Lee Loadmaster Q's

HeedJSU · Feb 18, 2007

I searched around, but didn't seem to find anything relavent. Do have any of you guys who use the Lee Loadmaster (or used them in the past) Have any serious issue with them? I'm a college student on a budget, and I want to buy a press that I can use for a couple of years and then move up if I so decide. I want to go ahead and get something that I can use as a turret press for a while and then move to a progressive, but I don't want to throw money away on something that doesn't work. The biggest complaint that I have heard is about the "Perfect Powder Measure" system.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be welcome. (And save time, I can't afford a L-N-L or a 550/650 at the current time, so don't bother.....)

Justin

HSMITH · Feb 18, 2007

The Loadmaster is an amazing press, for a while. It has been my experience that when running right it will run with a Dillon 650 for production rates, and the ammo is excellent as long as the powder agrees with the lackluster Lee powder measures. Use a powder that it likes, tweak it just right and it will POUND out good ammo at an amazing rate. My problem is in that it doesn't stay running. It might run for 3 or 4 hundred rounds without a bobble and then start puking at every turn. My other problem is that if you are a little heavy handed it just won't take it, learned that with a buddy that has one. If it doesn't want to move in any way, shape, or form you better figure out why or something will break.

I stuck with my 550B's, they are a lot slower when everything is going right, but probably about equal in the long run. That said, if you are a mechanical type and don't mind a little tinkering the Loadmaster will really make ammo at an astounding rate. I have said many times that if Lee would put a good powder measure on the Loadmaster and finish the design they would OWN the progressive reloading market.

Joe D · Feb 18, 2007

Look in the reloading section of www.glocktalk.com . Some of the guys there have had good luck with them.

PsychoKnight · Feb 19, 2007

Assuming that you are mostly loading handgun ammo, the LoadMaster would be perfect for your situation as a college student. (If rifle only, Classic Cast Turret better option).
The Perfect Powder Measure? Its comes with a Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure - significantly different, but just as picky possibly as the the Perfect Measure. I hate to say it, but the measure isn't the biggest issue - there's a whole lotta other things people have problems with; case feeder, primer feeder, bullet feeder, indexing issues, etc.

But that doesn't mean its a bad press. The more expensive presses have issues too, just fewer simultaneously, or they don't have the issue because they don't have the feature like bullet feeder, or most didn't buy a case collator so they can't complain about it.

Every single issue you will have with the LM (and you WILL have a few) can be resolved, if you hang around the right group. They will point you to various online video clips, F.A.Q's and certain threads that have dealt with those problems. I love my LoadMaster, got it nearly 15 years ago when it was first introduced, as a starving student wasting his minimal discretionary income on firearms, and its about the only machine I own today that still works. While I can now afford a LnL AP, or even a 1050super, I find no reason to obsoletize my LM, now that I've upgraded all the components and worked out ALL the many kinks in the system. And while I expect to run into major problems every 3-5,000 rounds, I know I can get past it, and its a small price to pay for such low a capital outlay into creating a loaded round with each pull of the handle, and without manually touching any bullets, primers, or cases for at least a hundred rounds at a time. If I bought any other progressive I would be stressing about, " Okay . . . nice machine, but how many rounds do I have to crank out before it pays for itself?" Get the optional case collator (its only $11, compared to $265 for Dillon or Hornady), get a medium sized tumbler, scale (Lee is fine, hokey to use, but most sensitive beam scale available), calipers, and a Hornady Cam-Lock bullet puller, and a Lee Factory Carbide Crimp Die if you are loading pistol or small-med rifle (as opposed to revolver) rounds.

Good Luck.

GlockTalk Reloading Forum
http://glocktalk.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=26

PS
Forget about using the LM as a sequential turrent press. While technically you can, that's like saying you'll be driving your high-powered sportscar real slow for a few years until you get the hang of it. Not realistic. People might use a turrent press as a single stage, but nobody uses a progressive as a turrent. It just won't make sense.

G_W · Feb 19, 2007

Factors HeedJSU may wish to consider.

I'm new to reloading and having fun with the Loadmaster. However the learning curve can be steep and time-consuming.
If you've reloaded in the past or currently reloading, go with the Loadmaster.
If you have a heavy academic load the Loadmaster may divert you from your primary goal...not good.
If you have a light academic load, majoring in Arts and Parties and planning to minor in shooting and reloading go with the Loadmaster!

I agree with everything said by the previous posters re the Loadmaster...in this thread. I don't have enough experience to disagree!

Good luck!

DaveInFloweryBranchGA · Feb 19, 2007

HeedJSU,

Were I you, I would look at buying the Lee Classic Cast press. It works great for both rifle and pistol, is simple mechanically, very easy to adjust and will put out about as many rounds as you can afford to load without eating up your time.

You can be into it with all the accessories for less than $300.00 (including powder scale, etc.) and have a press you can have around for a few years and use as a supplement to a progressive if you find you need one later.

I own a Hornady LnL, a Lee Classic Cast single stage and a Lee Classic Turret press. I use the Hornady for extremely high volume, the Lee single stage for low to medium volume and the Lee Classic Turret for rifle cartridges with a Hornady CAPD and a RCBS Uniflow to dispense powder.

To be honest, at the volumes I am currently shooting, I don't need the Hornady LnL. My son, who's currently in college and shoots as much as he can afford to, uses a single stage to load his rounds, but says he would like to have a Lee Classic Cast press and he's operated my progressive often.

Regards,

Dave

timberwolf1164@sbcglobal.net · Feb 19, 2007

I have my Dillon Square "DEAL" up for sale after loading about 200 rounds on it. If you want to make any change in caliber you will go broke. Bought a Load Master.Awesome machine. There is a learning curve (isn't there always)?
But, I have loaded over 3,500 rounds of 40 s/w and 380 since Jan. and it just gets better.

benedict1 · Feb 19, 2007

Lee Load Master, Lee Classic Turret Options--

If you go for the Load Master -- here are links to the best setup/troubleshoot videos you'll need. If you set it up properly it will load thousands of rounds. I have a Lee Classic Turret too. If you only shoot 2-300 rounds per week I would stronly recommend it. You can load that many in 1-1 1/2 hrs at the machine. If you want to load that many in 20-30 minutes, get the Load Master.

See next post in thread for correct links

Of course, the Lee website has videos to assist also--they are not quite as clear and don't give the closeups you get with those above, but they are just fine--I used them when I got going last year--

http://www.leeprecision.com/html/HelpVideos/video.html
(I set my Load Master up, from opening the box to first loaded rounds, in about 90 minutes. I had the case feeder going in another 15 minutes. I have loaded thousands of rounds in the last 6 months with it.)

If you are really new to reloading I urge you to get some books and read them--most of us started with ABCs of Reloading. The Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook is also good.

Starting out with a progressive loader is harder than a single stage or an auto-indexing turret press like the Lee Classic Turret Press, but with these videos and some patience you'll make it.

And, yes, it is the most economical way to go progressive. You will spend a lot less on equipment. The Load Master is the most attractive price/performance system available, IMHO

G_W · Feb 19, 2007

benedictI, I had trouble with the first two links that you posted.
Here's a partial list of the current links. Without these videos my Loadmaster learning curve would have a slope of 0.

All info is from:
http://glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=491879

(HeedJSU, here's your homework.

benedict1 · Feb 19, 2007

Thanks for correcting my dumb error--I had linked back to my login page on You Tube--that will only work for me with MY login. duh. :cuss:

Hazzard · Feb 19, 2007

I've had good luck with my Loadmaster. So far I haven't broken anything except the chain on the powder measure (don't buy replacements from Lee, Lowe's sells it by the foot). I will agree with others that it does require tweaking to get it set up correctly and Lee's claim that it comes ready to load ammo right out of the box may be the reason that some have a bad taste in their mouth for the Loadmaster.

The perfect powder measure seems to be spot on for the powders that I use. The adjustable charge bar available from Lee will allow you to adjust the powder in small increments. I'd definately recommend getting one.

The primer feed may be the weak link in the whole system. The small plastic parts do seem to look fragile and I can see where they could be broken easily if they get bound up. Mine works well, but I do get a flipped primer occasionally. I have always reloaded in two steps (decap, resize, and prime in one and charge and seat in the other) so this is not an issue as I inspect the cases in between.

Don't bother with the automatic bullet feeder. It is, at best, unnecessary. You can position bullets by hand just as quick and why make this simple step more complicated. I bought one and am comtemplating using it either for a paperweight or to shoot enormous spitwads. The jury is still out on that one.

All in all I like my Loadmaster very much. It has turned out thousands of rounds of quality ammo for me. Others may have had different results. Good luck on your decision and I hope this helps.

jr81452 · Feb 19, 2007

i unlike most started out loading on a load master. i have to say that i was not at al unhappy with it and am still not to this day. that being said it took me a good amount of time to get the whole thing working the right way and i have a degree in mechanical engineering. a few tips that will save you loads of startup time are

1. don't even bother with the priming system

for 10 bucks and $2.50 per shell holder you can get an auto prime, works every time no fliped primers no broken plastic parts no hour long atempt to get the seating depth set up. just get yourself a universal decaping die and its own top plate and you can decap then tumble then reprime. then you don't even have to worry about gunk building up in your primer pockets

(do remember however that if you do it this way you MUST remove the decaping pin from your sizing die.

2. the case feeder is all about the RIGHT tension.

when you look at the horizontal sliding plastic arm of the case feeder you will see two screws, the upper screw should be tight, however the lower screw will adjust the tension on the arm and determine how far into the shell plate the case will feed. so if your case does not go in all the way tighten the low screw, if your case slams into the shell plate loosen the screw (when making screw adjustments use 1/4 turns, there is a VERY small difference between to tight and to loose).

3. when the press starts to fail to cycle, eather by binding (where the rod won't push in) up or the rod does not come out fully, the first and most likly cause is actually the case ejector/index clip. look carefully and you will se that when you pull the handle the shell plate is actualy moving backwards (clockwise) just a little. this means that the pin on the intex clip has been bent back and needs to be adjusted. your user manual will show you how to do this (involves pliers)

hope this helps save you some time. remember once you get used to the press the only problem that will take up more than 3-4 mins to fix will be the kind that needs a new part

HeedJSU · Feb 19, 2007

Guys, Thanks for the replies. I had already seen those videos on YouTube, they were what opened my eyes to the Loadmaster. I got the feeling from those (especially the one about setting up the casefeed) that it would take some tinkering, but I think thats part of the allure and the fun. I appreciate all your input. Before I saw the replies to this thread, I picked up the ABC's of reloading. There's a lot of good info in there. I appreciate the help so far.

One new question, in the ABC's, there is a lot of attention diverted to making sure you don't double charge a case. While I can see this as very easy to do with a single stage setup, how concerned to I need to be with a progressive press and double charging, and how well does it stay close to the set weight once I get it dialed in? the last thing I want to do is have a nice, friendly KABOOM.

(And for those who might be wondering, I'l be primarily loading .38 specials and .357 mags for the time being, and in the future move to 9mm)

Justin

Hazzard · Feb 20, 2007

I don't load either of the calibers that you are looking to load on the loadmaster. I know that with the .45ACP setup that I have and placing bullets manually it allows me to inspect the powder charge and determine if the charge is larger than normal visually. If it doesn't look right, I will pull the case and weigh it. The trick is to use a powder that will be obvious if you double charge the case. For example, if a normal charge fills half of the case, a double would fill it completely and be very obvious on inspection. Also remember to always "stroke" the handle of the press fully down then up. Half stroking the handle is the leading cause of double charges.

HeedJSU · Feb 21, 2007

Have you had many instances of double charges, or even grossly high single charges, hazzard?

Justin

jr81452 · Feb 21, 2007

the pro auto disk stays on track very well. however do weigh a charge every 50 rounds or just for your own peace of mind. and of course any time the charge does not "look" right. as long as you pay attention to the operation of the press (ie. make sure it indexes fully) and stroke from stop to stop you are very unlikly to ever see a double or high single charge.

TEDDY · Feb 21, 2007

LEE PRESSES

REMEMBER THE LOAD MASTER USES MORE EXPENSIVE SHELL HOLDERS.AS A NEWBE I WOULD BUY THE CLASIC TURRET.I USE LEE POWDER MEASURES.I SET IT MAKE SURE THE CHARGE IS RIGHT AND GO.THESE ARE FIXED HOLES AND ARE NOT GOING TO SLIP LIKE ADJUSTABLE ONES.THE BETTER LEE IS BORED HOLES THE OTHER IS CAST HOLES.TAKE CARE OF PRESS OIL IT CLEAN IT AND IT WILL LAST A LIFETIME.I HAVE A DEALER FRIEND THAT LOADS PISTOL AND HE HAS LEE 1000 AND LOADMASTER AND TURN OUT 1000S WITH OUT TROUBLE.I HAVE 15 TOOLS FROM MODERN BOND/ LYMAN RCBS+BONANZA (A GREAT PRESS) AND LEE.ITS A LEARNING CURVE AND YOU MUST LEARN OR SUFFER.GET LOADING MANUALS A MUST.
HAVE A PLEASENT DAY. WILDCATT

-terry · Feb 21, 2007

When I got back into reloading recently, I looked around and decided on the Loadmaster press (other contender was the Dillon Square Deal). I load only 9mm and 45 ACP. The Loadmaster is working fine for me. Case feeder is perfect, primer feed working well, etc. Once I got it set up (which did take a bit of tinkering) it has been working fine. I recommend it. It is soooo much cheaper than other alternatives, yet loads just as well.

Just my 0.2gr

Hazzard · Feb 21, 2007

Justin:
I haven't had any over-charges that weren't my fault. I have short stroked it once or twice and double charged cases, but that was when I was setting up a load and realized it as soon as it happened. The perfect powder measure has been very accurate for me otherwise. You could get a charge indicator die and install it after the powder measure as an added precaution. Here's a link...

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=536792

benedict1 · Feb 21, 2007

1. don't even bother with the priming system

for 10 bucks and $2.50 per shell holder you can get an auto prime, works every time no fliped primers no broken plastic parts no hour long atempt to get the seating depth set up. just get yourself a universal decaping die and its own top plate and you can decap then tumble then reprime. then you don't even have to worry about gunk building up in your primer pockets (do remember however that if you do it this way you MUST remove the decaping pin from your sizing die.

I respectively disagree with this analysis--watch the videos on You Tube and you will find out immediately that good priming is strictly a matter of setting the depth right--and this depends on proper setting of the dies. That's it. It takes about 2 minutes to set the depth properly.

I load 9mm with small primers and .45 ACP with large primers, switch back and forth and reset the primer depth per the directions in the videos.(Actually, the Lee website videos are just as good--not quite as clear and not quite as close up to the press)

I have loaded several thousand rounds in the past month--priming problems are non-existent. I do use the resizing die sans pin in station 2 and a universal decapper in station 1--but I have loaded with the resizer with pin in station 2; doesn't seem to make any difference.

There are only three things to get right and they are all discussed clearly in the videos--primer depth; die setup; return chain set for the powder measure. Then you load.

As to the case feeder, same deal. Watch the video either at Lee or You Tube and it works just fine. Setting the correct tension of the case slide pusher is a matter of a few minutes. I use the case feeder constantly with no trouble, other than my own stupid errors of getting a 9mm or .40 cal case into the .45s I load into it, or a .40 cal case into the 9s. -- :cuss:

No one should be reluctant to purchase a Load Master if that's what their budget suggests. I had mine up and running, case feeder included, in 90 minutes out of the box. Just follow the directions.

HeedJSU · Feb 22, 2007

Thanks for the input guys, I feel alot better about picking up a Loadmaster. Hope to have one in the next few weeks/months (pref. weeks :what:

) Any more thoughts or opinions, let me know!

Justin

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