Used Loadmaster Press?

[gnauenburg]

So what do you guys think about the fact that I can't find a single used Loadmaster press for sale in So Cal? I saw that there had been a press listed as NIB just recently here but nothing at all used??? All I see on every forum I visit is buy Dillon and only Dillon. Lee is garbage and I hate mine!!!

With all the venom spewed about the Loadmaster in particular why do you think that there are so few available used? I certainly don't want to start people off on any rants. Like I stated I am just curious?

I am a Loadmaster owner but mine has been idle in the garage at my old house for over 10 years. I am going to start loading again and was kind of interested in a possible second press so that I wouldn't have to switch the primer pin from large to small if I want to change calibers. Of course I am going to have to clean all of the grime off of my current press before I can start cranking out rounds again. I do also own a Rock Chucker with the old Piggyback II conversion kit. I can't recall having any real trouble with either of them when I was reloading previously.

Is it possible to get a really great deal on a used Lee Loadmaster?

George

[sequoia_nomad]

I'd stick with the RCBS, built like a tank and awesome customer service. Midway currently has the Loadmaster press available for about $150. Not bad if you're dead set on having one.

[Ape]

I can't tell you about availability of used one's or the venomo spewed about them..... But I can attest to the usefulness of a good reasonably priced Loadmaster. Mine is a work horse and hasn't let me down at all. I wouldn't reccomend it to the beginner though. It's hard to get started with a progressive press, which is possibly where some of the venom comes from.

[gnauenburg]

You know it probably does have to do with new loaders starting with something that is pretty complex. I started out with the Rock Chucker one round at a time. I quickly discovered that it wasn't really going to work for me since I wanted volume from my reloads. I went with the piggyback II cause is seemed a logical step since I already had the single stage to mount it on. It worked well enough but I really like shooting 45 ACP, 9mm, and 38/357. So I actually bought a Pro 1000 to start with and would use that dedicated to my 45 reloads while I did the 38 and 9mm on the RCBS. Then I got tired of changing all of the stuff on that one for different calibers so I bought some extra carriages for the Pro 1000. Then I got pretty serious about volume shooting so I bought the Loadmaster. I have really liked all of my presses and have never really had any major trouble with any of them. I recently sold the Pro 1000 but would love to have 3 dedicated presses if I decide to get back into shooting again. It is really simple to change the calibers in the Loadmaster but I would prefer not to have to change the primer parts if I don't really need to.

Like I stated in my original post though I am just shocked that you can't find a cheap used Loadmaster on craigslist or anywhere since there are so many really negative stories about people having nightmare experiences with using them. I have nothing but praise for mine and would love to have 3 actually. That would be my personal reloading Nirvana. I'm not a competition shooter or anything like that. I just want to produce good quality ammo at a decent rate.

[FieldsofFire]

I had a Loadmaster and went to a Dillon. The Loadmaster was a good press and it got me started into reloading. However, the Dillon is just a better press, hands down. The operation is smoother, there are less problems, and everything is just better quality from the design to the construction. You pay the price though, which is where the Loadmaster has the advantage.

I think there are less on the used market because there were less purchased to begin with.

[GetBulletsandBrass]

You know it probably does have to do with new loaders starting with something that is pretty complex. I started out with the Rock Chucker one round at a time. ......

If you're new to reloading it is actually recommended that you start out with a single stage or a turret press so that you are only doing one step at a time.

Regardless of the brand of press you use, the more functions that the press does at one time, the more complex it is. Some presses require a full understanding on how to adjust the index to ensure each station is in time with each other.

I hear a pretty equal amount of negative feedback for just about any brand of press (including Dillon) ranging from complexity to cost. Lee has excellent customer and technical service, try giving them a call to walk you through the set up of the press operation. Lee is extremely popular because is the best bang for your buck if you are looking to save money on your equipment or you just want to reload without breaking the bank. Not everyone wants to drop $1,000+ on a press when a $150 press will do the same.

One of the trade off's that you will find between Lee and some other brands is the amount of play or precision you will get with your loads. Brands like Lyman, Redding, etc... go one step further in offering precision dials and so forth to give you loads within very tight specs.

[Chief-7700]

If you're new to reloading it is actually recommended that you start out with a single stage or a turret press so that you are only doing one step at a time.

Regardless of the brand of press you use, the more functions that the press does at one time, the more complex it is. Some presses require a full understanding on how to adjust the index to ensure each station is in time with each other.

I hear a pretty equal amount of negative feedback for just about any brand of press (including Dillon) ranging from complexity to cost. Lee has excellent customer and technical service, try giving them a call to walk you through the set up of the press operation. Lee is extremely popular because is the best bang for your buck if you are looking to save money on your equipment or you just want to reload without breaking the bank. Not everyone wants to drop $1,000+ on a press when a $150 press will do the same.

One of the trade off's that you will find between Lee and some other brands is the amount of play or precision you will get with your loads. Brands like Lyman, Redding, etc... go one step further in offering precision dials and so forth to give you loads within very tight specs.

There are different types of reloading equipment:
Reloading presses
Reloading machines

The amount of rounds that I shoot per month require a reloading machine, since I would rather shoot than reload. The Dillon XL-650 fills that need for me in loading quality, accurate ammunition in large amounts.

[freonr22]

Hornady lnl ap here first press and like it I use it as a single stage frequently and was less than a Dillon. ymmv