The 480BC Supplies Lee Load Master Setup Guide

[DuaneWessels]

Setup powder measure.
We will look at the Pro Auto Disk measure as it is the most common used. The setup of the Auto Drum measure is only slightly different as it does not use the return chain. Thread the knurled adapter into your powder through die, making sure that the expander plug is installed and that you do not turn the die itself while doing this.

Orient the measure so that the holes for the bead chain will line up. Select your disk and install – on the disk make sure the auto disk return lever is in the correct slot. Install the hopper.



 

[DuaneWessels]

Now let's install the bead chain. Install the bell and spring as shown, always have a few beads left below the bell. Thread the ball chain from the bottom through the hole on the carrier by station 4. Drop the ram to its lowest position. Thread the ball chain through the first hole on the auto disk return lever, make sure the return lever is at the bottom. 

[DuaneWessels]

Make sure that the bead chain is tight and secure in the first hole on the return. Raise the ram and thread 1 more bead through the first hole. Slowly drop the ram and see that you have a bit on tension on the spring, it must just be enough to ensure the return on the measure is activated. The top 2 turns of the spring should be compressed only. Now secure the bead chain by threading the rest of the chain through the second hole of the return lever.
 

[DuaneWessels]

Remember those case retainers that were not tightened too much? You can move them by hand. Open the one under station 3, insert a sized case and test that the measure is activated on the up stroke. On the down stroke, ensure that the return is activated. On the down stroke your brass will also be flared if you want to flare. There will be resistance as the brass exits the die, this is the flare happening. 

[DuaneWessels]

Adjust your bullet seating depth.
A completed round is useful as a reference. Measure this round. Open the case retainer in station 4 and insert this round. Raise the ram; now turn the adjustment knob in until you feel it touching the round in the die. The bullet seating depth will now be set. However finer adjustments will be required once you have a loaded shell plate – the adjustment screw is turned in for a lower seating depth, or out for the opposite.
Load a dummy round, no powder or primer, remember to use a sized case else the bullet will disappear in the brass. 
This is a good opportunity to test your Load Master. Once have this dummy round loaded, continue to station 5.

[DuaneWessels]

If you are not using a Factory Crimp Die, you can set your crimp with the bullet seating die as explained above.



Setting the crimp with the Factory Crimp Die.
With the dummy round in station 5 and the adjustment screw on the FCD turned out, raise the round into the die. Turn the adjustment screw until you feel it touching the round. Lower the ram to remove the round from the die. Now turn the adjustment screw in to set your crimp, a ¼ turn normally does the trick for a CMJ. Raise the ram and you will feel the die crimping the round. You can add more crimp by turning the screw in or less crimp by turning the screw out. Again do not over crimp.

[DuaneWessels]

Testing your press.
Fill the primer tray and powder measure. Now run one case at a time through the press, going slowly and checking for any issues. Once you are happy, fill that case feeder (shake the collator as you fill to help get all the cases the right way up). Run the press slowly to check for issues again.

Your press is now ready to rock and roll!

A very important last point...never force the press! If the press is stuck, look for the problem rather than forcing the press. Force normally leads to things getting damaged.

[Mohamed]

Thanks Duane, this is a very useful and helpful thread and I will be using this info when setting up my press.