Did I buy a Loadmaster....Or am I the Loadmaster?

Alright maybe I'm putting the horse before the car but I do have an update to my thread https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...ould-I-sell-it

I can't thank myg30 enough for his PM which got me actually doing something. I called Lee with intentions of trading my Loadmaster for a Classic Turret. They said I could get a $240 credit towards a Classic Turret which would cover the cost. So Friday at work I printed off the return order and today while planting some tomatoes I went down to my building to disassemble it and send it back. However I was a little upset I would be returning a (I paid) $346 and trading it for a (I can pay) $187 press.

Anyways getting to the point I remember watching this video on the Loadmaster indexing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7Dqpfrt5fI @ the 1:58 mark he is indexing with no little arm thing or the nut. So before taking it apart I decided to try it. While my press didn't exactly do what his is doing but it was much easier to manipulate. So I did have an "I wonder..." moment. I simply slightly bent this piece thinking that it's possibly pressing down too hard causing my hard indexing and locking up.

Attachment 313530

I put it back together and guys...The thing runs like butter now. Not only is it indexing correctly but I can run the whole press with 2 fingers! Here it is in action... Oh and I did verify it with brass and bullets and it loads great. Guess I will be giving it a try.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YN8brY9oemo

I like happy endings.:bigsmyl2:

They can be finicky but once you get it going make a bunch. Nice and steady pace is key. Have fun.


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I have a pair of Lee Loadmasters! They do not prime very well. I have loaded alot of good ammo but the air turns blue! The ***** plastic priming parts are junk. We should have sent the Russians Lee Loadmasters set up in 7.62 x 54R just before they invaded the Ukraine. Putin would have been so frustrated trying to load ammo he would have never moved on the Ukrainians !!!! I have learned to deprime my brass and pin tumble in a rotary with stainless pins, level teaspoon of citric acid, two drops of Dawn, and 3/4 full of brass and water. The clean dry cases get primed and go to the Loadmaster for resizing, powder charging, and boolit seating. Good Luck!!

In-depth understanding of a machine you are operating is very useful ,

Good job!!

Like I said in #18 of your last thread,

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…once you know what it takes to make them work, it’s pretty easy to keep them running.

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I didn’t see any specific questions in your last thread, just frustration. Why it’s always a good idea to take a breather and come back, when objects make you mad.

I'm glad it worked out for you. I get a get more satisfaction knowing I can tinker with it and make it work.

Don't forget to grease the pivots once in a while I ended up with a worn lower pivot and that made it impossible to operate. New lever lot of cleaning and tweaking and it's smooth sailing. Not a bad idea to review some of the tips and tweaks on utube now and again to be sure something hasn't worn or got out of adjustment

dont forget to book a room at the hotel california:coffeecom

Load away.

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Originally Posted by Stopsign32v

Alright maybe I'm putting the horse before the car but I do have an update to my thread https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...ould-I-sell-it

I can't thank myg30 enough for his PM which got me actually doing something. I called Lee with intentions of trading my Loadmaster for a Classic Turret. They said I could get a $240 credit towards a Classic Turret which would cover the cost. So Friday at work I printed off the return order and today while planting some tomatoes I went down to my building to disassemble it and send it back. However I was a little upset I would be returning a (I paid) $346 and trading it for a (I can pay) $187 press.

Anyways getting to the point I remember watching this video on the Loadmaster indexing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7Dqpfrt5fI @ the 1:58 mark he is indexing with no little arm thing or the nut. So before taking it apart I decided to try it. While my press didn't exactly do what his is doing but it was much easier to manipulate. So I did have an "I wonder..." moment. I simply slightly bent this piece thinking that it's possibly pressing down too hard causing my hard indexing and locking up.

Attachment 313530

I put it back together and guys...The thing runs like butter now. Not only is it indexing correctly but I can run the whole press with 2 fingers! Here it is in action... Oh and I did verify it with brass and bullets and it loads great. Guess I will be giving it a try.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YN8brY9oemo

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Good thinking, almost makes me want to dig mine out and mess with it again. I’ve been thinking I’d prime off press, size without depriming in #1, powder drop/flair #2, powder check #3, seat bullet by hand without the bullet feeder in #4, and crimp in #5. I’m thinking of just eliminating the advancing system and just rotating the plate by hand like my Dillon 550. The three biggest problems I had before were priming, advancing the plate, and bullet feeding and this procedure would eliminate these problems.

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Originally Posted by jetinteriorguy

Good thinking, almost makes me want to dig mine out and mess with it again. I’ve been thinking I’d prime off press, size without depriming in #1, powder drop/flair #2, powder check #3, seat bullet by hand without the bullet feeder in #4, and crimp in #5. I’m thinking of just eliminating the advancing system and just rotating the plate by hand like my Dillon 550. The three biggest problems I had before were priming, advancing the plate, and bullet feeding and this procedure would eliminate these problems.

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Then what would be the point of having a progressive press?

Advancing the plate is a matter of setting everything up correctly. There is one plastic part involved that flipper piece which can get wornout if you are having problems. I keep several on hand to swap out. Check out several youtube videos about the shell plate advancement. Patience is key.
Joe


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Originally Posted by Finster101

Then what would be the point of having a progressive press?

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Producing one round for each pull of the handle.

I’ve been down this road more than a few times and every once in a while it just gets jammed and eliminating this by hand advancing is pretty foolproof and dependable. I’m mostly comparing this to the Dillon 550 that replaced my Loadmaster since it is also advanced by hand, although the Dillon has the advantage of priming on the press dependably. Trust me, no one has been more patient or tried harder with the Loadmaster than me. I used it for five years and easily loaded over 25000 rounds with it before giving up on it, and I have enough spare parts to prove it.

Sorry, I forgot to include post #14 in my reply.