rfwobbly said:
While the Lee product is a good value, obviously some "corners have been cut" to obtain the low product price. IMHO the missing corners result in inconsistent loading and lots of fiddling with the machine to finish any batch of ammo.
Well, you are saying "IMHO" missing corners cause inconsistent loading. That hasn't been my experience. How many rounds have you loaded with the Loadmaster?
jfh said:
It was at this time that "secondary support" in the form of various online Load-Master owners first showed up. I was alerted to YouTube videos, first those by Shadowdog500 and then those by DarwinT. Eventually, DarwinT set up a support site and forum, and that has become a central repository for on-line tips and help from Lee owners and enthusiasts. IMO, this forum--loadmastervideos.com--makes it possible to successfully get a Load-Master running well reasonably quickly.
That was my experience. I bought my Loadmaster in April, 2008 and used the loadmastervideos.com forum and supporting materials to get set up.
I had never reloaded before and did not know anyone to "show me the ropes" locally. The online videos and support made my press setup very straightforward and worked like a charm.
I've loaded well over 5,000 rounds in the last year in 4 calibers, and my loadmaster has worked just fine. I might get 1 or 2 tipped primers per thousand. My powder measures consistently and cleanly. My rounds at the range look and fire no differently than rounds made by any other brand.
My steady state is without trying to hurry, while visually confirming the powder level of every round, visually confirming the primer feeder dropping a new primer every round, visually confirming the case feeder is still full and feeding correctly every round, and then periodicially confirming & measuring the powder weight, OAL, and crimp diameter for every 25 rounds. At the above steady state, I easily load 400 rounds per hour. I could go much faster if I tried to cut corners, but that obviously makes no sense.
WLE said:
For those who own a 550 now can you justify the cost of the dillon vr time on a Lee classic 4. . . .For an additional investment of 500.00 or so do you think it is worth it in the long run?
As of now I load for.380,357 mag. 44mag. 9mm, 45acp, and 40S&W
As I indicated above, I have been happy with the Loadmaster. Since we still have some freedoms left, you are obviously free to choose whatever brand you want. However, I'd like to assist you in having full information so you can make an informed decision.
You've listed 6 pistol calibers. That means you will desire 6 turrets (although not required), appropriate shellplates, plus the ability to feed both large and small primers and a variety of case sizes.
Below is a summary of
everything you would need to order for the 6 calibers. The listing shows the Lee part number, description, list price, and "street price".
I understand you already have all the dies you need. Since the Lee pricing is agressive for a press kit that includes everything needed for one caliber, it is actually cheaper to buy the kit and then resell the unneeded die set. I have assumed the kit was .45 ACP and then you'll need the rest of the parts. The abbreviation "LLM PP" stands for "Lee Loadmaster Progressive Press".
90945 LLM PP Kit 45 ACP (List $330.00)
(street $206.00)
90075 LLM PP Small Primer Feeder (List $24.98)
(street $15.50)
90659 LLM PP Case Feeder Small Pistol (List $25.00)
(street $17.00)
90667 LLM PP Case Collator (List $14.98)
(street $13.00)
90910 LLM PP Shellplate #4s (380) (List $29.98)
(street $20.50)
90907 LLM PP Shellplate #1s (357 Mag) (List $29.98)
(street $20.50)
90920 LLM PP Shellplate #19S (9mm & .40 S&W) (List $29.98)
(street $20.50)
90917 LLM PP Shellplate #2L (44 Mag) (List $29.98)
(street $20.50)
90079 LLM PP Turret #2 (List $14.98)
(street $14.00)
90079 LLM PP Turret #3 (List $14.98)
(street $14.00)
90079 LLM PP Turret #4 (List $14.98)
(street $14.00)
90079 LLM PP Turret #5 (List $14.98)
(street $14.00)
90079 LLM PP Turret #6 (List $14.98)
(street $14.00)
Total list price is $589.78. Total street price is $403.50.
If you re-sell the die set then:
90513 Lee CARBIDE 3-DIE SET 45 ACP (List $39.98)
(street $23.70)
Selling NIB at street price would reduce your costs to $379.80. The street prices listed are today's prices at Wideners; prices at MidwayUSA, Midsouth Shooters Supply, Grafs, fmreloading.com, Kempf Gunshop, etc. are going to vary slightly but be in the general ballpark.
I strongly recommend that you create a similar detailed purchase list for any other brand you may consider (Hornady/Dillon etc.). I believe you will be shocked at what the overall costs will be after you account for things like small & large primers, shell plates, turrets, and new powder dies. I don't have current prices since I purchased my press 18 months ago, but the additional cost per caliber is substantial.
