XD Talk

WidowMaker88 · 06-03-2012, 07:41 PM

I've done some research on loading, videos, constant reading of the threads, I have loaded my fair share of shotgun shells but have become more of a pistol shooter than long gun as of recent.

I have been looking at presses and kits and Lee I have found to be, on the cheaper side of things, and have decided to go with them. I am however trying to figure out which press would work best for me. Load Master or Load pro. I am fairly positive they are both progressive?

I have been wondering the reason behind the 5 stage as compared to the 3 stage and what any differences were between the two. They are similar in price, but would like to know as much as I can before purchasing.

Any positive input would be appreciated for a fairly new member!

Mercmar · 06-03-2012, 07:58 PM

If I were limited to just those two progressive presses, I probably wouldn't reload. You'd be better off, at not much more money, with a Dillon 550, RCBS 2000, or Hornady LNL.

However, I'm of the opinion that the Loadmaster is the absolutely worst progressive press ever manufactured, so I'd just go with the Pro 1000.

**agalindo** · 06-03-2012, 08:04 PM

Blue worshipers.

I like the Pro 1000 better than the LM for pistol rounds. For Rifle I like the LM.

WidowMaker88 · 06-03-2012, 08:08 PM

Mercmar: Could you tell me what makes it the worst? I've only heard good things. would like to find some faults.

I have more than looked at the RCBS and Dilon presses, but don't feel like spending minimum double the price of a LEE.

If you could give me a few reasons as to why, I could be swayed.

agalindo: What makes them different other than the 3 station to the 5 station? and what do those two extra stations offer? I feel like the LM would be.. quicker?

fredj338 · 06-04-2012, 10:19 AM

Lee is cheap for a reason, nothing is free in life. IMO, if the point is a high volume of rounds w/ the least amount of trouble, then neither Lee is the choice. If you like to fuss with your tools & are mechanically inclined, yes a Lee can be made to work but why? You can buy the best progressive going right now, all the bells & whistles for under $1000. Keep it for 20yrs, yes, a 650 will easily load 5K/m for 20yrs, then sell it for what you paid. Even if you keep it, that is $4/m! For $4/m, I am not buying something & have to fight with to get 200-300rds/hr when I can cruise & get 700rds/hr.
Faults: CHeaply built, thin cheap castings, too much plastic, poor priming system, average powder measure & case feeder. Other than that, yeah, it can make ammo. IMO, you are actually better off w/ the Lee Classic Turret if yo ujust want to reload 100-150rds/hr. A bit more ruggedly built, but primer system is still doubtful.

**agalindo** · 06-04-2012, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WidowMaker88

Mercmar: Could you tell me what makes it the worst? I've only heard good things. would like to find some faults.

I have more than looked at the RCBS and Dilon presses, but don't feel like spending minimum double the price of a LEE.

If you could give me a few reasons as to why, I could be swayed.

agalindo: What makes them different other than the 3 station to the 5 station? and what do those two extra stations offer? I feel like the LM would be.. quicker?

The big thing is that the LM primes on the down stroke, as the case is being sized. This makes it hard to "feel" the primer as it's seated. The Pro primes on the up stroke and you can feel the primer seat into the case.

asaucier · 06-04-2012, 06:38 PM

I loaded 15,000 rounds on a Lee Pro1000 that always go bang. If you can change a light bulb have fun with the pro1000, if you can't spend more money for a different press.

fredj338 · 06-04-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asaucier

I loaded 15,000 rounds on a Lee Pro1000 that always go bang. If you can change a light bulb have fun with the pro1000, if you can't spend more money for a different press.

Well, I can do that & more. I find poor tools frustrating, & they don't make the task enjoyable. Now I will admit, my exp loading is a bit more than 15K rounds of one caliber. When you get to 100K rds, get back to me. When you swap that press over for 6-8 diff calibers, 40 0r 59 times, get back to me. The Lee will work if you set it up, leave it, yeah it's functional & no one said it doesn't make good ammo. It's the entire speed/volume vs tinkering & cost thing.
Again, if the object is to make as much ammo in the shortest possible time, then the Lee is NOT the progressive to buy. It's more for the hobby shooter that doesn't want a ss press IMO. That's why I recommend the LCT instead. If you NEED 1000rds/m, then you need a real progressive. Dillion first, then Hornady, then RCBS, then waaaay down the list there is the Lee.

**agalindo** · 06-04-2012, 09:14 PM

Fred I believe you've gotten you point across "dillon good" "lee crap" you said it enough times for most of us to get it.

WidowMaker88 · 06-04-2012, 10:50 PM

I would like to shoot more than I do at the moment, and having a higher quality press is def something I want, however, like previously mentioned, I don't think I can shell out the 800 bucks for a top notch set up.

I would be mostly loading 9mm and if I get the dies all set up etc. Shouldn't it load fairly consistent for a good amount of time without having to set it up again? My loads would just have to send a round down range for me. I wouldn't be too worried about matching the best case, bullet, primer and powder and experimenting with different hand loads.. yet. Just want some extra ammo on the shelf.

I can get a LM or LP for under 200 bucks set up... where as dillon, rcb and hornady all are about double that if not more. Is there any place that anybody might have found that sells any of those presses cheaper? titanreloading.com is where I found the Lee.