Load Master issue

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onehungwaylow

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Jul 2, 2008
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Marietta, GA
Hi everyone, I've been a lurker for a while now and i've picked up a lot of useful information. I had a question for you LoadMaster pros out there.

I picked up a loadmaster about a month ago and I love it so far. I used to reload on the lee single stage kit about 4 - 5 years ago and I am back into loading and the loadmaster has been working out really well except for 1 small issue. 30 - 40% of the time the case will catch on the edge of the sizing/depriming die. I can push the case a little and it will go in but it gets annoying. I got the loadmaster in 45 but I converted it to 9mm using my old dies. I have the correct shell plate and priming system and all that.

I just don't know if it is the die, the turret or the shellplate causeing the issue. Seems like something is missaligned just slightly.

I have another turret that I will try in the next day or two but I figured I would post to see if anyone had any suggestions.
 
This is what I do

Assuming everything is clean (no debris where the rim slides into the shellholder, for instance) and the little springs that retain the case at each station are not bent, then you might look at your indexing adjustment. With the ram down (handle up) turn the adjusting screw until you move the shellplate all the way to the next station. Follow the Lee instructions but don't be afraid to experiment a little. Try an extra 1/4 turn plus or minus on the screw. But never go backwards on that screw more than 1/4 turn or you'll ruin the ratchet gear.

I always have the same problem with .223 rifle cases. I don't think there is a solution for that because the cases are so long. But 9mm ought to be adjusted so the case mouth slides smoothly into the die.

I also have that problem on the single stage press with 380acp, but that's because the RCBS die was machined off-center. RCBS offered to replace it, and one of these days I'll send it back, but I'm putting up with it for the time being. I doubt the die is your problem, it's a one in a million chance.
 
Ants,
I think you are confusing the Loadmaster with something else. My loadmaster does not have springs, just the case rention arms and they are set in place.

Question? Which edge are the cases catching on? Front or back indicates an indexing issue. Indexing issues can be advance bar issues or ram plate out of alignment, which can happens to well lubricated presses that get bumped hard. If you are using a case feeder, make sure you have a large tube feeder and small slider for 40 cal. Adjusting the tension on the case slider friction bar will usually fix it if it is a slider issue. If it just does not reach, the run the friction bar slide stud unit in a full turn and re-set. If you are not using the case feeder, then make sure the shell plate is the right one and that there is no media or powder or dirt in the shell plate groove and that the shell plate knurl nut is tight and has an O-ring under it. Feed us a little more info, or better yet pictures. Have you watched the videos on the loadmaster site? EXCELLENT source of information for tweaking the unit. We will figure it out..
 
I am using the loadmaster in 9mm. I have the small case tubes and slide and am pretty sure I have it adjusted correctly. I have the correct shell plate and priming unit for the 9mm. The cases seem to be catching on the front edge of the case/die. The edge closest to me while i'm at the press and looks like it is catching just by a hair. I can push the case back a little and it will go in.

I looked at the instructions for the carry alignment, i'm assuming this is what I need to check but the directions aren't very clear. I will have to look at it when I get to the house. I have not bumped the press at any time.

I have used the videos on the loadmaster site and your are right, they are excellent and helped out very much when I setup the press.

The nut and "o" ring is there and tight. Everything is clean and very lightly lubed.
 
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Run a case into your sizing die about halfway, loosen your turret thumb-screw a touch, and then run the case the rest of the way up. Tighten the thumbscrew. This can help, but more than likely your case guides are loose or your alignment is off.
 
I will try that. I would guess the case guides won't have anything to do with this since there is no guide at the first station. I have checked the case slider and it is pushing the cases all the way in. I have tried it also by manually puting the cases in and it still happened every once in a while.

I will try your sugestion to see if it helps.
 
That said, it sounds like the carrier is off. With the indexer in place, take the ram up about half way. Is there a gap between the frame and the advance rod? If so, back the bolt off that is in the BOTTOM of the ram, and rotate the whole ram until the advance rod is against the press frame. The other thing could be the advance rod is too far in or out. If the case is hitting on the front, the advance rod needs to go deeper, adjust by backing the plastic head on the rod out a turn. If it is hitting the back, then make the opposite adjustment. This sets the final position of the shellplate.
 
I have checked the carrier and everything looks fine. The rod is against the frame. I also tried adjusting the advancing rod and that did not help any.
After closer inspection, it looks like the case is catching more on the right edge, the edge closest to the case feeder. If I push the top of the case and tilt it toward the center of the press just slightly it goes in.

At first I though it was the brand of case but it happens to anything I put in there. It's almost as if the case is not vertical when sitting in the shell plate or the dies is a little crooked. :banghead:

The case feeder is adjusted correctly and is pushing the cases all the way in.
I have gone through and cleaned everything again and cleaned the shell plate grooves to make sure nothing is in there and I still get the same issue.
I reset everything on the new turret and still the same issue. At this point I am leaning toward this being a problem with the die but I guess it could be the shell plate. But I don't see any issues at any other station.
 
Anyone have any other suggestions? Should I go out and get a new sizing dies to see if that fixes the issue. I just don't want to waste the money if it isn't needed. looks like the sizing die is only about 4 bucks cheaper than the 3die set in 9mm at midway.
 
Is the press bolted down and level?
If it is leaning forward , backwards, or sideways it will hang up.
 
OneHung, Did you set up the friction on the crank slider with a full tube of brass? A lot of folks just put a couple cases in the tube and when they start loading with a full tube, they can have the same problem you're describing. What happens is the full stack of brass on the case slider impedes its movement and requires a bit more friction on the crank slider. Also, I'm assuming you're sizing/depriming in station #1? My limited experience with the Load Master (which I love) is to have a universal decapper in station #1 and the sizing die (sans decapping pin) in station #2.
 
Sorry, I saw where you say the cases are being pushed all the way in. Try manually getting the case to line up, then run the case all the way up into the sizing die, then break loose the die's lock nut and retighten it with the case in the die. As far as the turrets are concerned, it's possible you have a bad one. If there was mis alignment when they cut the threads, you'll be able to see that the threads are cut deeper on one side than the other.
Bronson7
 
I found that watching the loadmaster videos, particularly the one for setting up the case feeder and using the STP trick fixed my case feeding issues. Get the feeder assembly cleaned up, then follow the Shadowdog500's video instructions--i.e., tweak the upper and / or lower screws on the feeder to fine-tune the feed once you have the STP on it.

When I did that, it has stayed operating reliably for months now.

Jim H.
 
Sorry I haven't been on in a couple days. Thanks for all the replies. I still have the issue and it happens when I manually load the case or have a full stack in the case tube.

Bronson7, I will try running the case all the way in and then loosen and reset re-set the lock nut on the die. I'm on a 2nd turret so I'm pretty sure it isn't the turrets that are causing the issue.

Thanks for the offer Grizz but I'm in ATL, GA. so it would be a pretty good trek for you. :)


I may just have to send it in to lee to have them check it out, or get a uni - decapper in station 1 and try the sizer in 2.

I'll get this thing straighten out eventually. Other than this one small issue, I love the press and it makes great ammo. In fact, I just got back from the range about an hour ago and ran through about 300 rounds. Great fun and the best part is, I came home with all kinds of brass.

I really think half the fun of going to the range is scrounging brass. :p
 
Looks like I may have found the issue. Looks like both the turrets I have are crap. I took a closer look at them tonight and on one of them I can clearly see and feel in 4 out of the 5 holes the threds are not cut cleanly and at least one threds sticks out farther than the other. The second one isn't as bad as the first.

The other hint that led me to believe it was the turret, I swapped the dies around in the turret. My sizing dies was working fine now but the bullet seating die was crushing and cuting cases.
Has anyone else had any issues with their turrets?
 
Glad you found the problem. Yes, I've heard of folks getting bad turrets. Lee will replace them for you.
Bronson7
 
Yeah, I will send both my turrets back. Hopefully it won't take to long to get the new ones.

Kinda sucks that I have to pay shipping on these since they are new but better than haveing to buy new ones I guess. Good thing they aren't too heavy. I also have a crushed small primer slider I will send back, hopefully they will replace it also. :D I got spares already but I figure since I have to send the turrets back, maybe I can get another slider.

I'll let you guys know what happens. Thanks for all the help.
 
I sent off the bad parts today, does anyone know how long it takes typically to get the new parts in? Also, do I need to send a receipt or anything to get the parts replaced? I didn't include a copy of it cause I didn't think about it till after I sent it off and the email I got from Lee was just send the parts and they will replace at no cost. I was just wondering how they validate the 2 year for the warrenty or do they not really check?
 
I have sent a few primer sliders and decapping pins to Lee .
Had them back in about a week and sent on receipt .
They don't check on the warranty .

Bill
 
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