Screenshot from Lee Loadmaster Loading 45ACP Video - Image Copyright 2012 Ultimate Reloader
I have recently gotten a good quantity of questions related to the Lee Loadmaster press, and it dawned on me that I haven’t blogged about the Loadmaster in a while. So I thought I would open up the floor to let you all talk about what you like and don’t like about the Lee Loadmaster, and to share your own experiences.
Here are some questions for all you Loadmaster users:
- What cartridges do you load with your Loadmaster?
- Do you use the case feeder? If so, with what cartridges?
- What is your die setup of choice?
- Do you prime on the press, or off the press?
I’ll share my answers:
- I load 9mm, 45ACP, .223, and 38/357 on my Loadmaster. I do find that small primers feed a bit better on my Loadmaster compared with large primers.
- I do use the case feeder occasionally, but I also use the press without it due to the non-continuous nature and additional setup
- I like to run dedicated decapper in station 1, sizer without decapper in #2, expand/charge in #3, seat in #4, and crimp in #5 (this is my pistol setup)
- I do prime on the press. (See note on primer feed on answer #1)
OK, the floor is open, please share your answers and other thoughts you have about the Loadmaster! If you want to explore Lee Loadmaster content here on Ultimate Reloader, click on the “Lee” tab at the top.
Thanks!
Gavin
Thanks for visiting my reloading blog!
Tags: 357 Magnum, 38 Special, 45 ACP, 9mm, Lee Loadmaster, Reloading Blog, Reloading Videos, Ultimate Reloader, User Feedback
>>What cartridges do you load with your Loadmaster?
9mm, .40s&w, .45acp and 223 Remington
>>Do you use the case feeder? If so, with what cartridges?
Yes, for all mentioned calibers above. I don’t use the funnel thing provided by Lee because it does not save me all that much time. I instead built a Dillon style case collator to use with the Lee case feeder assembly. I also built a bullet collator to use with the Lee bullet feeder.
Here’s my setup in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9C3ru3FKV0
I also have a video showing how to build the bullet collator.
>>What is your die setup of choice?
Always prime on the press. Always use Lee dies. At first I had better results with large primers than small primers. After filing down the edges on the primer rocker arm I have had success with small primers also. There is the occasional 1 sideways primer every 300 rounds or so for small primers.
Pistol: Decap/Resize in #1, Empty #2 (priming station), Power in #3, Bullet seat #4, Factory Crimp #5
Rifle First round: Decap/Resize in #1 then trim and clean the brass. No more case lube after this step. I have a Dillon case trimmer I plan to install in station #4 that I haven’t setup yet.
Rifle Second Round: Empty #1, Empty #2, Power #3, Bullet Seat #4, Factory Crimp #5.
Jeff- that is some great DIY action you have going on there!
How reliable are the Lee bullet feeder fingers? I’ve heard varying reports as to their function…
Thanks for sharing!
-Gavin
Gavin,
I’ve only tried the Lee 45acp bullet feeder so far. The fingers grip the bullet okay but after 400-500 rounds or so they tend to get tired and spread a little, causing loss of grip on the bullet if you go too fast. The Loadmaster seems to have a speed limitation where if you go too fast things start to go wrong. The Lee bullet feeder seems to keep up with the Loadmaster but after a 500 rounds or so you want to dip the fingers in hot boiling water for a few seconds so they will grip the bullet again at fast speeds. If you wanted to go fast as possible or want to run say a Dillon 1050 then I would recommend sacrificing the factory crimp die for an RCBS or Hornady bullet feeder die.
John
1. I load 9mm and 38/357 with my Loadmaster.
2. I use the case feeder for 9mm, but not for 38/357.
3. Dies are all Lee carbide dies, except Station 4.
Station 1 = Universal Decapper
Station 2 = Sizing Die (with no decapper)
Station 3 = Powder-Through Expanding Die (with Auto-Disk Pro powder measure)
Station 4 = RCBS Lock-Out Die
Station 5 = Seating and Crimping Die
4. Yes, I do prime on the press.
I’ve been very happy with my Loadmaster. If you’re willing to tinker a little bit, it’s a great value.
My answers are pretty much the same as yours for pistol ammo, but the headaches caused by priming for revolver ammo has lead me to prime revolver ammo by hand. And for .38 special I use the same die for seating/crimping, but use the separate crimp die for .45. Powder using the disk system, which works great.
For rifle, I remove the indexer and simply use the press as a single stage press. I de-prime using the lee universal depriming die, resize using a lee die, and seat using a lee die. Powder and priming are done off the press. I tried the dual disk for powder on the press, but was not getting good results with ball powder (H335) and the dual disk system, lots of spilled powder and inconsistent charges. The lee perfect powder measure off press was better, but I’ve since switched to rcbs chargemaster combo. Since already many operations are off press, I figured I may as well hand prime.
Jewish Marksman, there is a pretty simple fix for the leaking pro auto disk.
Take the hopper off and remove the screws and elastomer wiper. You’ll have to remove the powder reservoir to remove the wiper, it’s held on by the single screw underneath.
Take the bottom side of the hopper base and sand it on a flat surface. Go slowly and check your progress as you go. This will remove the two small “rails” on the sides where it sit on the body of the measure. What it does is moves the hopper closer to the surface of the disks and helps the wiper seal better. You’ll have to watch how tight you turn the retention nuts on after you do this so that it doesn’t bind.
I had all kinds of leakage with the double disks kit until I modified mine like this. After the mod I loaded over 1K rounds of 223 on my Classic Turret without a single grain of powder leaked, and that was using WC844 surplus powder.
I’ve asked this question before but I’ll ask again. Can any other case-activated powder measure be used on the Lee Loadmaster? Can you replace the Lee disc powder measure with the Hornady case-activated powder measure?
Dave: I haven’t tried it myself, but I believe it would work.
Anyone else using a Hornady powder measure on the Loadmaster?
This would make a good Frankenlöder video/post.
What cartridges do you load with your Loadmaster?
9Luger, 357Magnum, 223Rem, 22-250, 243, 270, 308, 30-06, 300WM
Do you use the case feeder? If so, with what cartridges?
Yes for pistol caliber and 223 Rem
What is your die setup of choice?
Most cartridge are decapped on the Load Master before ultra sonic cleaning.
Station 1 Resize, Station 2 Prime (I use a seater die to center the shell on this station, I get less prroblem with the primer this way.), Station 3 Powder feed, Station 4 Bullet Seat, Sation 5 Factory crimp.
9Luger, 357 Magnum and 270 Lee dies,
223 and 308 Redding Competition neck sizing sets with Lee factory crimp,
22-250, 243, 30-06 Redding Type S neck sizer, Forster Competition bullet seater and Lee factory crimp
For pistol caliber I use a Lee Lee Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure, for 223 and 22-250 a Redding, for 243 and 308 a RCBS and a Lee Perfect for 30-06. The Redding and the RCBS powder measure have been modified to be activated by the shell.
Do you prime on the press, or off the press?
On the press but I have used a lot of slider, this the most delicate part of the press.
I load 45 ACP and 9mm and 9mm Major on the press. Since I have had 2 Ka-Booms, I no longer prime on the press. I consider the prime-on-upstroke to be the fatal flaw of this press.
My die setup is #1 empty #2 powder using Lee Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure ,#3 Hornady Powder Cop #4 Redding Competition Seating die and #5 Lee FCD. I am somewhat dissappointed with the press in terms of Case OAL also, that varies +/- 0.006, in spite of my attempts to correct. This becomes a factor when loading 9×19 for Major Power Factor for USPSA Competition. I use the case feeder with the collator all the time but never the bullet feeder.
I guess I got what I paid for and have the capacity to easily keep up with what I’m shooting (~1k/mo).
Ray
Ray- Re: Ka-Booms – are you referring to primer tray explosions? If so, can you tell us a bit more about what happened, and if your hearing was damaged (or equipment)?
Yes, primer detonations. The first time only 1 primer went off , the second time about 5-7 went. Both times the plastic parts were wiped out (not the disk shaped tray). I was not hurt (only my shorts were damaged). Since I was experiencing about 5% missing or chrushed primers (small primers) I was always slowing down to remedy the situation and wasting a lot of powder, bullets and time, I set up my old Lee turret press to resize and prime. I actually think my production rate is about the same and my yield is way better.
I had 2 detonations as well. Both without getting hurt but after having the press since 2010 and getting about 20% tipped primers back then, I just gave up and primed by hand. Hate it, but it was the safest for me.
So far I have only loaded 9mm on mine. I do the standard setup for 1-3 and have a hornady bullet feeder die in #4 and seat/crimp in #5. The case feeder is a must. I just don’t understand why they don’t include the funnel with the press. I have recently been processing lots of brass through this and kicking it out in station 3 to clean it a second time. This gives me less problems with primimg. I will admit though I am on my 3rd rocker/lever for priming. They have snapped in half on me. The Hornady die allows me to load up about 9 bullets at one time and seems to make it go a little faster. I also thing they need a little more mechanical advantage on this. The lever shouldn’t be hard to pull. I have worked on a Dillon before and it requires no force at all compared to the Loadmaster.
I reload 9mm and 45ACP.
Use the case feeder.
Dies are all Lee, no die she’ll in the priming station.
Yes I prime on the press. 1 went off so far.
I hope to be rid of this abomination of a progressive press as soon as I can upgrade to a Dillon 650. This thing is junk. It requires constant vigilance. Things go wrong with no warning.
Lots of wasted components.
“1 went off so far.” –> Can you tell us more about this incident?
Glad to. The Loadmaster primer system likes to push primers in sideways and the trough gets jammed.
I’ve been finding homemade remedies for this but you would think Lee would be on the ball.
So a primer went in sideways and got crushed enough to light off. BOOM only foot from my face. My ears are still damaged 6 months later.
I reload 9mm, 45, 40 s&w, .223
I use case feeder on pistol cases
I use collater with a penny in the center of the collator to srink opening size on 9 and 40
I run all my brass through single stage to size and deprime before putting them into my loadmaster
I wash with laundry detergent, dry then vibrate with walnut media till bright
All brass is reamed with Hornady primer pocket reamer, I found even some comm. brass had problems feeding primers on the Loadmaster. Same issue on my L&L Progresive.
Like you all Lee dies, 1 universal decaper in case I missed a primer, 2. Lee sizer die without decapping pin 3. Standard Lee Powder charge. 4. Seating die only 5. Factory crime die.
I found by preprocessing my brass I do not have many issues.
I just tried to reload 9mm using Alcan 7 which is a shotgun powder very fine and the Hornady L&L powder hopper just bound up. I switched over to the Loadmaster and the Lee powder hopper fed the fine powder just fine with no leaking.
I have found with 4-5000 rounds loaded on both press’s they cannot be forced or jambed. Like you said slow and steady always works.
Thanks for the excellent blog and well made videos, have you covered the design of the steel press stand that your presses are mounted to?
Or if not, would it be possible to cover this and its design, along withother mounting solutions that reduce flex well?
Many thanks for such an informative site!
Earl- the pedestal plans are here (require different bolt pattern for Loadmaster, plans are for Lock-N-Load): http://ultimatereloader.com/?p=826
I was seriously looking at buying the Loadmaster, and after doing research I found many, many unhappy customers. (I’m a big Lee fan and I have great results with their powder measures, scales, dies, etc) Then I looked at Dillon, but the huge jump in price is a factor. Now I think I’ve settled on the Hornady Lock N Load AP. Its even more solid than a Dillon and has many features that Dillon doesn’t. It has great reviews and many say it runs smooth while having tight tolerances. I like the 1/2 step on the top and bottom of the stroke that reduces jarring. I like that there are 5 stations, like the spring that retains the cases, the powder measure, etc. I like the fair price and the 500 free bullets is a great bonus. Not a big deal, but I even like the color (red) WAY better than that “baby blue” (sorry if you are a fan) The red even matches my Lee gear. Dillon made a name for themselves for many reasons, and I respect their products, but now their are other options that allow as good or better quality for less money. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to make a decision one! : )
I just found a more appropriate page for my (last) comment comparing the Loadmaster with other progressives and I posted it there. thank you.
1. I load 380 ACP, 357 Sig, 45ACP, and 38/357 on my Loadmaster. I prime off press with the RCBS universal hand primer.
2. I do use the case feeder extensively, a little Redding imperial wax or Hornady one-shot on the moving parts makes for a smooth feeding operation.
3. I run my cases through the press twice. 1st pass I run dedicated decapper in station 1, sizer without decapper in #2, expand only in #3, empty #4, and empty in #5 (this is my pistol setup). Next, I hand prime cases if I do not already have a batch prepared before hand. 2nd pass, I run expander/charge in #3, visual inspection on #4 or Hornady powder cop, seat on #5 (microstem for .45) using mostly Hornady dies.
New modifications setup today actually. I had an old RCBS uniflow II that I attached a Hornady Case activated powder drop mechanism as a lower. I placed this in station #2 since the cases were already primed (removed the priming pin from the loader). Powder cop to #3 or keep open with a mirror angled for visual inspection (I have a high bench and load seated on a stool), add a RCBS bullet feeder die to #4 with a tube feeder from Lee (order set on its way).
The design rationale is to remove the priming issue from loading (seems a major complaint for any brand press), mainly missed primers were the biggest offender. I have a container of bullets that need to be pulled that has powder but no primer. I had as many as 25 rounds in one loading session of 400 with no primer. Also, I have to frequently switch between large and small primers not only for the Sig, 380, and 38, but also for 45 with small primer pockets (reclaimed Blazer brass). To me, the biggest advantage of the Lee press in the case feeding system. initially I spent a lot of time understanding how to quickly change and fix alignment issues between small and large cases, but it was worth it. I can crank through my first pass of brass with several different calibers in no time since no powder or primers are in play. I prime in batches either chucking the brass into the case collator or in a plastic storage bin for loading later. When i do load, I only have powder and bullet to focus on. The amount of force to operate the press is greatly reduced due to lack of deprime, sizing, and case expanding. The last motivation for this operation was loading .357 Sig cartridge that took a significant amount of effort for the bottle neck.
Cautionary note about powder. Before I changed my setup to isolate charge and bullet seating, I have had one squib in .357 Sig (AA#5), and 1 squib in 9mm (Win 231) (no longer load this caliber). In both cases the powder disk had a mound of powder at the top of the disk when disassembled and would not drop through. I usually catch this as it happens during a load session, but two cases made it through. This maybe unique to a lack of a Lee rhythm, but two is more than enough to make me change. The squibs plus not having the ability to measure a charge small enough for the .380 led me to the case activated powder drop.
As it stands now, I have a new Hornady Lock n Load press waiting to be setup next. I am debating on whether the case activated powder drop will fix my Lee powder issues or give up the case collator and add the bullet feeder to the Hornady press as a trade off. In the end, I will only have one progressive press. Minus the dies, I am in almost $400 on the Lee setup. Hornady, I am already at $577 with the press and one shellplate. To duplicate my setup, i am going to need a considerable chunk of change. I just wanted to clarify the person debate between the two presses.
I reload 45acp, 9mm, 40 s&w so far. soon .223 and 10mm.
I use the case feeder for everything i have done so far.
All lee dies, except RCBS bullet feeder. after some modifications, it seems to work ok. had to clean up the crappy plastic slag that is common with injection molding.
had one primer explosion, the cause was due to small primer federal 45acp cases….
so far on this press, i have only used alliant power pistol powder.
used blue dot on the load all 1000 i had before this press.
I have a Loadmaster and hate tinkering on it all of the time. I can’t wait to sell it next year and buy a Dillon xl650.
Hi Gavin,
I really like your site, I have gotten much helpful info and some good ideas from UltimateReloader. I have a Lee LoadMaster and got an idea from you about turning it into a “Fank-en-Loader.
My idea is – I am looking for a Lee Classic turret. I am thinking of using 2 presses to reload.
The first, a Lee Classic Turret, will be used only to 1. Decap and size, then 2. Seat Primer.
Then set my LoadMaster(using the case feeder) to – station 1. Powder Charge &Expand case Mouth, station 2. RCBS Powder Check Die, station 3. RCBS Bullet Feed Die, station 4. Bullet Seating Die, station 5. Lee Factory Crimp Die.
In station 1, I would use either the Lee Pro-Auto Disk or Hornady’s LNL Powder measure with PowderFunnel.com’s case mouth expander, and in station 3. use the RCBS bullet Feeder Die but use a modified Lee Bullet Feeder tubes to feed the RCBS Die.
What do you think? I bet I could really load a bunch of bullets really fast. I got to thinking about doing this because I am not really satisfied with the Lee Powder measures…I was thinking I could get a more accurate and consistent powder measure which would allow me infinite adjustment if I used Hornady’s. And I was also not really satisfied with the Lee bullet Feeder either and I have seen an RCBS Bullet Feeder used on a LoadMaster on your site – ultimatereloader.
I am going to have to have an operation next month to fix a hernia, so I am trying to get everything so I will be able to put it together and try it out while I am recouping from that. I think it will be very inexpensive to set this up. The Hornady powder measure is on sale right now at midwayusa.com and the RCBS bullet feeder Die and the RCBS Powder Check Die are only about $28 each. I just have to find a used Lee Classic Turret press that I can pick up cheap.
What do you think of a set up like that?
Thanks,
Terry
Load 9mm, about 2000 rounds so far.
Use case loader (mod w/ washer so cases are all upright now)
Prime on press, winchester primers, none have gone off and many have been in sideways, shoved them in on top of others ones, etc. Have used 100 federal with no issues so far.
decap in 1, size/prime in 2, powder/expand in 3, bullet seat in 4, factory resize/crimp in 5.
I used the bullet feeder and it worked fine, did something and bent the hell out of it. Seems just as fast without it. Stopping to orient and load 25 bullets seems to really slow things down.
Have used titegroup and W231 and the micrometer measure plate not the disk deal. No problems at all. Started using bullseye and get light loads (.2gr short) too often. I know some other that have had this experience with bullseye on dillon presses too. Won’t be using BE after this is gone.
New to reloading so ‘tinkering’ would be on the menu regardless of what press I got. The lee cost me about $250 to get going, a dillon 650 locally is $750. Are they ‘better’? Depends on who you talk to I suppose, but they have their issues too.
first 500 rounds went well then I started getting tipped primers. I’ll get 3 out of 100 at times and 10 out of 100 other times. No clue what the deal is. On the last 150 rounds I had 2 upside down primers (a new thing!) Lee is sending, at no charge, a new and improved primer trough. We’ll see how that works out. I have a couple of ideas to mod it if the new one won’t fix it.
Just got a second turret and dies and plate to load 38. Would have been nice to know i need a different case feeder…Shipping is killing me lately.
My press came labeled for 9mm..but had the dies/plate for 38/357. Lee exchanged them no problem. Odd that the case feeder is for a 9mm and that it wasn’t mentioned during the communications with titan and lee regarding the wrong dies.
Ignorance may be bliss but I”m not happy! LOL
The online vids are great. LUBE the bottom of the shell plate. (just did that yesterday…after 2000 rounds. HUGE difference in effort!) LUBE your cases too, same reason. Dilute lee lube with water and a splash of alcohol and spray, let dry. (loading wet will make no-fires, the only no fires I’ve had were due to this).
What cartridges do you load with your Loadmaster?
38/357 only. (4.4 gr Win231 pushing 125GR JHP) pop-gun loads for practice.
Do you use the case feeder? If so, with what cartridges?
no, only the collator.. Works well enough.
What is your die setup of choice?
standard: 1) deprime/size, 2)prime only, 3)powder/expand 4)seat 5)empty
Do you prime on the press, or off the press?
Yes, lots of sideways primers, and occasional non-primed cases.
I am still new to my Loadmaster. My first range trip had 10 to 12 squib loads.. I am quite careful, and i suspected ‘operator error’ on the first couple, then it just got out of hand… So, I am watching much more closely..
finished loading almost 200 rounds yesterday, i would guess i had something in the nieghborhood of ten sideways primers, and 4 to 5 non-primed cases. At this point, i suspect the sideways primers are possibly from excessive shaking of my setup, as my loader is not on a ‘rigid’ steel (or otherwise firm) base.. As for non-primed cases, I seem to have enough primers at all times to maintain a ‘downward pressure’ in the trough, but I am still working on this.
I really like my loadmaster, and I think I will ‘borrow’ Harry’s setup above with the #4 slot using the RCBS lock-out die. Thanks Harry, I am terrified of a double charge.
A few tips to help relieve some frustrations
Primer bridging on the feed tray outlet can be eliminated completely by taking a razor knife and triming one corner at a 45 degree angle where the tray meets the outlet spout. From the factory both corners are sharp 90 degrees. Just trim one and no more primer bridging.
The cap that comes with the powder dispenser is way easy to knock off. A spray paint can lid fits perfectly. And you won’t be knocking it off, i guarantee it!
I just purchased the Lee Load-Master 223
Is there any thing I need to start loading 223 casings? I’m new to reloading, when I start I want to have everything I need!
Thanks
Duke
Semper-Fi