Need advice on what loading press to buy

kissgoodnight

I was looking a the low end presses. I was going to get the leeloader $15 hand loader then decided on a prgressive press.
The Lee 1000 press can be bought for $125 at Midway. I read the feedback on this press and now am undecided.
I have been told to get a Dillon but these begin at $289. I could go with the Dillon but would loose weight from skipping lunch for the next 3 months to pay for it.
I will be loading 45 LC for cowboy action shooting.
Is the Lee 1000 any good?
Should I go with the Dillon?
What are the other options?

deadeye46

You don't state what caliber and/or how many calibers you plan to load so I'll just give my opinion(.02).If you plan on buying everything to load with,I'd recommend checking on a Lyman T-mag outfit that comes with almost everything you need to load with.Without going into the high priced equipment,this outfit would serve your purpose for most applications.Good luck on your endeavor,Bob.

dcso3009

That is quite a big step from a lee loader to a progressive... I would start with a single stage loader until you learn the steps and see if you have an interest in hand loading. If you look on auction sites you can find one really cheap! I still prefer a single stage for rifle rounds. Pistol is a little different, but still the knowlage I gained from a single stage is priceless.
As long as you stay with something of good quality that you will either keep, or can upgrade easily it is hard to go wrong.

n/a

You get what you pay for. If you can only afford a Lee, then get it...but I don't think they are made well at all. I'd go RCBS...and I would start with a Rock Chucker. You will probably learn a lot more by starting with a single stage press. There is a LOT of slop in the Lee presses. Have you looked into trying to find a better used press?

Eric

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gskyhawk

look on the auctions here and on e b a y , you should be able to find a nice set up for a reasonable price

FrancF

I still like my "Vintage"[:D] Lyman turret. How about a Redding Turret press? Can you tell I like turret presses[:D][;)]

Set and forget-


NRA Life Endowment Member

bpost

Since you are shooting the .45LC a single stage press kit from RCBS is fine for your needs. Many online suppliers have full kits that have all you need. I reloaded on a RCBS JR. press for many years while shooting competitive High Power rifle and pistol. It is slower than a progressive but you will have a lot more pride in you loads.

chunkstyle

Well, I'm no expert, but I have asked this question around to some people whose opinions I respect, and who have extensive experience on this matter. The general agreement is that the best single stage equipment set to start with is the RCBS Master set. You are gonna need all the stuff in it eventually, why buy less than high quality to begin with? And there's no doubt it's a good deal, at about $240. As for a progressive, well, I didn't ask about that.

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sandwarrior

I bought a Rockchucker about 13 years ago....loaded thousands of rounds through it. I like it's wear(lack of), solidity and accuracy. I don't load that much pistol and when I do I'm more concerned with getting rounds out than accuracy. It goes pretty quick so I don't think I will move to a progressive. But, for rifle I need accuracy and I like the single stage for that. Rcbs would be my first choice(get the whole kit), then Lee then Dillon. I kdon't find Dillon to be more accurate than RCBS, especially when wathcing accuracy round by round.

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ContacFront

Sand, I have two of those Lee 1000 presses. For the money you can't beat them.

My Lee 1000 setup for 45ACP has over 30,000 rounds through it. I had to replace a few parts here and there that barely cost anything. My Lee 1000 setup for 9mm has 15,000 through it without any hickups.

If you are on a budget Lee will work fine. However the Dillon's are king when it comes to progressive presses but has a price tag of 5 to 7 times a Lee 1000.

rollnblock

ok folks lets learn to read a little better. he aske for opinions on the lee. he stated he is cowboy action shooting, all of you are pointing him in the direction of a single stag press. shooting maybe 1 2 or 3 hundred rounds a weekend i would go with a progressive. i have never used a lee loader. but hear they work well enough to get you up going for a few years worth. a good starting point. them you can save the change from the reloads versus factory pricing, and step up to a dillion if and when you want.

just my 2 cents

sandwarrior

G'night

After doing a little research the Lee 1000 sounds like a good idea. It will do what you want for at least a couple of years. How it holds up is when you decide to buy another or not. -Good luck.

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chuck

I have never had anything bad from LEE, I have some of their Die's I like the set with the mandrell in it. for Rifles. also their case trimers the ones you use with a electric drill. I have a set for every cal. cost under $4.00
I do not have a Lee press but would not be afarid to buy one.