LEE pro 1000 .40 S&W and cast bullets

[ENFIELD303]

I am getting fed up with loading .40 on my single stage rock chucker, it seriously sucks loading 300 rounds every sunday this way. So, I am planning on getting a the LEE to get thing done faster but can i use the bullet feed option with cast bullets?

Thanks,
ENFIELD303

[kooz]

I have never used the bullet feeder option on the LEE 1000, but have been using these presses for over 20 years and can tell you they work excellent and without the feeder, 500+ an hour is no problem at all.

[trickyasafox]

I'm not as fast as kooz- but I do all of my 40 sw on a le pro 1000 with lead bullets- the press is completely capable of completing that whole job in under an hour once you get a rhythm going.

[Mohillbilly]

I used a pro 1000 in 9mm for a couple of years. It worked fairly well, the only problem I had ,was sometimes primers didn't get loaded into the cases. I got a Dillon 550b because It was an easy change over to new calibers and could do rifle cases.It was more money, but worth it to me as I load 06,303,7.62R,30-30, and pistol on the same machine. The shell plate change over is easyer on the dillon than Lee, but the primer feed on the dillon has to be played with when change'n form large to small. 20 years later ,I solved that problem with another 550b, one setup for small, and the other setup for large primers... I use the Lee dies mostly. Lee powder measures for pistol, and Dillon measures for rifle...Lee moulds,bottom pour pot,size dies, and alox/tumble lube, and lees hand press to take to the range for test loads...I like'm both......

[mtgrs737]

I have a Dillon 550b but I used to have two Lee 1000's. Even though I am a fan of Lee's products I would recomend that you purchase a Dillon, the difference is like night and day. In the long run you will be glad you did.

[Lloyd Smale]

if you absoulutey have to have a lee stay clear of that case feeder set up its nothing but junk. the best advice i can give you is to use your single stage another year and save your change and pick up a 550 or if all you need a progressive for is .40 get a square deal. Theres a few guys that brag on the lees but ive never seen a guy sell a dillon to buy a lee!

[runfiverun]

i have 2 550's and use the primer feeds shell holders and die heads at will with no muss or fuss.
can do a complete changeover in about 7 minutes including the primer feed.
the 350 price is well worth it as i have limited time at home and would rather go shoot and save my reloading time for the cast rifle rounds.
if i want fast 308's for the m-14 the 550 will knock them out just fine too.

[Apiarian]

Case feeder works well, the bullet feeder is a bit of a bother. As of yet I have not sorted it out although I may at some point.

[trickyasafox]

I've never played with the bullet feeder- the case feeder I think is very serviceable though. its not perfect, but for the price point I think its highly functional. I forgot to mention earlier, my pro-1000s are far friendlier if I keep the ram and the index rod lubed lightly- and also- the operation is greatly smoothed by running 1 lubed case through every 10 or so.

[shotman]

I had a bullet feeder on the pro. It will feed jackets ok if the tubes are only half full. cast is a different story. They are a little sticky and will not feed good at all. Other thing is you have to use Lee dies to make the feeder work. I sold mine on feebay. As said you can get it done by hand much faster. Lee has a new primer set up that is susposed to be good. dont know much about it