Lee Loadmaster Press?

Anybody here have any experience with the Lee Loadmaster five stage progressive press? Good? Bad?

Helped a friend set one up, seemedto be a little complicated to me.
For my part a tool is a tool
For the money I'd rather spend it on a Pro-1000 or the Dillon 550

I like simple

I used to use one. You have to be mechanically inclined, but once its setup it'll load good ammo. Case feeder and primer feed are biggest issues.
Jon

The primer feed is my biggest concern for it. Because of that I'm seriously thinking about a turret press.

Tim, save and go Dillon. You get lifetime warranty on the 550 on a machine that is a much better engineered. I bought a 550 in 95 and didn't have to use the warranty till 2010. Clean & lube and you'll be pleased.

Reloading needs are a current issue. The money for a Dillon would take too long. No shooting would get done for some time. A Dillon would be nice but not in my budget.

I second the Dillon 550 I know it is a lot of money but it is easily justified.  Buy once cry once

Tim, if you're thinking about a turret press, I can vouch for the Lee Classic Turret. It's inexpensive but works very well. It gets solid reviews by almost everyone. Just keep in mind that it's slower than a progressive; I load about 150 rounds per hour on mine, taking my time. I could probably reach 200 if I hurried a little.

If you're new to reloading, it comes as a kit for $190-200 with everything you need (press, turret, power measure, scale, book, priming system, etc.), except dies. http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Classic-Turret-Press/dp/B003BWTF1E/

That said, the Load Master is the same price ($230, but it comes with dies). And it looks like you're getting more press for the buck.

I'm not new to reloading I just need to press more ammo then 50 or 100 rounds an evening here and there on my single stage. I did a lot a 7x57mm Mauser on the single stage. Works great. But for pistol it's a long slow process. I have a three hole Lee turret press in need of parts I salvaged from a friend but the prices of the classic turret with four holes or the load master or even the pro 1000 caught my attention. But I know first hand of Lee's flimsiness of their plastic parts. Hence my concern and incqury.

I have experience in loading 9mm, 38 Special, 45 Colt, and 45 ACP.

I check my powder and OAL every ten rounds. I load about 60 rounds an hour with a turret press and 300 rounds an hour with my Hornady LNL. I believe its about $300 cheaper all in than the Dillion, mine came with 45acp dies and 1000 heads. 

Not a fan of the primer feeder on the LNL but that seems to be an issue most of them. 

My guess is the Dillion is better but if you loading many calibers LNL is an option. 

Square deal may be an option for you too.

lee classic turret

I can't comment on the Lee Loadmaster. What I can say is that I started with a Lee single stage about a year ago, the press itself is great, the accessories that came with the package were plastic junk.
Went to a RCBS turret and a uniflow powder measure. Excellent setup. I can do about 100 rounds in 70-75 minutes. 
Recently got a Dillon 550 and I have to say I've been kicking myself for not getting the Dillon earlier. For myself twice to three times faster than turret. I highly recommend you tough it out till you can get the Dillon.

Some loaders get lucky and the loadmaster works.
I had one and it was JUNK, it eat the primer feed on a regular bases  (25-300 rounds)

Must people hand prime and junk the case feeder to be able to load.

Lee does have fantastic customer service if you do end up having problems like Uncle TK

Haven't used mine in quite a while but if I remember correctly, if you keep primer feed tube full it never had an issue. Because it gravity feeds at an angle it needs to always have primers to push them into the primer seat.
Jon

I'm not sure it would help with lee equipment, but the primer feed on mec shotgun loaders works a lot better when cleaned with pledge furniture spray. 

I've been eyeing loadmasters too.  Loading 45 isn't awful on a single stage and is conducive to more dry fire.  But fumbling 9mm components with my sausage fingers is tedious.

Hi Tim,
I'll let you know, I just bought one to load 45.
I'm building a new bench to mount it on but I hope to have it up and running by Monday.
I've used a Lee single stage for a few years but it's time to speed it up a little.
I bought it in 223 since I have 45 dies so I'll be setting it up from scratch for 45 and switching the 223 to single stage.
gunr

Of all the hit and miss posts I've read about Lee progressives over the years, I'd pass. Here is an option: http://www.ebay.com/itm/dillon-square-deal-/111853521409?hash=item1a0afd4a01:g:9kgAAOSw5IJWdMzv

If you only want to do pistol ammo then the SD is a great choice 

The 550 advantage is the ability to load just about anything  

Because of their warranty they also retain their value

Hi Tim,

I have a Lee Pro 1000. I found it a bit finiky as first and I had to tinker with it a bit but once I had it sorted out it has been trouble free. Ther customer service is excellent and for the price it takes a lot of beating. BTW I did upgrade to there new Auto-Drum Powder Measure and I have found that it is a great combination.

Paul

While I'm thinking of getting a progressive, I load a LOT of ammo on the 4 hole Lee Turret.  Super easy to change calibers, really hard to screw up with a reasonable amount of attention to your process.  I have replaced the primer feed once, I think it is the weakest link.  I load 38 spl, 9mm, 38 super and 45 auto on it on a regular basis.  The new powder measure is likely the next purchase.  Very pleased with the setup.