Lee Precision 90652 Pro 1000 Shell Plate #2 For 45 ACP/45 GAP/400 Cor-bon

Unlock Precision and Efficiency: The Lee Precision Pro 1000 Shell Plate #2 for .45 ACP, .45 GAP, and .400 Cor-Bon

For serious reloaders and shooting enthusiasts, the pursuit of perfection in ammunition crafting is a journey of continuous refinement. Whether you're a competitive shooter aiming for sub-MOA groups, a dedicated plinker looking to reduce costs, or a hunter meticulously preparing for your next outing, the quality and consistency of your reloaded ammunition are paramount. At the heart of an efficient progressive reloading setup lies a component often overlooked but absolutely critical: the shell plate. This detailed guide explores how the Lee Precision Pro 1000 Shell Plate #2, specifically designed for popular calibers like .45 ACP, .45 GAP, and .400 Cor-Bon, revolutionizes the reloading process, offering unparalleled ease, precision, and the flexibility demanded by today's diverse shooting disciplines.

Why Reload Your Own Ammunition?

Before diving into the specifics of this essential component, let's address the foundational question: why bother reloading? The decision to handload ammunition stems from several compelling advantages:

• Significant Cost Savings: Factory ammunition, especially for popular calibers or specialized loads, can be expensive. Reloading allows you to reuse spent brass casings, which are a major component cost, dramatically reducing your per-round expenditure. This means more trigger time for less money.
• Tailored Performance and Precision: Factory ammunition is designed for general use. Handloaders, however, can fine-tune every aspect of a cartridge – from bullet weight and type to powder charge and primer selection – to achieve optimal accuracy, velocity, and consistency for a specific firearm or shooting application. This level of customization is crucial for competitive shooters or those seeking peak performance.
• Availability and Self-Sufficiency: In times of ammunition shortages, being able to produce your own rounds provides a critical level of independence.
• Learning and Engagement: Reloading is a rewarding hobby that deepens your understanding of ballistics, internal and external, and the mechanics of ammunition. It connects you more intimately with your firearms and the shooting sport.

The Power of the Lee Pro 1000 Progressive Press System

To truly appreciate the value of the Lee Precision Pro 1000 Shell Plate #2, one must understand its place within the broader Lee Pro 1000 progressive reloading system. Progressive presses, unlike single-stage presses, allow for multiple reloading operations to occur simultaneously with each pull of the lever. This dramatically increases throughput, making it possible to produce hundreds of rounds per hour.

The Lee Pro 1000 is renowned for its:

• Affordability: Lee Precision consistently delivers high-quality, innovative reloading equipment at prices accessible to a wide range of reloaders.
• Efficiency: Its three-hole turret system allows for simultaneous sizing/depriming, powder charging/flaring, and bullet seating/crimping.
• Durability: Built with robust materials designed to withstand thousands of reloading cycles.
• User-Friendly Design: Engineered for ease of setup, operation, and maintenance, making it suitable for both novice and experienced reloaders.

The shell plate is the linchpin that allows the Pro 1000 to perform its multi-stage magic, precisely indexing each casing through the various dies.

Understanding the Lee Precision Pro 1000 Shell Plate #2

The Lee Precision 90652 Pro 1000 Shell Plate #2 is an indispensable component for anyone looking to expand their reloading capabilities with their Lee Pro 1000 press. This specific shell plate is engineered to handle casings for three popular and versatile calibers:

• .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol): A classic and widely used handgun cartridge, famous for its stopping power and moderate recoil. It's a favorite for self-defense, target shooting, and competitive disciplines like USPSA and IDPA.
• .45 GAP (Glock Automatic Pistol): A cartridge designed to replicate .45 ACP performance in a shorter case, allowing for use in firearms with more compact frames.
• .400 Cor-Bon: A potent bottleneck handgun cartridge based on the .45 ACP case, offering higher velocities and flatter trajectories for those seeking enhanced performance.

Key Features and Benefits:

• Precision Machined Steel Construction: Crafted from robust steel, this shell plate is built to withstand the rigorous demands of high-volume reloading. Its durable construction ensures a long lifespan and consistent performance, cycle after cycle. Steel offers superior wear resistance compared to softer metals, maintaining tight tolerances over time for more uniform ammunition.
• Quick Caliber Change Capability: One of the standout features of the Lee Pro 1000 system, significantly enhanced by these specific shell plates, is the ability to change calibers in a matter of minutes. This #2 shell plate is designed for seamless integration into the quick-change mechanism of the Pro 1000 press. This means less downtime between reloading different calibers, maximizing your productivity and flexibility.
• Exact Case Indexing: The precise machining of the shell plate ensures that each brass casing is perfectly aligned and indexed through the various stations of your progressive press. This consistent positioning is crucial for accurate resizing, consistent powder drops, and perfectly seated bullets, directly translating to more uniform and reliable ammunition.
• Optimized for Specific Calibers: The unique design of the Shell Plate #2 is perfectly dimensioned for the .45 ACP, .45 GAP, and .400 Cor-Bon cases. This precise fit prevents wobbling or misalignment, which can lead to damaged brass or inconsistent reloading results.
• Essential for Caliber Versatility: For reloaders who work with multiple calibers, having dedicated shell plates for each is not merely a convenience but a necessity. The Lee Precision Shell Plate #2 allows you to easily switch between your .45 ACP, .45 GAP, or .400 Cor-Bon reloading projects without needing to adjust or compromise your setup.

Seamless Caliber Transitions on Your Lee Pro 1000

How easy is it to switch calibers with this shell plate? The process is remarkably straightforward, empowering you to tackle different ammunition needs without extensive retooling:

1. Remove Dies and Turret: Begin by removing the dies for the current caliber from your Pro 1000 turret head. Then, unclip and remove the entire turret assembly.
2. Swap Shell Plate: The existing shell plate is easily removed with a simple procedure (often involving a retaining clip or screw, depending on the specific Pro 1000 generation). Insert the Lee Precision Pro 1000 Shell Plate #2, ensuring it seats correctly.
3. Install New Turret and Dies: Place your pre-set turret head, equipped with the appropriate dies for .45 ACP, .45 GAP, or .400 Cor-Bon, back onto the press.
4. Adjust Primer System (If Necessary): If the new caliber uses a different primer size (e.g., switching from large pistol primers for .45 ACP to small pistol primers for another caliber not handled by this plate), you'll also need to swap your Lee Pro 1000 primer attachment. For the calibers supported by this #2 shell plate, you'll primarily be using large pistol primers, simplifying the process.
5. Final Checks: Perform a few dry cycles with an empty case to confirm proper indexing and function before beginning your reloading session.

This streamlined process means less time fiddling with equipment and more time actually producing high-quality ammunition.

Who Needs the Lee Precision Pro 1000 Shell Plate #2?

This product is an invaluable asset for:

• Existing Lee Pro 1000 Owners: If you already own a Lee Pro 1000 progressive press and wish to expand your reloading capabilities to include .45 ACP, .45 GAP, or .400 Cor-Bon, this shell plate is a fundamental requirement.
• New Reloaders Opting for a Progressive Press: For those just starting their reloading journey and choosing the efficient Lee Pro 1000, acquiring the appropriate shell plates for your desired calibers is one of the first steps.
• Shooters with Multiple .45 Caliber Firearms: If you own handguns chambered in .45 ACP, .45 GAP, or even a specialized .400 Cor-Bon firearm, this shell plate allows you to efficiently produce ammunition for all of them on a single press.
• Competitive Shooters: Consistency is king in competition. This precision-engineered shell plate contributes directly to the uniformity of your reloaded rounds, giving you an edge.
• Volume Reloaders: The efficiency gains provided by the quick-change shell plate system are most evident for those who reload in large batches or frequently switch between calibers.

Maximizing Your Reloading Setup: Complementary Products

While the Lee Precision Pro 1000 Shell Plate #2 is crucial, optimizing your reloading experience means considering other complementary components. When setting up for a new caliber on your Lee Pro 1000, you'll also need:

• Lee Precision Carbide Three-Die Set: Essential for sizing, flaring, and seating/crimping your chosen caliber (.45 ACP, .45 GAP, or .400 Cor-Bon). Carbide dies eliminate the need for case lubrication, simplifying the sizing process.
• Lee Precision Auto-Disk Powder Measure: For consistent and accurate powder drops, integral to the Pro 1000's automated process.
• Lee Precision Large Primer Feeder: To ensure smooth and reliable primer seating. As the calibers supported by this shell plate typically use large pistol primers, having the correct primer feeder is key.
• Appropriate Reloading Components: Quality primers, powder, bullets, and of course, clean, sorted brass casings are fundamental.

By pairing the Lee Precision Pro 1000 Shell Plate #2 with these other high-quality Lee Precision components, available at reputable retailers like DEGuns, you create a seamless and highly productive reloading workstation.

The Lee Precision Difference: A Legacy of Innovation

Lee Precision has been a trusted name in the reloading industry for decades, known for its innovative designs, commitment to quality, and dedication to making reloading accessible to everyone. Their products are engineered with the user in mind, combining robust construction with thoughtful features that simplify complex tasks. Choosing a Lee Precision shell plate means investing in a product backed by a legacy of excellence and designed to deliver consistent, reliable performance for years to come. This attention to detail and focus on practical solutions is why Lee Precision products are a staple on reloading benches worldwide. Their components are designed to work harmoniously, ensuring optimal performance across their entire product line.

Conclusion

The Lee Precision Pro 1000 Shell Plate #2 is far more than just a piece of steel; it's a gateway to efficient, precise, and cost-effective ammunition production for your .45 ACP, .45 GAP, and .400 Cor-Bon firearms. Its durable construction, precise engineering, and integration into the user-friendly Lee Pro 1000 system make it an indispensable tool for any reloader seeking to maximize productivity and achieve superior ammunition consistency. Whether you're upgrading your current setup or building a new reloading station, this shell plate ensures that changing calibers is quick and hassle-free, keeping you focused on the rewarding craft of handloading. For those who demand performance and efficiency from their reloading equipment, the Lee Precision Pro 1000 Shell Plate #2, readily available from DEGuns, stands as an excellent choice, ready to help you craft ammunition tailored to your exact needs.

Product Specifications Summary