just thought i'd ask for some opinions before i make a decision. i'm thinking about getting into reloading and have a friend who has a Lee Loadmaster. I asked if he'd be interested in selling it since he hasnt been using it for a while and to my suprise he said yes and to an even bigger suprise he said i could have it for $75. It looks to be used very little. He said he loaded maybe a 1000 rnds of 9mm. I would have to buy a set of dies in 38sp and a shell plate. Theres also a few extras like an extra set of tubes for the shell feeder and some extra plastic parts. I've read a few reviews on the Loadmaster and i know some like Lee and others dont but the price seems to be good so i'm not sure if i should pass it up. Oh yeah, i was actually looking at getting a Classic Turret press from Lee when i stumbled upon this. So any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
I would jump on that deal with both feet in less than a heartbeat!
And I don't even like progressive presses. I prefer the Classic Turret. But $75? It's like he is making it a gift. Be sure to say "Thank you" and think of something really nice to do for him.
I am also an inveterate bargainer. I would ask him to help me set it up for 38 and teach me how to use it.
Pause to calm myself down.
Is it practical for you?
The Classic Turret is easily capable of 100-125 rounds an hour. More if you are intent. The Loadmaster is probably capable of 2-3 times that.
Having said that, I am still uncomfortable with monitoring multiple simultaneous operations. But that is just me. Using my Pro-1000 presses made me a nervous wreck because I would stop at every stroke of the press and check all the stations like an obsessive-compulsive madman. It slowed me down terribly.
$75 is a great price. If your friend doesn't have anyone else to make this gift to, I would take it. If there is another good friend out there, it would be a blessing to let them have it.
By my experience of owning and using a progressive and having the opportunity to find out for myself that progressives do not match my loading style, I would say you owe it to yourself to take this opportunity to discover how well the progressive works for you.
So, I recommend taking it and investing in the dies and shell plate and the time to discover how well it fits your style. If you find it works for you, great. If you find it doesn't, you have gained valuable knowledge at little expense.
For most folks, the deciding factors are:
Your quantity needs and the time you have available to load.
Your need to swap calibers often (much easier with the turret than with the progressive)
Your tolerance for purchase cost (not an issue in your case)
Your tolerance for maintaining surveillance over multiple simultaneous operations.
Good luck.
Lost Sheep