Try 2 pennies
just my 2 cents...
sorry for what I typed right there
I don't know why but this is cracking me up.
Unboxing Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro - User Review / Discussion < No Bashing >
- Thread starter LiveLife
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I don't know why but this is cracking me up.
Thanks for the info. I messed with the height and as long as I didn't push up on the handle too slowly it seemed to work pretty well. However, I had a case double feed and didn't realize it. I crushed the snot out of the red plastic underneath the arms. I thought it was a tight case. I just ordered a replacement from Lee. I don't look forward to replacing that thing. I hope it's quick and easy. I really like the potential of this press but with all of the hiccups of case, primers, and bullets (yes some bullets miss the bin) dropping on the floor, I think I'm going slower than my turret press. For me, the jury is still out on this one.
Thanks, I saw that earlier. Doesn't look complicated but just a PITA for my mistake.Here's a vid of disassembly:
Well if there is a way to screw it up, I'll find it. I stripped the nut that holds the carrier assembly. It would not come loose. I know it's not Lee's fault, but I think I may be done with this press. I guess I can contact lee and go through the trouble of time and shipping to send it back, but I'm leaning towards moving on to something else.
Livin_Cincy
Member
"I guess I can contact lee and go through the trouble of time and shipping to send it back, but I'm leaning towards moving on to something else"
Dillon has the same problem with their no BS Warranty coverage.
Dillon has the same problem with their no BS Warranty coverage.
Doc Morton
Member
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- Jul 19, 2018
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I’ve been using the Breech Lock Pro for awhile now and have had some learning lessons from the press. First using the case loader for 38 Special took some time to get the spacing right. Properly spaced things went well. Now I switched over to 45 Cowboy Special and here is where things went sideways. Regardless of the spacing the case to be moved to the shell holder would get flipped toward the shell holder (base first) causing the shell to fly off the press/loading table. Close examination seemed to reveal a lack of support at the very top of the shell resulting in the next shell tipping the round and flicking it forward. This was due to the weight of the shell stack caused the bottom shell to slid forward unchecked. That was the clue as to the primary problem: the ramp the shell slides when being pushed into position is very slick. The base of the case has no resistance and slides forward. The solution I came up with was to lightly sand with 600 grit to break the glaze. Bingo smooth delivery of the next 100 cases.
I still think the support for the case feeder lacks height to better support the case. I’m printing custom case feeders to fully support the cases I currently load for. Should solve many of the ‘it’ll do’ problems with Lee’s design philosophy.
Oh, I prime off press and have for years. I’m too ham fisted for a swinging primer feed
Doc
I still think the support for the case feeder lacks height to better support the case. I’m printing custom case feeders to fully support the cases I currently load for. Should solve many of the ‘it’ll do’ problems with Lee’s design philosophy.
Oh, I prime off press and have for years. I’m too ham fisted for a swinging primer feed
Doc
kmw1954
Member
That is terrific news Nuncles. The screw you refer to is that the one down inside the ram that holds down the shell plate carrier? If so I wonder if you could just send the carrier back to Lee for repair other than sending the whole press. Sure would make shipping easier.
kmw1954
Member
Everyone, anyone, I have a question on the case feeder. How does it differ from the one on the Pro 1000? I ask because I use one on my Pro 1000 and I do not experience and of these feed problems I keep hearing about. Also will the Pro 1000 case feeder fit on the new Pro 4000. They certainly look like the same parts.
Here's a few vids on the case feeder etc:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Lee+Breech+Lock+Pro+case+feeder
Yep that's the one. Smart thinking on the carrier shipping suggestion.
kmw1954
Member
Well I picked one up on ebay for a fair price and it arrived today. Still waiting for the shell plate and Safety Prime from Midway USA. Still on the fence over whether I chose the correct press with this of if the Turret press would have been a better choice. I hope to give it a fair trial and really hope it's what I am looking for. Next I hope it will be a durable as I believe the turret press is.
Mounting it to a bench tonight I found that the base mounting pattern is not the same as the Turret press or the Pro1000. For now it is on a temporary mount on a spare bench until I figure out how I want to permanently mount it.
Mounting it to a bench tonight I found that the base mounting pattern is not the same as the Turret press or the Pro1000. For now it is on a temporary mount on a spare bench until I figure out how I want to permanently mount it.
Livin_Cincy
Member
I think this press is better than a turret press for a few reasons.
- You can use it like a turret press and make (1) cartridge at a time.
- You can use it like a Dillon 550 and manually index it.
- You can use it like a Progressive Press and create a cartridge with each pull.
kmw1954
Member
The thought I had was that the turret has a lower initial cost. I wouldn't have to buy Shell Plates for it as the shell holders come with every die set. There are also no plastic parts to wear out or become brittle over time, therefore maybe making the turret press more durable.
But I bought it anyways and hope that it meets my expectations for speed, ease of use and durability.
But I bought it anyways and hope that it meets my expectations for speed, ease of use and durability.
While I agree that the turret is a beefier more durable press, if the lock breech holds up and you are reloading pistol rounds, I think you made a good choice. While I have had some issues with the lock breech, it is faster and my rounds seem to come out more consistent than on my turret. Again, if it holds up over time, I think the lock breech is the better investment for speed and ease of use.
kmw1954
Member
9mmepiphany, Guess I should have been a little clearer and precise. Initial cost was in regards to the press not the turrets or the bushings. When bought from Titan Reloading Turret press is $86.00, Pro 4000 is $106.00.. But now that you mention it turrets are $10.99, a set of 4 bushings $8.78 X2 = $17.56 or $8.78 + $11.98 = $20.76 for the Lock Ring Eliminator. Again shell holders come with die sets, shell plates are $18.99... The square plastic ratchets are $0.50 and I keep plenty on hand but tat is the only plastic pc. on the press unlike the new progressive. Lee already offers 2 different replacement plastic kits for this press.
Again, time will tell just how durable this new press will be.
Again, time will tell just how durable this new press will be.
Lurking thru this thread as I don't (yet) have a lee auto breach lock pro, but have noticed that you often refer to a "Pro 4000" press.
I believe that was the name used in development "leaks" from Lee, why do you continue to use it, knowing that the "Lee Auto Breach Lock Pro" (ABLP) is the actual name of the press?
just curious,
Last edited:
kmw1954
Member
Lurking thru this thread as I don't (yet) have a lee auto breach lock pro, but have noticed that you often refer to a "Pro 4000" press.
I believe that was the name used in development "leaks" from Lee, why do you continue to use it, knowing that the "Lee Auto Breach Lock Pro" (ABLP) is the actual name of the press?
just curious,
Maybe because I have a Pro1000 and I get tired of typing out Lee Breech Lock Pro every time I need to refer to this press and still don't like the (ABLPQRST). Pro4000 is just easier, that's all it is. Can't just use Pro as that would confuse people as to which Pro.
thomas15
Member
As long as you don't accidently omit the "Pro" designation, all is well.
kmw1954
Member
Well I received my press last week and then the shell plate from Midway USA last Friday. Shellplate was the wrong one. Disappointed with Midway but that is another story. Ordered another shell plate from Titan Reloading and it arrived today so I was finally able to assemble the whole press and set the dies.
Wasn't able to spend a lot of time with this today as I'm still working with my wife's knee rehab but the little bit that I did I am quite impressed. More so than I thought I would be. First of all when I mounted the press I also rotated it even more than what Lee did with the new carrier, I added about 25* counterclockwise from being square. Just as I had done with my Pro1000. So after I set the dies today I ran an empty case round to each position and all was smooth and steady. I then ran the shell up thru the powder drop and then lowered it to see how clearly I could see into the case to observe powder. All I can say is WoW! With the added rotation I placed in the mounting I can very clearly see into the case w/o straining to do so. Huge improvement over the Pro1000. Lastly I can say it doesn't appear that it is going to take much to get use to the priming on this press.
Anyhow I'm looking forward to actually getting time tomorrow to get to this press and actually making some working rounds.
Wasn't able to spend a lot of time with this today as I'm still working with my wife's knee rehab but the little bit that I did I am quite impressed. More so than I thought I would be. First of all when I mounted the press I also rotated it even more than what Lee did with the new carrier, I added about 25* counterclockwise from being square. Just as I had done with my Pro1000. So after I set the dies today I ran an empty case round to each position and all was smooth and steady. I then ran the shell up thru the powder drop and then lowered it to see how clearly I could see into the case to observe powder. All I can say is WoW! With the added rotation I placed in the mounting I can very clearly see into the case w/o straining to do so. Huge improvement over the Pro1000. Lastly I can say it doesn't appear that it is going to take much to get use to the priming on this press.
Anyhow I'm looking forward to actually getting time tomorrow to get to this press and actually making some working rounds.
kmw1954
Member
So I was up until 3am this morning remounting this press to where I thought it would permanently be and sadly I'm a little disappointed. The location and height are great, only the bench top isn't as rigid as I thought it was going to be. Granted it doesn't need to be as rigid a mount as for the Pro1000 but that is what I'm use to.
This afternoon I was actually able to turn out some rounds on it! It is set up for 45acp with Lee Carbide Pistol dies with the FCD, the powder measure is the Lee Auto Drum. For this starting load I am starting with Berry's 185gr FP plated bullets, AA#2 powder set to 5.5gr., S&B Large pistol primers and an OAL of 1.190"
Impression; Over-all very pleased with this press and it will accomplish everything I expected it to. It is going to take some repetitions getting acclimated to this as opposed to the Pro1000 and the Old 3 hole press. Out of 25 rounds there were 2 times I had to stop and go back because I forgot to set a primer in the cup and once when I forgot to place a bullet after making a powder weight check. Then while setting up the press I thought I had everything where I wanted it so I ran a couple and after the 3rd or 4th one the crimp die loosened up in the Lock Ring Eliminator bushing and the rounds would no longer plunk! Then over the coarse of these 25 I was having trouble holding OAL. I'm not sure at this point if it's the press or the bullets and where they fit to the seating stem. The OAL is jumping around about .006"
For right now I'm hand feeding primers into the cup and am hand feeding cases. This seems easy enough to do and would probably be much faster than I an currently doing it once I establish an routine. It is much like what I do on the 3 hole turret only things are located differently.
These 1st 25 will be fired in the Springfield XD as it isn't as finicky as my Witness which was the whole reason for getting this press. Hopefully I now have it set where it will run the Witness, reliably and after dinner will go make another 25.
This afternoon I was actually able to turn out some rounds on it! It is set up for 45acp with Lee Carbide Pistol dies with the FCD, the powder measure is the Lee Auto Drum. For this starting load I am starting with Berry's 185gr FP plated bullets, AA#2 powder set to 5.5gr., S&B Large pistol primers and an OAL of 1.190"
Impression; Over-all very pleased with this press and it will accomplish everything I expected it to. It is going to take some repetitions getting acclimated to this as opposed to the Pro1000 and the Old 3 hole press. Out of 25 rounds there were 2 times I had to stop and go back because I forgot to set a primer in the cup and once when I forgot to place a bullet after making a powder weight check. Then while setting up the press I thought I had everything where I wanted it so I ran a couple and after the 3rd or 4th one the crimp die loosened up in the Lock Ring Eliminator bushing and the rounds would no longer plunk! Then over the coarse of these 25 I was having trouble holding OAL. I'm not sure at this point if it's the press or the bullets and where they fit to the seating stem. The OAL is jumping around about .006"
For right now I'm hand feeding primers into the cup and am hand feeding cases. This seems easy enough to do and would probably be much faster than I an currently doing it once I establish an routine. It is much like what I do on the 3 hole turret only things are located differently.
These 1st 25 will be fired in the Springfield XD as it isn't as finicky as my Witness which was the whole reason for getting this press. Hopefully I now have it set where it will run the Witness, reliably and after dinner will go make another 25.
Livin_Cincy
Member
You might be guilty of looking like an Uncle Red from the Red Green show...
But if you don't post pictures we will not laugh at you. Try this:
I mounted my LCT press on a 1-1/4" thick cutting board that is 18" long on a 24" deep bench.
I then clamp it to the bench where I have an 'L' bracket underneath with a deep throated C-clamp that clamps behind the press.
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80305422/
I can slide it out of the way when not in use and have full use of my bench.
But if you don't post pictures we will not laugh at you. Try this:
I mounted my LCT press on a 1-1/4" thick cutting board that is 18" long on a 24" deep bench.
I then clamp it to the bench where I have an 'L' bracket underneath with a deep throated C-clamp that clamps behind the press.
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80305422/
I can slide it out of the way when not in use and have full use of my bench.
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