Giving up on Loadmaster priming system

frumious · March 9, 2010, 10:57 PM

I have had a Lee Loadmaster for going on a year now and I have had my fill of its breakage-prone priming system. Flipped primers, primers jammed in the works, mangled primer feed parts, primers not wanting to feed when there are only a few in the dish (yes, i know what the manual says but it is still a dumb limitation)...you name it. I have ended up buying a pile of spare parts to keep on hand to deal with breakages...I must have a dozen each of the small and large primer sliders. Fortunately they were cheap!!

I had thought I had found a way around the problem by running cases through the press twice - once to decap/prime and then again to powder drop, bullet seat, and crimp. Nope. I was unable to polish this ****.

So I have now purchased a Lee hand priming tool and will reload in three steps. Once thru the press to decap, then hand prime, then again thru the press to do the rest. I wonder if a single stage would be as fast at this point.

I'd like to buy a new press, maybe a Hornady LnL, but the funds are not available at this time. And the Lee *does* work, sort of. At least it keeps me in ammo.

As an interesting side note, I'll point out that 100% of the reviews of the various Loadmaster configurations on Midway indicate 2 stars or fewer. By contrast, the Pro1000 gets 3 stars in one review, and 4+ in all the others. Unfortunately, I didn't buy my press from Midway. Should have gone there to read the reviews first I guess.

Anyway, people seem to like most Lee products except the Loadmaster so it's not like Lee can't build good stuff. Especially the turret presses it seems. I guess maybe if Lee came out with an improved design for the Loadmaster it'd be OK. But the current version sucks eggs, at least where priming is concerned.

-cls

80viking · March 9, 2010, 11:22 PM

I've heard the same story from a friend, he called it the Junkmaster, but that was over 10 years ago. I thought Lee was supposed to have the bugs out of that press at this point.

Sell it on E-bay and buy a Pro 1000, it is a excellent press but keep in mind the only rifle calibers it can do are 7.62x39 and the .223 Rem.

FullCry · March 10, 2010, 12:24 AM

12

Elkins45 · March 10, 2010, 08:29 PM

What caliber? My experience withe the Pro 1000 is that large primers are much more reliable than small in that feed and seating system.

88KEYS · March 10, 2010, 08:47 PM

I have some Lee dies like the factory crimp die for 223, so not a Lee Basher. I know money is tight for many of us, my gun budget has been cut in half since I retired.

What type of customer service do they have?

I have said it before my Dillon broke the cast iron at the base of the ram, no questions asked. I was like new (when returned) had it 12-15 years, they also upgraded the primer system (big improvement) brand new powder mesure. $200 in new parts N/C

floydster · March 10, 2010, 09:05 PM

The Loadmaster is not the only progressive that has a lousy priming system, the LNL isn't far behind.
Floydster

Mobuck · March 10, 2010, 10:31 PM

I don't have any faith in the LEE priming feed system. It was a problem when they started putting them on the Loadall shotgun press. Surely, if the system won't feed 209's reliably, you can't expect it to feed SP/SR primers. I use LEE presses including turret and 1000 series but hand prime.

Elkins45 · March 10, 2010, 10:36 PM

Quote:

The Loadmaster is not the only progressive that has a lousy priming system, the LNL isn't far behind.

LNL?

Tex S · March 10, 2010, 11:27 PM

There is a website somewhere that has alot of videos of the Lee progressive presses. The guys there have their presses running great. Maybe someone can post the web address?

Just found it. http://loadmastervideos.com/

Nate1778 · March 11, 2010, 09:52 AM

I have run about 10,000 small pistol primers through my Load-master and still on the original parts and the thing primes perfectly.

Suggestions other than whats on Loadmaster zone .com

Run your sizing die in station 2 minus the decapping pin.
Run a universal decapping die in station one.
Pull the primer ram and sand the top (part that pushes the primer) to a polished finish.
If your indexing is jerky it will flip primers, make sure your press is lubed and operating smoothly.

I am betting if you do these steps your priming system will work very very well, as it has for me.

Everyone seams to knock the Loadmaster, yet I can't find one for next to nothing. Seams someone would want to give on away.

MADISON · March 11, 2010, 11:25 AM

It will cost you about $100 but, it's worth it.
RCBS's bench mounted auto priming sustem. [046090?]
I went with this system 40 years ago and have used it ever since.

riverwalker76 · March 11, 2010, 01:31 PM

It's all how you have it set up. I've never had a problem with mine, but it does take some fine tuning in the beginning to get it set up right. Most people think you can just put it together and it works, but that's not the case here. You have to set it up properly.

Check out the link Tex S posted.

ForneyRider · March 18, 2010, 03:38 PM

I had the Lee Pro 1000 for 41 Mag, 45 ACP, and 223 Rem.

For any of the progressives: Keep it lubed, keep it cleaned, keep it loaded, keep it tuned, and mount it solidly.

I did get frustrated with the primer chute for a while. So I primed on a single stage, and just used the Pro 1000 for powder drop & bevel, and bullet seat. I found a burr in the chute that was causing the primers to get hung up that was remedied with some sanding and filing.

Lee has lots of great inventions in his tools. The price is affordable at the sacrifice of cheaper materials.

Kawabuggy · March 19, 2010, 11:31 AM

also be aware that the arm that moves the primer from the feed-ramp into position for the primer seating pin, is held to the priming system with a screw-on which it pivots. That screw has an o-ring under it. If that screw comes loose-as they always do over time due to the o-ring compressing, then the arm will not have any resistance, and will physically throw the primer causing it to flip over, or to turn side-ways. If you have not already done so, look at that pivot point and tighten that screw just a little bit. You want that arm to have resistance so that it only moves when the press is moving it.

Mine was having all types of feed issues and then I tightened that screw, and all of my problems went away.

Also, I leave the die hole above the priming system empty so that I can physically look down into the primed case with a light to make sure the primer actually seated before I move on to powder, and bullet seating. If I see a problem with the primer, I can stop, and remove that case before any more damage is done. I also figured out that when you pull down on that lever to seat the primer that it has to be really tugged on. If you soft seat the primer, it will make problems as that case cycles through the other stations.

I don't use my Loadmaster for rifle re-loading as I have an RCBS Rock-Chucker, and also a Lee classic turret (4 hole) for those affairs. I only use the Loadmaster for pistol. Now that I have it tuned-it flies! I can load bullets as fast as I can pull the lever and set the bullet on the case.

sc928porsche · March 20, 2010, 04:22 AM

Since I prefer my primer pockets clean, I use a universal decapping die in the inexpensive lee c frame press. Then I clean the pocket and put the cases into the tumbler. After the cases are cleaned, I run them through the Loadmaster. The sizing die with decapper intact also gets rid of those agravating little curnels of media in the pockets. I have never had any real problem with the priming portion of my loadmaster. I did however, find that I had a problem with the case inserter untill I started lubing it with STP as the manufacturer recommended. I load the following on the loadmaster press.
9mm, 380, 38, 357mag, 44, 44mag, 45acp, 45 long colt, 454. Usually in lots of 500.

Mike-Mat · June 1, 2010, 01:43 PM

I'm not happy with the primer feed system also! Seems to be the weak point of the press. Unfortunately the most dangerous part of the system as well.

I've already filed off the numbers on the bolt that moves the lever up/down. I'll try smoothing the "finger" part of the lever that pushes up the primer plunger.

Next I'll probably take apart the chute and check for burrs on the plastic. I've seen (in videos) how that can cause problems also.

Longdayjake · June 1, 2010, 01:54 PM

Quote:

The Loadmaster is not the only progressive that has a lousy priming system, the LNL isn't far behind.
Floydster

There are things you can do to fix the Hornady LNL issue. I have got mine running pretty well. The only stoppages I get now are from when powder gets in the slide tray. I think this could be fixed if hornady would put a small hole in the back of the tray for powder to go into.

CowTowner · June 1, 2010, 01:55 PM

All I have done is clean up the inside of the feed chute.
Using a decapping die in position one and the sizing die in position two is the generally accepted method of correcting primer feed issues as it stabilizes and centers the empty case for priming.
I love my LoadMaster and won't be giving it up anytime soon.

Jumping Frog · June 2, 2010, 12:39 PM

I am like Nate, I've loaded thousands of rounds on my Loadmaster without priming problems. I may get one or two bad primers per thousand.

Before I would go to the trouble of buying additional equipment and giving up on using the press as a true progressive, I'd suggest reading the numerous primer threads on loadmastervideos linked above. Those forums contain the best Loadmaster information on the internet.

Krieger9 · June 2, 2010, 12:44 PM

Using a decapping die in position one and the sizing die in position two is the generally accepted method of correcting primer feed issues as it stabilizes and centers the empty case for priming.

This is the way to go. I kept trying to think of what it was that stopped all of my primer issues ont he loadmaster and this is what it was!

March 9, 2010, 10:57 PM	#1
frumious Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2009 Location: Carrollton TX Posts: 523	Giving up on Loadmaster priming system I have had a Lee Loadmaster for going on a year now and I have had my fill of its breakage-prone priming system. Flipped primers, primers jammed in the works, mangled primer feed parts, primers not wanting to feed when there are only a few in the dish (yes, i know what the manual says but it is still a dumb limitation)...you name it. I have ended up buying a pile of spare parts to keep on hand to deal with breakages...I must have a dozen each of the small and large primer sliders. Fortunately they were cheap!! I had thought I had found a way around the problem by running cases through the press twice - once to decap/prime and then again to powder drop, bullet seat, and crimp. Nope. I was unable to polish this ***. So I have now purchased a Lee hand priming tool and will reload in three steps. Once thru the press to decap, then hand prime, then again thru the press to do the rest. I wonder if a single stage would be as fast at this point. I'd like to buy a new press, maybe a Hornady LnL, but the funds are not available at this time. And the Lee does* work, sort of. At least it keeps me in ammo. As an interesting side note, I'll point out that 100% of the reviews of the various Loadmaster configurations on Midway indicate 2 stars or fewer. By contrast, the Pro1000 gets 3 stars in one review, and 4+ in all the others. Unfortunately, I didn't buy my press from Midway. Should have gone there to read the reviews first I guess. Anyway, people seem to like most Lee products except the Loadmaster so it's not like Lee can't build good stuff. Especially the turret presses it seems. I guess maybe if Lee came out with an improved design for the Loadmaster it'd be OK. But the current version sucks eggs, at least where priming is concerned. -cls

March 10, 2010, 12:24 AM	#3
FullCry Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2010 Posts: 155	12 Last edited by FullCry; March 10, 2010 at 10:07 AM.

March 10, 2010, 10:31 PM	#7
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	lee priming probs I don't have any faith in the LEE priming feed system. It was a problem when they started putting them on the Loadall shotgun press. Surely, if the system won't feed 209's reliably, you can't expect it to feed SP/SR primers. I use LEE presses including turret and 1000 series but hand prime.

March 11, 2010, 09:52 AM	#10
Nate1778 Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2009 Location: Louisville Ky Posts: 312	I have run about 10,000 small pistol primers through my Load-master and still on the original parts and the thing primes perfectly. Suggestions other than whats on Loadmaster zone .com Run your sizing die in station 2 minus the decapping pin. Run a universal decapping die in station one. Pull the primer ram and sand the top (part that pushes the primer) to a polished finish. If your indexing is jerky it will flip primers, make sure your press is lubed and operating smoothly. I am betting if you do these steps your priming system will work very very well, as it has for me. Everyone seams to knock the Loadmaster, yet I can't find one for next to nothing. Seams someone would want to give on away. __________________ "And finally, the Baby Bear looked and he said, "Somebody's sleeping in my bed, and the bastard's still there!" But Goldylocks had a Remington semi-automatic, with a scope and a hair-trigger!"

March 11, 2010, 11:25 AM	#11
MADISON Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 2,678	A good priming system It will cost you about $100 but, it's worth it. RCBS's bench mounted auto priming sustem. [046090?] I went with this system 40 years ago and have used it ever since.

March 9, 2010, 11:22 PM	#2
80viking Senior Member Join Date: December 8, 2009 Location: The Peoples Republic of Massac Posts: 333	I've heard the same story from a friend, he called it the Junkmaster, but that was over 10 years ago. I thought Lee was supposed to have the bugs out of that press at this point. Sell it on E-bay and buy a Pro 1000, it is a excellent press but keep in mind the only rifle calibers it can do are 7.62x39 and the .223 Rem.

March 10, 2010, 08:29 PM	#4
Elkins45 Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2010 Posts: 498	What caliber? My experience withe the Pro 1000 is that large primers are much more reliable than small in that feed and seating system.

March 10, 2010, 08:47 PM	#5
88KEYS Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2010 Posts: 145	I have some Lee dies like the factory crimp die for 223, so not a Lee Basher. I know money is tight for many of us, my gun budget has been cut in half since I retired. What type of customer service do they have? I have said it before my Dillon broke the cast iron at the base of the ram, no questions asked. I was like new (when returned) had it 12-15 years, they also upgraded the primer system (big improvement) brand new powder mesure. $200 in new parts N/C

March 10, 2010, 09:05 PM	#6
floydster Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2008 Posts: 472	The Loadmaster is not the only progressive that has a lousy priming system, the LNL isn't far behind. Floydster

March 10, 2010, 11:27 PM	#9
Tex S Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TEXAS Posts: 909	There is a website somewhere that has alot of videos of the Lee progressive presses. The guys there have their presses running great. Maybe someone can post the web address? Just found it. http://loadmastervideos.com/

March 11, 2010, 01:31 PM	#12
riverwalker76 Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 993	It's all how you have it set up. I've never had a problem with mine, but it does take some fine tuning in the beginning to get it set up right. Most people think you can just put it together and it works, but that's not the case here. You have to set it up properly. Check out the link Tex S posted.

March 18, 2010, 03:38 PM	#13
ForneyRider Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2007 Location: Forney, TX Posts: 725	I had the Lee Pro 1000 for 41 Mag, 45 ACP, and 223 Rem. For any of the progressives: Keep it lubed, keep it cleaned, keep it loaded, keep it tuned, and mount it solidly. I did get frustrated with the primer chute for a while. So I primed on a single stage, and just used the Pro 1000 for powder drop & bevel, and bullet seat. I found a burr in the chute that was causing the primers to get hung up that was remedied with some sanding and filing. Lee has lots of great inventions in his tools. The price is affordable at the sacrifice of cheaper materials.

March 19, 2010, 11:31 AM	#14
Kawabuggy Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Posts: 224	also be aware that the arm that moves the primer from the feed-ramp into position for the primer seating pin, is held to the priming system with a screw-on which it pivots. That screw has an o-ring under it. If that screw comes loose-as they always do over time due to the o-ring compressing, then the arm will not have any resistance, and will physically throw the primer causing it to flip over, or to turn side-ways. If you have not already done so, look at that pivot point and tighten that screw just a little bit. You want that arm to have resistance so that it only moves when the press is moving it. Mine was having all types of feed issues and then I tightened that screw, and all of my problems went away. Also, I leave the die hole above the priming system empty so that I can physically look down into the primed case with a light to make sure the primer actually seated before I move on to powder, and bullet seating. If I see a problem with the primer, I can stop, and remove that case before any more damage is done. I also figured out that when you pull down on that lever to seat the primer that it has to be really tugged on. If you soft seat the primer, it will make problems as that case cycles through the other stations. I don't use my Loadmaster for rifle re-loading as I have an RCBS Rock-Chucker, and also a Lee classic turret (4 hole) for those affairs. I only use the Loadmaster for pistol. Now that I have it tuned-it flies! I can load bullets as fast as I can pull the lever and set the bullet on the case.

March 20, 2010, 04:22 AM	#15
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	Since I prefer my primer pockets clean, I use a universal decapping die in the inexpensive lee c frame press. Then I clean the pocket and put the cases into the tumbler. After the cases are cleaned, I run them through the Loadmaster. The sizing die with decapper intact also gets rid of those agravating little curnels of media in the pockets. I have never had any real problem with the priming portion of my loadmaster. I did however, find that I had a problem with the case inserter untill I started lubing it with STP as the manufacturer recommended. I load the following on the loadmaster press. 9mm, 380, 38, 357mag, 44, 44mag, 45acp, 45 long colt, 454. Usually in lots of 500.

June 1, 2010, 01:43 PM	#16
Mike-Mat Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2010 Location: Phoenix area Posts: 361	I'm not happy with the primer feed system also! Seems to be the weak point of the press. Unfortunately the most dangerous part of the system as well. I've already filed off the numbers on the bolt that moves the lever up/down. I'll try smoothing the "finger" part of the lever that pushes up the primer plunger. Next I'll probably take apart the chute and check for burrs on the plastic. I've seen (in videos) how that can cause problems also.

June 1, 2010, 01:55 PM	#18
CowTowner Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: Cowtown of course! Posts: 1,747	All I have done is clean up the inside of the feed chute. Using a decapping die in position one and the sizing die in position two is the generally accepted method of correcting primer feed issues as it stabilizes and centers the empty case for priming. I love my LoadMaster and won't be giving it up anytime soon. __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, Home Firearms Safety, Pistol and Rifle Instructor *“Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life......”* President John F. Kennedy

June 2, 2010, 12:39 PM	#19
Jumping Frog Member Join Date: January 24, 2009 Posts: 64	I am like Nate, I've loaded thousands of rounds on my Loadmaster without priming problems. I may get one or two bad primers per thousand. Before I would go to the trouble of buying additional equipment and giving up on using the press as a true progressive, I'd suggest reading the numerous primer threads on loadmastervideos linked above. Those forums contain the best Loadmaster information on the internet.

June 2, 2010, 12:44 PM	#20
Krieger9 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2009 Location: Howell Michigan Posts: 130	reiterate Using a decapping die in position one and the sizing die in position two is the generally accepted method of correcting primer feed issues as it stabilizes and centers the empty case for priming. This is the way to go. I kept trying to think of what it was that stopped all of my primer issues ont he loadmaster and this is what it was!