(Update 05 NOV 12 w/pic!) Hornady LnL AP

[Moonman]

MaximumzBob54,

The Dillon primer alarm can be adapted, as can the Dillon powder check alarm.

I think the RCBS Lock-Out die is better.

Reviews are on Ultimatereloader's site for lock-outs and checkers.

Inlinefabrication (1in9twist has a company on Cast Boolits site)

He makes a REAL nice Mount for the LNL, (better looking than Dillon's)
a Nice Roller Handle (ergonomic design)
LED Light setups also.

He has photos of his stuff on different manufacturers presses.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Dang it, I forgot about Inlinefabrication. They offer a modified (and painted to match, that's funny... ) primer alarm that I will be ordering very soon. I may even break down and try their roller handle since it looks like the handle is much easier on the hand. I have personally found the RCBS lock out to be next to worthless. Since the powder is right there in my face I have always kept it more than half full and that powder measure is pretty darn spot on with Win 231 which is all I load .45 ACP with anyways. And I like the look of that mount. I built my first bench tall so everything would be higher than usual but my new bench is lower and that mount might make swinging the arm a little easier on the back. Thanks for the heads up / reminder!!!

 

[blujax01]

Nicely done, Bob. I can't see any reason the Dillon primer alarm won't work and agree that it is necessary. I don't see the need for the powder alarm or lockout die. There's a hole right there where I can see the case after the powder drop. I just look into it when I pull the handle.

I just got a case feeder too and am glad I did. Don't think I'll automate the process any more than that. Don't want to become a "machine tender" if you know what I mean...

Don't think I'll get a primer system either. I find that after 100 rounds I need the time to back away for a minute, fill the primer tube and get my weight and COAL checks.

Happy loading!

 

[CMD-KY]

I mounted my RCBS Pro 2000 to a 2 inch thick board and then mounted the board to the strong mount and it worked fine. I would bet the LNL could be mounted the same.

 

[jazzman452]

I just loaded my first batch of 45acp on my new lnl this past weekend. I decided to prime with my hand primer until I felt comfortable using the progressive press to do it. I start out with expander die, then drop powder, then thru the powder die cop die and onto the seating and finish with the Lee fcd. The powder cop die works and will tell if you completely forget to charge case or grossly over or under charge powder but it is a little difficult to tell if you are only 1 or 2 grains off. I found out you really have to hand tighten the powder metering insert tight on the powder measurer or it can move a little to throw you off a grain or two as you go along. I tightened it tight and now the charge never varies. I don't have the bullet or case feeder but I am interested in the bullet feeder die. Can this be used with out the rest of the bullet feeder, in other words could I attach a tube to the die and be able to load in maybe 10 or 20 bullets. This would be a help instead of loading one at a time by hand into the press. I did buy the inline fabricators press mount and really like it. I also at the same time purchased the led lighting system to add more light around the press. Will probably get the roller handle down the road and will soon get the primer feed up and running.
Congratulations to the op, sounds like we were thinking the same things at the same time.

Jim

 

[TheTinMan]

Big thumbs up for the ergo handle and LED lights from Inline Fabrication. Handle gives you open acces to the right side of the press to check powder charges easily. Light strip can be bent and mounted so that it shines straight down into your cases.

RCBS lockout die works when adjusted right. I misunderstood the instructions the first time through though.

Hornady AP primer system isn't perfect. The nut holding the primer plunger for small primers stood just a tiny bit proud of the sub-plate. Chamfering the edges of the nut and stoning a very small relief in the leading edge of the primer shuttle piece fixed those problems. I just count cases to match #of primers.

Setting up the dies requires some patience. I found that the separate crimp die affects the seating depth. IOW I set up the seater, then get the crimp right, then go back to the seater to dial in the adjustment with a case & bullet in the crimp station. Hornady tech confirmed that you need to have all stations operating at the same time for final die adjustment.

Here are some pics of my setup:

Here are two shots of the left side of the press. You can see the bins for the empty cases, bullets and completed cartridges. Just behind the press to the left in the photo is my RCBS 5-0-5. Good location for spot-checking charge weights.

You can see the 6-LED light strip from Inline Fabrication in this pic. IMHO the press should come with lights like this!

In case you're wondering, the right-to-left orientation of the bins for brass and bullets is less than ideal because you can't see into the bins as easily - especially when supplies start running low. Good enough for now though.

 

[Moonman]

Ultimatereloader site has instructions and a video on how to set up the RCBS Lock-Out Die correctly and quickly.

He also has many instructions for improvements to the LNL press.

Inlinefabrication has Lights, Mounts, Safe Light set-ups, Roller handles, and stuff for many different brands of presses.

Powderfunnels.com has a Universal Powderfunnel available instead of the different Hornady EXPANDERS.

 

[TheTinMan]

Moonman - thanks a lot for the tip on Ultimate Reloader's instructions for the RCBS lockout die. I never considered adjusting the die on the bench the way they show it in the video, but with Hornady's LNL bushings it's a snap.