Used press tips

[DevilHimself]

hey guys,
i wanted to get into reloading. so i got books and read just about everything online. so i was chattin with my local gun shop about reloading and the guy says he has a buddy that wants to get rid of his stuff since he doesnt use it no more. its a lee pro 1000 complete (powder disk measure, auto primer, brass tubes, etc) and it comes with .45 dies for my gun and another set of dies im not sure. honestly its dirty but seems mechincally sound... i just think the guy was one of those "types" that doesnt clean their gun, press, etc but im the other "type" that has to rip apart the gun immediately for a good clean after the range. idk i enjoy it as much as shooting hence y i want to get into reloading. ANYWAY so my question is, is there any dangers in buyin a used press? online it goes for $215 plus $$ for dies and he wants 125-150ish, so without me being an expert it seems mechincally sound and i figured it already comes wit the dies ($35-50) so if i have to sell out a couple bucks to replace a part or two from just neglect im game. personally i think this is a jump on kinda of a deal but wanted to get some incite b4 the purchase

[para_org]

The Pro 1000 already setup (dies and all) for .45 acp is available BRAND NEW from Midway for $ 133 .

If it were me and I was worried about the dirt etc. (which could indicate wear issues with the parts) I wouldn't offer much above 1/2 price or about $ 65 .

[DevilHimself]

Originally Posted by para_org

The Pro 1000 already setup (dies and all) for .45 acp is available BRAND NEW from Midway for $ 133 .

If it were me and I was worried about the dirt etc. (which could indicate wear issues with the parts) I wouldn't offer much above 1/2 price or about $ 65 .

ok so that is the same EXACT one? i saw that one the other day when i was searching and i didnt think that would be the one wit the powder disk, primer, dies, etc cause lee had it for 215 and i didnt think a retailer would have it for HALF PRICE! sesh if i had known that from the beginning i would have ordered it when i saw it. well the half price of new is exactly what i was thinking, b/c i thought it new was 250ish with the two sets of dies....thanks alot!

[BBunin]

Bear in mind that this is a STARTER press.
Be prepared to replace it down the road.

[The Knight Of Light]

USED press tips.

Make sure the ram moves smoothly.

Make sure the linkages aren't bent or loose.

It should have all of it's parts, screws, plates, or shelholders.

If it comes with dies they should be frre of rust.

Try to get the person to tell you how old the press is. If it is too old you may not be able to get any parts for it.

Those are just a few tips. Others might have more.

[para_org]

Originally Posted by DevilHimself

ok so that is the same EXACT one? i saw that one the other day when i was searching and i didnt think that would be the one wit the powder disk, primer, dies, etc cause lee had it for 215 and i didnt think a retailer would have it for HALF PRICE! sesh if i had known that from the beginning i would have ordered it when i saw it. well the half price of new is exactly what i was thinking, b/c i thought it new was 250ish with the two sets of dies....thanks alot!

Your very welcome. And yes this is complete less the case collator, an $ 11 add-on. And that add-on is worth 3x that cost IMHO as it works devilishly good on .45 acp cases.

Just to complicate things a bit more:

If you explore the Lee Website far enough even they will sell you their stuff at a discount, as they have their own internet-outlet store, albeit it is not clear that they own one of these internet-outlet stores.

Lee will also sell you re-furb'd units at discount. Some people will consider these to be the best deal as they have been (theoretically) gone through and "certified" as working. <- I have no first hand knowledge of this, but it might make some sense. You would want to call and ask if this is the case first.

Finally if you are really only looking to load between 200 - 250 rnds. per hour, you might like the Classic model 4-hole Turret press, which is kitted up with dies and such by some third party dealers. Kempf sells these "kits" and will change out the disk powder dispenser for the highly recommended pro model at very little additional cost. People seem to really like these and the price will be right around $150 total. it is NOT however a true progressive in that it is four strokes of the operating lever per round loaded.

P.S.....you are also gonna need a good set of calibers (.001 accuracy/repeatability) and a good way to MEASURE your powder weights.

[creekwalker]

Devil,


If all you’ll be getting out of the deal is a Lee pro 1000 with an extra tool head and dies than $125.-$150.00 is way too much money. The basic Lee pro 1000 comes complete with one set of dies, the shell plate, powder measure with discs and a combination primer feeder/primer seater as well as 4 case feed tubes. Shell plates and Lee 3 piece die sets are inexpensive. Surprisingly people routinely spend far more on used Lee pro 1k progressive presses at on line auction places than they are worth after you factor in shipping. Unless someone was selling me the used set up you’ve described for 1/3 or less of new price I’d pass on the deal and purchase new components. As has already been indicated to you a far better way to initially get into reloading would be a good turret press. FWIW I still own and use a Lp1k as well as a new Lee Classic Cast Turret press as well as a RCBS Rockchucker and other single stage “O” frame presses.

Creekwalker

[The Knight Of Light]

Originally Posted by XD Springer

Only other thing I'd warn about is don't get into reloading because you think you'll save a lot of money. It's not about saving money. It's about turning out custom ammo. And you need to enjoy setting up and working with tools/dies and close tolerances.

RCBS is available everywhere, and they guantee their stuff no matter what.

+1 and shooting more! You will be spending the same amount of money(or a little more) and getting much more range time as a benefit.

Get to it!

[philbo]

You can often find the Lee Pro 1000 NEW with dies of your choice for about $130 from Midway, Cabela's, etc. I have 2 Pro 1000's set up at this time, and the second one I purchased from Lee direct as a refurbished unit complete w/45 colt dies, powder drop, discs, etc. for $76 shipped. Unless you are getting multiple die sets and tool heads, the price you were quoted is a little high.

I have found the Pro 1000 perfect for my needs and they have been performing flawlessly producing reliable ammo for the folllowing: 9/40/45acp/45colt/38/357/454/32acp/10mm/41mag/44spc/44mag

[ichy_trigger]

Originally Posted by XD Springer

Only other thing I'd warn about is don't get into reloading because you think you'll save a lot of money. It's not about saving money. It's about turning out custom ammo. And you need to enjoy setting up and working with tools/dies and close tolerances.

RCBS is available everywhere, and they guantee their stuff no matter what.

I dont agree...
If you can regulate your shooting to loading and shooting the same amount that you shoot when buying factory ammo, you WILL save money by reloading.

Most people find that the savings lets them shoot more ammo for the same money.