Painless .223 Reloading on the Lee LoadMaster

Loading .223 rifle ammunition on the Lee LoadMaster progressive press is fast and easy, if you do all the case prep before loading ammo on the press. The primer feed is a bit too problematic with miscellaneous range pickup brass, some of which had crimped pockets, some with slightly larger case rims, etc. There's a lot more case prep required with rifle brass than there is with pistol brass and a lot of it must be done off the press, so it makes sense to do the priming off the press as well. When there is no resizing or priming on the press, the LoadMaster press operates very smoothly and reliably, which results in a very pleasant reloading experience and very repeatable ammo. This video demonstrates high volume plinking ammo being loaded, but I'll sometimes use the electronic powder dispenser to weigh each powder charge instead of using the Lee AutoDisk volumetric powder measure and I can make very precise ammo on the LoadMaster, and only the very most precise ammo needs to be made on the Classic Cast single stage press. The AutoDisk powder measure uses the Disk Doubler kit to throw the larger powder charges needed for rifle ammo. I also reload .308 ammo on the LoadMaster, in exactly the same manner demonstrated in this video. When buying the equipment, don't forget that you'll need the "Lee Auto-Disk Rifle Powder Charging Die 22 to 30 Caliber" adapter to mount the AutoDisk powder measure to the turret.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• .223
• 223
• reloading
• progressive
• Lee
• LoadMaster
• press
• easy
• painless
• fast
• quick
• reliable

[RogueCivilian]

I'm really looking into starting to reload 223 .45 and 9x9 ammo would u highly recommend the load master or a different press

[Liberty4Ever]

@RogueCivilian The priming system can be a bit fussy and finicky on the LoadMaster. Otherwise, it's heavy duty and rock solid. For straight wall pistol brass, it'll serve you well. If you're mechanically inclined you should be able to keep the primer working well. If not, simply hand prime the brass and do everything else on the progressive press (fast). For .223, be meticulous about cleaning & swaging/reaming primer pockets so they're the same size. Rifle ammo is a PIA on any progressive.

[Liberty4Ever]

@RogueCivilian If you aren't in a hurry and are interested in the most accurate .223 or other rifle ammo, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Lee Classic Cast press. It's simple and very heavy duty. You can reload pistol ammo on it too, but single stage presses are slower.

A good compromise of speed and simplicity is the Lee Classic Turret press - basically a single stage press that does one thing at a time but it indexes the dies so you finish one round at a time, with multiple handle pulls.

[Liberty4Ever]

@RogueCivilian You can't learn reloading from YouTube videos. Hopefully, there's a reloader near you who can help you get started. At the very least, get a good reloading book and READ IT. Study it. This isn't a pursuit where you can be "close enough". For your safety and the safety of others, you need to completely understand what you're doing. If you're a "look at the pictures and take shortcuts" kinda guy, head to AmmoToGo (.) com and buy your ammo!

[pwalsh20]

Do you get any play in the tool head? My Dillon xl650 has some play in the tool head.

Also does your auto indexing cause powder spillage. My Dillon xl650 will spill powder when auto indexing, if it is not controlled.

[Liberty4Ever]

@pwalsh20 I've read complaints from others about jerky motion of their LoadMaster leading to powder spillage but I've never had that problem, and I've done a considerable amount of reloading, both pistol and bottle neck rifle cartridges. I think that must be the result of a press that's set up incorrectly. Maybe there's something not aligned correctly inside that screws up the timing of the indexing motion?

[Liberty4Ever]

@pwalsh20 There is no perceptible play in the turret. LoadMaster turrets pivot to lock in place, similar to the locking lugs on a rifle. The turret is secured by a set screw to keep it from backing out. It's fast and very rigid. The frame of the press is very stiff and rigid too. However, the shell plate does flex a bit, although it's not noticeable unless I'm resizing difficult brass. I resize and prime rifle brass on the Classic Cast single stage press anyway, so, no problem.

[Liberty4Ever]

@TheProPilot100 Bought at MidwayUSA but can be purchased at eBay, or a number of other online stores. Search for "reloading press" I paid about US$200 for the press set up for one caliber. Plan on another $100-$200 for other equipment (electronic powder scale, calipers, case trimming tools, etc.) I buy bullets for .223 and other rifle calibers but I cast most of the pistol bullets I shoot from automobile tire wheel weight lead.

Read a book on reloading to get up to speed before buying stuff.

[TheProPilot100]

couple of questions

1.where do you get the reloader

2.how much did the reloader cost

3.do you cast your own bullets or do you buy them