coachg
04-26-2011, 12:48
I decided to go with another Red press to load all my small primer calibers. I still really like my LoadMaster especially for the 45 ACP. I find that the priming system and case feeder work really well with the bigger cases, but I figured I’d give the Lock-N-Load a try to see what all the talk is about.
I got the press delivered from Graf & Sons this past Friday and got up early Saturday morning to get it set up. Despite what I read about the instructions, I thought they were fine. Everything was easy enough to put together so I’m not sure what the complaining is all about. One mistake I did make was neglecting to change the primer slider to the one for the small primer. It came with the large primer setup installed. I changed the primer ram, but not the slider. That caused the primers to be off only about 10 % of the time which really had me wondering if I had made a mistake. Once I realized my blunder the priming was flawless. I had to make a small adjustment to the indexing, but again that was not a big deal.
Setup took me about 2 ½ hours. I loaded about 250 - 357 Mag and about 300 – S&W 40. I timed one primer tube session at about 15 minutes which is a rate of 400/hr. That was before I discovered the primer slider problem so I had some stoppages. I will be very happy with that rate if there are no issues.
Some of the things I really like right off the bat.
Using the priming tubes is not as bad as I thought. I was used to the Lee System which is really simple. I am able to use the Lee primer trays as a flip tray.
I like being able to load a case in station 1 with my left hand and load the bullet in station 4 with the same hand. On the LoadMaster, unless you use the case feeder those operations are on opposite sides of the press which has you using both hands.
I get a good view of the case before bullet seating so I can visually check the charge. Same on the LM.
I like the feel of priming on the down stroke. Reminded me of the Pro1000 although that never worked well. I could easily tell a primer was missing.
The powder measure looks and feels really solid, but I don’t know if the results are that much better than my Lee Powder measure with the adjustable caliper. At least for the powders I use.
I can use my Lee Powder measure with the spring load if needed like I will when I get to 357 Sig.
The locking bushings are nice, but again, not as easy and cheap as the Lee turrets.
All of my Lee dies worked fine and were easy to set up.
While I was having the primer problems, I found that it was much easier to fix the issue. The shell plate comes right off and there are no plastic primer sliders to dig out and replace.
It’s very easy to pop cases in and out with the spring retainer system.
The leverage of the handle is great and it’s very easy to cycle the press, even with long cases like 357 Mag.
Removing the Powder measure with the quick release hub makes it easy to return unused powder to the bottle.
Anyway, I would say that so far I am pretty happy with the LNL. Not trying to start any kind of debate between Red and the other colors, just relating my experience.
CG
I got the press delivered from Graf & Sons this past Friday and got up early Saturday morning to get it set up. Despite what I read about the instructions, I thought they were fine. Everything was easy enough to put together so I’m not sure what the complaining is all about. One mistake I did make was neglecting to change the primer slider to the one for the small primer. It came with the large primer setup installed. I changed the primer ram, but not the slider. That caused the primers to be off only about 10 % of the time which really had me wondering if I had made a mistake. Once I realized my blunder the priming was flawless. I had to make a small adjustment to the indexing, but again that was not a big deal.
Setup took me about 2 ½ hours. I loaded about 250 - 357 Mag and about 300 – S&W 40. I timed one primer tube session at about 15 minutes which is a rate of 400/hr. That was before I discovered the primer slider problem so I had some stoppages. I will be very happy with that rate if there are no issues.
Some of the things I really like right off the bat.
Using the priming tubes is not as bad as I thought. I was used to the Lee System which is really simple. I am able to use the Lee primer trays as a flip tray.
I like being able to load a case in station 1 with my left hand and load the bullet in station 4 with the same hand. On the LoadMaster, unless you use the case feeder those operations are on opposite sides of the press which has you using both hands.
I get a good view of the case before bullet seating so I can visually check the charge. Same on the LM.
I like the feel of priming on the down stroke. Reminded me of the Pro1000 although that never worked well. I could easily tell a primer was missing.
The powder measure looks and feels really solid, but I don’t know if the results are that much better than my Lee Powder measure with the adjustable caliper. At least for the powders I use.
I can use my Lee Powder measure with the spring load if needed like I will when I get to 357 Sig.
The locking bushings are nice, but again, not as easy and cheap as the Lee turrets.
All of my Lee dies worked fine and were easy to set up.
While I was having the primer problems, I found that it was much easier to fix the issue. The shell plate comes right off and there are no plastic primer sliders to dig out and replace.
It’s very easy to pop cases in and out with the spring retainer system.
The leverage of the handle is great and it’s very easy to cycle the press, even with long cases like 357 Mag.
Removing the Powder measure with the quick release hub makes it easy to return unused powder to the bottle.
Anyway, I would say that so far I am pretty happy with the LNL. Not trying to start any kind of debate between Red and the other colors, just relating my experience.
CG