Lee load master?

[Rangda]

Hi guys, what can you tell me about this press? Me and my brother were thinking to start reloading for our pistol calibers (9mm and .45auto). With the whole kit, it comes down around $250, add another $50~100 for scales, tumbler...etc. $350ish price range is just about what we expect to start with reloading.

[maxit]

Dear Rangda,
Get a Dillon, beg borrow maybe even work for a bit more money. Or maybe get lucky. But no comparison, I have two Dillons, one Lee. I can make the Lee work but just
whereas the Dillons are trouble free. And knowledgeable support is just a phone call away. Both mine were used. One fleaBay purchase. Dillon renewed it and fixed it over the phone, sending me parts.
Good luck,
Max

[Cowboy T]

Ah, the Dillon fanbois....

Lee presses work just fine. However, I'd suggest the Pro 1000 for what you're doing instead of the Load-Master. I have two Pro 1K's, one for .38/357 and another for .44's and .45 Colt. They're pretty easy to get working, and I can consistently bang out close to 400 rounds of .38 Special on mine--sustained rate--for two hours straight. When I was done, I had about 750 rounds ready to go. And I do this regularly.

Not saying Dillons aren't good presses (they are), but given the mighty fine performance from my Pro 1000's, I just don't see the need to drop that much coin. Spend your money on reloading components instead. With AB 962 looming, we need 'em.

If you want to see a Pro 1000 in action, I've got videos of that at my Web site, www.sanfranciscoliberalwithagun.com. Others have the Hornady LnL and Dillon progressives on YouTube, I think. Watch all of these, and then you can make an informed decision.

[sugi942]

There's another thread around here about Loadmasters, but... I've had mine for fourteen years or so and it's... quirky. It'll turn out a ton of reloads for cheap. It frustrates me to no end sometimes, but it has served me well over the years.

[gnauenburg]

Rangda,

Speaking as a Loadmaster owner I can recommend this press. One thing though is that if you have never reloaded before and you aren't sure if you want to reload then a full blown progressive press can be intimidating to begin with. This site http://loadmastervideos.com/ has some very good info and awesome videos all about things specific to the Loadmaster. Now I don't own a Dillon but online all you are going to hear is that it is your only choice if you want to be serious about reloading. Look at the prices and decide what you can afford and what you want out of your press. Before you guys buy any press try to be certain that reloading is for you. If you want to shoot high volume as in more than a few hundred rounds per month then I would say reloading is a no brainer decision but whatever press you decide on at that point you will need to live with. For the money there is no question the value is with the Loadmaster but many find it very difficult to setup and get running out of the box. I would not lie to you and say you are going to pop the box open bolt this sucker to your bench and be loading in 30 minutes. It will take you hours to setup any brand press if you want to do it right. I would ask you to do yourself the favor of being informed about all of the shortcomings for the major presses. Do Google searches for Dillion 650 problems, Hornady LNL problems, RCBS Pro 2000 problems, Lee Loadmaster problems. Feature wise these are the major players that compare. Although only the Loadmaster will give you a case feeder standard with your press. I guess it's more than 2 cents but JMHO.

[pisarski]

i have had a pro 1000 and it was a great press for me but the loadmaster is a much better press and caliber changes are simple on the loadmaster
a little harder on the pro 1000 look at the videos and then make your choice good luck Ray

[mif_slim]

there are only two things sent from the gods to mortals, Glocks and Dillion. no other product can compare.

Lee is a good press, they make good products too. I've had tools and press break down on me after 6 years of owning it and lee sends me parts for free. that's good service IMO.

Lee doesn't just break, usually they break from user error. I can say that because I usually break them knowing before it breaks but my curiosity got the best of me.

[Mikeb]

The Loadmaster works fine ... Yes it is a bit quirky. The biggest issue is the primer system. Keep it clean and keep spare parts and you are good to go.
Good press for pistol cartridges.
Mike

[bigfrank]

Rangda,

Speaking as a Loadmaster owner I can recommend this press. One thing though is that if you have never reloaded before and you aren't sure if you want to reload then a full blown progressive press can be intimidating to begin with. This site http://loadmastervideos.com/ has some very good info and awesome videos all about things specific to the Loadmaster. Now I don't own a Dillon but online all you are going to hear is that it is your only choice if you want to be serious about reloading. Look at the prices and decide what you can afford and what you want out of your press. Before you guys buy any press try to be certain that reloading is for you. If you want to shoot high volume as in more than a few hundred rounds per month then I would say reloading is a no brainer decision but whatever press you decide on at that point you will need to live with. For the money there is no question the value is with the Loadmaster but many find it very difficult to setup and get running out of the box. I would not lie to you and say you are going to pop the box open bolt this sucker to your bench and be loading in 30 minutes. It will take you hours to setup any brand press if you want to do it right. I would ask you to do yourself the favor of being informed about all of the shortcomings for the major presses. Do Google searches for Dillion 650 problems, Hornady LNL problems, RCBS Pro 2000 problems, Lee Loadmaster problems. Feature wise these are the major players that compare. Although only the Loadmaster will give you a case feeder standard with your press. I guess it's more than 2 cents but JMHO.

I have had one for many,. many years, most of that time being under the bench. I bought on when they first came out and had tons of problem with the case slider not working right. Have they got that problem fixed? if so, it could be a better press than the Pro 1000 of which I have two. Another good press except for the priming system.

[Chief-7700]

Oh no this thread is still alive!!
Some people like to tinker with their reloading press, while others like to reload on their machines. Red, Blue, Green whatever color your press is have fun.

[bigfrank]

Ha! I dredged it back up!

I have loaded many thousands of rounds on the Lee Pro 1000 and some on the Loadmaster. I do have a Dillon 1050, and nothing that I have ever loaded on compares. But since I still have my Lee gear, I would like to use it sometimes.

[SixPointEight]

Dear Rangda,
Get a Dillon, beg borrow maybe even work for a bit more money. Or maybe get lucky. But no comparison, I have two Dillons, one Lee. I can make the Lee work but just
whereas the Dillons are trouble free. And knowledgeable support is just a phone call away. Both mine were used. One fleaBay purchase. Dillon renewed it and fixed it over the phone, sending me parts.
Good luck,
Max

If he's only looking to spend $350...why would you suggest Dillon? He didn't ask what was best or what he should get with unlimited money. Considering a dillon press, without dies, accessories, tumblers, components etc is about 110% of his budget...I suggest he not go with dillon.

OP:
Lee makes quality stuff. Not top shelf, but it does the job just fine. You should probably actually go with a lee classic turret press. It's a bit cheaper, and it will be easier to load in single stage for a while so you can figure things out. Then you can load almost progressively with it. Later on, you can move to a full progressive press when you're ready/comfortable. Lee, dillion, RCBS, hornady, all will do fine.