ljnowell
Member
It's amazing how great this things can run. I was at my pro1000 tonight, made another 800 38 special for this upcoming week.
My Review of the lee loadmaster
- Thread starter BigBore45
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It's amazing how great this things can run. I was at my pro1000 tonight, made another 800 38 special for this upcoming week.
clutch
Contributing Member
My biggest issue is the priming system. I am going to run off some .40 S&W soon, I'll give priming that another chance. I doubt I'll ever try to run 9 MM due to crimped primer pockets from range pickups mixed in with my brass. While I can swage my pockets, it only takes a single piece of range brass that was crimped and not swaged to cause a stoppage in the loading progression.
Maybe I should put a mark on the primers of my 9 mm cases so I can segregate my pickups into safe to reload, need to swage just in case. There is probably a strategy than will solve the crimped primer issue.
Right now, I have the case feeder working fine, indexing working fine, and I case feed cases to size/deprime, then I use a rcbs universal hand primer to prime, followed by putting the primed cases into the case feed system and adding powder, seating bullets, and using the taper crimp die lee sells. It is working for me. Since Sunday, I've ran off 980 rounds of 9mm after work and before dinner.
I wish this press was set up to prime on the down stroke. That would be so sweet.
On the next batch of .40, I'm going to run a hundred cases through feeder, deprime, size, prime and if it works properly, I'll try going one pass haul donkey. Since as far as I know, .40 s&w isn't crimped, it offers me the best chance of success.
Even if you have to use a modified multi pass method, it beats the heck out of a single stage. If Lee offered to give me my money back on this press, I'd keep the press, it is worth at least what I paid for it.
Maybe I should put a mark on the primers of my 9 mm cases so I can segregate my pickups into safe to reload, need to swage just in case. There is probably a strategy than will solve the crimped primer issue.
Right now, I have the case feeder working fine, indexing working fine, and I case feed cases to size/deprime, then I use a rcbs universal hand primer to prime, followed by putting the primed cases into the case feed system and adding powder, seating bullets, and using the taper crimp die lee sells. It is working for me. Since Sunday, I've ran off 980 rounds of 9mm after work and before dinner.
I wish this press was set up to prime on the down stroke. That would be so sweet.
On the next batch of .40, I'm going to run a hundred cases through feeder, deprime, size, prime and if it works properly, I'll try going one pass haul donkey. Since as far as I know, .40 s&w isn't crimped, it offers me the best chance of success.
Even if you have to use a modified multi pass method, it beats the heck out of a single stage. If Lee offered to give me my money back on this press, I'd keep the press, it is worth at least what I paid for it.
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ljnowell
Member
The LM priming system is what made me buy the Pro1000. If the loadmaster used the same priming system I would have bought it.
Dudedog
Contributing Member
Oh dear, Lee presses that work, must mean the world is going to end shortly. 
ljnowell
Member
Well, I don't know the round count at this point but guestamation is at 35k.
She finally broke. Still working at the moment but started having priming issues, I found this was broken..... The shell plate carrier? Right at the priming arm.
She finally broke. Still working at the moment but started having priming issues, I found this was broken..... The shell plate carrier? Right at the priming arm.
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ljnowell
Member
That's not that hard to change. Take pictures and send them to lee, I imagine they will warranty it.
19 dollars at Titan Reloading, easy change
ljnowell
Member
Well lol I have an steel match in 6 days and about 40 rounds loaded for it. I'm gonna go till it breaks, would like to get 200 loaded for the match. Don't wanna switch my dies over to the turret press......:banghead:
Run it slow and easy, lol! I've recently gotten a loadmaster, picked it up second hand at a screaming price. The price was so low it would have been worth it just for the accessories.
I've got to get it setup real soon, summer bullseye time is starting that means two 2700 matches per month and a short league weekly. Between that and practice I will be shooting a lot of 45s again this year and the loadmaster will be making them.
jmorris
Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 24,266
Not much to changing it out. You could always take the extra time and hand prime your cases at the match if you have to. Lots of folks out there do despite it taking a lot longer because its more reliable than they can get their priming system (not just loadmaster owners do it that way either).
So much for all the Lee bashers, I too use a Load master, just 25 thousand rounds,yes you have to be smart to figure out fixes ,when you have a problem there's always a reason and fix, yes when I'm rich,lol I'll have a Dillion 1050 w/machine operated arm. Text me for donationswell i got a free one coming from lee. should be here in 3-5 days. the part was free but i had to pay shipping which was a bit high at over 10 bucks...
im gonna try to load with it tonight after work
Hey BigBore45, Good to hear you are having such fortunes with the Lee LM. I like most Lee products (and Lee gives excellent service) but the LM has been very difficult for me. I am mechanically inclined, but I can't seem to keep the darn thing properly tweaked for long. For 500 rounds of 45acp I do just as well with the old Rock Chucker. I use the LM for 45acp and 38 spcl; but load all rifle ammo on the single stage. Maybe it's just me, but I can't get it to be reliable. Now I hand prime all the pistol brass and don't use a bullet loader. I have to admit, the Lee shell sorter is really slick - that part works like a dream.
Wreck-n-Crew
Member
I'm not bragging on mine anymore. O forgot what happens when i brag on something running well...it makes a liar out of me!...lol
Glad they covered it. Figured they would. They are pretty loyal.
Glad they covered it. Figured they would. They are pretty loyal.
Traffer
Member
What about if you are the guy who reloads 22lrs with tools and dies that you have invented and made yourslef?
bullseye308
Member
I too have a Loadmaster and ran the crap out of it. I ran it hard after tweaking it for a few days and it has produced 16-18k per year for 5 years problem free in 9mm, 357, and 223, but I have tapered down to a few thousand the last few years due to health problems. I'm about to ramp it back up very soon and expect to load at least 10k in the next few months, mostly 9mm, 223, and 357.
maddmaxx11
Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2015
- Messages
- 48
I am looking for a new press for 45 cap. I have been using a pro 1000 for about 3 years with good results after learning the press. I thought about the Loadmaster but am reluctant because it primes on the down stroke of the handle and you can't feel it prime. Would love a Dillon 650 but really don't want to spend that much. Do all of you prime on the Loadmaster?
AR-Bossman
Member
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2016
- Messages
- 351
Maddmaxx11.. Check out the Hornady LnL AP. Catch it on sale and with the free 500 bullets makes for an excellent deal.
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