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Posted: 11/4/2009 11:07:24 PM EDT
| Ok so I am in the market for a progressive press, I know that the 550b is everyone's go to press, but the lee pro 1000 is less than half. All the reviews I have read say that the lee is ok if you are mechanically inclined, I have always been the type to take apart, modify, etc just about anything, but I really do not want to end up kicking myself in the ass for not just ponying up the money for the dillon in the first place. What say you arfcom? |
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I have both:
a Lee Pro1000 setup for 38/357 that I've loaded close to 15K rounds on with out any problems. yes, it can be temperamental at times if you push it. I don't care for the primer feed setup on the lee and the auto disk powder measure... ugh. but...for the price, it works. My Dillon is a 450 (pre 550) that I purchased used over 20 years ago. I don't know how many rounds the previous owner loaded on it but, it came with a full set of shellplates and almost all of them were used. personally I've loaded over 150K rounds of 9mm, 40S&W, 41AE, 44Mag, 45ACP, 45LC, & .223 The only problem I've had was about a year ago the handle broke (there was a weak point at the base where it mounted to the press, handle was tapped so the mounting bole threaded into it. New handle is threaded on the outside with a lock nut. it won't break.) Other than that it has worked flawlessly and I've no doubt it will continue to do so for many more years. Having used both and looking at them side by side I've no doubt the Lee would have been worn out and junked long ago before it ever got close to the number of rounds my Dillon has turned out. If your goal it to load and shoot mass quantities of ammo and you want a press that will last a lifetime get the Dillon. |
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I'm using a lee pro 1000. If you take your time setting it up you won't have any probems. I bought 4 of the 3 hole turret pieces on the top and leave my dies in place and just change out the whole turret disk. Also I have two shell plate carriers, one for large primer stuff and one for small primer stuff. Makes the change over easy between calibers.
I did order a breechlock single press for my crimping and my larger rifle stuff. |
| Another vote for the Pro 1000. I don't have any experiance with the Dillon so I'm not saying the Lee is better, just what I have. I have four of them in use the price makes it easy to buy more and keep them for different calibers. But change over is pretty easy. By eliminating the primer stop I have made the priming system work very well, the only down side is if there is no case at the priming station a primer still comes up, I just take it out and put it aside no big deal. I have one for 45, 9mm/40, 38, and 223/ 7.62x39. for rifle you still have to deprime, trim and prime seperately but it still speeds up the process. |
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I loaded on a Pro 1000 for many years when I first got into reloading back in the late 80's. I couldn't load a hundred rounds on the Lee without at least 2 or 3 having primers either sideways or upside down. I'd throw them into a box and when it got full, I'd spend some time pulling bullets and salvaging components. At that time, the only Pro 1K was a 3 hole turret. I also did a separate factory crimp, so I had to run them through the press a second time.
In 2001 I ordered a fully loaded 650. It's like comparing a Cadillac to a Yugo. I slowly converted my calibers over to the 650 and sold off the Lee. Since then I have picked up a Super 1050 for 223 and a 550 for the stuff that I load in low volume. Spend wisely now and you will have press that will last several lifetimes. |
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I own a 1000 I have dedicated to 45ACP.....They are tricky to setup and the powder drop can be finicky but they do work if you get them set right.
I would NOT use a 1000 for any rifle caliber but that's just me. Don't drink the Blue Kool-Aid and prefer Hornady or RCBS but I have to think Dillion would the way to go over the 1000 if your going to be changing calibers. |
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I picked up my 2nd Lee Loadmaster recently after deciding to get back into reloading. The 1st one didn't give me any real trouble and this one cranked out it's 1st 100 rounds of .45 ACP tonight. I came very close to going blue, but being familiar with the Lee and its idiosyncrasies I chose it after doing some simple math. For the cost of a 550 with the $40 stand, roller handle and tray I got a Loadmaster with .308 dies, .223 dies, .45 acp dies, spare powder measures, case trimmer and other stuff I can't remember.
I'm not saying one is better than the other as I'd get a Dillon in a heartbeat if it wasn't for the price. I got into reloading to hopefully save some cash eventually, not to spend more. |
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I own three LEE M1000s (pre PRO), a Dillon, and a RCBS Rock Chucker.
I use the LEEs only for pistol ammo........45 ACP, 9mm and .38 Special/.357 Mag. Because of the magazine that is used for the empty shells and the primer feeder it's been my experience that it's faster than the Dillon. And the price was hard to beat. I simply change the press when I want to change calibers. No need to mess with adjustments or changing parts. I use the RCBS Rock Chucker for .308W and .223 Rem. Now a days.......my Dillon hardly gets any use. It's more because of the way I like to do things. You must choose how you like to do things. Aloha, Mark |
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