Need to buy pistol equipment for my Loadmaster- what to get ?

[VE2RF]

Please note: I apologize for having three threads in reloading. After this thread, I'm going to shut up, and get back to reading the Hornady and Lyman Reloading manuals I bought.

I bought a Loadmaster Rifle Kit in .308. It came with Lee Pacesetter .308 dies, Lee Perfect Powder Measure, Lee Universal Charge Die, Pro 1000 Primer attachment.

I had tried to order supplies to load pistol ammo through Natchez. I gave my dad in NC cash and had him place the order with it to be shipped to Alabama. They kicked it out- I'm still not sure why they won't mail order to AL, TN, or GA. So much for my clever idea.

So I before I place my order with Midway, I wanted to find out if there's anything I'm not thinking of before I place the order on Wednesday.

First: I'm going to be loading .45acp and .40S&W for my auto-loaders. Is it worth it to buy the factory crimp die that comes with Lee's Deluxe Carbide Pistol dies. It's an extra $12, so I'm looking at spending an extra $25 for that crimp die. If it's worth it, I'll go ahead and get the deluxe carbide dies.

Second: I have the Perfect Powder Measure and the charging die. Is the Lee Pro Auto Disc Powder Measure worth $30 for loading Pistol ammo, when compared to the Perfect Powder measure ?

Finally:
Here's my list- if there's anything else I should be getting, let me know. If I stand to waste money, let me know. I'm a grad student and money don't grow on trees.

-Lee Safety Scale
-Lee Load-Master Progressive Press Small Primer Feeder
-Lee Primer Explosion Shield
-Lee 4 die set of .45acp
-Lee 4 die set of .40s&w
-shellplate for .40s&w- #19s
-2 extra turrets for ease of change out
-Lee Pro Auto Disc Powder Measure
-Lee Case Trimmer & Lock Stud
-Chamfer Tool
-Primer Pocket Cleaner
-Decapper & Base Die


Thanks to member Hutch, I learned that Story's in Opelika has powder and primers- so at least I can buy that locally without having to pay the Hazmat charge.

Thanks again for everyone's help and advice.

 

[jfh]

I load pistol calibers on a Load-Master.

Here's some general comments, first--

If you have not found it, you should know about The LoadMasterZone--Here is the Link.

Videos available there will answer any and all questions you may have about setup, configurations, and trouble-shooting.

To me, the real weakness in the Load-Master is in its primer feed system--it can be fixed, however, and it will work reliably--but definitely order out some small parts from Lee.

I would get a second set of Primer Feed assemblies, and extra sliders (Small and Large). Sort out a small-parts order from Lee, and place the order all at once--their shipping is just $4.00, period. Also get some spare primer trays (and, FWIW, I do not worry about primer explosions--but I just use Winchester primers.)

I also have upgraded my Auto-disk measure(s) over the years to the "most deluxe" version--so get some spare wipers for that measure when you place your parts order.

2. Since the Load-Master has a five-station configuration, you do have some real benefits. For pistol calibers, the ability to seat and crimp separately is a real benefit. Get the 4-die sets; functionally, the separate crimp does the post-sizing you may want for semi-auto rounds.

If you spend some time looking over the Loadmaster forum discussions, you will see that different die configurations are discussed.

Personally, I have found that the most reliable progressive operation is done with a five-die configuration--which is using the Lee (pistol) universal decapping die in stage one to decap only, then using the die set sizer-decapper die without the decapper in station two, over the priming anvil. The powder-through-expanding die remains in station 3, as do the seater and crimper-post sizer dies.

So, if you want to try this configuration, get a universal decapping die.

3. For handgun ammo reloading--which is all I do on my Load-Master--I have always used the Lee Auto-disk products, and I always use a (Lee) adjustable charge bar. It is important to use the "manual return" chain-and-spring configuration, so see the videos for that installation and tweaking.

IMO, the Perfect Powder Measure is not suitable for higher-volume / rph reloading on a progressive. Others may report it working (I don't know), but it has its own set of tweaking needs, which the Auto-disk is perfectly reliable on a progressive with that manual return installed.

So, your list looks OK to me, generally. You will NOT need to trim the semi-auto cases; they shrink in length over time, not expand.

Add a MAX cartridge gauge (L.E.Wilson; various retailers) for each caliber to your list. Yes, you can use your barrel chamber--but the max cart gauge will always be at your bench, and clean, and measures more dimensions than the chamber will.

One caveat: Because the primer feed subassembly is the weak link in the Load-Master, changing out for different primer sizes can be really problematic for fine-tuning. I would recommend starting out with one of your semi-auto configurations--say the .45ACP--and stay with it until you are confident about your usage, knowledge, and reliable operation of the press.

Loading the forty short-and-weak can be problematic because it is a short case, and LOA variations at max loads can be disastrous. (I've never known a .40 S&W reloader who didn't end up at the max end of that cartridge's recipes....)

The issue here is that the primer seating depth adjustment needs to be set up in conjunction with all turrets so that you don't have to change the primer seating depth each time you change calibers. To do that means tweaking both die sets in their turrets--it's a complex tweak, and not for beginners, IMO.

Finally, I do recommend using a case feeder assembly--but leave the tubes and collator out of the mix for now. See the videos for installing and setup of the slider--and be sure to use STP for the slider lubrication.

Good luck! Any more questions, just ask--

Jim H.