Lee Loadmaster vs Dillon 550b

[Tim Hancock]

Being a cheapskate and a pretty good mechanical engineer/DIY/tinkerer type, I am considering buying a Lee LoadMaster progressive reloader ($229 w/ 9mm die set) vs the better more expensive Dillon 550B (about $500 w/ 9mm die set).

I have read many reviews about the Lee and the non-mechanically inclined types seem to have many problems, while many apparently mechanical engineer types say it works great. I "think" I am more than capable of making improvements to the weak points of the Lee and would really like to order one, but everyone I know who reloads says I should stick with the pricier Dillon.

I know all about Dillon's fine reputation and life time warranty, but the tinkerer in me wants to give the Lee a go.

Anyone here ever try making a Lee Loadmaster (or even the cheaper Lee 1000) work reliably for thousands of rounds?

Lee Load-Master Progressive Press Kit 9mm Luger - MidwayUSA

[legion]

I have the Lee Loadmaster. I use it for .223, but I think it's kind of overkill for 9mm (don't need that many die stations). I have the Lee Pro 1000 for 9mm "range" loads. I just picked up a Lee Classic Turret for my "competition loads".

The one weakness in my Loadmaster setup is the powder measure. The Lee Perfect Powder Measure allows small ball powders like BL-C2 to work it way out the side and you end up with a mess everywhere. I'm going to try to fit a Hornady powder measure to it. That said, it shouldn't be an issue for you with 9mm because you will be using a flake powder like Red Dot or Bullseye with the Autodisk powder measure.

I'd honestly start out with a single-stage press if I were you. You need to have a feel for what the press is doing to set it up properly and avoid mistakes. For example you must move fast through certain parts of the stroke and slow through other parts for it to consistenly work correctly. You will also gain an appreciation for what each die does and how to correct mistakes (or if a shell should just be tossed).

[Tim Hancock]

I appreciate the feedback Legion. I understand that there is some feel and nuances involved, but I am quite confident I can get the hang of it without first tinkering with a single stage press. I m a custom machine designer by day and am well versed in indentifying mechanical issues with simple to complex machinery. I intend to reload thousands of 9mm per year for IDPA practice and some day "may" reload other calibers including .223 depending on whether I start shooting the other calibers in mass quantities. From what I read, the main issues with the Loadmaster have to do with the primer feeding.... I am thinking I should be able to address those issues even if it requires reverse engineering some of the "plastic" components and making them out of 4140 pre-hard or tool steel.

[legion]

I find the primer feeding is mostly fine on the Loadmaster [edit:] as long as I keep at least 20 primers in the chute. The Pro 1000 I have the most primer issues with as the screw that sets the tension on the shell detector also holds it in place. Set it too tight, no primers feed. Set it too loose, and it will eventually back its way out. I've been unable to find any setting between too tight and too loose.

Tim, if anyone can do it, it's you. No worries, I just wanted to pass on my thoughts. I know that I learned a lot by starting out with a single-stage.

Oh, and if you do happen to make some upgrades, can you make two copies of each piece?

[legion]

Oh, and another tip: if you decide to get a bullet feeder, you must use flat-backed bullets. Dished-back bullets will not feed.

[on2wheels52]

fwiw I think the Dillion probably weighs twice as much as the Lee.
I went blue.
Jim

[tabs]

The LEE sounds alot like a British car...that always needs tinkering with..

If U are going to reload thousands of rounds U do not want to have to keep messing around with the machine you want to get the job done as smoothly and as quickly as possible.

If U buy the one that needs tinkering you will get tired of it sooner or later. At that time either you will lose interest or buy the better machine.

[gtc]

Can anyone tell me if this looks like a good deal?
DILLON RELOADING MACHINE-XL 650

[RacerX1166]

When I first started reloading, I'll share the same advice I was given: Don't F around, get a Dillon.

So long as you are mindful of what you're doing, a progressive is just fine to start on. I started on a 550B myself.

GTC, if everything's with that 650, it's a smokin deal and should be grabbed without hesitation. Even if it doesn't work, you can send it back to Dillon and they'll fix it for free.

[Buckterrier]

I can't add anything to the thread. And not to hijack but a reloading question. I used to reload. Going through my stuff I found a box of .44 mag reloaded in 89' 21.6 grains 2400, 210 grain JHC They never got wet. I heard if they never get wet and stored well they should be OK. Any thoughts?

[on2wheels52]

Originally Posted by Buckterrier

I can't add anything to the thread. And not to hijack but a reloading question. I used to reload. Going through my stuff I found a box of .44 mag reloaded in 89' 21.6 grains 2400, 210 grain JHC They never got wet. I heard if they never get wet and stored well they should be OK. Any thoughts?

Under those conditions we'll all be dead before they go bad.
Jim

[gtc]

Originally Posted by RacerX1166

GTC, if everything's with that 650, it's a smokin deal and should be grabbed without hesitation. Even if it doesn't work, you can send it back to Dillon and they'll fix it for free.

Apparently you were right...

[Tim Hancock]

My wife's boss just told me he upgraded to a Dillon 650 and will sell me his 550b for $500 cash which is all set up for 9mm. It is in perfect shape and comes with some "spare" parts. It has about $80 worth of options which combined with the 9mm dies is an OK deal I guess.

Still.... The $229 Lee is making my decision difficult.

[legion]

You know you want to develop (and sell me) a usable bullet feeder for .223 for the Loadmaster...

[Joeaksa]

Buy a Dillon. You will have it for life...

BTW, if he has had the press for a bit, send it back to Dillon and they will make it new for free.... forever. Their warranty coverage is better than anyone elses.

[legion]

Just wait for the "Big Fifty" to come out and get one of those...

[tabs]

Originally Posted by legion

Just wait for the "Big Fifty" to come out and get one of those...

Are you talkin 50 BMG....

Otherwise you don't know what you are talkin about with the BIG FIFTY.....LOL

When you say BIG FIFTY..that usually means 50 Caliber SHARPS...50/90 was a factory chamber and the 50/140 was a late chambering....That is 50 caliber and 140 grains of Black Powder....I have had both and have shot both....the 50/140 is akin to shooting a piece of artillery that your holding to yur shoulder....not a pleasant experience under ANY circumstances...you pull the trigger once and just the thought of pulling it again makes you wince and flinch....you actually close your eyes as you pull the trigger the second time. Then you put the rifle down and vow never to shoot it again...LOL...

With the 50/140 the bullet sounds like a howizer as you see it head for the target.

[RacerX1166]

Originally Posted by gtc

Apparently you were right...

Yep, those things are like money in the bank. Take a 10-15% hit when you buy it then it doesn't lose any additional value.

That's exactly what I did when I put my 650 up for sale last year. What I paid minus 15% and sold it before the sun went down. On the competition shooting boards (Brian Enos), they sell in a matter of minutes after posting.

Still keeping my 550 even though I don't reload at the moment.

[legion]

I was joking. The "Big Fifty" is Dillon's new progressive .50 BMG press.

[stomachmonkey]

This thread made me go back and read that "other Dillon" thread.

That was such a tragically epic train wreck of a thread.

We should petition to let him back.

He was "entertaining" to say the least.