7.62x54 lee loadmaster

[ldsmerman2]

I have a question, I just got the lee loadmaster in .223 and I was hoping to also have it in 7.62x54. I understand that a new shell plate is needed... I dunno which one it is... Can someone help me out and also give me someother advice on the Lee loadmaster... LOL don't give me any advice to trash it and buy a dillon or Rcbs... I'm cheap

 

[benedict1]

1. I would call Lee and ask them for the info on the 7.62x54--Ask for Pat or Dave and they will have a quick, clear answer for you. The Lee catalogue, which you can view online at http://www.leeprecisioncatalog.com/2007/ indicates shell plate 4s for .223, etc and shell plate 12L for 7.62x39, etc. I would assume that is the one you need, but call and check with them.

2. If you haven't watched these videos I suggest you do so now--much good information--

From Darwin-Te

*-Setting up a Load Master Part 1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFprUSI7WuM
*-Setting up a Load Master Part 2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCnWhkJSUQs
*-Lee Load Master Priming and Tips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkl8HRqVZuc
Load Master Indexing and Troubleshooting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLtJOzROVWY
Separate depriming and resizing on a Load Master
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNspj-BycM0


From Shadowdog500


*Lee Load Master Case Feed Setup
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMN8N2Y9iaI
*-Lee Load Master Lubrication
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqTiIB-htmg
Load Master Case Feed Demo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOxoPrTp1Rg
Lee Load Master Primer Tricks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDIv9yi4gF0
Lee Load Master Indexer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3r6g4bPwYY


From the Lee Website--

*-Watch the videos under the heading--Die Adjustment on Load Master and Pro 1000.
http://www.leeprecision.com/html/HelpVideos/video.html
*-Watch all videos under Load Master.
http://www.leeprecision.com/html/HelpVideos/video.html

Finally, and this is something I have learned--keep the priming assembly clean--do not let grease/oil or other gunk get on the priming pin(the one that rises up to push the new primer into the case). You can degrease the priming assembly with alcohol or, and I prefer this, Gun Scrubber. Blow it dry with air and reassemble.

Make certain the case retainers are all properly positioned(see the videos on setup), especially the one in station 2 where priming is done.

 

[lee n. field]

Lee's site shows their #16 shell holder for the 7.62x54. The only other thing listed that uses that is "8x56R Hungarian" which I had never heard of until now.

They may not make a shell plate for 7.62x54. I suggest you call them for an authoritative answer.

 

[benedict1]

Lee's site shows their #16 shell holder for the 7.62x54. The only other thing listed that uses that is "8x56R Hungarian" which I had never heard of until now.

Wrong shell holder--he is talking about a shell plate for a Load Master.

 

[benedict1]

LOL don't give me any advice to trash it and buy a dillon or Rcbs... I'm cheap

You are not cheap, nor am I and thousands of others who appreciate the great price/performance advantage of the Lee Load Master. If you maintain your press, set it up properly and keep the shell plate/priming area clean, you will load many thousands of rounds at a big saving.

Stay in touch and don't hesitate to send PM to me if you need any assistance. As always though, a call to Pat or Dave at Lee is hard to beat if you're having difficulty.

Remember also that they have an unconditional 2 yr. warranty on all parts. I hope you don't have to use it, but it is there for the asking.

 

[lee n. field]

Wrong shell holder--he is talking about a shell plate for a Load Master.

My notion was to try to match 7.62x54 with something else. If I can find out what else matches the shell holder, then if there's a shell plate for the other cartridge, that should work for 7.62x54. Trouble is, there almost isn't anything else that size.

He's gonna have to call Lee. Maybe they'll do something custom.

 

[ldsmerman2]

Wow thanks alot for the advise... I was doing tons of reading last night and the 303 #5a shell plate for the loadmaster might also fit for the 7.62x54, since they are both rimmed and close in caliber. but then again I might be wrong..
thanks

 

[ldsmerman2]

Guess What guys I just called dave and it was a completely different shell plate, there was only 3 left... IT was #16, I was way off. WOW that was the best customer service I've ever had... thanks Benedict1 for the advice

 

[benedict1]

lee n. field--pardon, please! I stand corrected. I had no idea they made a #16 shell plate to match the #16 shell holder for ram presses.

That's why I always urge people to call Lee--Dave and Pat know about everything there is to know about Lee equipment.

 

[DrD562]

Hey guys, I am aware that this is an old thread, but I was looking up info for reloading 7.62x54 using a Lee Loadmaster, and I came across this thread. I wanted to do the same, but wanted to get more info before I bought a Loadmaster. I've called Lee myself and the guy said it would be better to just use a single stage, but I really want a progressive press. Please let me know your opinions on loading 7.62x54 using the Loadmaster. Also, I want to know exactly what I should buy besides the Loadmaster (dies or whatever) so I can start reloading right away. Thanks in advance.

 

[FROGO207]

I would start with a couple good books on reloading metallic cartridges in general---The ABC's of reloading is one and the bullet manufacturers all make excellent ones. This will get you headed in the correct direction at the start. There are a lot of posts in the sticky at the top of the reloading forum and a TON of videos on how to do it but not all of the videos are correct and safe.

Now for the 7.62X54R cartridge in particular. Most of the brass that you are going to find is going to be Berdan primed and not easily reloadable with a standard press we have here. You need to have Boxer type primers with the single flash hole for ease of reloading. Som that means easily reloadable brass is about as scarce as gold hens teeth if available at all. Most of us buy inexpensive loaded ammo with boxer Brass shoot it then use it to reload with. Some companies that sell this ammo are PMC, Sellier & Beilot, and the Wolf Gold line. The regular Wolf and the Tula or Brown Bear have Berdan primers and steel cases that are not recommended for reloading. Also you have to slug your bore to find out which bullet diameter you need to reload for your rifle. I do reload my brass with premium bullets for hunting ammo but find the steel cased stuff is cheaper to buy for regular shooting/plinking by a fair bit. The surplus stuff is almost always corrosive and will ruin your rifle if not cleaned correctly and SOON after using the stuff. I am sure there are a bunch of others that have more experience with this round and will chime in soon.

I do not have any experience with a Loadmaster as I have used a single stage of one brand or another to reload my ammo for 40+ years with great results. Just sayin'

 

[DrD562]

Thanks for the info. I have done research on not only the different methods of reloading (hand reloaders, single stage, turret, progressive) but also the different powders, bullets, and brass people use. I have some Prvi Partizan ammo and I'm keeping that brass once it's fired. I live in LA, and unfortunately, there's not many places here I can shoot steel case or mil-surp ammo. There's only one place I know close by that doesn't have ammo restrictions and they charge $30 for 2 hours of range time.

I'm kind of leaning toward using a progressive press so my whole family can use it and switch the turrets with the dies quickly, but I also don't want something that will make it tough for me to reload, especially since I'm a beginner. I won't rule out single stage or turret presses. I might even start with a hand loader first. All I want is some ammo to use with my Mosin.

 

[FROGO207]

I recommend finding someone at the range you shoot at that reloads and ask them if they will help you get started. A mentor will be a super asset for any beginner and will help you to avoid a lot of pitfalls that a newby will encounter. I commonly see a lot of questions asked that would be not needed if a new reloader watched an experienced one load just one round of ammo in straight walled and bottle necked and explained the why I did that for each step done. Your reasoning for a different press is sound but the advise from most is start with a less expensive single stage as you will always find uses for it as you expand the stuff you do---I have 3 of them and a turret I hardly use these days. BTW thanks for asking before you got in too deep.

 

[DrD562]

Thank you for your input.

 

[hang fire]

My Dillon shell holder for .45-70 works just fine for the 7.62x54r.