Loadmaster powder measure setup question

[Highway41]

So I've got my loadmaster setup and running smoothly so far. But on the third stroke of the handle the little chain that resets the powder measure snapped. I could tell right away this was going to keep happening so I put the spring return equipped Pro Auto Disk from my 4 hole turret press on the Loadmaster and successfully loaded 200 rounds with no issues.

Is there a valid reason that the chain return version should be used as opposed to the spring return? Just want to be sure I am not missing a possible safety issue.

[magic mike]

The chain activated measure does help to prevent the possibility of a double charge in the event you short stroke the press. I personally use a spring on my PAD and I am comfortable with it but that is what I choose to do. I most likely would not use it if I were loading any rounds that I could not easily see into the case to verify the powder charge before placing the bullet.

mike

[Sgtonory]

Chain return to keep you from a double charge. As in if you dont make a complete stroke to adjust seating depth etc. As long as you know it will charge everytime you lower the handle you are fine. Just another way to stop a double charge.

[Highway41]

Thanks. I am obsessive about visually inspecting every charge as it rotates around I didn't even think about possible double charge. Thanks for the input, I will be even more vigilant now.

[44Vaquero]

Most people adjust the chain too tight resulting frequent chain breaks. Tighter is not always better, adjust the chain so at the bottom of the ram stroke it just barely compresses the slack spring. In 22 years I have snapped the chain only 2 times!

If you want to go a better route: A 8inch bike spoke makes a really great solid lever ala Dillion! As a plus you can go to a BMX shop and get a anodized red spoke!

[Beesdad]

I am running 4 LLM's and have never broken a chain. I would check to make sure you have the chain tension set properly per the instructions.

[too many things]

would bet you have too much slack in the powder measure. and it is letting powder get under it and bind . the adjustable dont have the extra holes so it works better not to bind .
i have had one since the were first made and never broke a chain. BUT many other things

[zuke]

I went with the spring on mine.

[Highway41]

Beesdad - the spring I received with the ball chain is very stiff. So much so that I did not want to leave it under any tension at the bottom of the rams travel. I was able to adjust the chain to where at rest the spring was just a hairs width from contact with the extension the chain protrudes through. I am not claiming that I am not at fault somehow for the breakage but I do not believe there was excessive tension.

44Vaquero - I thought a solid rod would be a great replacement but didn't take the time to work it out as I was needing the rounds ASAP for the next day. Your description and pics will save me trial and error getting it set up. Thank you very much.

The rod along with a couple of magic Mikes improvements and I will be set for some time.

Now just to get the new top for my little reloading bench fabricated.

[Moonie]

I've had the chain break a couple of times and I've had the spring return bind, I love the idea of the bike spoke. Will have to try that one.

[DougGuy]

After about 500rds I broke a chain, that was my fault, it got hung under the primer seating lever when the arm was let down and it snapped it. Since I prime off press anyway, that lever was (and I say WAS) excess baggage. Won't break another chain on it again with it laying in the drawer!

Here's a good tip.. What do you do when a chain breaks? You look at the ceiling fans and steal one of the couplers from one and keep on gettin' up! :bigsmyl2:

[zomby woof]

1.Pull chain through two holes in lever arm
2.I let the bead coupler be the stop on the first hole
3.With ram at the bottom, feed chain through hole in carrier
4.install spring
5.Clip "bell"on first chain bead under spring(this will require you to move the ram up a bit)

Never broke a chain with this set up

[gunoil]

here: 2 inch spring & eye bolt from home depot.
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k511/putt2012/F1ED4E31-2459-47EC-9A75-970B04FDAE79-117-00000001BBAEF815_zpsf8cb5b16.jpg[B]

triangle & cargo bar from ebay helped the most.
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k511/putt2012/7BFD2FEC-BE34-4B32-AF3D-0F1BBC4FE183-13419-00001125D0792EE3_zps72b107e7.jpg

[gunoil]

here: 2 inch spring & eye bolt from home depot.
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k511/putt2012/F1ED4E31-2459-47EC-9A75-970B04FDAE79-117-00000001BBAEF815_zpsf8cb5b16.jpg[B]

triangle & cargo bar from ebay helped the most.
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k511/putt2012/7BFD2FEC-BE34-4B32-AF3D-0F1BBC4FE183-13419-00001125D0792EE3_zps72b107e7.jpg

[Ausglock]

I used Weedeater cord when I had a LLM.

[zuke]

here: 2 inch spring & eye bolt from home depot.
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k511/putt2012/F1ED4E31-2459-47EC-9A75-970B04FDAE79-117-00000001BBAEF815_zpsf8cb5b16.jpg[B]

triangle & cargo bar from ebay helped the most.
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k511/putt2012/7BFD2FEC-BE34-4B32-AF3D-0F1BBC4FE183-13419-00001125D0792EE3_zps72b107e7.jpg

If you need a cargo bar set up like that, your bench is flexing WAY too much

[Terry37932]

Same issue with my Load Master on the 1000 Pro breaking the chain numberous times so far. The little spring at the bottom is way to tight for my liking, and on the upstroke the chain never pulls the lever completely down so I'm getting light powder charges because the disk never goes all the way forward to completely refill. The spoke fix looks like the way to go for sure, I just have to find a nice spring is all.

[44Vaquero]

Terry37932, Harbor Freight has nice boxed set of 18 or 20 different small springs for something like 5 bucks. I keep one on the garage work bench and it comes in handy from time to time.

[Terry37932]

44Vaquero, thank's for the heads up, I'll be headed over there this weekend for sure.

[too many things]

had one since they first were made. they are a pain but after you know them they work. NEVER broke a chain. and they drop a great powder charge with the adj bar. the bullet feeder is junk with cast tumble lube .
one big problem was the base. you have to set it at side of bench. I made 1/4in plate for mine so I didn't have a problem like
gun oil and have trash in the way to clean around