DaveInFloweryBranchGA
10-27-2015, 06:55 PM
I'm looking at picking up a Loadmaster for the purpose of lubing, depriming, sizing and trimming rifle brass in .223 and .308 on the Lee Loadmaster press. I own the Dillon sizing die & trimmer setup. This press will both serve as a toy for me to experiment on as well as the function described, I already have an excellent progressive, just want to separate the sizing/trimming function from my other press.
First, I want to mount the press on a small stand like the Lee stand using the Lee bench plate if possible. I'm putting this press in my business office (my former reloading room in my home), so space is at a premium and there isn't much. I also want to mount other presses on the same stand if the Lee stand can work. If not, I'll be looking at a Harbor Freight stand and an Inline Fabrications mount with quick change plates. The net cost is about the same.
I know the Loadmaster operates the best when it's mount is very stable, so before I go ahead and get the Lee stand/bench plate, I wanted to ask about their stability/strength for Loadmaster mounting purposes. I have lots of lead bullets to weight the stand down with, so stand weight is not an issue.
Second, I'm looking at modifying the Lee case feeder to handle .308 rifle cases. My plan is to add a longer bolt to get the right height on the case feeder tubing, remove the aluminum bushing to allow for the larger .308 case diameter (or perhaps buy large pistol case feeder?) and then buy an extra crank slide (name?) and modify it to handle .308 height cases. Since I want to do .223 as well, I'm debating buying a press set up for .223, then selling off the stuff I already have vs. just buying the things I absolutely need. I'm beginning to feel the economics indicate buying a .223 setup, then selling off the stuff I don't need is the less expensive option.
As far as being mechanical enough, I completely restored a 1986 aluminum bass boat front to rear, to include replacing the wood deck with 1/8" aluminum and reworking the engine. I did all the fabrication needed myself.
Comments/answers on either or both questions are welcomed.
Thank you for your help,
Dave in GA
First, I want to mount the press on a small stand like the Lee stand using the Lee bench plate if possible. I'm putting this press in my business office (my former reloading room in my home), so space is at a premium and there isn't much. I also want to mount other presses on the same stand if the Lee stand can work. If not, I'll be looking at a Harbor Freight stand and an Inline Fabrications mount with quick change plates. The net cost is about the same.
I know the Loadmaster operates the best when it's mount is very stable, so before I go ahead and get the Lee stand/bench plate, I wanted to ask about their stability/strength for Loadmaster mounting purposes. I have lots of lead bullets to weight the stand down with, so stand weight is not an issue.
Second, I'm looking at modifying the Lee case feeder to handle .308 rifle cases. My plan is to add a longer bolt to get the right height on the case feeder tubing, remove the aluminum bushing to allow for the larger .308 case diameter (or perhaps buy large pistol case feeder?) and then buy an extra crank slide (name?) and modify it to handle .308 height cases. Since I want to do .223 as well, I'm debating buying a press set up for .223, then selling off the stuff I already have vs. just buying the things I absolutely need. I'm beginning to feel the economics indicate buying a .223 setup, then selling off the stuff I don't need is the less expensive option.
As far as being mechanical enough, I completely restored a 1986 aluminum bass boat front to rear, to include replacing the wood deck with 1/8" aluminum and reworking the engine. I did all the fabrication needed myself.
Comments/answers on either or both questions are welcomed.
Thank you for your help,
Dave in GA