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Thread: New for 2018: Auto Breech Lock PRO

  1. #41
    Boolit Buddy TaylorS's Avatar
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    I pre ordered one before asking the wife forgiveness is easier to get than permission


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  2. #42
    Boolit Mold
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    Has anyone seen the new Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro in action. I have only seen drawings, no actual pictures and certainly no video's of it working. I'm seriously excited to purchase it but I want to see it working first and perhaps read a review of it. Somebody must have received a pre-release of it for user testing. The press has a fixed die head, similar to Hornady. It takes breech lock rings so you can set each die up ahead of time. When you are ready to change calibers just swap out the dies. I intend to use the Bully Adapter paired with the RCBS bullet die. Typically I resize and de-prime separately. Then my cases go into the inexpensive Harbor Freight wet tumbler, using the tiny stainless steel pins to clean and polish the cases. This cleans the inside of the cases as well. Then I hand prime while watching TV or something. With the new Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro the cases would go into their case feeder, get expanded and charged using the Lee Auto Drum powder measure and powder through expander die (die hole 1). Then the bullets would drop (die hole 2), get seated (die hole 3), and finished with the Lee Factory Crimp die (die hole 4). Let me know what you think.

  3. #43
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    ^^^ That is how I would use it
    For $125 if it works, it would be hard to justify not getting one or more

  4. #44
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Am I missing it, where is the automated priming. People have mentioned the Safety Prime, which I personally like, but it's manually operated. Not having the priming function automated takes away from the press a great deal. I don't prime off press so that's not an option. Any function performed off press just adds time.

    So am I missing it or does it look like you manually have to operate the safety prime.

  5. #45
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    I do not think you are missing anything
    It uses the Safety Prime
    Primers are one thing I don't want automated
    Last edited by jmort; 03-05-2018 at 08:32 PM.

  6. #46
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    Quote Originally Posted by jmort View Post
    I do not think you are missing anything
    It uses the Safety Prime
    Primers are one thing I don't want automated
    Defeats the purpose of a progressive if it's not automated. This press is in a class all itself w/out it. You can't compare it to a SDB or 550 since they have it. Not knocking the press since I don't have one or used one.

    The breech lock is the main reason I won't buy it. Could have been a slam dunk if it used the four hole turrets that lots of people already have. If there's one thing I hate it's changing things so people have to buy more products from you.

    I hope the press works well for those that decide to purchase one.

  7. #47
    Boolit Man
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    Does anyone know whether the bolt mounting pattern matches with any of the existing press? I'm trying to get a mounting plate from Inline.

  8. #48
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Quote Originally Posted by Atakawow View Post
    Does anyone know whether the bolt mounting pattern matches with any of the existing press? I'm trying to get a mounting plate from Inline.
    If it's like their other products I highly doubt it. You can always order a blank plate and drill it yourself.

  9. #49
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by dragon813gt View Post
    Defeats the purpose of a progressive if it's not automated. This press is in a class all itself w/out it. You can't compare it to a SDB or 550 since they have it. Not knocking the press since I don't have one or used one.

    The breech lock is the main reason I won't buy it. Could have been a slam dunk if it used the four hole turrets that lots of people already have. If there's one thing I hate it's changing things so people have to buy more products from you.
    I hope the press works well for those that decide to purchase one.
    Yes, priming is automated on most "progressives" but it's also the most problematic operation.
    So this Pro 4000 press has/comes with a case feeder and neither the SDB or 550 come with one, what does that do for being a progressive by your definition?

    As I recall, with the 550 you have to manually index the shell plate, add a bullet, add a case, so 3 manual operations.
    It's still a progressive to me, but with a lot less automation, and a lot of manual input (3 operations).

    For me, if I can configure a "progressive" so my left hand only does ONE manual thing and my right hand never leaves hold of the lever, I'm happy.
    Adding a bullet feeder die and tubes is the easiest/least complicated way to do this, if you have a station for it.

    So my plan for the Pro 4000 is to add a bullet feeder die and because it comes with a case feeder the only/one operation my left hand will be doing is clicking the safety prime at the appropriate time in the cycle.
    Just my take on how I plan to operate the Pro 4000 as a "progressive",
    Last edited by Kenstone; 03-08-2018 at 01:17 AM.

  10. #50
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kenstone View Post
    :

  11. #51
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    They posted the 'Quick Start Manual" for the Auto Breech Lock Pro:

    https://leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/PR2679.pdf

  12. #52
    Boolit Master dikman's Avatar
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    Interesting design. If it can be fitted with a multi-tube case feeder and a multi-tube boolit feeder then it might be quite a reasonable unit. The manual priming might slow things down a little, but it probably eliminates the real weak point in their other presses. Of course, adding all that will bump the price up.

    Not for me, though - other than the odd primer that doesn't behave itself my LoadMaster is working real good.

  13. #53
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    Quote Originally Posted by dikman View Post
    LoadMaster is working real good.
    They do have a new 'Universal' case feeder and I am guessing the standard LEE Bullet feeder is compatible.

    The priming system is KISS for sure. You can load the primer with muscle memory while you visual a case on the Turret Press. The Forward stroke to prime is compatible with Dillon, RCBS, & Hornady machines.

    I do not have a LM and I have never used one. They do seem to deliver satisfaction to many users. There is a guy on YouTube that loads 30,000 per year on his LEE Load Master. He has done it for years. His brother helps make empty brass...

  14. #54
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    "I am guessing the standard LEE Bullet feeder is compatible"


    Yes they are

  15. #55
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    Preordered mine from Midsouth $106.61.
    There is no difference between communism and socialism, except in the means of achieving the same ultimate end: communism proposes to enslave men by force, socialism—by vote. It is merely the difference between murder and suicide. Ayn Rand

  16. #56
    Boolit Master kmw1954's Avatar
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    If Lee would offer just a press for the new Pro 1000 I would consider it but as of now I do not need another whole press.

  17. #57
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    Quote Originally Posted by farmerjim View Post
    Preordered mine from Midsouth $106.61.
    That seems too good to be true.
    What a great deal.

  18. #58
    Boolit Grand Master
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    I am a Dillon user and have owned 7 of their presses.

    This press from Lee has sparked my interest and I think they have a winner......IF IT WORKS. The price point cannot be matched. My concern is the Safety Prime as some have reported issues with it. And the Universal case feeder is new and untested.

    Not everyone needs to load 20k plus rounds a year. For someone needing to load 200 rounds a week, this will be a good choice.

    If I did not have a 1050 and two 550’s I would certainly risk the $125 to try it out. I just committed to buying another 1050, so not sure what I need another press for. LOL.

    Looking forward to your reviews on it. I was planning on giving my son one of my 550’s but this may be a nice option.
    Don Verna


  19. #59
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Quote Originally Posted by dverna View Post
    My concern is the Safety Prime as some have reported issues with it.
    The Safety Prime is a non issue. It takes some getting used to but it's no different then learning how to use a new tool. It's one downside is that it won't feed the last three primers reliably. This is due to no weight being on the column. When it's full the primers feed w/ no issue. I almost tossed mine in the trash at first. But I spent a few minutes and figured out how to run it.

  20. #60
    Boolit Man
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    I think this press it going to appeal mostly to those who have already invested in the breech lock system. I have a ton of bushings myself, but I don't feel like that system is best for this application.

    For anyone who wants to try it but doesn't have the bushings, it comes with four so there's no new investment...you're just screwing the dies in. That's seemingly minor compared to all the other setup with a progressive.

    For whoever asked about dies fitting into boxes with the bushings...yes. Mine fit back into the flat 4 die boxes, the 2 dies boxes, and sizing dies into the round boxes all with bushings installed. I'm only uncertain about 4 die sets into round boxes as all I use them for is turrets..and they're extra sizing die boxes at that.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check