Converting Loadmaster from 40S&W to 45ACP

PrairieMedic

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
18   0   0
Hi,

I have a loadmaster rigged out for 40 S&W, and also have the RCBS Dies for 45ACP. What do I need to buy to move over to 45ACP?

I have one Expander die and Quick Change Turret on hold at Wholesale so far.

Thanks Greatly!

--PM :popCorn:
 
DEPENDS on what KIND OF 45 acp you want have- if it's a normal, you have to change to LARGE primer ( it could be just change the slider, or the whole mech, i don't know) and change the plate and the case slider-if you want to shoot winchester nt small primer brass, you can just leave the primer section as is- no 2L for your shellplate,90908, and your slider is LARGE- tr2449L- which may not have to be replaced considering the 40 uses a small primer with a large feed mech
 
From the bowels of their website:

Load Master caliber switch

To convert the Load Master from a large caliber to small caliber or a small to large, you need the following:


Appropriate shell plate which runs $29.98
Appropriate case feeder which runs $25
Appropriate primer assembly if applicable, which runs $24.98
Appropriate set of dies which runs $29.98
Turret (optional) which runs $14.98
 
Good on you..At least you not only took the time to do research on your own, but shared the info when discovered. Too bad others didnt take the same approach. Its tiring watching all the posts with simple answers from some folks too lazy to actually look into it further, but choose to wait for somebody to tell them:rolleyes: . Some are downright scary:eek: ..
Cheers:)
dB
 
what you really need to do is compare the part numbers INSIDE THE assemblies- , make notes of the different part numbers, and order the appropriate parts- for instance, in your case, the case feeder is common 90658, but you have to change your primer feed , so dig out your primer feed assembly manual and see of the following numbers are common-
tr2164a flipper tray
pt1004 tray cover
lm3247 trough
lm3247a-trough cover
6-32x14 screw
lm3251 primer lever
lm3252 slider
lm3249 primer pin
lm3290 primer spring
lm3341 cover latch
o ring
of those, the flipper tray,cover,primer lever, pin, spring , cover latch, and 0 ring SHOULD BE COMMON- the trough , it's cover, and slider are probably not
 
Thanks Guys!

From the Lee Support Email this Morning:

You would need to change the primer to large and the shellplate would be 2L (90908) and the casefeed would be 90658. You would need to purchase a set of dies and an extra turret would be optional.
Load Master Caliber Switch

To switch the Load Master from one caliber to another, consider the following:

Appropriate shell plate which retails for $29.98
Appropriate case feeder if applicable which retails for $25 (Large for .38 Special and larger)
Appropriate primer assembly if applicable, which retails for $24.98
Appropriate set of dies which retails for $29.98
Turret (optional) which retails for $14.98

If the desire is to load the 40 S&W, it is necessary to have the large case feeders but the small case slider. This is very uncommon but is necessary with this caliber.

If the desire is to load the 454 Casull, the same configuration is used as for the 45 Colt, however the priming assembly must be for small priming instead of large.
The 50 AE can be loaded however, the case feeder cannot be used as even the large size is too small. It is also necessary to lube the cases as the dies are steel.
 
obviously they don't realise that your casefeed is already 90658, you need only the slider tr2449l- but they again they'd rather sell you a 30 buck plus mechanism than an 8 buck slider
 
I think they're looking at a modular change, you're going granular. I agree it would be cheaper, but changing out sub-parts might get to be a pita. I think Dillon is really on to something with the complete conversion kit.
 
ok, here's the skinny on how i would do it- 1 change the primer pin and spring if necessary- i don't know if there's a different pin for the small primers vs the large primers
2- put together a "large primer trough assembly-"- lm3247 trough, lm3252 slider inside, and lm3247a trough cover on top- you should have an extra primer lever (lm3251) and "o " ring(lf3057) left over from your small primer assembly as spares- all you need to do is get an 6-32x1/4 machine screw from somewhere- tire and any hardware will have them if you don't have one -assemble it just like your small primer assembly
you can steal the tray ,cover, and cover latch from your small primer assy= there should be no differnce
now to change the case slider- as i noted before, it's only the slider that needs to change as you already have the proper feed in place
1 unhook the CASE SLIDER FROM YOUR FEED CRANK
2 it just slides off the the rail
if you have trouble with the slider and feed crank interfacing, you can take the slider apart with that big screw in the middle, slip one half on and mesh it with the crank, then mate the other half and screw them together
you may have to adjust your feed nut/bracket
 
glad to help out a fellow cgnner- even if you had a DILLON, you'd still have to change the shellplate ,which is a darned sight easier with the loadmaster- there's a reason my 550 still has the 308/06/45 acp shellplate still mounted just like it came from the factory
 
Back
Top Bottom