Lone Rider SASS#32091 Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 I bought a used Loadmaster many years ago and it has been sitting all this time. It is in good shape and I decided to get it out and give it a try. I have watched many you tube videos on set up etc. but it just doesn’t seem to want to work for me. I am a fan of Lee, I have been using a Turret press for years but this has been difficult. Are they that hard to set up or is it just me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace_of_Hearts Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 Use to use one. Very finicky!!!!!! Changed to Hornady. Extremely reliable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauder SASS #13056 Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 Since the Load Master is more complicated than the simple Turret presses, they are a little more difficult to set up. The youtubes have helped me. One requirement is to have a very stable and level base. Here is a site that may help you: http://www.loadmastervideos.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauder SASS #13056 Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 This one was helpful for me: http://www.loadmastervideos.com/28SUBSEQUENT.WMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isom Dart, SASS#8096 Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 Just a thought, not a Lee user, "but", if it's been sitting a long time. You might want to take it down, clean and relubricate it . You might get a more harmonious outcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil dogooder Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 I lower most of ours on one. If your still using the chain system get rid of it a simple hardware spring works better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castalia,SASS#18915 Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 I remember fighting one of these machines a number of years back. They do work well if you use the exact hull, powder charge, and wad in the instructions. Change one thing for what you have available and they will not crimp reliably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40Chev Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 1 hour ago, Castalia,SASS#18915 said: I remember fighting one of these machines a number of years back. They do work well if you use the exact hull, powder charge, and wad in the instructions. Change one thing for what you have available and they will not crimp reliably. You're thinking of the Load All for shotgun shells Load Master is for metallic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cajun bandit Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 mine works just fine but I prime on the bench,primers was the problem,put the powder die in the second hole and added a RCBS powder checker die in the third hole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yusta B. Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 54 minutes ago, cajun bandit said: mine works just fine but I prime on the bench,primers was the problem,put the powder die in the second hole and added a RCBS powder checker die in the third hole Thats how I load on mine, except I use hand primer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yusta B. Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 9 hours ago, Lone Rider SASS#32091 said: I bought a used Loadmaster many years ago and it has been sitting all this time. It is in good shape and I decided to get it out and give it a try. I have watched many you tube videos on set up etc. but it just doesn’t seem to want to work for me. I am a fan of Lee, I have been using a Turret press for years but this has been difficult. Are they that hard to set up or is it just me? What exactly are you having a problem with ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone Rider SASS#32091 Posted January 5, 2020 Author Share Posted January 5, 2020 I can’t get it to index. I have watched the videos and I believe I have everything set up properly but the index rod won’t catch on the rail like it should. I have adjusted it against the rail but it won’t stay on the rail on the downstroke. I have about decided to get a new index rod and try it. I am also having trouble with the case feeder but I need to watch more videos on that. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jailhouse Jim, SASS #13104 Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 Call LEE, they'll help you out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Rambler Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 If index isn’t functioning you are probably out of adjustment, underneath the bottom of the ram ( where handle meets tube) there is a single bolt facing straight down, loosen that then with index rod extended turn the ram until the rod contacts frame, re-tighten bolt and bobs your uncle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Rambler Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castalia,SASS#18915 Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 On 1/5/2020 at 3:25 PM, 40Chev said: You're thinking of the Load All for shotgun shells Load Master is for metallic I stand corrected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Flint Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 I love them I can change them over quick and go full automated (casing and bullet feed) or hand feed the bullets and run out quite a few rounds in no time at all. They do take a little TLC to get up and running, but for the money, I think they are a great deal. I have had a Hornady LnL press but never tried Dillon. Happy Reloading Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauder SASS #13056 Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 https://support.leeprecision.net/en/knowledgebase/article/loadmaster-index-problem See about 8 min in: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abilene, SASS # 27489 Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 Wow, 17 replies trying to be helpful so far and not a single "Get a Dillon!" post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dude Slade Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 31 minutes ago, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said: Wow, 17 replies trying to be helpful so far and not a single "Get a Dillon!" post. Get a Dillon! Hey, if you want to futz around with trying to get the Lee working, more power to ya pard! When I was looking to buy a progressive press, all of the research I did made me realize that going that route would be painful, so I opted for blue and I have zero regrets 25 years later. That being said, as long as you're making ammo, good on you regardless of what color the press is you're using! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Flint Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 56 minutes ago, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said: Wow, 17 replies trying to be helpful so far and not a single "Get a Dillon!" post. I said I never tried a Dillon does that count Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoss Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 I started on a loadmaster. They are good presses. Can be finicky. I moved to a D 650 after a squib/OOB incident. Not sure it was the LM fault, but I decided I wanted a powder check die. the Dillon is a better press, but it cost 3X as much. I found it interesting that they sell a replacement parts kit that has 20 some pieces of the parts most likely to break (yes they will replace them for free, but you have to wait on the mail). I don’t think the LM has 20 parts total!! long story short, both are capable of making excellent ammo. Both have pluses and minuses. Once you get the LM figured out it’s fine. I actually had less trouble getting the LM set up than I did the Dillon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone Rider SASS#32091 Posted January 7, 2020 Author Share Posted January 7, 2020 Thanks for all the suggestions and information. I had watched the you tube videos recommended several times but ignored one suggestion to grease the indexing rod and the rail. I didn’t have any grease and decided to try a little gun oil and it is working now ( I will get some grease). My next challenge is the case feeder but there are a lot of videos on it also . This is a project for me since it is not my main press ( right now) so I will continue to work on it. I am not the most mechanically inclined person so it is probably more me than the press. I need to slow down to get a more harmonious outcome! Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yusta B. Posted January 7, 2020 Share Posted January 7, 2020 Also lightly grease the bottom of the shell plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoss Posted January 7, 2020 Share Posted January 7, 2020 2 hours ago, Lone Rider SASS#32091 said: Thanks for all the suggestions and information. I had watched the you tube videos recommended several times but ignored one suggestion to grease the indexing rod and the rail. I didn’t have any grease and decided to try a little gun oil and it is working now ( I will get some grease). My next challenge is the case feeder but there are a lot of videos on it also . This is a project for me since it is not my main press ( right now) so I will continue to work on it. I am not the most mechanically inclined person so it is probably more me than the press. I need to slow down to get a more harmonious outcome! Thanks again. case feeder is not all that hard. andjust the nuts so that the feeder is about 1/4" taller than bullet. then mark it with a sharpie so you can get it back if needed. again, its kind of fidly, but once you get it right it works well. I think the Lee case feeder with the coallator is superior to the Dillon case feeder, and waaaaaay cheaper! it just works well. for 38 sp I could load about 80 in the tubes, and abnother 20 in the colator, so could do 100 rounds then relaod primer tray and cases at same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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