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Posted: 12/13/2015 3:19:22 PM EDT
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I've been looking into getting a progressive press. Before I go further, yes, I will be picking up either a LnL AP or a 650 in the near future, but in the mean time I have the opportunity to purchase a like new Loadmaster press kit for 1/2 price, as well as additional shell plates, die plates, etc for 1/2 price.
I have not used one but a good friend has one and he loads primarily 45 on it. He had to adjust and fine tune when he got it, (and on occasion), but he's otherwise happy with his purchase. I want your guys opinion as well. I will likely relegate it only a couple calibers (9, 45, maybe try some 300BLK) Would you pick up a Loadmaster kit if the price was good? ($125) |
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I started on a Loadmaster, got all the accessories for it got it running pretty good. It will require a lot of tuning, but it worked, especially for pistol. It wasn't too awfully bad, not a Dillon, but it can be made to work well.
I always primed off the press, gave up on the priming system. Kinda wish I had kept it. I'd save the money towards a Dillon, if You can. 125.00 closer to what You REALLY want. And will work even better. |
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Quoted:
I started on a Loadmaster, got all the accessories for it got it running pretty good. It will require a lot of tuning, but it worked, especially for pistol. It wasn't too awfully bad, not a Dillon, but it can be made to work well. I always primed off the press, gave up on the priming system. Kinda wish I had kept it. I'd save the money towards a Dillon, if You can. 125.00 closer to what You REALLY want. And will work even better. Quoted:
I started on a Loadmaster, got all the accessories for it got it running pretty good. It will require a lot of tuning, but it worked, especially for pistol. It wasn't too awfully bad, not a Dillon, but it can be made to work well. I always primed off the press, gave up on the priming system. Kinda wish I had kept it. I'd save the money towards a Dillon, if You can. 125.00 closer to what You REALLY want. And will work even better. You don't make this decision any easier. 
fwiw- the asking amount for the kit is the main reason I am considering it. If it was regular price, I'd likely not even consider it. Also, I'm not too worried about funding a LnL or 650 purchase in the future. Basically, I'm asking if you guys see "value in it for the price" I mentioned. 
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I suggest you save for the press you want. Maybe there is a reason that press is so cheap. Well, it ain't no Dillon, but the Lee single stage and turret I've used have been pretty good "bangs for the buck", so I'm thinking this might as well. I'm still buying a LnL or a 650 sometime later (after I recoup from Christmas).
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If you already have a turret I would say pass, unless you just need to load 2-3000 rounds next week.
I thought I needed a progressive too, and I got and had a loadmaster for a long time. I loaded several thousand 223 with it. 5 years later I am still shooting off those batches. I just did not shoot the volume needed to justify a LM, so I sold it. The Lee turret can load many hundreds per hour, and the changeovers are 100 times easier. |
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Quoted:
I've been looking into getting a progressive press. Before I go further, yes, I will be picking up either a LnL AP or a 650 in the near future, but in the mean time I have the opportunity to purchase a like new Loadmaster press kit for 1/2 price, as well as additional shell plates, die plates, etc for 1/2 price. I have not used one but a good friend has one and he loads primarily 45 on it. He had to adjust and fine tune when he got it, (and on occasion), but he's otherwise happy with his purchase. I want your guys opinion as well. I will likely relegate it only a couple calibers (9, 45, maybe try some 300BLK) Would you pick up a Loadmaster kit if the price was good? ($125) Precisely my situation 18 years ago. Already had Rockchucker, and a Dillon. Got a chance to buy a Lee Pro 1000 for next to nothing. $70 dollars later, I had a dedicated high volume progressive pistol cartridge loader for .32 ACP, 9mm, 38/357, .45 ACP. I use it exclusively for 9mm now. Took a little tweaking, but once tuned it has run solidly ever since. If the Loadmaster is of the same quality or better BUY IT NOW. Especially at half price. You will always enjoy having a dedicated press for your most frequently shot caliber ready at all times for when you want to roll a coupla boxes for the shoot in the morning that just popped up. Lee makes good serviceable stuff for less money than others, but I've had no more or less trouble, breakage etc with their products than any one else's, to include RCBS, Lyman, Dillon and others. IDGAF whose name is on any of my kit as long as it does what it is supposed to. And Lee delivers. |
| My only press is a Lee Loadmaster. I knew the priming system is less than desirable when I bought it, so I prime off press. Overall, I am happy with it. I only run 9mm and I don't think I've had to tweek anything on it in over a year. Just run it and check product every so often. Had some bugs/learning curve stuff at first, but runs great now. |
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If you are patient and don't mind tinkering, I would grab one for the price you are getting, no hesitation.
I picked up a second loadmaster last year to use strictly for 9mm. I followed the instructions that Dennis put together from Titan Reloading and have not had a single hangup since setting it up. I have run several thousand rounds of 9mm through it and I prime on the press. I use an EGW undersize die in station 1 and used the regular LEE 9mm die with the decapping pin removed at station 2 (priming station) The sizing die in the priming station ensures the case is centered over the primer, perfect, every time. Priming setup was simple following Titans instructions. http://www.titanreloading.com/press-questions/load-master-questions/load-master-setup http://www.titanreloading.com/press-questions/load-master-questions/load-master-smooth-operation-tips Here is the master list of help topics http://www.titanreloading.com/press-questions/load-master-questions On initial setup, it does take a bit of fooling with the case feeder to get that setup perfect. Having the tension on the case feeder/crank slider is crucial. Also, I lube all the case feeder moving parts with a light slick grease. I recently started running .223 through my LM, but only with prepped brass that is primed off press. Really, it just speeds up the process a bit from single stage loading. I do trim every piece of .223 I do and like to chamfer and tumble before it hits the press. I use the new LEE auto drum powder measure for that. It is super accurate with my favorite 8208XBR and H335 powders. Here is a 5 round group I shot yesterday with 23.1gr 8208, 69gr sierra TMK @ 2.250 OAL that was loaded on the LM. 
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I had a loadmaster. I liked it and it helped me learn how to fix problems and such. If I knew then what I know now, I would go with the Dillon 550. After researching Dillons and selling my loadmaster, I got a 650. I would have got the 550 but the loadmaster made me used to the 5th station as I ran a powder check die with it.
If you get a 650 and make your own case collator, you will be in heaven. |
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