Working with the Lee Loadmaster

[hobbes7869]

I thought that I would post my thoughts and what I have learned from my new Loadmaster. I bought it a few months ago and have loaded nearly 700 rounds, all 30-06. I struggled at first, it is a complex press, lots of parts that do a lot of useful things. The number one BIGGEST reason i struggled is that i never had each individual item tightened down. If i caught one thing, it was something else that was loosened up. The last issue I had was primers sticking between the primer pin and the primer body, and boy were they stuck. It was because the pencil like pin that moves the primer slider was loose and would move away, causing the primer to only half sit on the pin and thus jam. It took me a long time to diagnose. Another important, though it would seem obvious, it to make sure everything is cleaned of all powder, debris, dust etc. Even one piece of powder from the Hodgdon 414 i was using caused an issue. SO keep it clean. Also dont decap in hole one, and size in 2. I had just a small amount of soot/debris that interfered. Basically common things, other than that pencil object that worked itself loose. Also, be sure that the bolt that pushes the primer arm down stays tightened up. it has a habit of working itself loose from time to time.

 

[tlen]

You might want to post on this Forum....
http://forums.loadmastervideos.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=c9514b678991ea0f70a8c0a58348cd2d

 

[Otto]

Did you get the optional explosion deflector?

 

[kingmt]

I enjoy mine. Why would you not size in station 2?

 

[joecil]

I had similar problems with my Lee Pro 1000's when I bought it used. I watched some videos on the net and it kept pushing the idea of keep the primer shoot clean. Since I rarely load more than 200 rounds in a session I just took to cleaning it regularly and have had no problems since. I actually wanted to start with the Classic Turret but got 2 Lee Pro 1000 and a lot of other stuff including dies, powder dispensers, scales etc for about what I could of bought the Classic for with the amount of loading materials such as brass, bullets, powder and primer for. Just couldn't pass it up and if it didn't work out I could always sell it but have come to really like it.

 

[PapaG]

If I could add my two cents worth, be sure that the Lee presses are bolted down securely to a heavy, stable bench. Primers have a tenency to "jiggle" out of place if the press vibrates too much. And....cleanliness, lubrication, and keep the primer feeder at least half full.

 

[Uniquedot]

Also dont decap in hole one, and size in 2.

I use an M die in station two on most of my turrets and have never had problems, but on the turrets that i don't use an M die on i do not put a size die in station two as Lee suggests and have never had problems with those setups either.

 

[Lt.Dan]

I'm returning my Loadmaster after a year of fighting with it. I went with this

 

[kingmt]

PM me if you want to sell it at a good price.

 

[joecil]

If I could add my two cents worth, be sure that the Lee presses are bolted down securely to a heavy, stable bench. Primers have a tendency to "jiggle" out of place if the press vibrates too much. And....cleanliness, lubrication, and keep the primer feeder at least half full.

I have the Lee Pro 1000 (2 actually) and found the primer feed is designed to bounce as a way of keeping the primers moving down the feed tube. It has a pin that rubs the upright extension that connects the top to bottom of the press. The one it moves on is graduated and not smooth like the other 2 extensions. You are absolutely correct though on keeping the track clean.

This is an image of it I've marked.

 

[aerod1]

Some have the abilty to use Lee products successfully and some don't. It's all a matter of your mechanical aptitude.

 

[kingmt]

You don't want the press to move around tho. If it does you are going to jar the primer from being straight & have inconsistent powder drops.

 

[littlebob3]

I have had no trouble with the LEE LoadMaster after making a few changes.

 

[kingmt]

What changes did you make to the press or do you mean the asscories you dressed it with.

I'm not done trying to get my LNL measure working yet but I prefer the Pro Auto Disk.

 

[littlebob3]

The one change was to decap & resize on a single stage LEE, that opened up Five (5) stations .
The big one, was I had to fix the problem they have with the it locking up if the push rod does not stay in contact with the press.

By putting a spring (see Picture) to push on rod, that stopped 99% of all my problems.

Littlebob3

 

[kingmt]

I haven't had this happen yet but nice to know the fix Instead of looking/thinking of one. Now if I can only remember it.

I load as full progressive. The only thing I have changed was I put a spring from a ink pen on the powder measure because I think the one it comes with is to heavy. If you fully compress the spring then the chain will pull it back any ways & the smaller spring is enough to keep the slack out without pulling hard on it all the time. I had already been doing this on my Pro1000 so just carried it over.

 

[littlebob3]

I have to say I like the LEE LoadMaster, I'm glad I purchased it.

In the LEE Load Master station #:
1 Hornady Case Activated Powder Drop
2 RBSC lock-out die
3 RCB Bullet Feed
4 Redding Competition Bullet Seating Die
5 Dillon crimp

 

[kingmt]

I bought it mainly because I wanted it but I also wanted to use a powder cop die & I decided to use a Lee bullet feed die but the bullet feed die doesn't work anywhere but station 3. I don't want to charge & prime at the same time so it doesn't leave anywhere to put the powder cop. I have station 5 empty.

I may check to see if there is a differnt bullet feed die might want to use or mod the press to move the bullet feeder I have.

 

[littlebob3]

The RCB Bullet Feed (Tube Pistol Bullet Feeders) works GREAT!

here is a link... it is a new product http://www.rcbs.com/whatsnew/#newproducts

 

[Uniquedot]

By putting a spring (see Picture) to push on rod, that stopped 99% of all my problems.

You shouldn't have to put a spring there if it's not making contact. You raise the ram half way and loosen the bolt on the bottom of the ram and pull the index rod over and hold it contact with the rib on the frame while you tighten the bolt. My press came out of index, but after making the adjustment it has never gone out of adjustment many thousand rounds later. If you made the adjustment and it didn't hold i would not have accepted the press.