Got a 4 die set from LEE. Started prepping cases for the .50 wulf.


Looking at the rim, it's close to a 45 ACP (actually really close to the 6.5 Grendel). So I got to thinking, maybe the LEE Pro 1000 I use for pistols might work with the 45 ACP shell plate carrier and the brass for the .50 wulf.

I decapped one, stuck it in, it fits with a tick of wiggle room. The primer plunger goes all the way in as well (same size primer- LPP).

So- I'm going to mock up the Pro 1000 press with a primer and see if it seats. I'd like to use the progressive press one round at a time so I don't have to change dies all the time in the small single stage I use for rifle. I don't think the bench top would hold up to full progressive and a loaded shell plate carrier, the brass is pretty big and it takes some muscle to size it.

Thoughts?

It should work - Straight wall cases do not need too much pressure to load.

Stovie,
I don't understand why you would have to change dies "all the time". I put the die in place run all the cartridges through that die and then change the die to do the next step on all the cases and then change the die to do the seating on all the cases. That way I get to inspect the cases between steps to make sure everything is the way it should be. I really inspect the primers and powder charges with visual and "hands on" to make sure they are right. It is easy to spot a case that is too full or short on powder when you are comparing all the cases in tray.

Paul- agreed, but with the progressive 3-station press running only one case at a time it saves a ton of time....and i put the 4th FCD in the single stage press. That way, I run one case around 3 stations doing spot checks all the way (and add powder manually through the die with a funnel) w/o having to change a die or handle cases 4 times. And when done on the 1000 I go to the second press and give them the FCD. Not sure if that makes sense. I do full house 44mag that way. Works great!

yeah that sort of does make sense.....
go on try one and find out...just do it slow and steady and see what happens.

I can't see a reason why it wouldn't work mate. I used to load .357 Mag in the LEE 100 and it took no effort at all. They say the .223 is the largest rifle case the LEE can be used for loading, however I don't think there is much difference between the .44 Mag and the .50 Beowulf...just be slow and careful and you should be right.

Maybe down the track you could look at the LEE 4 Hole Classic Turret Press. Auto index and STRONG, certainly much stronger than the LEE 1000 on the bigger cases.
LEE 4 Hole Classic Turret Press

Makes perfect sense to me. You end up handling each piece of brass far less with much less clutter and confusion of segregating brass for each stage. Like you, I used to do .44 cartridges with the final crimp on a separate step to prevent lead-shaving before I switched to a LoadMaster press (has room for a crimp-only die). Keep us updated as to your success.

Elvis wrote:

yeah that sort of does make sense..... go on try one and find out...just do it slow and steady and see what happens.

Right? No "jerking" the handle if it binds on the primer stroke, eh?

BANG!

WTH was that?



Vince- nailed it. Been seriously eye balling that for this very type of work. I think now that I have two fat straight-walls I can justify it. Great minds think alike, mate!

SS- keep ya posted sir!

Ya might want to replace that Lee single stage press with a Lee cast iron "O" press. I've been successful in breaking two of the one you have pictured.

Yikes!

2?

Steroids are bad, m'kay?

Right now on their website you can buy a "reconditioned" press for half the price of a new one. The reconditioned are available and the new are "coming soon".

I think I will stick with the RCBS and Lyman presses I have now. The Lyman is a turret that I use like a single stage and the RCBS is the Rock crusher.

and one other thing..THROW THAT PLURRY "tooth paste" away ASAP
it will bite you in the butt sooner or later if you use it...... most WTF happened/why are my cases jamming, reloading questions come back to that stuff

Elvis wrote:

and one other thing..THROW THAT PLURRY "tooth paste" away ASAP it will bite you in the butt sooner or later if you use it...... most WTF happened/why are my cases jamming, reloading questions come back to that stuff

I used Pacific Sizing Lube for more years than I care to remember and never had a problem with it, although it was a bit of a bugger to clean off the sized cases. These days I use Imperial Sizing Wax and I'm hooked...it is out'bloody'standing.

Bushmaster wrote:

Ya might want to replace that Lee single stage press with a Lee cast iron "O" press. I've been successful in breaking two of the one you have pictured.

Very good point. I switched to the newer cast "O" press when they first came out. Extremely strong, massive ram and a reasonably well thought out spent primer collection system. Well worth the swap.

I use pure lanolin for resizing lube. Best ever...and "it don't stink"...