So I'm feeling a little blue.....

(((Echo)))

(((Echo)))

CGN frequent flyer
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...Dillon Blue that is! ;) :rockOn:


After my last reload session with my Loadmonster, I finally got sick and tired of "tweaking" and tuning it to run right.

I thought I was doing good by cleaning it and giving it some lube. Cleaned out the spent primers, hit the joints with grease and even cleaned under the plate :eek: The primer chute was wiped down, old grease was cleaned off the lifter arm and a spot of new applied where needed.

What does the SOB do...hates me for it, that's what! :mad: F'ing POS decided it didn't want to cooperate anymore and sh!t the bed royally. First the plate didn't want to rotate. Dinked around with that. Couldn't find anything wrong, but I f'ed around and got it working. Then there was binding on the actuator arm. Wouldn't allow the lever to travel to the bottom of the stroke. More f-bombs dropped working on that, and then it wouldn't ride the frame and index the plate. Pulled it out to see what's what, and the plate locked up again. :confused:
Ripped everything apart and started from scratch. Can't find anything wrong, but I clean everything again check all points of contact. Things seemed to be going well. (cycling it with no brass, just checking movement) Plate and the actuator arm seem to be getting along nicely :).
On the fifth stroke, about ¾ ways complete, things lock up again. Nothing's moving, and I've had more than enough. With a mighty "F_________CK!" I slam the handle forward and force the plate to cycle. As you can imagine, this did not end well. Pretty sure the neighbours heard me swearing (yelling) for a solid 3 minutes as more than a couple parts were relocated around the basement.

I decided enough was enough, time to get something good.
A little surfing, couple of phone calls and a XL650 with powered case feeder is on its way to me :d

Can hardly wait for the packages to show. :dancingbanana:

(E) :cool:
 
Same happened to me a few years back. Bought the 650 and wondered why I suffered so long with Lee crap. You will not regret the decision.
 
Lol similar things happen with my loadmaster but not quite as bad.
Weird thing is, sometimes I can sit down and turn our 5-600 rounds in a session and not have one single malfunction.
The problem that bothers me the most is when the primer ram sticks up and jambs the plate

May also be considering a 650 in the near future
 
The problem with the loadmaster is when the shell ejector no longer fits tight on the shaft. The shell ejector does double duty, and keeps the shell plate from moving backwards, otherwise it will move backwards a hair during the stroke, and bind up the advance.

I was lucky to find a youtube video on modifying the ejector, which prevents this from happening. Since then my Loadmaster has been good. Of course you could get the same affect by just replacing the main shaft and the ejector.

Anyway, don't want to hijack the thread, but am hoping this will help other Loadmaster owners.

Enjoy your new press.
 
It's funny how different people's experiences are with various reloading presses. I finished about 9000 rounds on my 10 year old Pro1000 last month without issue. Just keeps cranking them out.

But with any progressive you have to be able to sort out cause and affect of the mechanics in order to get them setup to function smoothly, and to periodically make adjustments as parts ware.

Personally, even though the 550 is a fine press, I'd have issue going back to a manually advanced press. I guess it is lucky we have so many options, so people can generally find a product that meets their needs, loading style, and budget.
 
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