Progressives, Christmas, and Atheists

[Ditchdigger]

The good parts first. M'lady caved to my wishes this Christmas morning and surprised me with a hornady ap! I've been wanting one for awhile since loading a few thousand 9mm rounds on my single stage. It can get a little tedious at times.

Now I'm sitting here reading all of the literature (feeling a little daunted) and assembling some as I go. But now I need things like a powder cop die and shell plates and any other parts that more experienced ap loaders would suggest, hint hint!

Which brings me to my final point. Cabelas is closed, lgs's are closed, and I have a half assembled piece of art that can't be completed until tomorrow. I think we need to give atheists a day in August to exchange gifts. We promise to work that day, so long as they promise to work on the day we celebrate Jesus's birth.

Any input on things I may want to look into buying for my setup would be well appreciated!

Merry Christmas [emoji319]


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[JBnTx]

You didn't?
I guess you didn't get the memo?

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

Just a quick suggestion. Consider using a RCBS Lock-Out Die instead of the Hornady Powder Cop die. You have to visually watch the powder cop, whereas the RCBS lock-out die will stop the press if a double charge or under charge case is detected automatically without having to constantly watch it. I use it for all of my handgun loads. I use it on my Hornady LNL progressive.

Lock-Out Die - RCBS

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egs5GWG_Prc[/ame]

 

[Bkreutz]

I got this for Christmas (thanks wife), spent the morning assembling and adjusting. Now it's lunchtime and I'll power it up after and see if I did everything correctly. Been a while since I've had to assemble Christmas presents, my son is 37 now.

 

[Ditchdigger]

I got this for Christmas (thanks wife), spent the morning assembling and adjusting. Now it's lunchtime and I'll power it up after and see if I did everything correctly. Been a while since I've had to assemble Christmas presents, my son is 37 now.

Ha, I just got done telling her that that was next in this rabbit hole adventure. She just said 'as long as it keeps me out of her hair'


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[DumpStick]

I was concerned about what the Mrs would say about costs when I started getting in bulk orders from Powder Valley. 8-pounders and primers by the 5K case. She hasn't said a word about it.

However, I make dang certain that there are 38 wadcutters loaded at all times.

When She wants to shoot, there are boxes of ammo to grab.

 

[reddog81]

HTe Powder COP die isn't necessary but shellholders would be hard to get along without. I'm assuming your talking about the Lock-N-Load press.

Did it come with the powder dispenser? Other than that there's nothing absolutely necessary.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

Did it come with the powder dispenser? Other than that there's nothing absolutely necessary.

.....except a good scale, case cleaner, calipers, case gauges, primer pocket reamers & brushes, a couple of good reloading manuals, and countless other do-dads! Seems like there is always something else I "really need".

 

[Ditchdigger]

.....except a good scale, case cleaner, calipers, case gauges, primer pocket reamers & brushes, a couple of good reloading manuals, and countless other do-dads! Seems like there is always something else I "really need".

This sounds like me! There is always something newer, better, or just different that I absolutely need or can think up a good enough excuse to get.


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[fredj338]

One of the issues with the lnl is it doesnt come complete & ready to load, thus the cheaper cost. Still a decent progressive. Hit the lgs monday & get ot up & running. You will love it loading pistol.

 

[Peak53]

I thought this was going to be a rant about politics and atheists which might draw a flag. Man, am I disappointed!

Now, hoping not to get dinged.

 

[fredj338]

Just a quick suggestion. Consider using a RCBS Lock-Out Die instead of the Hornady Powder Cop die. You have to visually watch the powder cop, whereas the RCBS lock-out die will stop the press if a double charge or under charge case is detected automatically without having to constantly watch it. I use it for all of my loads, handgun and rifle. I use it on my Hornady LNL progressive.

Lock-Out Die - RCBS

RCBS Lock-Out Die Setup and Operation - YouTube

My take on lock-out die or dillon powder warning. Any device can fail, especially battery op ones. So resist becoming a handle puller & look at what you are doing. I look inside each case as it comes around, doesnt slow you down at all, you have to look at the case to put a bullet in place. I do use the cop when loading 223, cant really see inside the small case mouth. If ot doesnt move, you need to pull the case & check it.

 

[DRAINSMITH]

I have the Hornady Deluxe control panel. It counts the rounds, checks the primer slide, checks the primer drop tube for low primers, checks the power hopper for low power, and has a lock out die for low and over filled cases you get a light and a buzzer if any thing is wrong. But I will be damn if I still don't look into each and every case before a bullet is dropped. Good habits are hard to stop.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Could'a, should'a why didn't ya'...?

I thought this was going to be a rant about politics and atheists which might draw a flag. Man, am I disappointed!

Now, hoping not to get dinged.

Added " & COPS" to the title of the Thread? That would really get everyone's attention!

Cheers! & a Very MERRY CHRISTMAS to All on this Forum!

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

My take on lock-out die or dillon powder warning. Any device can fail, especially battery op ones. So resist becoming a handle puller & look at what you are doing. I look inside each case as it comes around, doesnt slow you down at all, you have to look at the case to put a bullet in place. I do use the cop when loading 223, cant really see inside the small case mouth. If ot doesnt move, you need to pull the case & check it.

Point well taken, but when only 3.8 grains of powder are dropped in a 45ACP case it's pretty hard to tell if it's a double charge just by a quick look. The lock-out die does in fact stop my press if it's even 5 grains, as well as if it's an empty case. The powder cop die isn't nearly as precise and will not stop the press from cycling. I test the lock-out die on each session and it hasn't failed once in over 5000 rounds.

I do use the Hornady Powder Cop for my .223 loads, but there it's pretty obvious if a case gets double charged because the powder will over flow the case.

Nothing mechanical is ever fool proof, by the RCBS die is pretty close because of it's simple construction and operation.

 

[Ditchdigger]

Well, to add on to this thread.... my hornady ap is up and running, more or less. Lots of little things to keep track of that happen all at once vs spread out on a single stage. At this point it's almost sensory overload every time I pull the handle, I'm sure I'll get used to it soon.

(9mm) Made my first ten rounds, powder weight good, primer seat good, OAL good. Took them upstairs to brag to m'lady and while holding one lengthwise I felt it give??!! The bullet pushed right in with little effort. After researching the problem I figured out my sizing die wasn't set right (too high).

Just taking my time at this point, watching everything work and learning as I go.

I'd be a day ahead if someone would've worked the lgs on Christmas Day. [emoji12]


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[Lee in Quartzsite]

Well, to add on to this thread.... my hornady ap is up and running, more or less. Lots of little things to keep track of that happen all at once vs spread out on a single stage.

Whenever I set up a new caliber I always make about 5 dummy rounds...no primer or powder...just to make sure everything is a go before I load. I also cycle the powder drop about 20 times by hand to make sure the powder will measure correctly.

Lots of things to learn, just take your time. If you run into any problems you can't figure out, just give Hornady a call. They are very willing to give you pointers. YouTube is also a good place to look for answers to problems.

The next step will be firing the rounds you made....the first pull of the trigger can up your heart rate just a bit.........have fun!

 

[fredj338]

Well, to add on to this thread.... my hornady ap is up and running, more or less. Lots of little things to keep track of that happen all at once vs spread out on a single stage. At this point it's almost sensory overload every time I pull the handle, I'm sure I'll get used to it soon.

(9mm) Made my first ten rounds, powder weight good, primer seat good, OAL good. Took them upstairs to brag to m'lady and while holding one lengthwise I felt it give??!! The bullet pushed right in with little effort. After researching the problem I figured out my sizing die wasn't set right (too high).

Just taking my time at this point, watching everything work and learning as I go.

I'd be a day ahead if someone would've worked the lgs on Christmas Day. [emoji12]


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You probably already figured this out but your die setup on any progressive is no diff than a ss press. Sizing dies to just kiss the shell plate, even the carbide ones.

 

[DIYguy]

I bought my Hornady LnL AP when Cablea's had Hornady on sale 20% off during the Summer. Pushed a $1,200 cart out of the store that day and then started more shopping for bullets, powders, primers, primer flippers, containers for brass, books, recipes, amo boxes, shell trays, casing tumblers, chrono, etc, etc.
I spent the Summer doing research and actively participating in my amo recycling program. Recycling cartridges into casings. By Christmas have over (6,000) polished casings, multiple calibers sorted, and bagged, ready for loading.

Now that it's Winter in MN I've started my one arm exercise program. Place, pull, push, pull repeat. Right arm should be great by Spring.

Welcome to the asylum.

 

[DIYguy]

What the other said about the Powder Cop. Bought it with all my gear and set it up initially in the press. Found that when loading pistol cartridges I never looked at the Cop once, always looked at the casing and visually looked at the power charge in each one. After a while just removed the Cop. Probably put it back in for the 223s but no need for straight wall pistol.