My experience with my new Loadmaster.

Status
Not open for further replies.
Nate1778: re "...with the sizing die setting the primer depth...."

Maybe that is not what you meant to say--but the sizing die does NOT set the primer depth. Setting the primer depth is a completely independent operation, once the turrets and dies are set up.

I set up the turret/die/shellplate by building numerous dummy rounds--no primer or powder, with sized case and bullet--Then, I fine-tuned the primer depth adjustment. Then I changed turrets / die-caliber set, and confirmed the similar "pressure" settings by die tweaking--and even switched back and forth until both die sets produced satisfactory dummy ammo. Then I set the primer depth adjustment with the 'first' turret / die set.

Then, with the 2nd / new die set in place, I checked for primer seating depth. At least with the various handgun calibers, generally no primer seating depth adjustment is necessary.

At any rate, do not rely on the primer adjustment to set the LOA, so to speak. That is, I suspect, the end result of using the primer anvil setup instead of the die setup for your 'benchmark.'

About 9mm--from what I remember, your observations are true. And, a decent benchtop or frame boltdown is a must--otherwise, there can be 'misinterpretation' the top of the stroke max point as the bench flexes. Personally, my benchtop is a double-layer / laminated MDO--it's nominally 1.5" thick. The frame is only a standard cabinetry base cabinet--but that is locked into place at the wall and by vertical stringers from the shelf storage above it. It's stiff enough to allow the benchtop to have a 6" extension (e.g.,, it is 30" deep) so that presses have knee space under them, and easy access for mounting. No flex problems with any of the presses--but I do not reload / resize big rifle cartridges, either.

FWIW.

Jim H.
 
Last edited:
Jim let me clarify, here is the video on "subsequent caliber primer adjustments". He uses the sizing die to set the primer depth of subsequent calibers, problem is if the cartridge does not bottom out every time in the sizing die then all other operations are off. That's when I decided to just set the primer adjustment in the setup video and back the sizing die out a bit. There just seams to be too many factors that would come into play in the below set up.


http://loadmastervideos.com/28SUBSEQUENT.WMV
 
aha! That's a new video to me. I downloaded the loadmaster videos and contributed there about 18 months ago; I've only been back intermittently since. IOW, my Load-Master has been working smoothly since, so I have not been keeping up to date.

He is doing essentially what I did; I just did not explain it the same way. In my jargon, you did in fact set the die depth off the die, NOT off the priming arm. In effect, Shadowdog500's video shows that: he already has the primer arm setup "done"--or at least within the ballpark. Therefore, this procedure for setting subsequent die sets turrets should come out fine. (Which, is at least the way it should come from the factory. My machine had no real reference to "factory" settings for primer depth when I sorted out my setup. So, I started out as he did--i.e., by screwing the dies in until contact, then setting per Lee's standard settings--and then tweaking as need to get consistent LOAs for a given turret. Then I had to go back and do a primer depth adjustment.)

BTW--in my comments, I had been assuming that you were working with a 'standard' 4-die (or even 3-die) setup--e.g., that you did NOT have a universal decapping die for station one, and therefore had the standard sizing die in station one, and NO die in station two (priming).

So, are you running a 5-die turret--or did you say that earlier, and I've just forgotten it?

Jim H.
 
Yeah I am running a 4 die set with both setups. I am going to wait till I have another order for Midway and get a couple more turrets and some universal de-capping dies.

The .38 special setup is
1.Size/decap
2.Size
3.Expand/powder
4.Seat/Crimp

9mm
1. Size/Decap
3. Expand/Powder
4. Seat
5. Crimp
 
Nah, just put the one in station 2 to hold the shell in place for priming. I had an extra set so basically I don't need the universal expander in the #1 slot.
 
nate 1778 says--"...basically I don't need the universal expander in the #1 slot."

As for the "second" sizing die--i.e., in station 1--I would replace it with a universal decapper. You're probably working the brass twice, thereby shortening its life--and the Universal die will require less effort as well.

Jim H.
 
Gotcha, and will order in the near future, if there is any brass that I am not lacking it is .38. Its the only brass I will leave at the range, I would guess 4000 casings at this point. The nice part about wheel guns is guys at the range tend to put there spent .38 casings in the little holder on the side of the lane, dump in bag and its mine............;)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top