LEE Load Master

O

Odinson

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OK, last fall I had a bad experience with my Load Master, no question, I was ticked. Now, I've gotten over my 'ticked' feeling and replaced all the broken parts but there is a problem ...... everything works (well sort of) but I had a 23% failure in the priming department. Some just didn't prime and some the primer was "cocked" in the primer hole. I went back to the Lee website to look for pertinent info and there was a note on primer feed issues. I followed the note's info and subsequently tried some loads. Out of 20 rounds there were 6 that failed to prime and one with a 'cocked' primer.
Any advice, suggestions etc would be greatly appreciated! I've gone through the set up and adjustment videos a few times and have checked that all the adjustments are correct.
I'm just plain, ordinary, puzzled with this little problem.

Thanks!
 
did you read the loadmaster forums?

http://loadmastervideos.com/

I replace the priming system plastic parts once a year, just solves so many issues, order plenty of the primer sliders and gently sand them smooth before use. Keep a can of compressed air handy also
 
Jarlath said:
PM Acrashb, he has a lot of experience with a Lee LM.
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And, for my normal daily rate, will share everything.

On the primers, you haven't said whether they feed and just don't go in or don't feed, but:
- maybe you have crimped primer pockets (assuming they feed but don't go in)
- maybe you are advancing the shell plate too quickly for the sensor to move the arm to pickup a new primer. Finding the right speed is what I call the "lee rhythm".
- maybe the sensor is not out far enough ... gently bend it a bit (it's plastic, so take it easy).
- keep the primer trough full to the top; ensure that the feedpath is clean and free of burrs or rough spots. I used a fine file on two of mine, seemed to help.
- make sure you have the right-sized punch and slider so the primer wants to stay straight on the way up.
- the tray needs to shake on the nubbins moulded-in to the press. If it doesn't shake enough... some people tie a shoelace around the press at the nubbins to make it shake more. But that's a long shot.
- make sure the case retention arm at the primer station is doing it's job of keeping the primer pocket properly lined-up with the punch. If it gets loose the case can wander.

That's about it. All else being equal, the LM will make you a lot of good enough ammo at a low price. It has relatively more stoppages than some other brands, but mostly due to case handling on the feeder. Priming should be, and I have experienced it as, totally reliable.
 
I found that speed kills with the Load Monster. I load 9mm with mine, and as acrashb has said, the "Lee rhythm" is a necessity.

The primer feed assembly must be oil and burr free. The chute must be kept full. As soon as I see the tray empty, I load four more rounds and refill the tray. (four rounds is how many SP primers fit in the feed tray neck)
Also, the anvil needs to be cleaned every now and then. Lots of crap floating around under the plate, some is bound to get on the anvil.
Listen to your machine. Kill the radio, unplug the iPod or whatever, but listen to your machine. Every time a primer has gone is sideways, it makes a crunch sound. Didn't feel any different, but the primer was f**ked.

I suffer about a 1-2% failure rate (all primer related) on my machine, and its usually when I try to rush things.

(E) :cool:
 
Are you using a sizing die in station #2? I found this helps to hold the case straight while it is primed. Make sure to remove the Decapping pin. What I found was the shell plate was not always held still and the primer was catching the edge on the way up. This would flip it on it's side or sometimes completely upside down. The shellplate is held by the tail of the ejector fitting into the dimples on the shellplate. Look down through the die without a case in the station and make sure the primer is being fed cleanly.
Also make sure the lever and underside of the priming pin are clean and flat to ensure the primer is square when pressed into place.
This is in addition to all the fine tuning and cleaning of the plastic bits.
Hope this helps.
I am going to try and change my setup to use a lockout die in station 4 and seat bullet in station 5.
 
Gee I cant see Ben getting hired as an ambassador for Lee any time soon..Still using the same comments:D..If I am not mistaken, if its not a Forster its crap;)..But, presses are like cars. Everybody has an opinion as to what is best for them. Some work better than others...
dB
 
daBear said:
Gee I cant see Ben getting hired as an ambassador for Lee any time soon..Still using the same comments:D..If I am not mistaken, if its not a Forster its crap;)..But, presses are like cars. Everybody has an opinion as to what is best for them. Some work better than others...
dB
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If awards were ever given for asinine posts, then #2 and #9 of this fine thread would qualify..... :)
 
As others have noted, make sure all the primer handling parts, ramps, slides, are completely free of grease and oil. Use a bit of alcohol to wipe them down if you need. The primer punch also tends to accumulate pits of powder, etc, so keep it clean, a quick wipe usually works.

After learning a few tricks and a couple tips that acrashb mentions, mine has gone 5+ thousand rounds without a single primer problem. Also, I have filed/polished a few areas where levers and things contact or slide against each other, like where the main lever handle contacts/pushes against the indexing plunger. Smooths things out a lot.


Oh, and my other press is also red, Hornady LnL AP
 
I just got a XR primer from Lee $27, and hand prime all my tumbled brass, now i only use the press to powder, and seat the bullet.

This fixes 99% of all issues with Load Master and 1000 Pro (Got 2x)

100% reliable and i can prime while i watch the CANUCKS kick ASS!!!!!

413473.jpg
 
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load master

i was also having the same problem, i load 223 ammo with it. in the priming station i added another sizing die(nothing there anyway) without the depriming ram, this makes sure that the shell is lined up perfectly over the priming station. i was also having a bitc@ of a time with the primer feeding parts, i was ready to actualy use it as an anchor without a rope!! my problem was the station gets plugged up with the powder when the whole entire charge did not go into the brass, but into the shellholder and/or priming station. i ran a nylon 22 cal brush through the sizing die where the depriming ram should be, this cleans the case mouth of everything when priming and the all powder always goes in. i just hold it in place with 5-6 wraps of electrical tape. i went from loading a few dozen at a run, then taking the shell holder and priming station apart to clean it , to loading 3-400 in a hour or two with no stopping, just to fill the priming tray. let me know and i will post some pics if you want. i was ready to give up on it, now i also use it for 204.
 
CRAZYLOCH said:
I just got a XR primer from Lee $27, and hand prime all my tumbled brass, now i only use the press to powder, and seat the bullet.

This fixes 95% of allissues with Load Master and 1000 Pro (Got 2x)

100% reliable and i can prime while i watch the CANUCKS kick ASS!!!!!

413473.jpg
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And once you have a pile of pre-primed hull's, the Loadmaster is incredibly fast!
Easily 4-500 an hour without having to worry about the priming issue.
I've done 9mm in mine but bought it for loading 45Win Mag ammo.
I use LEE 230 TCTL cast in my Carbine conversion.
I use straight wheel weight's for my bullet alloy,not sized tumble lubed.
 
I used to have similar issues with my Pro 1000, sideways, upside down, you name it. In addition to the things the other guys have suggested try this. When the great primer shortage occurred I could only find CCI primers, and bingo! no further issues. I guess the slightly thicker CCI's are also slightly heavier, which makes them slide better. This week I've loaded 1,000+ rounds of 9mm with zero primer issues.
 
Use for boat anchor and buy a Mec 600 Jr
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Or just follow the instructions. Funny thing, Ive loaded 10s of thousands of rounds, I cast my own pistol bullets, all using Lee equipment, and have never had any problems. Seems some people are either too snobbish or too dim-witted to figure out how to properly use the equipment.
 
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