Lee Loadmaster reliability

reloader326

reloader326

Member
So, I was loading some 9mm over the weekend and, as usual, my Lee Loadmaster started throwing fits and stopped advancing the turret. I started tinkering around with it to try to get it working again but could not. Eventually I got so ticked off that I slammed the handle forward, which blew the top off of the powder measure, which showered me with CFE pistol powder....my bad. It is now torn apart awaiting a ride back to LEE for a rebuild. But before I send it back and pay half the price of a new press, I thought I'd ask if anyone / everyone has this problem.

The last time it quite advancing, I tore it all apart, loosened the bottom bolt, rotated the head one tooth and put it back together - at this time I also replaced the Indexing Arm along with a couple of other parts that were looking worn. It seems like after a very short amount of time the plastic flipper on the indexing arm starts to develop gouges in it. This fixed the problem at the time and it was running like a champ...for a little bit. I don't have 50 rounds through this thing since that time and it's acting up again. It seems like after a very short amount of time the plastic flipper on the indexing arm starts to develop gouges in it, then the indexing arms just stops coming out.

I grease this thing quite a bit but don't leave excess amounts of grease anywhere where powder will collect.
I've watched several videos on how to set it up and maintain it, but I just can't seems to keep this thing going.

Anyhow, anyone else having these issues? I'm debating on whether to send it back or just chuck it and buy a $500 Dillon.
 
I'm lazy. I don't fight city hall. I've never used the Lee but I do read a lot about them.

I have five Dillons, three 300's, a 550 and a 650. I haven't experienced any issues other than a primer deal on the 650 and Dillon went through the whole press. They've upgraded my 550 measure and if I lose a pin or whatever they give them too me. I just loaded 750 458 SOCOM's on a 300 without a hitch.

Anecdotal experience here but I'd go BLUE in your situation.

Greg
 
at one point i had a pair of lee pro 1000's... but they were just herky-jerky.

made a bunch of ammo with them, but caliber changes were such a PITA i went to the hornady LNLAP.

much smoother system, caliber changes are relatively simple with the die bushings, etc.

do recomend if you're gonna get one to get a powder measure activator (the lower part) for each caliber and then just swap the upper half (the hopper/rotor) as needed.
 
I ended up ordering more parts for the dang thing, plus some spares. One good thing about them, replacement parts are dirt cheap. If it doesn't get any better I will go Blue. Titan Reloading has a 550 Square Deal B on sale for under $400, with their coupon code.

Plant.One - The LNLAP looks like a good press, The LGS had one set up, seemed pretty smooth. Have you had any issues with yours?
 
Originally Posted By: reloader326I ended up ordering more parts for the dang thing, plus some spares. One good thing about them, replacement parts are dirt cheap. If it doesn't get any better I will go Blue. Titan Reloading has a 550 Square Deal B on sale for under $400, with their coupon code.

Plant.One - The LNLAP looks like a good press, The LGS had one set up, seemed pretty smooth. Have you had any issues with yours?

the only issue i've had with mine is breaking the primer shuttle actuator rod top bracket. its a non-metalic piece and if you get something that prevents the shuttle from sliding, it'll blow that bracket out right where it connects to the press when you pull the handle.

its the piece in this pic (from the web) labeled as primer slide travel adjustment (this is a pic of an aftermarket part)

Hornady_Primer_Up-annot.jpg


i dont remember exatly what caused my primer shuttle to lock up (probably big dumb animal problem), but when i contacted hornady they mailed me a replacement free of charge.


im pretty sure the part is polymer to be a break point to prevent more significant damage to the press in the event of big-dumb-animal issues as mentioned :p
 
the only other real weak point to the system is the shell retainer spring that goes around the shell plate. i consider that a wear part though (i get a couple thousand rounds usually before they kink) and i buy them in 3 packs.

they get a kink in them over time and that causes poor shell retention. you can slide it under the shell plate so that the kink isnt lined up with the case slot, but they tend to slide back, so it becomes a PITA over time.


they're a cheap part (3/$12) so easy to stock them.



ive also upgraded to an ergo roller handle from the factory one thru Inline Precision and case feeder pivot spacers from black cat works to smooth out the auto case feeder system (makes it easier to dial it in)

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CV16J82/
https://inlinefabrication.com/
 
I have an LNLAP, as well, and my experiences are similar. The plastic piece mentioned does seem to me to be sacrificial if something binds up in the primer shuttle. Hornady sent me a few, for free, too. And I got a few extra shell plate springs, but the one I am using now has a slight kink, and doesn't seem to cause any issues.

I have a Rock Chucker for low volume hunting loads, but for anything beyond that I load on the LNLAP. I have 380 Auto, 9mm Luger, 40 S&W, 45 Auto, 10mm Auto, 223 Rem., 6.8 SPC, and 308 Win. dies all set up in die bushings, and shell plates for all cartridges listed. Mine has loaded thousands of rounds of pistol ammo, for practice and competition. And thousands of rounds of rifle ammo for target, and SHTF ammo. No serious issues in loading all of that ammo. I considered going Blue when I bought the LNLAP, but somehow convinced myself that the LNLAP was cheaper to own, easier to change cartridges, and had a great powder measure...All of those points have proven themselves out over thousands of rounds loaded.

Squeeze
 
ya.. that hornady powder thrower is crazy good in my expierence - at least with ball/flake powder.

ive not tried to throw varget or 4895 with it.. but those powders arent in my list of "make a bunch of go bang-bang-bang" ammo with anyway.
 
Get a LNLAP or a blue press. I've not heard anything good about the Lee progressive.

I have a LNLAP. I'm weird and prefer to prime off the press. I've not had any issues with the priming mechanism but haven't used it much. I've had the spring kink as well. My shell plate was loose and it got in a bind resulting in the kink. I have a spare but have probably run thousands through using the kinked spring without issue.

The powder measure works great with ball powder. Spot on every time I check. Only flake power I've tried is 700-x and I don't trust it with that powder. I and H4895 is +/- 0.4-0.5 grains. Plenty good for garand/m1a ammo. Varget was horrible for me, total of 3 grain spread.
 
I’ve loaded a few thousand rounds of 9mm on mine and so far so good. I get very good and consistent results as well. Nothing broken and still runs smooth (clean and grease per manual after each use). This is 3.0 grains of sport pistol with a 147 grain blue bullet used for USPSA in a CZ Scorpion SBR.

Created: 07/20/19 10:10
Description:
Notes 1:
Notes 2:
Distance to Chrono(FT): 10.00
Ballistic Coefficient: 0.150
Bullet Weight(gr): 149.30
Temp: 86 °F
BP: 1018.00 inHg
Altitude: 0.00
# FPS FT-LBS PF
10 891 263.23 133.03
9 892 263.82 133.18
8 890 262.64 132.88
7 880 256.77 131.38
6 885 259.69 132.13
5 886 260.28 132.28
4 886 260.28 132.28
3 893 264.41 133.32
2 895 265.60 133.62
1 874 253.28 130.49
Average: 887.2 FPS
SD: 6.4 FPS
Min: 874 FPS
Max: 895 FPS
Spread: 21 FPS
Shot/sec: 0.7
True MV: 892 FPS
Group Size (in): 0.00

————-

Created: 06/23/19 10:54
Description: 3.4gr sport pistol cci500
Notes 1: 147 clrn 1.120 oal
Notes 2:
Distance to Chrono(FT): 12.00
Ballistic Coefficient: 1.000
Bullet Weight(gr): 148.70
Temp: 80 °F
BP: 1019.00 inHg
Altitude: 0.00
# FPS FT-LBS PF
10 968 309.44 143.94
9 954 300.55 141.86
8 965 307.53 143.50
7 943 293.66 140.22
6 963 306.25 143.20
5 968 309.44 143.94
4 962 305.62 143.05
3 964 306.89 143.35
2 953 299.92 141.71
1 953 299.92 141.71
Average: 959.3 FPS
SD: 8.2 FPS
Min: 943 FPS
Max: 968 FPS
Spread: 25 FPS
Shot/sec: 0.7
True MV: 960 FPS
Group Size (in): 0.00

———————
Created: 07/15/19 08:09
Description: 9mm scorpion
Notes 1: 3.2gr sport pistol cci500
Notes 2: 147 blue
Distance to Chrono(FT): 12.00
Ballistic Coefficient: 0.144
Bullet Weight(gr): 149.30
Temp: 80 °F
BP: 1021.00 inHg
Altitude: 0.00
# FPS FT-LBS PF
5 922 281.86 137.65
4 939 292.35 140.19
3 939 292.35 140.19
2 924 283.09 137.95
1 925 283.70 138.10
Average: 929.8 FPS
SD: 8.5 FPS
Min: 922 FPS
Max: 939 FPS
Spread: 17 FPS
Shot/sec: 0.7
True MV: 936 FPS
Group Size (in): 0.00




 
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