LEE PRECISION BF3498 Bullet Feed Kit Instructions
- June 9, 2024
- LEE PRECISION
Table of Contents
LEE PRECISION BF3498 Bullet Feed Kit
Product Information
Lee Reloading Press
The Lee Reloading Press is a tool used for ammunition reloading.
It is designed to reload .45 caliber empty bullets. The press comes with a
feed tube which can hold a certain number of bullets depending on their weight
and shape. The press has feed fingers that pull out the bullets from the
bottom of the stack and insert them into the die for reloading. The press also
has a buffer that prevents the bullets from tipping when exiting the feed die.
The product comes with a user manual with instructions on initial testing,
usage, and troubleshooting.
Product Usage Instructions
- Cycle press carefully making sure the fingers and mechanism are clear of everything. Use extreme caution when cycling the .45 caliber empty. It is very easy to pinch the fingers between the die and shell plate if no bullet is in the feed finger.
- Pull back on the feed fingers to open them and drop the first bullet, base down into the feed tube. Fill the rest of the feed tube with bullets. A full tube of large caliber bullets may be too heavy for the feed fingers to pull one out of the bottom of the stack. Bullets that have a concave base or are fully coated with Alox or wax should not be stacked as high. You will have to experiment to find out how many can be stacked. Usually, 4000 grains of cast bullets and 5000 grains of jacketed bullets work fine.
- Try using the press without cases to get a feel for the tool and ensure that it is installed correctly and functioning correctly. Catch the bullets in your hand.
- Do not store press with carrier in full down position or fingers will take a set in the open position. Do not store press with bullet in the feed fingers or fingers will take a set in the open position.
- Follow instructions exactly and use strict parental supervision. Ammunition reloading can be dangerous if done improperly and can result in serious injury or death. Do not misuse the tool or data as the manufacturer has no control over the manufacture and storage of components or the loading procedure and techniques.
Troubleshooting
- Bullets not being pulled from the stack:
- Reduce the number of bullets in feed tube
- Select bullets that do not nest together
- Reduce the number of bullets in feed tube or change lube technique
- Replace buffer
- Bullets dropping out too soon:
- Be sure correct feed finger is installed. Large fingers are marked with ‘L’ next to gripper.
- Bullets tipping in case, damaging case neck when using very short bullets:
- Custom bullet seater plug must be made. Send sample bullet, name of cartridge and check for $14.00. Request special seater plug.
- Bullet tips when exiting the feed die:
- Be sure spring is installed on damper and of attach plate over buffer that damper operates freely through attach plate.
- Buffer or action rod linkage binding
- Select bullet feed die with shorter opening
Note: The product comes with a Multi Tube Bullet Feeder 90280 kit that includes a set of four large and small feed tubes, large and small multi-tube adapters, and cylinder-plate assembly. The product is guaranteed not to wear out or break from normal use for two full years or it will be repaired or replaced at no charge if returned to the factory. Any Lee product of current manufacture,regardless of age or condition, will be reconditioned to new.
The Lee Bullet Feeder is a revolutionary accessory, every bit as useful and necessary as an automatic primer feed or powder dispenser. It has been designed to function with the Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro, Pro 1000 and Lee Load- Master.
Read and follow these instructions to ensure proper operation.
HELP VIDEOS
Open camera application on smartphone or tablet, hover over the QR code for a direct link to help video.
OVERVIEW
IMPORTANT
This tool must be used with a Lee Bullet Feed and Seat Die.
Attempts to use any other die will damage the bullet feeder.
This die has a tapered end to release the bullet feed fingers and is shortened
to allow space for the fingers while crimping. Latest production Lee Pistol
Die Sets include this die. If you have an older Lee Die Set, you may purchase
a new die here: leeprecision.com/bullet-seating-die-only-
complete.html
Start by selecting the correct bullet feed kit for your bullet diameter and
length. The feed die opening should be just long enough to freely feed your
bullet. Do not select an excessively long feed die as bullet tipping and
misfeeds will result. See chart listing for currently available feed dies.
Unusually long, short or oddly shaped bullets may require a special feed die.
These are available factory direct at $30.00 (includes shipping). Submit 3
samples of the bullet you wish to feed along with your order. Allow three
weeks for delivery.
Feed dies are marked with 3 characters on the end—the first character denotes
die number; the last 2 characters (xx) are manufacturing date codes.
DIE| BULLET SIZE & LENGTH| FINGER SIZE| FEED TUBE|
KIT| FEED DIE & FINGERS
---|---|---|---|---|---
1xx| .30 & .32 cal Bullets, up to .60 long| Small feed fingers| small| 90892|
90885
2xx| 9mm through .365 diameter, up to .46 long| Small feed fingers| small|
90893| 90886
3xx| 9mm through .365 diameter, .47 to .60 long| Small feed fingers| small|
90894| 90887
4xx| 9mm through .365 diameter, .61 to .75 long| Small feed fingers| small|
90895| 90888
5xx| .40 cal through .44 caliber, up to .65 long| Large feed fingers| large|
90896| 90889
6xx| .40 cal through .44 caliber, .66 to .80 long| Large feed fingers| large|
90897| 90890
7xx| .45 caliber, up to .67 long| Large feed fingers| large| 90898| 90891
SET UP
AUTO BREECH LOCK PRO
-
Remove and discard attach plate # BF3418 from bullet feeder assembly using qty. 2, 3/8” wrenches.
-
Install damper and spring into carrier cover. Slide buffer on action rod (fits tightly).
Re-tighten buffer and damper with 3/8” wrench. -
Move Lock-Ring Eliminator from position 4 to position 1. Reset sizing die in accordance with die instructions and leave the lock-ring off. Install and set Factory crimp die in position 4, leave on lock-ring.
-
Install action rod into feeder link. Use end hole as shown.
-
Install bullet seating die and feeder assembly into position 3.
-
Die attach plate should be mounted at the 11 o’clock position. This will place action rod in a vertical position.
LOAD-MASTER
- Fasten attach plate to press
- Be sure the action rod and damper is in correct hole.
- Install action rod in to feeder link. Attach the Bullet Feeder assembly to the press using the Lee Bullet Feed and Seat Die.
PRO 1000
-
Fasten attach plate to press
NOTE
Pro 1000’s built prior to 1992 do not have attach lug. Purchase a new carrier, part # TR3975 or return yours to the factory with a check or money order for $10 (shipping included). -
Be sure the action rod and damper is in correct hole.
-
Install action rod in to feeder link. Attach the Bullet Feeder assembly to the press using Lee Bullet Feed and Seat Die.
VERIFY the action rod is installed into the to feeder link using the end hole
as shown.
The action rod must be on the outside of the feeder link.
Hook return spring legs into bullet feed body.
Install correct feed tube
The small feed tube slips inside the large tube for installation.
INITIAL TESTING
-
Carefully cycle press making certain the fingers and mechanism clear everything. Use extreme caution when cycling the .45 caliber empty. It is very easy to pinch the fingers between the die and shell plate if no bullet is in the feed finger.
-
Pull back on the feed fingers to open them and drop the first bullet, base down into the feed tube. Now fill the rest of the feed tube with bullets. See photo at right.
Note: A full tube of large caliber bullets may be too heavy for the feed fingers to pull one out of the bottom of the stack. Bullets that have a concave base or that are fully coated with Alox or wax should not be stacked as high. You will have to experiment to find out how many can be stacked. Usually, 4000 grains of cast bullets and 5000 grains of jacketed bullets work fine. -
Try it without cases, to get a feel of the tool and ensure that it is installed correctly and functioning correctly. Catch the bullets in your hand.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- DO NOT STORE press with carrier in full down position or fingers will take a set in the open position.
- DO NOT STORE press with bullet in the feed fingers or fingers will take a set in the open position.
DANGER
Ammunition reloading can be dangerous if done im properly and can result in
serious injury or death.
CAUTION
- Reloading should not be attempted by persons not willing and able to read and fol low instructions exactly.
- Children should not be permitted to reload ammunition without strict parental supervision.
- Always wear safety glasses and hearing protection when reloading and shooting.
- Ammunition loaded with these tools and data should only be used in modern guns in good condition.
- We do not accept responsibility for ammunition loaded with these tools or data as we have no control over the manufacture and storage of components or the loading procedure and techniques.
- Primers and gun powders, like gasoline and matches, can be dangerous if improperly handled or misused.
TROUBLESHOOTING
BULLETS NOT BEING PULLED FROM THE STACK
Too many bullets in feed tube| Reduce the number of bullets in feed tube
Nose nesting in hollow base| Select bullets that do not nest together
Bullets too sticky from wax or excessive Alox| Reduce the number of bullets in
feed tube or change lube technique
Worn out buffer| Replace buffer
BULLETS DROPPING OUT TOO SOON
Wrong feed finger| Be sure correct feed finger is installed
Large fingers are marked with ‘L’ next to gripper
BULLETS TIPPING IN CASE, DAMAGING CASE NECK WHEN USING VERY SHORT BULLETS
Bullet not engaging seater plug properly| Custom bullet seater plug must be
made
Send sample bullet, name of cartridge and check for $14.00. Request “special seater plug”
BULLET TIPS WHEN EXITING THE FEED DIE
Spring not installed on top of attach plate over buffer Buffer or action rod
linkage binding| Be sure spring is installed on damper and that damper
operates freely through attach plate
Bullet feed die opening too long| Select bullet feed die with shorter opening
Multi Tube Bullet Feeder 90280
Four tube magazine feeder quickly and easily attaches to the bullet feeder.
Kit includes set of four large and small feed tubes, large and small multi-
tube adapters and cylinder-plate assembly.
LEE RELOADING PRODUCTS
are guaranteed not to wear out or break from normal use for two full years or
they will be repaired or replaced at no charge if returned to the factory. Any
Lee product of current manufacture, regardless of age or condition, will be
reconditioned to new, including a new guarantee, if returned to the factory
with payment equal to half the current retail price.
LEE PRECISION, INC.
4275 Hwy. U · Hartford WI 53027
www.leeprecision.com