Lee Loadmaster

[chagasrod]

I Just bought a loadmaster and the instructions are horrible.
How do i determine the right powder disk to load 45 ACP?
Anyone?

 

[Nate1778]

Get a reloading book and a weight of powder. Get a scale and find which thrower is throwing that weight with the scale. The auto disk has always been off so you must verify. Also check out LoadmasterZone.com to get all the tips on using the loader. You'll wander where they have been all your life.I am afraid your going to need a scale though.

 

[jfh]

As you said, the Load-Master instructions are not good, and the setup can be a nightmare for a (novice) reloader.

1. See the videos at loadmasterzone.com view them carefully, now. Here is the link.

2. Use the LoadMasterVideos.com forums for specific help, or use this forum here. Many questions about the Load-Master setup have been discussed here (as Nate1778 knows. To find those discussions, use the search function on the forum pages--first to search this (sub)forum, and then to search a specific thread. Enter searches such as "LoadMaster," "Load-Master," "Lee Disk," "Auto-Disk," and so on. Careful study of those results will help acquaint you with the issues involved with these products.

3. The question you asked about selecting the disk for .45ACP suggests you may not have a scale. As Nate1778 said, get a scale--and yes, the Lee scale does work fine, once you know 'the trick' to using it.

You can use the auto-disk instructions by 1) selecting the powder you want to use (hint--try Winchester 231 to begin with), selecting your bullet, and then using the Lee charts to determine a disk size for that type and weight of bullet with the powder you are using. With a full measure, you should be safe. Many people, including experienced reloaders here on this forum, are successful with the disks.

Personally, I preferred early on to get an Adjustable Charge Bar and use the techniques one uses with a scale and direct measurement. Set the bar, weigh a charge, adjust as needed to get the correct charge, and then verify it, and so on.

Your post doesn't really indicate whether you are a novice reloader or merely a new progressive / Load-Master reloader. Tell us a bit more here, and you can get some decent help, I think. Just return here, to this thread, to ask those questions....

Jim H.

 

[chagasrod]

thanks for the help

Thank you guys for the tips. I am indeed a novice and will get a scale for sure.
I appreciate your time.

 

[UltimateReloader]

One option for a scale is to get a jewler's scale off ebay. I have one that is within .1 grain of the readings I get off my Hornady GS-350 (a very nice scale by the way). I always weigh powder charges every time even if I'm using adjustments that have been written down.

"Better safe than sorry"

 

[chagasrod]

Thanks to all of you!

 

[737Driver]

watch the new set up video 23 minutes at

http://loadmastervideos.com/

the other videos there are good as well but the set up video will get you going in no time.

 

[chagasrod]

Does anybody own a loadmaster? My shellplate stopped indexing.
I put the rod in but the plastic end does not rub much against the press anymore.
Does it shift out of place? How do i fix this?

 

[jfh]

1. check to see that the shellplate retaining nut
a. has the rubber o-ring in place, and
b. is tightened suffiiciently.

2. Then, go to Loadmastervideos.com and watch the video for "indexing problems." a detailed description follows of how to set / adjust the index 'flipper.'

Jim H.

 

[chagasrod]

Thanks Jim. I just found the problem. The plastic thingy gets unscrewed from the rod and changes angle.
I think i'm going to super glue it to the rod at the right angle. I'm just going to have to order another rod as a back up just in case.
Is there some kind of chemical lock that could be removed without ruining the the treads?

 

[jfh]

DON'T GLUE THE INDEX 'FLIPPER!'

The flipper action is what operates the indexing as it slides along the frame. At the top of the stroke it the top tilts 'out,' so that the bottom will rub along the frame, pulling the indexer out, and then being pushed in to index the press with the handle as the downstroke is finished.

Study the videos some more.

Jim H.

 

[chagasrod]

Ok, I won't glue it. One of the videos suggest my carrier might be out of alignment.
I'll try and tighten the bolt on the bottom of it.

 

[Jumping Frog]

Does anybody own a loadmaster? My shellplate stopped indexing.
I put the rod in but the plastic end does not rub much against the press anymore.
Does it shift out of place? How do i fix this?

First, if the plastic index flipper is not aligned correctly, check your Loadmaster carrier alignment using the attached link.

Second, if my indexing feels like the ejector rod is not releasing correctly at the top of the stroke, I take that as a clue to re-lube the tip of the ejector rod and the inside ring of the shellplate with a sparing amount of lithium grease.

Third, if it isn't a carrier alignment or simple lube issue, check your index flipper setup. Review these message threads on forums.loadmastervideos.com:

Fixing Faulty Indexing
My indexing sprouted problems

 

[Jumping Frog]

Ok, I won't glue it. One of the videos suggest my carrier might be out of alignment.
I'll try and tighten the bolt on the bottom of it.

If you glue it, you'll simply need to purchase a replacement index rod and index flipper without solving the problem.

 

[chagasrod]

Thanks for the help Frog!

My carrier was out of alignment. Why did it happen?

 

[bfox]

Was it the carrier alignment ?
I bought two Loadmasters and had to do the alignment on one .
Thank God for the internet or I never would got them working without everyone's help !

 

[helg]

Was it the carrier alignment ?

Watch "carrier alignment" video at the "Help videos" page on Lee web site:

http://leeprecision.com/html/HelpVideos/video.html