Lee Pro 1000 Progressive Press Videos



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CAUTION!!   You can get seriously injured while doing any of this if you're not careful!   ALWAYS practice safe handling of all reloading components due to their toxic, flammable, and/or explosive nature!   ALWAYS wash thoroughly after handling lead or ammunition!   If you harm yourself in any way by using any of the information contained here, it's on you, not me.

BE CAREFUL!!!

The Value of Progressive Presses in General

This two-part series explains why I believe that, after plenty of experience in single-stage reloading, a progressive press has a lot of value on your reloading bench, too.  Here, you see the results of 57 minutes of reloading--300 rounds of .45 Colt.  And I could've gone faster had I chosen to do so.  That's why there's a market for progressive presses; they save lots of time.

While a Lee Pro 1000 is demonstrated here, any of the progressive presses from any of the major manufacturers are capable of yielding similar results.

Direct Download Link - Part 1 (28 MB, 1:50)
Direct Download Link - Part 2 (137 MB, 8:15)

Changing/Converting Cartridges on a Pro 1000 Press

This series shows how to change a Pro 1000 Progressive Press from one cartridge type to another.  The example conversion shown here is .44 Special to .38 Special.   We also discuss the most efficient way to change primer sizes.  

Direct Download Link - Part 1 (87 MB, 10:34)
Direct Download Link - Part 2 (173 MB, 11:23)

Making Ammunition on a Lee Pro 1000 Press

This two-part series of videos shows you how to actually make your own ammunition ("ammo") on a Lee Pro 1000 Progressive Press.  The example ammunition is .38 Special.  We do 55 rounds in about 10 minutes.

IMPORTANT UPDATE!  You will note that I'm using Federal primers here.  DO NOT DO THIS with the Pro 1000's Auto-Prime-based priming system!  Lee Precision recommends only CCI, Remington, and Winchester primers, and I strongly suggest that you follow Lee's recommendations!  I got lucky here.

Repeat: DO NOT USE FEDERAL PRIMERS WITH THE PRO 1000'S PRIMING SYSTEM!

Direct Download Link - Part 1 (82.4 MB)
Direct Download Link - Part 2 (101.5 MB)

Complete Disassembly, Cleaning, and Reassembly of the Lee Pro 1000 Press

This series of videos shows you how to take apart, thoroughly clean, and reassemble (in perfect working order!) the Lee Pro 1000 Progressive Press. 

This procedure should be done every 20,000 to 25,000 rounds or so, depending on your environment.  It is complemented by a shorter "maintenance" cleaning procedure which should be done every 4,000 to 6,000 rounds.

Direct Download Link - Part 1 (113.6 MB)
Direct Download Link - Part 2 (82.2 MB)
Direct Download Link - Part 3 (107.1 MB)
Direct Download Link - Part 4 (58.2 MB)
Direct Download Link - Part 5 (63.9 MB)
Direct Download Link - Part 6 (58.3 MB)
Direct Download Link - Part 7 (63.2 MB)
Direct Download Link - Part 8 (31.0 MB)
Direct Download Link - Part 9 (90.3 MB)

Quicker Cleaning Procedure for the Lee Pro 1000 Press

This four-part series shows a shortened, "quick maintenance" cleaning procedure for the Pro 1000.  This procedure should be done every time the primer feed mechanism shows signs of having gotten dirty, i. e. primer misfeeds.  For me, that's about every 4000-6000 rounds.

The full strip/cleaning procedure should be done every 20,000 to 25,000 rounds or so, depending on your environment.

Direct Download Link - Part 1 (112 MB, 6:44)
Direct Download Link - Part 2 (153 MB, 14:22)
Direct Download Link - Part 3 (132 MB, 15:24)
Direct Download Link - Part 4 (158 MB, 10:13)

General Tips and Tricks for the Lee Pro 1000 Press

Here are some "tips 'n' tricks" that I've run across in operating this press over the years.   These are some things that help me run my press more smoothly and productively.

Direct Download Link - Part 1 (136 MB, 11:46)
Direct Download Link - Part 2 (174 MB, 15:58)

The Lee Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure - How It Works

In this two-part video series, we show you all there is to know about the Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure from Lee Precision, Inc.   We take it apart, put it back together, and show you how to set it correctly.   We also show you how to use the optional Double Disk Kit for the larger amounts of powder.

Direct Download Link - Part 1 (170.3 MB, 15:52)
Direct Download Link - Part 2 (203.1 MB, 18:48)

How To Adjust Dies on Single-Stage and the Pro 1000

This three-part series demonstrates how to adjust the dies on reloading presses. Part 1 is single-stage, and Parts 2 and 3 are on a Pro 1000. The example dies are from Lee Precision, in .38 Special and .44 Special.

Direct Download Link - Part 1 (147 MB, 14:19)
Direct Download Link - Part 2 (111 MB, 10:32)
Direct Download Link - Part 3 (58 MB, 6:35)

All videos are 720x480 wide-screen (16:9 ratio) and use the patent-unencumbered Ogg Theora format.   This is the same format used by Wikipedia for all their multimedia clips.

To watch the videos, just click on them. To download them for later viewing, just right-click on the video you want to download and choose "Save Link As" to save it to your hard disk.

Now, to play these videos, you've got a couple of choices here:

Either one of these will work.  Then, open each "Direct Download Link" below and save to your hard disk.

OK now, what's the subject material, and why should you care?

This page focuses on videos about the Pro 1000 Progressive press from Lee Precision, Inc. and how to handload/reload common handgun ammunition.  However, information about that company's Classic Turret press and single-stage Lee Reloader press will also eventually make its way here.

I'm generally a fan of the reloading presses from Lee Precision, Inc.   The reason isn't that they're the "Rolls-Royces" or "Cadillacs" of the reloading world (well, maybe their Classic Cast or Classic Turret qualify).   Rather, it's because they're good presses which are actually affordable by mere mortals like me.   My focus here is on the Pro 1000 because others have focused on other presses already, and also because, due to its relative affordability, the Pro 1000 is a popular purchase.  

The Pro 1000 has gotten a bad rap in some quarters from some who've had less than good experiences with it.   I consider this a shame because it's actually a fine progressive press.  It is also an excellent value.   I have two of them, and I can now consistently load 250 rounds/hour with either one of them.   This includes filling the primer tray, the powder hopper, and the case feeder tubes, as well as boxing up the resulting ammo.   Yes, that means a full 60 minutes, not just 10 minutes till I run out of primers/powder/whatever and then multiply the results by 6.  I've been known to regularly hit 300/hour with the .38 Special press.   Indeed, I've made and shot thousands of rounds on each of mine already.

ALL progressive presses have their quirks.  Yes, that means the Dillons, the RCBS's, the Hornadys, and so on, including the Pro 1000.  Our goal here is to show you the quirks specific to this model of press so that you, too, can turn out 5 to 6 complete boxes of ammo every hour.  The fact that even some long-time reloaders are having challenges with them illustrates the need for videos focusing on this model of press. 

And that's why you're here, isn't it? :-)

This series of videos shows you how to take apart, thoroughly clean, and reassemble (in perfect working order!) the Lee Pro 1000 Progressive Press.  I find that it's good to do this procedure every 3,000 to 3,500 rounds or so.   Too much trouble, you say?  Actually, I liken it to the need to clean your gun--just not nearly as often.  You really should be properly maintaining (read: cleaning) your press anyway every so often, regardless of make or model!

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NOTICE:  We are not affiliated in any way with Lee Precision, Inc.  We just happen to like some of their gear.  Any product questions should be referred to Lee Precision, Inc.  All relevant trademarks are reserved by their respective companies.