Lee LoadMaster Case Feeder Problem

[Dave-G23]

Hey all, first time post. I am having a dickens of a time with my new Lee LoadMaster and I wondered if anyone would have any advice. I have everything functioning smoothly accept for the case feeder. I am using .40 S&W cases and when the first one drops down the second follows right behind it and "jams" or "binds" up the downstroke. I am not sure what I am doing wrong. I have tried adjusting the height but nothing seems to matter. Any ideas/suggestions? Thank you for any help you can give.

Dave:banghead:

 

[Steve Koski]

http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=491879

Look at Shadow's videos at the bottom of this page. That may give you some ideas to try.

 

[jfh]

Welcome, Dave-G23.

For your problem with the case feeder, do this--

1. follow this link:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Lee+LoadMaster

Note that there are numerous user-made videos on setting up the Load-Master; I found them invaluable when I rejuvenated mine earlier this year. View them more than once--and the STP lubricant tip is invaluable.

2. Do a search here, in this forum on "Load-Master" and you'll find other comments as well.

Besides the case feeder setup tips, the one I strongly recommend is to immediately set up the dies as a five station package. That is, get a decapping die and use that in station 1, then put the sizing die in station 2. That will save you much time on futzing with the primer feed assembly, and it's the key to making the press really useful.

3. Follow the instructions / Lee videos on dies setup carefully--here's that link:

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1180581423.871=/html/HelpVideos/video.html

Had I known what's posted in the comments and in these videos, I would have had the Load-Master out from storage years ago.

Finally, ask questions as you need to--the Lee devotees on this forum are a helpful group.

Jim H.

 

[Dave-G23]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I watched the videos several times but the bottom rim of the casing catches almost everytime. I have a friend that has one and he is going to come over and check it out... I'm sure its my fault somehow, but it is my first time setting it up and I got everything else to function. I appreciate the help though. Take care.

Dave

 

[FieroCDSP]

Personally, i think it's an issue with the hole. The small pistol feeder has a bushing that keeps the case above the moving one tight and square. The large pistol feeder leave a lot of gap between the feeder wall and the "on-deck" case. If the on-deck case slips even slightly into the moving case(largely a function of chamfer), it'll jam up.
I load 40 cal. I've tried the "dime-thickness" method, and a few others, and yes, my press is setup according to the You-tube help vids. The only way i can make the thing function right is to only load the tubes a little over 3/4th full (I tapes the tubes together at that point that feeds right) and to slow-stroke the handle to prevent tips. I have thought about getting another 9mm feeder and drilling the bushing out to fit the 40 cal snugly, and I'm pretty sure this would cure it.

OP, make sure your cases are trimmed to the same length and then set the feeder just high enough that the moving case will clear. This will probably help, but will have to be adjusted as case lengths change in defferent batches.

 

[FieroCDSP]

Okay. I drilled out the bushing for the small pistol case feeder to accept a 40 cal casing. The feed did improve, but not in the area I was looking for. I am now certain that the tipping case issue is because the mouth of a 40cal case is as wide, if not wider than the head. The case will edge slightly into to the one in the tube underneath it, and when that tube moves to clear, the mouth hangs up on the rim of the case above, and it tips or jams. Little to no chamfer of the case mouth after trimming is likely the only fix to this problem.

 

[Dave-G23]

Well, here is what happened. I called one of my friends that has had one for years. He asked me a simple question but it turned the proverbial "light bulb" on. He asked if the height of my case feeder was shorter than my cases... I then remembered that I had purchased an additional case feeder kit since I wasn't sure if one came with the kit. (Midway wasn't too clear on what was included and neither was Lee's website.) What I had done was used a case feeder for a larger calilber pistol round and it was the same height as the .40 S&W cases... Sure enough... As soon as I switched back to the case feeder that came with the kit, it functioned like butter... I had bought a case feeder for large pistol rounds when I should have used the one that came with the kit... a bit lesson learned... You all gave me lots of good advice though and for that I am grateful... Anyone ever heading through Kansas can stop by for a beer anytime. =)

Dave

 

[jfh]

"...I am now certain that the tipping case issue is because the mouth of a 40cal case is as wide, if not wider than the head...."​

FieroCDSP, I think you have just explained why I was about ready to throw the Load-Master out the window eight or so years ago. At that time I was trying to get .40 S&W running at a high rate--and couldn't.

However, IIRC, I had no problems with 10mm, nor with .45ACP. The limited runs I've done since completing the setup about three months ago (.45 ACP and 10mm, mostly to test bullet feed as well) show no real tipping / jamming problems either.

For now, I think that the STP-as-the-lubricant trick is the one that (at least temporarily) solves a chunk of the case feeder problems, once it is set up correctly.

Jim H.

 

[FieroCDSP]

The funny thing is, it is also weight related. There is a distinct point you can fill the tubes to that will allow the entire tube to go trouble free. If you go over that by even one case, that first one will hang, the rest will be fine. I noticed on Midway's descriptions of the small and large case-feeder assemblies, there is no mention of 40S&W in the descriptions. The small does 32ACP thru 9mm luger, the large everything larger than 9mm, 40cal is not listed, but 10mm is.

Hmph....who knows. For those listening, just put 18 cases in the tube and cycle it. If the first few hang, your level is lower. Mine is 18, and I have a piece of black tape marking it.

 

[Dave-G23]

Well, now here is the current "issue." My case feeder is not pushing the case into position under the shell plate. I have followed the video's steps but it still fails to push it all the way in. In some cases it is very close but most other times its not even half way in. Any suggestions? (I'm about to quit on the Lee and get a Dillon)

 

[Shadow500]

Dave

It sounds like the frictions screws are not adjusted tight enough.

Did you try the procedure that I show in the video where you continue tightening the screw until the case goes in. I usually give it a little more after that.

I don't use any lube on the rod. If you do I don't know how much tighter you would have to adjust the screw and how consistent it would be.

Is there any way you can post a video of what is going on. If so, maybe it will help us figure out what is going wrong.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[jfh]

I solved my feeding issues completely with

1) following the video instructions for adjusting the friction feed after I

2)lubricated the slide / slider with STP per the video instructions. Four months later, it still feeds just fine.

Jim H.