How are the new Lee Loadmasters?

[Kenstone]

OK, 4 pages in I have to ask, what constitutes the "NEW" Loadmaster?
At Titan I've read of the updates to the 2018 Pro 1000 being an index pin/steel base and primers exiting thru the ram, but nothing in the way of up-grades to the Load Master...
So what are the changes to the New Loadmaster and when will/did it happen?
just askin'

[iomskp]

I do not know anything about the loadmaster, my first press was a lee 1000 progressive press, at the time they were pretty new to the market and the hell I went through with that press it put me off progressive presses until recent times, the only way I could use the old lee 1000 was to hand index, I hope the new ones are better.

[kmw1954]

OK, 4 pages in I have to ask, what constitutes the "NEW" Loadmaster?
...
So what are the changes to the New Loadmaster and when will/did it happen?
just askin'

Honestly I cannot answer that question or even if there is an answer. All I know is that even for me and my patience and mechanical ability the LoadMaster is too finicky for me and came to that conclusion before I even bought a press. Too many items that need attention and adjustment when compared to the Lee Pro1000 or even the Dillon SDB.

[Lloyd Smale]

you wont regret it. I wouldn't be without one.

I love the internet. As soon as I decide the LM sounds like too much trouble, the Loadmaster is better than a Dillon and it's everyone's most beloved reloading press.



Too late for me, I have a 550c on the way from Graf's...

[Lloyd Smale]

Ive been mass loading 223 for the last few days on my blanket blank lnl and although its in a different league then the lees its case feeder must be produced by satan himself! I was sure dumb buying two of them when they were giving away a 1000 bullets with them. The bullets are long gone and the smartest thing I could have ever done was to buy a 650 instead. Now I got so much wrapped up into coversions and extra powder measures and bushings that I could never get anything close to my money back out of them. Ive loaded about 3k in the last couple days and after the second day I started feeding it by hand. Case feeders for them seem to do fairly well with handgun rounds but tall rifle cases are a royal pain!

[Lloyd Smale]

still waiting and I have a loadmaster in my cart on midway just waiting for the trade No brainer! You can have a "SUPERIOR" press for the cost of shipping. Heck id send you the 25 bucks it would cost to ship!

Ok. I'll take pics when I get home from work. I'll even throw in a bonus pic or two.

[BigBore45]

Well i took pics of every reloading item i have but my casting equipment because its in my shop and im not digging it out. unless you try to call me out on not casting boolits. this is gonna be pic heavy. also you will notice to the addition of the 550-b i have a 1050 or 650 dont remember after 6 years and dont really care. set up for 45acp that i used for about a month, got it at an auction. sets in my storage shed and i just moved the 550 out there after the pics because i dont need it to make good ammo fast.

[BigBore45]

[BigBore45]

1050 or 650 i dont even remember thats been 6 years ago

[BigBore45]

loadmaster setup on bench...... i know ur shocked. maybe you should try one

[BigBore45]

almost for got the powder/primer rack

[BigBore45]

Lloyd Smale so anyways. dillion 1050 or 650 hey maybe u could tell me what i have.?.? lol jezz i dont like blue koolaid. anyway not in use due to to0 much cost and headache to switch calibers. 550b on floor due to time and cost to switch calibers. old pacific shell loader, getting ready to upgrade to a grabber in pic. gonna leave the pacific for buck and slug loading. good old lee loadmaster my go to press for fast caliber switches and cheap adding of new calibers and 500-600 rds per hour!!. to date i would look at my load log and we are at around 26k loaded on the loadmaster, no major problems to date. not to mention it loads awesome. best press per dollar by far no question!!!, good old lee classic turret press odd rifle loading and small volume loading. good old lee single stage for odd stuff and bullet sizing. and all the componets one needs to shoot at my level and volume. if u are upset about not showing the casting equipment i will have it out in the next month as i need to cast up some more lee keydrives. i also cast my own bird shot!.

Edit: nothing is for sale or trade at the moment. sorry.

[BigBore45]

still waiting and I have a loadmaster in my cart on midway just waiting for the trade No brainer! You can have a "SUPERIOR" press for the cost of shipping. Heck id send you the 25 bucks it would cost to ship!

not for sale. it has sentimental value to me. also had plans for a case prep station someday...... anyway i dont need another loadmaster why would i when i can change calibers for cheap and in 5 mins or less. its not gonna break on me either. im well off enough if i wanted another loadmaster i could get one. but thanks for the offer.

if people cannot get the newer style loadmaster to run as good an LNL or even a 550b im shocked especially rds per hour wise. i dunno about an older model... maybe im just very mechanically inclined? maybe i can channel mr. lee when i set the loadmaster up? who knows. im not the only one to get them to run great i do know that. anyways. i have wasted a good hour of my life on this so i think im done for the afternoon.

And to others: is this sorta a mic drop moment?.

[jmort]

It makes no sense to have to post pictures of anything. Hopefully now this matter is settled as it seems to be proven as a fact beyond dispute
Nice yellow stickies
Hopefully less chest thumping moving forward
You put up, now it is time to ....

[BigBore45]

It makes no sense to have to post pictures of anything. Hopefully now this matter is settled as it seems to be proven as a fact beyond dispute
Nice yellow stickies
Hopefully less chest thumping moving forward
You put up, now it is time to ....

lol im done. hints the mic drop comment

[BigBore45]

Oh one last thing I wanted to add. To the op. I seen u got a 550. Good for you, they are a good press. Just not what I was looking for for reasons/downfalls that I have stated. You will not be disappointed in it by any means.
Wish you the best of luck in your reloading ventures.

[wdfwguy]

Oh one last thing I wanted to add. To the op. I seen u got a 550. Good for you, they are a good press. Just not what I was looking for for reasons/downfalls that I have stated. You will not be disappointed in it by any means.
Wish you the best of luck in your reloading ventures.

Thanks, I can't wait to get it set up this weekend!

And I'm not trying to bad mouth the LM. I've never used one, and I thought I sounded like an inexpensive alternative. It just seems to me that a higher percentage of users have issues with them compared to some other progressives. I'm glad to hear you like yours.

[dverna]

For a guy who worries about the cost of caliber changes, it makes no sense to let a used 550 and 1050 sit in a shed and rust away. That is a lot of value going to waste.

I understand sedimental reasons for holding on to things. I have my first .22 my dad gave me over 55 years ago. Those Dillons must have some treasured memories for you.

Good luck to you BB45.

[BigBore45]

Thanks!

i dont worry about the cost as much as using that as a +1 for the LM. and at the time of this LM or 550 setup decision i was starting my business and was not as well of as i am now.

But i do have experience with them all and was sharing. i think the LM gets an unfair bashing most of the time because it is attractive to novice loaders or at least novice to progressives. Kinda like if someone drive a manual for the first time and they hate that vehicle, then the next manual drives almost the same way but they got it figured out by then.

they by no means are rusting away.
i run my own HVAC company and the shed is climate controlled.
i even took a bit of rust inhibitor and sprayed them down after i took pics

[fcvan]

My Lee turret press has a left handed case feeder (right hand pulls the handle)