Lee Loadmaster Mods / Setup Tips

[klewan]

Simple? That's why there is a website dedicated to fixing it. If it's so simple, you would think lee could figure out how to send out a working machine.
I could get mine working for 60-70 rounds and then it would fail if I used to priming system. It worked great as long as a primed off the press.

There's a real clue in that it worked for 60-70 rounds and then not. Something changed in the primer operation, probably spent primer residue under the shell plate, or primer dust in the chute. But that told you the machine worked from the factory, and something happened subsequent to that.

Unlike what you claimed...

You 'windex drinkers' have TWO websites dedicated to fixing your 650; Dillions and Brian Enos. Lee doesn't host a forum for any of their equipment. So Darwin at the Loadmaster forum decided to do that himself.

Too bad you didn't have the ability to diagnose what changed on the primer op, and fix it. It's a lot less money for the Lee compared to your 650. I looked at the 650 back in '95, but it was going to cost about 5 times more than the LM with all the different calibers I wanted to load. That was a chunk of change when I wanted to save money by reloading....

[EclipseDS]

Spend enough time in setting it up and you'll be amazed at what LM can do. I heard lots of problem with LM before I even bought one. I'm handy with things, I gambled on it and won.

Two things I did that made huge difference: 1) Align the carrier properly. It wasn't aligned from Factory, and when I aligned it, indexing was perfect as perfect can be. 2) Mod the case slider. I load 9mm and .40 and I didn't want to change too many things to cater to both caliber. I fabricated an addition to the case slider, so the height is just below the 9mm case, maybe around 2mm lower. After this, I didn't have to adjust the slider, nor the case feeder for both caliber. Previous to that, I had to adjust the case feeder height, else, half of my brass either tips or gets stuck. Now, if I wanted to change caliber to load, I only change the turret. 600 rounds 9mm and 200 rounds .40 and have yet to encounter major problem saved for 3 or 4 tipped cases -usually, last one from the tube.

another thing that helped me is the use of Dry lube with PTFE (Teflon). I used it on my bike chains and it works great with LM. I use it on case slider, indexing rod, ram and powder drop. It lubricates without attracting dirt and building up gunk. Leaves a waxy, non sticky residue.

I agree on putting a sizing die without the decapper pin on station 2, it will save you from primer problem. I also agree on using the right stroke. It's not about ramming and mashing the lever.

And if you want to stop the primer feeder so you can decap continuosly (then tumble to clean the primer pocket), remove the primer wedge bar. This will stop the primer from going down. Note that if you've reloaded previously, there's one primer in there already loaded, so get rid of it first.

I'm sure the collator is useful, but I don't use it. I manually put cases into each tube one at a time, because that's the time I inspect cases. By doing so, I'm confident of the cases I load, and that it goes in right side up. Same thing with bullet feeder. I feed bullets manually, so I can check and see the charge. It doesn't add too much time, but saves you from bigger problems.

[Cowboy T]

One mod that I did was to open up the hole in the primer arm assembly where the primer ram goes through. On some LM's, that hole's a little too small, and the primer ram will stick and not go back down, which causes upside down and sideways primers. Not good. Opening up that hole a bit fixed that problem. Here's the post describing this mod.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showpost.php?p=13706786&postcount=26

As others have pointed out, yes, The Loadmaster Zone is a good Web site to check out for making LM's run well.

However, if you're planning on only handgun rounds, you might consider a Pro 1000. It's a simpler machine that I find will yield a slightly greater output rate than a LM (I have both models side-by-side). The main advantage to a LM is that it'll also do .30-06-length rifle rounds (Pro 1000 limited to .223-length).

[MR_X]

The only thing I didn't like about my LM is the primer system. Never had one feed the wrong way or anything, but I would loose a primer into the spent primer catch. Then hated taking the thing apart to get the unsed priemers out. So I quit priming on the LM. other than that it was ok.

[firehawkcpo]

check this link- He has some ez mods for cheap

http://www.mikesreloadingbench.com/

I did the chain removal mod.
9mm shell plate mod

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxGE04PKd2w

I secured it to the bench to ensure no movement of the frame=critical
I use the powder charge bar too

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/150005/lee-auto-disk-adjustable-powder-charge-bar

I tried some of the rcbs dies but I have good luck with the Lee dies for 9mm and 223

[ARog]

Does anyone on here use an electronic bullet feeder or the Lee bullet feeder when you reload?

[MR_X]

I have the lee bullet feeder. It works good but the time you spend filling the tubes, you are better off doing it by hand. I also find it a distraction from make sure other things are happening (like checking for powder charger). I haven't bother to put it back.

[BonnieB]

We have our Loadmaster almost set up, but we're having trouble with the .40 fingers on the bullet feeder. It's dropping the bullet before the casing gets into place. We're stumped, tried all kinds of things, got any ideas?

This is all working ok on the .380 setup and the 9mm setup. Different fingers for the 40, can the bullet be too heavy for the finger?

[ARog]

Thanks everyone for all the input! After I setup the press I was immediately disappointed with the primer system (but I knew there would be issues) but after taking a super fine sand paper strip and going over the parts that rub and the slide itself and putting a strip of blue painters tape at the base of priming unit to give it a more snug fit when in the press I was able to churn out 200 rounds flawlessly with no issues in under 12 mins!! That same amount would have taken me about and 1.5 hours on my Lee Classic Turret! I cannot be more pleased with how awesome this press is!

[klewan]

We have our Loadmaster almost set up, but we're having trouble with the .40 fingers on the bullet feeder. It's dropping the bullet before the casing gets into place. We're stumped, tried all kinds of things, got any ideas?

This is all working ok on the .380 setup and the 9mm setup. Different fingers for the 40, can the bullet be too heavy for the finger?

Try putting the 40 fingers in boiling water for a couple of minutes. It returns the plastic to the as cast condition. BUT, what weight bullet are you using? Other thing, try the 9mm fingers on the 40. Should be tighter..