A brief tutorial on the Lee Loadmaster while loading a batch of 9mm. Also goin over a few modification that i have made to make the loadmaster a better machine. Reload at your own risk and shoot more, thanx!
Thanks for posting this video. I just found it. It just so happens I had a 1/4inch eye bolt in my parts bin, so a quick trip to the hardware store for a spring and I was in business. I drilled a 1/4 inch hole through the frame and installed the eye bolt. Works great. Thank you very much. I also ordered the leds and have a mount already 3d printed. It will hold one LED light and an endoscopic camera so I can watch the cases for ruh-roh's.
bought a loadmaster this morning after watching your video. I was wondering if you could share the info on the return spring you used? The chain was my main hesitation to be honest.
Ol' Kev thanks, the LED’s were a 5 pack from amazon for around $6-$7 (i think there was a blue, red, and one other color that i havent used) and then a wall wart DC power supply also from amazon for around $10 (multi voltage which is nice so you can kind of select your brightness). Also picked up a basic automotive on/off switch which is two sided taped to the back of the press to operate the LED lights.
Im New to reloading and looking at the load master as my first press. I'll primaraly be loading 9mm and 7.62x39 for now. Could I not #1decap and resize, #1.5 prime, #2 charge, #3 powder checker, #4 seat, #5 crimp.
Very nice and informative video. I was thinking about optimizing last inspection step by using the 50 pcs tray and use of ruler to see the outliers in length. Also if you flip the tray you can inspect all primers at one glimpse. I also wonder if the length tolerance must be so high.
The Lee Loadmaster can be made to work after a lot of banging your head against the wall and uttering about a thousand profanities. I hated the one I had ( you heard that right) "HAD" Lee's indexing turret press and their cast iron O-Frame press are excellent presses. The Loadmaster and the Pro-1000 are absolute garbage in my opinion. Yes I have 2 RL550's an XL-650 , a Super 1050 and a Hornady AP Lock&Load , so I am a bit spoiled and jaded. They all run very well with very few issues. The Lee Progressives are one problem right after another the whole time you're loading with it. Very frustrating and discouraging. Lee discontinued the Loadmaster and no longer manufactures them. They did so because of all the complaints they received about the constant problems the owners were experiencing. The one I had got traded for an RCBS Summit press. The guy seems happy with the Loadmaster but he is also a NASA engineer type of guy who enjoys solving problems. I just want my presses to run so I can load ammo without pulling my hair out. If you see a Loadmaster for sale or trade..... RUN !!!!!!!
Leon Rossouw Hey Leon, thanks for viewing. Gotta find some time to sit down with the camera but i will. Fairly simple procedure with a hardware store run but does add ease to the operation of the press.
@@casey2233 Hi L-Town, Also here from South Africa. Interested in the LED installation. The strength of the spring would give me a good idea of what you have done. If you can please provide me with a few close-up photos of the inside of the LED you installed without the shell plate?
Would you be able to help me set my progressive press up like what you got , I've only been reloading for about 2 months on a single stage but it's to slow of a process for me. So went with this press. Or could u make a step by step set up video
Thanks for the vid. Me and my dad have the new lee pro 4000 were getting ready to put to use and from the looks of it the load master youv got is a better built press with 5 stations, ours is 4. And lee sent it to us without the small and large primer rockers that it uses lol
Thats a very nice setup u have there,, I'm old school, so i still use a Lee Single Stage press,, it's slower but it turns out nice work, and it's simple...i enjoyed the video thanks for posting it...
Bryant Gill thanks for watching, i too ran a single stage Lee challenger for years. It helped me learn and understand the process. Very solid press. Thanks again and happy reloading.
Love your video, very informative. I'm trying to get into reloading for myself and my family during these difficult times of ammo shortage. How much was this entire set up ?
Orion thanks for the comments, its really hard to say what i have in the entire set up. I started on a single stage and slowly built up my entire setup over a 10 year period. Now the Lee load master i purchased came as a kit for 9mm, (came with dies and shell holder for 9mm) I believe it was under $300. Now things i already had was powder scale, calipers, load manuals and other some other small items for the process. I would like to think someone could put together a similar setup for well under $500? Hope this helps and good luck on your adventures, happy shootn.
Mark Doug I have heard the older models of the load masters had a poor primer system. I personally have not experienced that older system and with the one I am currently using I rarely have any issues. Out of about 2000 Rounds I may have only had 2 to 3 priming issues, could have been brass related though. I am not familiar with your current press but that is interesting because RCBS typically makes a good product, i had an old rock chucker at one time and for a single stage it was a quality press.
Just bought this setup - set it up and it doesn't rotate when I pull the handle down to cycle . Do I need casings in it in order to rotate or is it messed up out of the box ???
The shell plate rotates by a piece called the indexing rod. This piece is located on the right side of the press going into the ram itself just below the shell plate. It is then extracted outward by the down pull of the handle, this is caused by some casting marks in the red portion of the press itself. And then when the press handle is pressed back into its original position this is when it makes contact with the indexing rod and therefore pushing into the ram and rotating the shell plate (shell plate moves When pushing handle back towards the press). Without seeing I would believe your problem lies in the indexing rod portion of the press.Hope this makes sense, other TH-cam videos may show better representation of this since mine was basically recorded on one side. Thanks.
Thank you for the video! What should I do if Lee’s manual and powder manufacture load charge are different. For example 9mm Luger, Berry’s 124 grain round nose and accurate #5 powder. Lee’s manual start load is 4.8 and western powder start load is 5.4. Thank you for your help.
Thanks for viewing, first and foremost reload at your own risk and all precautions should be taken in consideration. When referencing different reloading manuals and their data other information within the different manuals should be looked at. You may have different starting grains with different manuals but that will also reflect different overall length and feet per second. What I try to achieve with reloading information is a round that is within safe pressures and cycles reliably through my firearm. Some examples of overall length would be too short of a round can drastically increase your pressures therefore require less of a powder charge, while too long of a cartridge could result in your firearm not going fully into battery and causing cycling issues. Different powder charges and seating depth of overall length directly reflects your projectiles fps and cup pressure. If all of that sounds a bit gibberish reloading to achieve about 1100 ft./s I believe would be a well rounded cartridge for a 9mm. If you get into that 1000 fps or less could cause cycling issues, or the other way and reloading above 1200 ft./s get you in the + P range of cartridges which in return is increasing pressures and can cause risk. In my opinion the best method for a new recipe is starting on the minimum Of starting grains and create several batches working up the load, then running through a chronograph to get actual fps/power factor data. Hope that helps, thanks.
L-Town Outdoors Thank you for your detailed explanation. It is very helpful and I appreciate it! I started at lowest level. The recoil was weak and I was checking the barrel after each round. As you recommend I gradually increased the load within the limits until the recoil felt right and I didn’t have issues ejecting the empty brass. Thank you again for taking the time to reply.
Harrison Blake thanks for viewing, to answer your question is it better to reload or just buy, it really comes down to how you value your time and the cost of materials. I am borderline with reloading 9 mm, as of now I am still able to reload cheaper than I can buy. Now when you get into larger calibers The price savings can be significantly more. Happy shooting, Hooya!
Nice job on this vid brother. Looks like your a vet? If so thank you so much for your service!I currently have a classic Turret I bought a cpl weeks ago. It works, but after running a cpl thou rnds through it, its a dang lot of work. While I will keep it, Im looking at this Loadmaster, or the Dillon 650. I want the 1050 but yeah...2k for it. After watching your vid it looks like just adding bullets as the casings wiz by isn't so bad. Im wondering about the bullet installing upgrade and also because I load 9mm, 45 acp and 223 how time consuming is it swapping to different calibers. Again, thanks for the entertaining video, much better then the trash that's on tv ;)
NorCalFPV Thanks man, Navy vet here, F/18 mechanic with two tours over in the middle east. I reloaded for about 10 years with a single stage press, it worked very well and I had a good system but it was very time-consuming. I really enjoy the Loadmaster. It’s definitely not a set up and run press it takes time to get things adjusted. I have also learned that certain powders do not meter well and certain projectiles have different seating depth consistencies. I found a good recipe and have stuck to it with the 9 mm and it has been more than great for plinking ammo. I do not have a bullet feed set up but I have heard that it works well with lighter projectiles but not so great with the heavier ones, they tend to fall from the holding fingers. When I’m set up I can run about 50 rounds in less than five minutes which is about 20 times faster than my old method with the single stage. Thanks for watching and the positive comment
Very cool setup. I just ordered a new Lee Load Master for 9mm, I plan on doing 45acp down the road. I like your mods with the powder spring replacement of the chain, and the LED primer light. Can you explain what you did? Did you just bore into the metal? Also here is my die order, what do you think? #1: Universal Decapping #2: Lee sizing die (pin removed) #3: Powder/case mouth expansion #4: RCBS bullet feed die #5: Crimp
Gun Engraver thanks for viewing, the press has been great. I Periodically clean and adjust the press and so far it keeps chugging along. I probably only use it once every one or two months and run through about 200 to 500 rounds at a time. I know there is so-called better presses out there but some come with quite a hefty price. For reloading small pistol cartridges and using the powder and projectiles that I do I could not be more happy. Not sure about changes, I’m not a real fan of running rifle cartridges through this press but I have always been one to resort back to the single stage press for those rounds. Hope this helps and happy reloading.
@@casey2233 Thanks,. I only want it for 9mm 9x19, and just for plinking, I'd prefer to buy my daily carry ammo, but that's exactly the runs I'd like to do 200 to 500 around evey 2 to 3 months, I love working with my hands, not sure if you've seen my videos, what items do you recommend for it, as far as projectiles, powder and stuff, please feel free to text me at 956.433.3453, or email me at sales@gunengraver.com, my number is public since I'm an ffl
All I can say is wow, just got done looking through your videos and you do some great work. I probably shouldn’t admit this but I am a polymer gun kind of guy, haha, but those 1911’s look amazing. I believe this press would suit anyone just fine while reloading 9 mm. Now I personally bought this press as a kit that was designed for 9 mm, therefore it came with a set of carbide dies, the auto disk powder measure, priming system, and a few other small odd and ends. One thing I did add was the brass collator to attached to the top of the feed tubes. And then the rest you see in the video were personal add-ons not provided from the manufacture, lights and powder spring return. As far as projectiles, the best luck with overall length consistency were full metal jacket‘s either round nose or flat points. Some hollow points provided different results and at one point I went through a bunch of plated bullets that gave me a fit with overall length consistency (could have been a bad batch of bullets). “Rocky Mountain Reloading has always provided good quality projectiles in my opinion. As far as powders typically CFE and tight group have metered very well for me, I once used unique and being a flake I had some consistency issues. I think it’s all about experimenting in finding a good recipe that works for you and your final goal, I to only reload for plinking purposes and purchase factory new for carry/self defense purposes. Thanks again and if i can be at any help don’t hesitate to ask, and maybe one of these days I can have you add a little personal touch to one of my firearms.
@@casey2233 Thanks glad you like my work, I'll check out those recommendations, I'm also a polymer carry person, go figure. Just changed to the sig p365, with a 12 and extra 15 mag. Love it, waiting on a new red dot coming out next month that's specifically designed for it. Thanks again brother
want to get with you on your awesome lights and love the spring set up. please contact me. would love info on were to purchase lights and proper set up. ty gil@alwaysfreshcleaning.net Gil Garcia 407-962-8254. Blessings
For this particular video, 9mm I purchased the “Lee deluxe die set” in 9mm. Included in this set is the “Lee factory crimp die”. I then purchased a “lee universal de-capping die” for 9mm. Between the two purchases is the five different dies that were used in this video.
I had no issue with mine. The big thing is to make sure it’s mounted to a sturdy service. I use a lee stand and places 75lb of weight on it to make sure it’s not moving. And of course use a grease gun on the areas near linkage
Trumpeteer211 I agree keeping things solid in their place makes a difference. I have really enjoyed this progressive press. My thought on people complaining about this particular press is ones that want to take it out of the box and go straight into producing ammo without any tinkering or adjustment.
Trumpeteer211 Good to know, i was unaware of some faulty priming systems out there. My press is a late model as well and literally out of thousands of reloads i can only recall one priming error which it placed one sideways in the primer pocket. For the money it’s a hard set up to beat.
Hello, Great video. I have not done reloading and have a few questions. Is reloading economical for both 9mm and 223/5.56? For someone who is interested in reloading but on the hesitant side because of the safety aspects. If using this type of press, is it relatively automatic on the measurements of powder ECT? How long does it take to reload say 100 rounds? Last question, what are the tools you would need to be able to reload ammunition? Thank you for your help and time.
Awesome video man! Nice setup and thank you for your service. I was just curious to know where you get your powder measures from bec on the hodgedon website It recommends a max of 4.1 grains with a 124 grain bullet. I’m just getting into reloading and use Win 231 and hodgedon CFE and my Hornady Manuel says different min / max then the hodgedon website does.
Jose Dodgedon Thanks for viewing. I did get my general starting data from the Hodgdon website and some from an older lyman book. (One thing that may cause differences in data is the over all length, shorter seating depths equals more pressure which equals more fps. Looking at the max load data for titegroup the feet per second is just over 1000. I typically prefer loads around 1100-1150 fps, just below plus p loads. That being said i always perform a full work up. Starting with factual data and loading several batch’s of ten cartridges each while working the loads up by .2 grains for each batch and running through a chronograph. Which where i came up with 4.2gn titegroup, seated at 1.070 flying at just over 1100fps. The reason for my shorter seating depth than the manual is i have one firearm that its chamber have a tighter ogive and there for failed the plunk test with rounds seated at 1.150, wouldn’t go into full battery. Hope that all that gibberish makes sense and definitely let me know if i can further help, oh and reload safely and at your own risk, happy shootn!!!
Im very interested in what kind of lights that you installed and how you have them powered, mounted, and any other modifications you have done. Can you do A video on your upgrades? Thanks!!!
Let me add my interest in the lights. Did you have to drill into the press frame? Also on the powder return system you set up to eliminate the chain: will you post specifically the bolt type and size, the spring size and tension rating, and how did you mount it? Did you drill and tap a hole into the press frame? If so, I don’t know how to tap a hole nor have the tapping tool. Any recommendations for how to do that little task? Thank you. Good video.
scott haynes Amazon, theyre 12v automotive led indicators. www.amazon.com/Gasher-Energy-Saving-Indicator-Mounting/dp/B086QPFLGJ/ref=mp_s_a_1_48?dchild=1&keywords=12v+indicator+light+green&qid=1591524573&sr=8-48
T K www.amazon.com/Indicator-Light-Directional-yellow-Tricolor/dp/B075F6KPNW/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=12v+auto+led+light+threaded&qid=1587292734&sr=8-6 They are automotive led,s.
Dodd Garger I personally have not used the Lee bullet feed system. With what research I have done it does well with the lighter projectiles but the fingers tends to drop the heavier ones. Some have used other bullet feeds systems from other manufacturers with good results but again purely research not actual experience. But yes it can be outfitted with a auto bullet feed.
I have this press and I’ve had better luck with good results than I have on my dillion 550. The Dillon is a good device but it has given me way more grief than my Lee loadmaster.
Panagiotis Emmanuilidis Thanks for watching!!! Well the projectiles come from various suppliers. To make it cost effective i watch several sellers and take advantage of sales or free shipping. I believe the ones featured in the video came from Rocky Mountain Reloading. As far as powder I actually get it from a local gun shop, seem to have fair prices and when ordering powder online you get stuck with a hazmat shipping fee. Hope that helps
Great video. But: a couple things I noticed; at no point did I see you checking your finished rounds for chambering/ function, a real concern in 9mm with range brass, and; No way you could be verifying your powder charge without getting your head alot closer to the shellplate. Thats why I use a powder cop die on mine in station 4. The price is you have to combo seat/ crimp in #5, but imo most guys are not able to really do a "visual" on every round at the pace a progressive is running.
It was a interesting video I just don't quite understand why you would be adding an extra step and cost to resizing when you got carbide dies you don't need to lubricate them whatsoever.
David Abdrnathy Thanks for viewing, as mentioned in the video its not a necessary step and many don’t but I personally have had more consistency in overall length and can definitely tell it takes less effort to operate the press. Therefore causing less stress on the press itself and on the operator. The added time and cost of lubricating casings is minuscule. Everyone has their own process and it comes down to what works for you as the reloader and your setup.
Thanks for posting this video. I just found it. It just so happens I had a 1/4inch eye bolt in my parts bin, so a quick trip to the hardware store for a spring and I was in business. I drilled a 1/4 inch hole through the frame and installed the eye bolt. Works great. Thank you very much. I also ordered the leds and have a mount already 3d printed. It will hold one LED light and an endoscopic camera so I can watch the cases for ruh-roh's.
WOW! right away I'm impressed with how organized and CLEAN your loading area is. Well done
Chad Burnett thanks, yeah maybe a little ocd
bought a loadmaster this morning after watching your video. I was wondering if you could share the info on the return spring you used? The chain was my main hesitation to be honest.
How long is the spring on the powder feed
I'm ordering my loadmaster today and you answered my questions about the 5 die setup. Great video 👍
Great video! Where did you get your LED lights?
Ol' Kev thanks, the LED’s were a 5 pack from amazon for around $6-$7 (i think there was a blue, red, and one other color that i havent used) and then a wall wart DC power supply also from amazon for around $10 (multi voltage which is nice so you can kind of select your brightness). Also picked up a basic automotive on/off switch which is two sided taped to the back of the press to operate the LED lights.
www.amazon.com/Indicator-Light-Directional-yellow-Tricolor/dp/B075F6KPNW/ref=mp_s_a_1_70?dchild=1&keywords=12v+led+light&qid=1589579172&sprefix=12v+&sr=8-70
Im New to reloading and looking at the load master as my first press. I'll primaraly be loading 9mm and 7.62x39 for now. Could I not #1decap and resize, #1.5 prime, #2 charge, #3 powder checker, #4 seat, #5 crimp.
Very nice and informative video. I was thinking about optimizing last inspection step by using the 50 pcs tray and use of ruler to see the outliers in length. Also if you flip the tray you can inspect all primers at one glimpse. I also wonder if the length tolerance must be so high.
The Lee Loadmaster can be made to work after a lot of banging your head against the wall and uttering about a thousand profanities.
I hated the one I had ( you heard that right) "HAD"
Lee's indexing turret press and their cast iron O-Frame press are excellent presses.
The Loadmaster and the Pro-1000
are absolute garbage in my opinion.
Yes I have 2 RL550's an XL-650 , a Super 1050 and a
Hornady AP Lock&Load , so I am a bit spoiled and jaded.
They all run very well with very few issues.
The Lee Progressives are one problem right after another the whole time you're loading with it.
Very frustrating and discouraging.
Lee discontinued the Loadmaster and no longer manufactures them.
They did so because of all the complaints they received about the constant problems the owners were experiencing.
The one I had got traded for an RCBS Summit press.
The guy seems happy with the Loadmaster but he is also a NASA engineer type of guy who enjoys solving problems.
I just want my presses to run so I can load ammo without pulling my hair out.
If you see a Loadmaster for sale or trade..... RUN !!!!!!!
Great information Mann,... Thanks brother 🤙🏾🍻
This is a very efficient video, but better than some of the longer videos.
Hi all the way from South Africa. Great vid. Please can you do a detailed vid on how you fitted the return spring for the powder measure.
Leon Rossouw Hey Leon, thanks for viewing. Gotta find some time to sit down with the camera but i will. Fairly simple procedure with a hardware store run but does add ease to the operation of the press.
Brilliant thanks for the reply. I'll keep an eye on the channel.
Yeah dude a video on that and the green primer light would be killer!
@@casey2233 Hi L-Town, Also here from South Africa. Interested in the LED installation. The strength of the spring would give me a good idea of what you have done. If you can please provide me with a few close-up photos of the inside of the LED you installed without the shell plate?
i like this video. most other guys seems like they are full of themselves. but this guy seemed down to earth
E una pressa da fare schifo, non funziona per niente,non è così come nel video!!!!😨😨😨😨
Would you be able to help me set my progressive press up like what you got , I've only been reloading for about 2 months on a single stage but it's to slow of a process for me. So went with this press. Or could u make a step by step set up video
Thanks for the vid. Me and my dad have the new lee pro 4000 were getting ready to put to use and from the looks of it the load master youv got is a better built press with 5 stations, ours is 4. And lee sent it to us without the small and large primer rockers that it uses lol
Thats a very nice setup u have there,, I'm old school, so i still use a Lee Single Stage press,, it's slower but it turns out nice work, and it's simple...i enjoyed the video thanks for posting it...
Bryant Gill thanks for watching, i too ran a single stage Lee challenger for years. It helped me learn and understand the process. Very solid press. Thanks again and happy reloading.
Quick question, is the small primer feeder for small calibers such as 9mm and 223 and the large primer feeder for calibers such as 45acp and 7.62x39
leroybrown505 yes, exactly how you said it.
Can you do a video on how you did your spring return for your autodisk?
Love your video, very informative. I'm trying to get into reloading for myself and my family during these difficult times of ammo shortage.
How much was this entire set up ?
Orion thanks for the comments, its really hard to say what i have in the entire set up. I started on a single stage and slowly built up my entire setup over a 10 year period. Now the Lee load master i purchased came as a kit for 9mm, (came with dies and shell holder for 9mm) I believe it was under $300. Now things i already had was powder scale, calipers, load manuals and other some other small items for the process. I would like to think someone could put together a similar setup for well under $500? Hope this helps and good luck on your adventures, happy shootn.
Great video, thanks for your time. Looking at presses now, dies are hard to find. Hell everything is hard to find.
I have an rcbs pro 2000 but i hate the primer system and it likes to spill powder i think i know what i will be going to for sure.
Mark Doug I have heard the older models of the load masters had a poor primer system. I personally have not experienced that older system and with the one I am currently using I rarely have any issues. Out of about 2000 Rounds I may have only had 2 to 3 priming issues, could have been brass related though. I am not familiar with your current press but that is interesting because RCBS typically makes a good product, i had an old rock chucker at one time and for a single stage it was a quality press.
Just bought this setup - set it up and it doesn't rotate when I pull the handle down to cycle . Do I need casings in it in order to rotate or is it messed up out of the box ???
The shell plate rotates by a piece called the indexing rod. This piece is located on the right side of the press going into the ram itself just below the shell plate. It is then extracted outward by the down pull of the handle, this is caused by some casting marks in the red portion of the press itself. And then when the press handle is pressed back into its original position this is when it makes contact with the indexing rod and therefore pushing into the ram and rotating the shell plate (shell plate moves When pushing handle back towards the press). Without seeing I would believe your problem lies in the indexing rod portion of the press.Hope this makes sense, other TH-cam videos may show better representation of this since mine was basically recorded on one side. Thanks.
If I buy this press can I also reload 45acp, 223, 300aac, 6.5c, 308
Do you have a link to the green light on your press
Thank you for the video! What should I do if Lee’s manual and powder manufacture load charge are different. For example 9mm Luger, Berry’s 124 grain round nose and accurate #5 powder. Lee’s manual start load is 4.8 and western powder start load is 5.4. Thank you for your help.
Thanks for viewing, first and foremost reload at your own risk and all precautions should be taken in consideration. When referencing different reloading manuals and their data other information within the different manuals should be looked at. You may have different starting grains with different manuals but that will also reflect different overall length and feet per second. What I try to achieve with reloading information is a round that is within safe pressures and cycles reliably through my firearm. Some examples of overall length would be too short of a round can drastically increase your pressures therefore require less of a powder charge, while too long of a cartridge could result in your firearm not going fully into battery and causing cycling issues. Different powder charges and seating depth of overall length directly reflects your projectiles fps and cup pressure. If all of that sounds a bit gibberish reloading to achieve about 1100 ft./s I believe would be a well rounded cartridge for a 9mm. If you get into that 1000 fps or less could cause cycling issues, or the other way and reloading above 1200 ft./s get you in the + P range of cartridges which in return is increasing pressures and can cause risk. In my opinion the best method for a new recipe is starting on the minimum Of starting grains and create several batches working up the load, then running through a chronograph to get actual fps/power factor data. Hope that helps, thanks.
L-Town Outdoors Thank you for your detailed explanation. It is very helpful and I appreciate it! I started at lowest level. The recoil was weak and I was checking the barrel after each round. As you recommend I gradually increased the load within the limits until the recoil felt right and I didn’t have issues ejecting the empty brass. Thank you again for taking the time to reply.
I am a Spartan so ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ was the first thing I notice in the Video
Ioannis Petsas -When king Leonidas was asked to surrender his weapons his reply “Molon Labe” (come and take them).
@@casey2233 I know I am Greek Born raised !!!
Good video for the uninitiated. That's me an old Vietnam ERA USN Doc. Just getting into; is it better to reload or just buy ammo. Thanks.
Harrison Blake thanks for viewing, to answer your question is it better to reload or just buy, it really comes down to how you value your time and the cost of materials. I am borderline with reloading 9 mm, as of now I am still able to reload cheaper than I can buy. Now when you get into larger calibers The price savings can be significantly more. Happy shooting, Hooya!
Nice job on this vid brother. Looks like your a vet? If so thank you so much for your service!I currently have a classic Turret I bought a cpl weeks ago. It works, but after running a cpl thou rnds through it, its a dang lot of work. While I will keep it, Im looking at this Loadmaster, or the Dillon 650. I want the 1050 but yeah...2k for it. After watching your vid it looks like just adding bullets as the casings wiz by isn't so bad. Im wondering about the bullet installing upgrade and also because I load 9mm, 45 acp and 223 how time consuming is it swapping to different calibers. Again, thanks for the entertaining video, much better then the trash that's on tv ;)
NorCalFPV Thanks man, Navy vet here, F/18 mechanic with two tours over in the middle east. I reloaded for about 10 years with a single stage press, it worked very well and I had a good system but it was very time-consuming. I really enjoy the Loadmaster. It’s definitely not a set up and run press it takes time to get things adjusted. I have also learned that certain powders do not meter well and certain projectiles have different seating depth consistencies. I found a good recipe and have stuck to it with the 9 mm and it has been more than great for plinking ammo. I do not have a bullet feed set up but I have heard that it works well with lighter projectiles but not so great with the heavier ones, they tend to fall from the holding fingers. When I’m set up I can run about 50 rounds in less than five minutes which is about 20 times faster than my old method with the single stage. Thanks for watching and the positive comment
GREAT VIDEO, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very cool setup. I just ordered a new Lee Load Master for 9mm, I plan on doing 45acp down the road. I like your mods with the powder spring replacement of the chain, and the LED primer light. Can you explain what you did? Did you just bore into the metal? Also here is my die order, what do you think?
#1: Universal Decapping
#2: Lee sizing die (pin removed)
#3: Powder/case mouth expansion
#4: RCBS bullet feed die
#5: Crimp
Thanks for sharing, how has it kept up is it a keeper, or would you do anything differently
Gun Engraver thanks for viewing, the press has been great. I Periodically clean and adjust the press and so far it keeps chugging along. I probably only use it once every one or two months and run through about 200 to 500 rounds at a time. I know there is so-called better presses out there but some come with quite a hefty price. For reloading small pistol cartridges and using the powder and projectiles that I do I could not be more happy. Not sure about changes, I’m not a real fan of running rifle cartridges through this press but I have always been one to resort back to the single stage press for those rounds. Hope this helps and happy reloading.
@@casey2233 Thanks,. I only want it for 9mm 9x19, and just for plinking, I'd prefer to buy my daily carry ammo, but that's exactly the runs I'd like to do 200 to 500 around evey 2 to 3 months, I love working with my hands, not sure if you've seen my videos, what items do you recommend for it, as far as projectiles, powder and stuff, please feel free to text me at 956.433.3453, or email me at sales@gunengraver.com, my number is public since I'm an ffl
All I can say is wow, just got done looking through your videos and you do some great work. I probably shouldn’t admit this but I am a polymer gun kind of guy, haha, but those 1911’s look amazing.
I believe this press would suit anyone just fine while reloading 9 mm. Now I personally bought this press as a kit that was designed for 9 mm, therefore it came with a set of carbide dies, the auto disk powder measure, priming system, and a few other small odd and ends. One thing I did add was the brass collator to attached to the top of the feed tubes. And then the rest you see in the video were personal add-ons not provided from the manufacture, lights and powder spring return. As far as projectiles, the best luck with overall length consistency were full metal jacket‘s either round nose or flat points. Some hollow points provided different results and at one point I went through a bunch of plated bullets that gave me a fit with overall length consistency (could have been a bad batch of bullets). “Rocky Mountain Reloading has always provided good quality projectiles in my opinion. As far as powders typically CFE and tight group have metered very well for me, I once used unique and being a flake I had some consistency issues. I think it’s all about experimenting in finding a good recipe that works for you and your final goal, I to only reload for plinking purposes and purchase factory new for carry/self defense purposes. Thanks again and if i can be at any help don’t hesitate to ask, and maybe one of these days I can have you add a little personal touch to one of my firearms.
@@casey2233 Thanks glad you like my work, I'll check out those recommendations, I'm also a polymer carry person, go figure. Just changed to the sig p365, with a 12 and extra 15 mag. Love it, waiting on a new red dot coming out next month that's specifically designed for it. Thanks again brother
I love you setup, great video! I want to add the lights exactly like u yours. Any chance I can get more details on that setup?
want to get with you on your awesome lights and love the spring set up. please contact me. would love info on were to purchase lights and proper set up. ty
gil@alwaysfreshcleaning.net
Gil Garcia 407-962-8254. Blessings
Nice video. I like your updates! Where did you get that green light for the primer check?
www.amazon.com/Indicator-Light-Directional-yellow-Tricolor/dp/B075F6KPNW/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1H7DUU2X5006&keywords=12v+indicator+light&qid=1647867731&sprefix=12v+ind%2Caps%2C282&sr=8-3
Priming issues?
Hi. I just bougt this kit. Can point me to the direction what other dies you used?
For this particular video, 9mm I purchased the “Lee deluxe die set” in 9mm. Included in this set is the “Lee factory crimp die”. I then purchased a “lee universal de-capping die” for 9mm. Between the two purchases is the five different dies that were used in this video.
I had no issue with mine. The big thing is to make sure it’s mounted to a sturdy service. I use a lee stand and places 75lb of weight on it to make sure it’s not moving. And of course use a grease gun on the areas near linkage
Trumpeteer211 I agree keeping things solid in their place makes a difference. I have really enjoyed this progressive press. My thought on people complaining about this particular press is ones that want to take it out of the box and go straight into producing ammo without any tinkering or adjustment.
L-Town Outdoors I bought one in 2013-2014 and it was junk. I got a new one in 2017 and it’s been great. Lee finally fixed the priming system.
Trumpeteer211 Good to know, i was unaware of some faulty priming systems out there. My press is a late model as well and literally out of thousands of reloads i can only recall one priming error which it placed one sideways in the primer pocket. For the money it’s a hard set up to beat.
THANK YOU!
Excellent video. just ordered my loadmaster press. Thank for all the tips
How strong and what length is your powder measure spring? Thanks
Got the same press, great job on the mods.
Hello, Great video. I have not done reloading and have a few questions. Is reloading economical for both 9mm and 223/5.56? For someone who is interested in reloading but on the hesitant side because of the safety aspects. If using this type of press, is it relatively automatic on the measurements of powder ECT? How long does it take to reload say 100 rounds? Last question, what are the tools you would need to be able to reload ammunition? Thank you for your help and time.
👍🇸🇪
Excellent video and smart mod with the spring.
Well done, Explained the process very well..
Did everything come with the press, and except the feeding tray?
I used to have a Lee load all to reload for my 12ga. I used the shit out of that thing
Very informative thanks
can you give links to the press and your mods?
Отличное видео, лайк и подписка,удачных выстрелов.
great job on the video !
Awesome video man! Nice setup and thank you for your service. I was just curious to know where you get your powder measures from bec on the hodgedon website It recommends a max of 4.1 grains with a 124 grain bullet. I’m just getting into reloading and use Win 231 and hodgedon CFE and my Hornady Manuel says different min / max then the hodgedon website does.
Jose Dodgedon Thanks for viewing. I did get my general starting data from the Hodgdon website and some from an older lyman book. (One thing that may cause differences in data is the over all length, shorter seating depths equals more pressure which equals more fps. Looking at the max load data for titegroup the feet per second is just over 1000. I typically prefer loads around 1100-1150 fps, just below plus p loads. That being said i always perform a full work up. Starting with factual data and loading several batch’s of ten cartridges each while working the loads up by .2 grains for each batch and running through a chronograph. Which where i came up with 4.2gn titegroup, seated at 1.070 flying at just over 1100fps. The reason for my shorter seating depth than the manual is i have one firearm that its chamber have a tighter ogive and there for failed the plunk test with rounds seated at 1.150, wouldn’t go into full battery. Hope that all that gibberish makes sense and definitely let me know if i can further help, oh and reload safely and at your own risk, happy shootn!!!
Im very interested in what kind of lights that you installed and how you have them powered, mounted, and any other modifications you have done. Can you do A video on your upgrades? Thanks!!!
Let me add my interest in the lights. Did you have to drill into the press frame? Also on the powder return system you set up to eliminate the chain: will you post specifically the bolt type and size, the spring size and tension rating, and how did you mount it? Did you drill and tap a hole into the press frame? If so, I don’t know how to tap a hole nor have the tapping tool. Any recommendations for how to do that little task? Thank you. Good video.
Sick setup man!!
Definitely saved this video!!!
Nice set up.
I would like to know where did you get the green light for your primers. Thanks for the video
scott haynes Amazon, theyre 12v automotive led indicators. www.amazon.com/Gasher-Energy-Saving-Indicator-Mounting/dp/B086QPFLGJ/ref=mp_s_a_1_48?dchild=1&keywords=12v+indicator+light+green&qid=1591524573&sr=8-48
What kind of scale is that you’re using?
Davide Della Valentina Frankford arsenal DS-750
Where can I purchase the lights. Thanks.
www.amazon.com/Indicator-Light-Directional-yellow-Tricolor/dp/B075F6KPNW/ref=pd_aw_fbt_img_2/134-8492093-2088451?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B075F6KPNW&pd_rd_r=61c65ece-7e34-4bb0-9f57-90c31e03c4ae&pd_rd_w=2V8EW&pd_rd_wg=jsFfP&pf_rd_p=8ad921d8-8b3b-4c8e-be01-c425a146feba&pf_rd_r=VKPF6A65CPMRY18Y6GFS&psc=1&refRID=VKPF6A65CPMRY18Y6GFS
Great video did u make the cool lights or can a guy buy them?
T K
www.amazon.com/Indicator-Light-Directional-yellow-Tricolor/dp/B075F6KPNW/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=12v+auto+led+light+threaded&qid=1587292734&sr=8-6
They are automotive led,s.
Can the loadmaster use the auto bullet feed attachment?
Dodd Garger I personally have not used the Lee bullet feed system. With what research I have done it does well with the lighter projectiles but the fingers tends to drop the heavier ones. Some have used other bullet feeds systems from other manufacturers with good results but again purely research not actual experience. But yes it can be outfitted with a auto bullet feed.
I have this press and I’ve had better luck with good results than I have on my dillion 550.
The Dillon is a good device but it has given me way more grief than my Lee loadmaster.
Awesome video! Where do you buy the bullets? Also where I can found that powder
Panagiotis Emmanuilidis Thanks for watching!!! Well the projectiles come from various suppliers. To make it cost effective i watch several sellers and take advantage of sales or free shipping. I believe the ones featured in the video came from Rocky Mountain Reloading. As far as powder I actually get it from a local gun shop, seem to have fair prices and when ordering powder online you get stuck with a hazmat shipping fee. Hope that helps
@@casey2233thanks
Loved the mods on the press.. Nice rig.
Sixman_Up Thanks, for a budget press iv been really happy with it.
Great video. But: a couple things I noticed; at no point did I see you checking your finished rounds for chambering/ function, a real concern in 9mm with range brass, and; No way you could be verifying your powder charge without getting your head alot closer to the shellplate. Thats why I use a powder cop die on mine in station 4. The price is you have to combo seat/ crimp in #5, but imo most guys are not able to really do a "visual" on every round at the pace a progressive is running.
Lee Loadmaster is very bad,doesn´t work.Often something broken.Never buy again.
It was a interesting video I just don't quite understand why you would be adding an extra step and cost to resizing when you got carbide dies you don't need to lubricate them whatsoever.
David Abdrnathy Thanks for viewing, as mentioned in the video its not a necessary step and many don’t but I personally have had more consistency in overall length and can definitely tell it takes less effort to operate the press. Therefore causing less stress on the press itself and on the operator. The added time and cost of lubricating casings is minuscule. Everyone has their own process and it comes down to what works for you as the reloader and your setup.