Lee Loadmaster quarks

[xd45gaper]

I just started reloading after kicking the idea around for years lol. Im using a Lee Loadmaster with a bunch of problems.

When i first sit it up I deprimmed a bunch of brass and ran them threw the cycle, the first thing I noticed was the case feeder would not fully load a case into the shell plate with the weight of all the cases from the tube. Ok fine so I give a little extra push to get the case full in the shell plate still runs like a watch, not a swiss watch but a nice timex or something lol.

Fastfwd a few weeks I finally get all the stuff it takes to start reloading very basic equipment, press, scale, dial caliper. Powder, bullets and primers (after a very long look lol)

First thing I come to realize and it concerns me very very much is the auto powder throw. It constantly throws inconsitant loads. varying by as much as 1.0 grains it seems to leak powder all over the place to which smells like crap lol.

Next thing is the auto indexing Oh how much I love the feature if/when it works. For those of you that have this press, does the plastic foot get changed out alot, or are the worn out versions better. Mine was messing up yesterday so I changed out the plastic foot, now every time during the full up stroke, I have to push on the bottom half of the plastic foot so it will do what its supposed to do on the down stroke and eventully move the press forward. If I do not get it just right it takes a hard push to get the cartridges going and will normally spill powder out of the freshly charged cartridge on the down stroke. again causing it to smell like hell and having that tiny ball powder all over everything is starting to get annoying. Not to mention the saftey factor lol

If I do not do this shear insanity insues at the depriming station, usually leading to another full to half up stroke which leads to a double charged cartridge which will not get a bullet etc etc....

So can you experinced Lee loadmaster users help me out with these quarks of a new press?!?!?!

 

[jfh]

See this link. This is the comprehensive resource for setting up and tweaking the Load-Master. It contains extensive (YouTube) videos. Watch them all, and pay attention to the tweaking tips. The STP tip, for example, is marvelous. Also, use google here--i.e., search this forum--and you will find detailed answers to most issues, I think. Several of us put them up about eighteen months ago, IIRC.

To address some of your post problems here--

1. The case feeder can be tweaked for tightness / drag easily--but it does take fiddling. Try tightening / loosening the two screws--but see the videos first, or read the forum topics there....

2. auto-indexing--see the videos.

3. Powder drop--you probably do NOT have the PTED adjusted properly, and / or the chain return needs tweaking. Any version of the Lee autodisk measures will dispense ball powder accurately, and I have found it will leak only with the finest of powders. (Try adjusting the hopper screws.)​

Once you get the initial setup debugged--which is where you are at in the process--you'll have a good press running. I can, if I want, churn out 600 or more rounds per hour; a safe rate is about 360-400 rph. Although there has been some debate between owners, I have found that my setup is best using a 5-die configuration--e.g., deprime in station one using a (Lee) universal decapper, a sizer-without-decapper die in station two (over the priming), and so on.

At the same time, I have to say the Load-Master is problematic. In the long run, you'll probably have most problems with the primer set up and feed. Get spare parts for this on hand--e.g., the primer feed items.

One other tip: do not use the load-master for load-development: get a SS or turret for that use. Progressive machines like this--even with the auto-indexing removed--are problematic at best for this kind of work.

Spend some time at the above link, ask for help there--and you'll have a good-running machine.

Good luck with it!

Jim H.

 

[MMCSRET]

I used a Loadmaster for 10 years before I retired and had the time to drop back to my preferred single stage presses. The LM is a great machine but it requires fine tuning and attention to detail. About every 10,000 round, I completely disassemble and cleaned mine and put it back together and set everything back in adjustment default position. I had mine before the videos were out so I spent a lot of time on the phone with Lee, Great people, great machine and great learning experience. Good shooting.

 

[xd45gaper]

thanks alot guys, I had not heard many bad things about the press aside from primer issues, and one about powder leaking from the disk. Just seems like once i started loading the problems started buidling up lol Ive had the shell plate off a couple times etc etc!

 

[MMCSRET]

Keep the primer drop free, don't let the dead primers build up under the shell plate, it will lock up and throws every thing out of balance. Keep the priming assemble clean, brass shavings and sometimes small pieces of tumbler media get in and will cause problems. The two times I had primers detonate were both caused by a piece of media on the primer punch and the primer went off when it seated. The primer depth adjustment will vary with types and brands of brass, 9MM is especially variable. You must watch every operation, and it will develop into a very enjoyable and productive machine.