Your Help Appreciated

[USMC 1975]

I have been pretty dang disgusted lately trying to find ammo and when I do it seems they are raping us shooters with astronomical prices. So I am thinking about starting to reload my own ammo.

I am a light shooter and do not shoot near the rounds most of you shoot. On a good month I would probably shoot 500 rounds. It isn't very much but it add's up when your shooting 380 ammo. ( The gunshop wanted $ 40 for a box of 50 - cheap range ammo ).

The help I need is with the re-loader. I am looking hard at the Lee Progressive Pro 1,000 which is selling for $ 150 new on several web sites.

Before I pull the trigger and buy this I thought I better seek some input from all of you. I would love the Dillon but its out of my price range at the moment. So will the Lee work well for me ? Is it a finicky re-loader or easy to use ?

I have watched videos of it and it seems pretty straight forward but I was concerned about its dependability. I have read that some re-loaders are real touchy and since I am a newbie I really do not want to get into any major headaches.

I will be changing back and forth between 9mm and 380 ammo.

Will the Lee 1000 be a good re-loader for a guy who is just getting started ?

Thanks everyone,

Chris

 

[The Bushmaster]

Take it from a Sailor and either get a single stage press and a good reloading manual like Lyman's 49 Edition. And/or a Lee Classic CAST Turret. Both would serve you very well. I shoot more then 500 rounds a month and have no problems keeping up using a turret. I would recommend you get the manual ($20.00) first and read, read, read.

 

[RustyFN]

I agree with Bushmaster. I have never used a Pro1K but have read too many post about the primer feed being finiky. I have been loading on the classic turret for close to three years without any problems. It's the press I learned on and is a very good press for a beginner. I can load 500 rounds in three hours on the classic at a comfortable pace.
Rusty

 

[Walkalong]

The Lee classic cast turret would be perfect for the novice reloader, dependable, fast enough for most shooters, & won't take a big bite out of your butt to purchase. That said, you can't go wrong with a progressive, whichever brand you choose, although it's a steeper learning curve starting out with one. Many folks do though.

I started with an RCBS Partner press (single stage), got a used Lee 3 hole turret press in a package deal, and then finally bought a Hornady Projector, which I have used for over 20 years. All three presses worked just fine. I still have the single stage and it comes in handy from time to time.

 

[lgbloader]

I'd have to 2nd, 3rd and 4th that of my pals, Rusty, Walkalong, and the Bushmaster.

To make it complete, a Lee Classic cast single stage and a Lee Classic Turret would be the creme d'la creme for at least 75% of the handloaders out there. Here is a perfect examble of a great set up:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=5400757&postcount=942

If I was just starting out and was shooting what I shoot now... This is what I would buy.

and this is coming from a guy that has 4 single stage and 3 progressive presses, not to mention all the Lee Classic Loader (Hammer time) I have collected.

LGB

 

[The Bushmaster]

lgbloader...You've been looking in my Reloading/Gun Room again. Haven't you?

To the left is my Classic cast single stage and to my right is my Classic cast turret converted from a four hole to a three hole press...I wierd. What can I say. I like the cast and I only need three holes, not four...

 

[PecosRiverM]

How do you convert a 4 hole turret to a 3 holer?

I also started with a Lee Classic Cast turret. Still using it as a single stage tho. I do my loading in batches (sizing, seating).

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I'm doing good to shoot 500 9mm Makarov and .380acp totaled a year and I save $$ reloading for both. I use mastercastbullets from Mike in Illinois w/fine results.
I use Bullseye and Red Dot powder.
I've never been able to figure why 9mm Makarov & .380acp factory ammo is more $$ than 9mm Para.

 

[The Bushmaster]

PecosRiverM...e-mail with photo on the way

 

[floydster]

I have been reloading for 54 years, I have sold all of my other presses and set on a Lee single stage classic cast and the Lee classic cast turret and haven't looked back, the best of both worlds, I shoot around 800 rounds a month and it works great for me. I don't need a progressive at this stage in my life, I would recommend these two presses for any beginning reloader.

 

[Fourbits]

Pitch for Lee Turret

A common question on any forum that covers reloading is “What do I do now – I want to start reloading”. The following is a pitch for starting with the Lee Turret Press if you are interested in bullets for pistols and/or revolvers. It includes comments on using other Lee equipment – The Lee Auto Prime and Auto Disk Measure.

Equipment:
Lee Turret Auto Index Press w/dies
Lee Auto-Disk Powder Measure
Lee Auto Prime w/set of shell holders
Four hole Turret (One for each caliber)

Why?
The Lee reloading equipment works and is reasonably priced.
If combined with the auto prime and the auto disk I think it’s the safest for a new reloader. Priming as a separate operation, with the Lee Auto Prime, allows you to inspect the case and “feel” the primer seat. The Lee Auto Disk Powder Measure is a safe a way to load powder and should prevent the dreaded “double charge”. The turret rotates with each step. Many experienced reloaders recommend a single stage press for the beginner. I think the turret press is a better bet as it almost eliminates the possibility of a double charge or a case without powder. In addition it produces many more rounds/hour.


Hints & Tips
1.Every 500 rounds or so clean the press and lube the ram.
2.Lubricate the turret with a dry film lubricant. (I use “White Lightning” sold in bicycle stores for bicycle chains.) I think this lube prevents the most common problem with the Lee Turret Press – failure of the rotating mechanism.
3.Use a four hole turret. This allows a separate die to taper or roll crimp.
4.During the reloading process, with a four hole turret, you need a extra stroke to skip the size/de-prime die. This gives you time to pick up the next case for reloading.
5.Develop a rhythm. This assures that each die stops where it should!
6.I do not recommend the Lee Pro Auto-Disk powder measure for the beginner. One of its features is the ability to shut off powder flow, introducing the possibility of cases without powder.
7.Buy a turret for each caliber loaded. The turrets for the Lee are cheap and having one for each caliber makes change over from caliber to caliber easy and quick.

 

[RandyP]

I'm using the LCT too. Great press IMHO. I added the Safety Prime system which works very well, get the complete kit with the large & small primer trays. Costs little, very reliable.

Other makes are also excellent, but I think for the 'average' shooter, the Classic Turret is more than capable of turning out the quantity of rounds I need. Less complicated than a progressive too. I use the 4-die sets for .380/9mm/.45ACP

(Army 71 Stateside-72 In Country)

 

[easyrider604]

My first progressive was a Pro1000. Was ok when kept clean and lubed. Too much trouble to use and maintain.

I'd go with those who suggested Lee Classic Turret.

If you want to spend a little more, the Loadmaster is fine too. Just follow the set-up procedure in this link.

http://loadmastervideos.com/

 

[Eagle103]

Another vote for the Lee Classic Turret. 500 rounds a month isn't that much but more than you would want to do single stage and not enough to justify the cost and complexity of a progressive IMO.

 

[USMC 1975]

I just wanted to thank all of you for taking the time to post your advice and recommendations. I know what a pain it can be to continually answer the same questions for newbies such as myself.

I am not jumping to quickly on this but will probably go with a Lee Turret or Pro1000. I have a buddy that is a very experienced reloader and he uses a Dillon but said if I bought the Pro 1000 he would set it up for me and teach me all he knows.

The thing I like about the Progressive is that its a one handle pull versus multi handle pulls on the classic. I want to cut down as much as possible on handling the materials as I have some dexterity problems with my hands due to a stroke.

I will post back once I make up my mind and BEFORE I buy.

Thanks again everyone. It is very much appreciated.

Chris

 

[lgbloader]

if I bought the Pro 1000 he would set it up for me and teach me all he knows.

The thing I like about the Progressive is that its a one handle pull versus multi handle pulls on the classic. I want to cut down as much as possible on handling the materials as I have some dexterity problems with my hands due to a stroke.

If that is the case, I would look harder at the Load Master over the Pro1000.

LGB