My Load-Master

[Krieger9]

I bought a load-master as my first reloading press. Originally I'd been looking for a Hornady Loadmaster but was unable to find one for retail price. Tried a few others and then just bought the load-master expecing it would be harder to use and setup but useful once I'd built some skill to drive it. I'm a bit anal retentive on things so figured it actually played right into me.

When I got it, it appeard to be fairly well setup. I'd read forums, watched videos and waited while I searched for supplies. This turned out to give me lots of time.

Here are some things I've learned as a Noob.
1) Don't resize until you lube the brass.
2) Once you free the brass from the die you are not ready to retry that until you lube the next brass.
3) The priming system here sucks big time, I originally got about 6 of 10, the other 4 were upside down or sideways. Now I ignorantly bought a colet die hoping to make some rounds without having to trim every time. Yea, that was just foolish. I did however take that deprimer out and put that in station 2 and have thus far gotten about 30 of 30 primed successful. I think if you want to use a Load-Master you need something in this stations, at least for .223. I'm guessing most. This was also with Remington primers, not CCI which is recommended by the manufacturer, I'm guessing that may be significant as well.
4) Setting up the powder measure is not fun. This had the die set way low for me and crushed the brass at first. Finally putting brass on the press and raising it up, then lowering the entire die with powder measure attached and in the fully raised position, brought the die down to make contact. This got me a starter position. I wish I remembered my exact steps but beware if the chain doesn't pull the arm all the way down you will not get full powder flow into chamber. Also if it does not raise completely it will not empty consistently.
5) If the chain seems to shorten then the "sizing pieces" may be wedged in the die, probably got a few granules of powder in there. I did this while poorly setting it up originally. Was leaking some powder then as well. If done right this may not be experienced, I don't know.
6) Big problem I had was that the neck seemed to narrow for the bullet and it was crushing the neck trying to insert it. I messed around with the neck sizing and could figure out how to change this amount. Turns out I had the die set too low and it was crimping the neck before the bullet was fully inserted. Now I don't really even know why this die would crimp but it does. On that note, it appears my crimping die isn't doing much. I'd love to hear someone explain this to me as it's like a huge confusion left in my understanding. Anyway I raised that die up and lowered the bullet seating height and now they "look" great.

Well that's my story so far. Hopefully I've found my way.

[DaveTrig]

Things I learned in my continuing noobile stage, related to yours...

1. The press should seat any brand of primers just fine. Are you sure they're all upright in the tray? Also, you can't let that tray get low on primers; it requires the weight of the primers in the tray and chute to feed properly. Don't let it get below 20 or so. Lee recommends CCI and Winchester primers, not because of their ability to seat, but because they're (according to Mr. Lee) the least susceptible primers to mutual detonation. (The accidental ignition of one primer igniting the primer next to it, and so on.)

2. Adjusting the powder measure is pretty simple. To adjust the powder die, back it way out, and put a case in that station pushed all the way up. Now bring the die down until it makes contact, and go further little by little until you have enough of a bell on the mouth of the case.

3. That chain is a piece of crap; get rid of it. I found it incredibly difficult to adjust properly, and with ANY amount of tension, it broke. My solution: I replaced the chain with a length of picture wire, with one end wrapped around a small nut for a stop. Now I can adjust it to fit with just a small amount of tension against the spring.

4. Your seating die may be a seating/crimping die. If so, back it way out, and readjust the seating depth. Then you can properly configure your separate crimping die.

Cheers -
- DT

[Krieger9]

Yea, thanks.

[Alleykat]

Things I learned by tediously and stubbornly loading with a Loadmaster for a few years: Should have bought a Dillon to begin with and, although I gave the Loadmaster away, I felt guilty, as I didn't think the Loadmaster was worth the postage required to ship it to the receiver.

[WyrTwister]

I have had my LM a little over a week .

A few things I have learned ;

1 - I have no problem with the chain , so far .

2 - I have been reloading for years , so I understand the basics of reloading . I graduated through several single stage pressed , to the oldest model of Lee die cast turret press ( me and it did not 100% get along ) , to the Lee cast iron turret press ( GREAT press , GREAT value ! ) and now the LM . But there are a LOT of things going on and to keep up with on the LM .

3 - If something messes up at one position / station , it snowballs at each following station . Other day I was processing some mixed .357 Mag brass , some range brass of dubious condition / origin . 2 - 3 of them did not want to de-prime . I did not notice the de-priming rod being pushed up on station # 1 universal de-priming die . This meant , when the case got to station # 2 carbide sizer w/o de-priming rod , the primer system tried to stuff a new primer into the primer poke that was still occupied by the old / spent primer . Things went down hill from there . :-(

4 - When lubing the press , do not accidentally touch the square crank slide ron on the bullet feeder . If you do , take things apart . I wasted the parts in hot water & liquid dish washing soap . Rinsed with water then with rubbing alcohol . Worked fine after that .

5 - As has been said , when the primer tray gets empty , fill it , do not wait until the primer trough is almost empty , also . Tap the primer tray every few cycles of the press .

6 - Periodically check the tightness of the shel plate nut and the shaft that secures the turret .

7 - If ANYTHING does not " feed right " , STOP RIGHT THERE , before you mess something and go from bad to worse .

8 - Contrary to what some people say , I would not recommend someone that has never reloaded , starting with a progressive . I have already went through the learning curve , that the PO described , with setting dies , setting the disk powder measure , not letting the primer attachment run low , etc . At least , start with the cheap Lee C-Frame press and an easy hand gun caliber . Almost all your parts and pieces , except the press and the shell holder , will move directly to the LoadMaster . So that part of the investment is not loat . And you do not have much $$$ tied up in the C-Frame press & shell holder . Besides , you will find yourself using it for special purpose use , any way .

I have the C-Frame press set up for sizing home cast bullets . Other dedicated chores for the hand press and the Challenger press .

That is all I can think of for now .

God bless
Wyr