Loadmaster support dropped

[JerkyFreak]

Not to long ago I took the plunge and invested in a Lee Loadmaster; a 5 station progressive press with a working priming system. Very jappy with the machine and it runs like a dream.

Fast forward a year or two. Lee releases the 6 Pack Pro. A replacement for the Loadmaster. Excluding the dies, no parts are interchangeable between the Loadmaster and the 6 Pack. Last week the local supplier informed me that since the release of the 6Pack, no more spares were produced for the Loadmaster and once the current stock has run out, the Loadmaster is just so much scrap.

Now, I can understand no longer selling the Loadmaster, but am I wrong to expect Lee to at least support the models out there for a few more years? Dropping support on such short notice on something that was on sale not that long ago seems like a dick move to me.

 

[higgite]

No, you're not wrong, but have you verified the local supplier's information with Lee? They may tell a different story.

 

[JHTexas]

There are so many of the loadmaster presses out there that I would think they would still support that press and its components because it is still a source of income for the company.

 

[JerkyFreak]

50 drops - Lee Deluxe Perfect Powder Measure

Would love to see a group for an extruded powder. I know fine powders can be finicky but on the extruded side, cutting kernels (in my experience) causes a + deviation. I have both the auto and deluxe and the resistance on the deluxe is felt moreso, obviously from the manual lever. When that...

www.thehighroad.org

Got some unofficial verification today.

 

[Howa 9700]

When was "not so long ago"?

Lee Precision, Inc.. Load-Master Reloading Press

Load-Master Reloading Press

leeprecision.com

If you have experience with the machine, and have some idea of what spares you may need going forward, may want to snag them now while you can?

FWIW, I was pretty bummed out when Texan stopped making shotshell loaders, but that was 30 or 40 years ago, and mine is still in use.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

50 drops - Lee Deluxe Perfect Powder Measure

Would love to see a group for an extruded powder. I know fine powders can be finicky but on the extruded side, cutting kernels (in my experience) causes a + deviation. I have both the auto and deluxe and the resistance on the deluxe is felt moreso, obviously from the manual lever. When that...

www.thehighroad.org

Got some unofficial verification today.

It’s still just gossip until it comes from the manufacturer. In writing because none of us can listen in on your phone calls.

Sounds like more, “Thirty new primer plants by Spring!” nonsense to me.

No offense implied or intended.

 

[jmorris]

Just get spare parts from Titan now, so you don’t have to make more disparaging posts in the future. I’d get a couple priming assemblies, flippers/indexing rods and shell plates I might want down the road.

Load Master Parts Archives

Load Master Parts Archives for Sale. Titan Reloading is a Master Distributor of Lee Precision Reloading Equipment & your Silver Bullet in Reloading Presses.

www.titanreloading.com

Getting another would get you 1 of everything as a spare…

Ford doesn’t make parts for my 1923 model T either, pretty sure they quit making them before I was born.

If you wanted a press that would be supported for many years a Dillon would have been a good choice.

I suspect the LM will be easier to acquire parts for than a number of previous RCBS progressives.

 

[LiveLife]

Got some unofficial verification today.

It’s still just gossip until it comes from the manufacturer. In writing

It's been in writing on Lee's website - https://leeprecision.com/reloading-presses-progressive-presses-load-master-reloading-press

April 27, 2022 ... After 30 years of production, the Load-Master Progressive Press has been moved to legacy status. ​

Load-Master specific accessories (case feed tubes, primer feed, etc.) will continue to be produced.​

have you verified the local supplier's information with Lee? They may tell a different story.

This from Titan Reloading website - https://www.titanreloading.com/prod...oading-equipment/lee-presses/lee-load-master/

LEE PRECISION HAS DISCONTINUED THE LOAD MASTER PRESS.​

IT IS BEING REPLACED BY THE NEW SIX PACK PRO.​

There are so many of the loadmaster presses out there that I would think they would still support that press and its components because it is still a source of income for the company.

While press will not be made, looks like components/accessories will continue to be made

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Last week the local supplier informed me that since the release of the 6Pack, no more spares were produced for the Loadmaster and once the current stock has run out, the Loadmaster is just so much scrap.

While press will not be made, looks like components/accessories will continue to be made

One of these things is not like the other.

 

[BBarn]

Lee says the Loadmaster specific accessories will continue to be produced. It seems they should have also made a statement regarding replacement parts.

Overall, it doesn't look good. According to Lee's website, one Loadmaster part is exhausted and no longer being produced. "Effective July 2023, the LM3238 shell plate carrier supply has been exhausted and is no longer available factory direct. Our distributors still have stock of this part:"

 

[LiveLife]

One of these things is not like the other.

According to Lee's website

"Effective July 2023, the LM3238 shell plate carrier supply has been exhausted and is no longer available factory direct. Our distributors still have stock of this part:"

I believe this is likely what will happen to all LM components eventually - https://leeprecision.com/parts-reloading-presses-progressive-presses-load-master-reloading-press

 

[JerkyFreak]

Living in South Africa, the local agents can no longer get the carrier this side of the pond. Effectively forcing longstanding clients to upgrade to the new one or buy an abused secondhand item.

 

[Howa 9700]

Living in South Africa? Interesting.......currently have a distant relative visiting from Australia. And a set of books on hunting rifles by an author from New Zealand. Talking to them, it is always interesting to me how many of the products and brands they mention are US made. They use the same stuff as we do. Hornady, Sierra, RCBS, Redding, Forster, Lee. Because they are made near us, we tend to think of them as local, never realizing their products are found all over the world. When it comes to reloading, it is a small world.