Converting Lee Loadmaster from 9mm to .223/5.56

[grimblyd]

So I have a Lee Loadmaster in 9mm and want to be able to quick change it between the 9mm and .223/5.56 loading.

I have the Lee universal decapper in it and was goofing around and slid a .223 in and decapped it. I was a bit surprised that the .223 fits exactly in to the 9mm slot! I think they're the same size

Anway, if that is true then I believe that what I need to convert between the two is

New turret to make it easier to switch.

Rifle brass feeder

Die set for .223/5.56

There is a 4 die set, that I'm not quite sure how to set up. I'll do some research on it, but if the Lee Loadmaster is 5 station, and I need one station for powder feed, I might have to NOT have a universal decapper in my set up?

I was told that small pistol and small rifle primers are actually the same, so the primer set up should work for both too?


Thanks

Dan

 

[redruns]

You'll need a #4s shellplate and a 3 die set (full length resize). Get another 5 hole turret or two.Also consider getting the Lee quick trim due and power adapter. I strongly suggest that you perform rifle reloading in more than one sitting.

1) Deprime and size
2) Trim (or at least measure to ensure that case length is within tolerance)
3) Prime, powder, bullet

Except for the trimming, it can all be done easily in the LM

 

[BCRider]

The full length sizing dies typically also have a de-capping pin. So you don't really need the unversal decapper die.

Also check that 4 die set. Some die sets include a neck sizing only die which some prefer over full length sizing. But normally you use one or the other, not both.

Since you want to load the ammo progressively I'm guessing it's to use in a semi auto. So you'll want the full length resizing die.

Finally it's pretty normal that a four die set will have a powder/flaring die. If so the Lee powder/flaring die would replace that so you can mount the powder measure. So here again your four die set might not all be used. You'll want to look into these factors with the die set you buy.

The .223/5.56 cases might fit in the plate but they do sell a specific shell plate for the .223/5.56. That suggests that the 9mm plate is larger and won't provide the proper support. So the casings may not stand up correctly and will tend to jam sideways or there will be damage done to the edges of the extractor grooves due to a poor fit. Keep in mind that the universal decapper doesn't try to lift the cases like the full length sizing die will.

EDITED- I just checked. The .223/5.56 is a very loose fit in a 9mm holder and a 9mm won't even fit into the proper holder for a .223. So you WILL need a new shell plate to ensure you don't jam up the press or damage the extractor grooves.

 

[Kryogen]

the loadmaster is not a true 5 station as station 2 is for priming.
1 FL+decap, 2 prime, 3-powder flare, 4-seat 5-crimp

223 needs 2 turrets anyway

one for prep : decap in 1, FL in 3
one to load:
powder 3, seat 4, crimp 5 (I like to run a neck die in station 1 just to make sure the flash hole is clear, and if the cleaning messed the mouth the neck die will fix it. or run a decapper in 1.