time their patience holds out.

RCBS may be wondering why they ventured out as far as they did with the new Pro Chucker line. Lot's of impatient early adopters were attracted to 7 stations.....and more than a few didn't have the patience required to be early adopters. The negative wave was devastating, and set the company back. And its a good press, not perfect, none of them are, but I'm finding it more than workable and very versatile. As much as Dillon owners would have you believe otherwise, theirs aren't perfect either. even 1050's have work-a-rounds.

Hornady's had some serious problems to work out with the AP too....and years later, they still aren't perfect either.

So be patient with Lee....they're out on a limb for you....give them time.

 

[bfox]

I tried the old black safety prime with the bracket for the new safety prime . It worked real well for the little while that I tried it .

 

[pinesprings]

Lee responded with a request to talk about the Pro 4000 this morning. Had a productive conversation with one of the Lee's. Extremely good dialog. He is sending a new primer arm, and offered an interesting suggestion. He said to check the depth of the resizer / deprimer die. If it is screwed in, even a little too much, it can cause problems with the priming sequence. Impressed.with our conversation.

 

[kcofohio]

Lee responded with a request to talk about the Pro 4000 this morning. Had a productive conversation with one of the Lee's. Extremely good dialog. He is sending a new primer arm, and offered an interesting suggestion. He said to check the depth of the resizer / deprimer die. If it is screwed in, even a little too much, it can cause problems with the priming sequence. Impressed.with our conversation.

That makes sense to me. I know if I don't keep pressure on the lever when inserting primer into the priming arm, I get failures or dropped primers. Or if I push the priming slide any other way but straight forward, I tend to get failed feeds to the arm.

 

[Rule3]

I'm afraid we ought to be more realistic about all this. We all get excited over a new inexpensive press, we buy hot off a new assembly line, and expect "for them to just work". Patience is the key.

Consider what the press would cost if Lee spent the money for two years of "beta testing" first. With that added expense Lee probably wouldn't bother. The presses don't have that kind of mark up.

Which raises a question??

Where are all the BETAS that where all gung ho over this press and a gazillion posts before it came out?

Where are the unboxing, technical details and first hand use reports?

Other than SomeGuy who did a great video I have not see anything??

 

[someguy2800]

Which raises a question??

Where are all the BETAS that where all gung ho over this press and a gazillion posts before it came out?

Where are the unboxing, technical details and first hand use reports?

Other than Dude who did a great video I have not see anything??

I posted extensively about my experience with the press and what I needed to do to get mine working properly. I even posted a video of me reloading ammo. Mine works great after some fiddling with the primer dispenser.

 

[Zendude]

Can the optional bullet feeder be placed on station 4 rather than station 3 on this press? In this setup, I would be running a powder check die in station 3.

 

[Rule3]

I posted extensively about my experience with the press and what I needed to do to get mine working properly. I even posted a video of me reloading ammo. Mine works great after some fiddling with the primer dispenser.

See my post # 96 You must have been replying before I fixed my post. I had written Zen but then realized it was you someguy!

So to rephrase someone other than someguy

 

[Rule3]

Which raises a question??

Where are all the BETAS that where all gung ho over this press and a gazillion posts before it came out?

Where are the unboxing, technical details and first hand use reports?

Other than SomeGuy who did a great video I have not see anything??

See, it says SOMEGUY