Advice on Lee Load Master Progressive kit question?

[2nd Mass]

Myself and a few other cgners have been looking at the presses listed in the deals section http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=857376

Specifically looking at this one http://www.midwayusa.com/product/618...-223-remington

Are these decent entry level kits?

Our understanding is that with 5 stations you can do rifle and handgun ammunition. Looking for a low cost progressive to just churn out ammo without a huge expenditure to get into re-loading.

Looking to reload 9mm and 45acp for IDPA, .223 and possibly .30-06, 7.62x39 and 8mm mauser for shooting steel at 200 to 600 yards. Not looking for crazy precision match grade ammo. Just to hit steel and occasionally potatoes and onions at 100 to 150 yards.

Not looking for the Ferrari of reloaders, just one that will get the job done.

What do the experts think?

Thanks for any helpful advice

[whatwhy]

Also any advice on how to do an add-on to auto-feed bullets would be much appreciated!

[gemoose23]

Myself and a few other cgners have been looking at the presses listed in the deals section
Are these decent entry level kits?

Our understanding is that with 5 stations you can do rifle and handgun ammunition. Looking for a low cost progressive to just churn out ammo without a huge expenditure to get into re-loading.

Short answer: Read stickies... and http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillon...Comparison.pdf

Long Answer: If there is a group of you wanting to get into reloading... Have everyone purchase a different piece of the reloading puzzle, Brass cleaning, brass trimming, dies, swaging if needed, press accessories, chronographs, and press(es). Keep everything at one persons house, who doesn't mind always having the buddies over reloading. This system will:

1. Allow you to pool your resources, purchasing "good" gear.
2. Learning as a group, sharing knowledge will speed up the learning curve.
3. If there is overlap of the groups need in calibers.. it makes it easier purchasing some of the consumables and splitting them,i.e. primer, powder, brass and bullets.
4. I also suggest anyone that has a unique need in caliber, should purchase their own die/shell holders.
5. Dividing up equipment in this manners, allows someone to "quit" reloading or get bought out easier, just sells his gear to the group etc.

It is my opinion to go either "cheap" and get a turret, but since multiple users, I would choose Hornady or Dillon higher volume presses. Read the PDF I linked above.. watch you tube videos. You could even be creative and purchase multiple turrets or Lee Cast single stages which could be more efficent for multiple reloaders at the same time.. depending on calibers etc.

Also any advice on how to do an add-on to auto-feed bullets would be much appreciated!

Cheap-o Bullet feeder setup. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/34...ogressive.html

[2nd Mass]

Thank you for the info and the links. The PDF seems to be an excellent straight forward breakdown. Also thanks for the tips on pooling resources. Makes a lot of sense.

[sghart]

I am a proud Lee owner. I have several Lee presses along with Lee dies, molds, lead melters, you name it. I also own RCBS equipment, Lyman equipment and Hornady equipment. You can say that I have years of experience with the Lee stuff so what I am going to say comes from a Lee fan.

I would not start with a Lee Loadmaster. I have one set up solely for 9mm. It is a good machine but it has it's quirks like every machine. The priming system is the big weakness. Some guys have no problems, some have a lot of problems.

I would start with a Lee Classic Turret press. This press is awesome. I load everything on it from 9mm (before I got the Loadmaster) to .38/.357 all the way to .45, 7mm Mauser, 7.62x39, 30.30, 30.06, etc. This machine rocks. It is ingenious in it's design. I can load 150 rounds an hour of handgun ammo at a nice, leisurely pace.

If you do go with the Loadmaster then read all of the pertinent stickies and threads about proper setup. One additional thing that I do is to modify station three. Station 1 is my universal decapper, no sizing. Station 2 is my sizing and priming station. Then it advances to station 3 for flaring and powder charging. What I do is open up the "keeper" on station 3 that holds the brass "in line" so to speak. It is a little chromed metal piece that is held in place with a Phillips head screw. Then, before I raise the ram to charge with powder I can remove the empty case to see if the primer got seated correctly. If not I return the unprimed brass back to the case feeder. I sometimes keep pre-primed brass on hand to fill in these holes to keep my rhythm going. But it's not necessary. You'll get the hang of it. This action only takes seconds so it will not slow you down.

What ever machine you choose take the time to learn it and take care of it. Reloading is a blast and you meet the best people anywhere.

[CalTeacher]

Here's my .02

I wouldn't get into reloading with a Lee progressive press. My experience with them is that they're finicky and require more maintenance than most people are willing to put up with. There are some people that swear by them and are able to make them run pretty reliably. I grew frustrated with my Pro 1000 with all its quirks very quickly. My advice would be to buy a Lee Classic Turret if you're just getting into reloading because it allows you to produce more ammo per hour than a single stage, but without all the quirks and complexities of a Lee progressive press. If you are shooting competitively and need reliable production of ammo in larger volumes then just pony up the money for a Dillon. You'll be glad you did in the long run. I can produce more ammo per hour with my 550 than I could with my Pro 1000's with case feeders because they just don't fail.

Remember, if you buy cheap you'll likely buy often.

[thai562]

My personal tip.
Do not use a multi stages press for rifle round, or any round with a shoulder. You need to check every case with a gauge after you re-sized it before you can continue with the reloading process.

[Germz]

My personal tip.
Do not use a multi stages press for rifle round, or any round with a shoulder. You need to check every case with a gauge after you re-sized it before you can continue with the reloading process.

ain't nobody got time fo dat.

[uhlan1]

Had a Loadmaster. Literally gave it to someone in need and got the Hornady. Need to be a mechanical Wiley E. Coyote super-genius to get the Lee running well. Priming can be a nightmare.
Spend a bit more and get a Hornady LnL or a Dillon 550. You'll enjoy reloading on either one.

Midsouth has a nice deal going right now on the Hornady.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00005095100