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

[folkenheath]

I don't know if anyone mentioned it yet, but if you get the micrometer powder measure inserts, you only need 1 for handgun, and one for rifle powder measures (if you bought the handgun measure), and then not only it is quicker to dial in your powder level, but you can also return to an infinite number of setups just by writing the number down, returning to it later is cake.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Bob,
I cut a 17" piece of 1/8" dowel rod and attached a flag on it to indicate when I was down to 4 primers. Drop it into the primer holding tube and haven't had a problem since, there is just enough weight to keep the primers flowing freely.

Terry

Mine came with a white plastic rod that does this duty for me. I like the idea of the flag on it and will do that.

I don't know if anyone mentioned it yet, but if you get the micrometer powder measure inserts, you only need 1 for handgun, and one for rifle powder measures (if you bought the handgun measure), and then not only it is quicker to dial in your powder level, but you can also return to an infinite number of setups just by writing the number down, returning to it later is cake.

I keep meaning to buy both of them. I have a rather large wish list in MidwayUSA right now...

 

[folkenheath]

I am going to use that dowel rod trick, my primer system works perfect, until I get to the last couple and there isn't any weight above them, this would solve that. I have considered this before but I always forgot until I was already working and didn't have anything that fit, now I am just going to buy a 1/8" dowel rod so I already have it there.

Also, you probably have noticed by now, but if you get to the point where you spilled powder through the primer hole, it was operator error. Since the priming station is on the push stroke, seperate from everything else(one of the things I like about the LnL AP), there is a night and day difference in feel when you go to push the primer in and there isn't one there, you would notice this. So if there was no primer and you didn't notice it until after powder, its most likely because you never pushed the lever to press a primer in, otherwise you would of noticed there wasn't a primer there if it was out (and it must not of been out if it fed one to the next round).

 

[Maximumbob54]

I can only half way agree with you. Most of the primers slide in so easy that it's hard to feel much of a difference.

 

[Skip Sackett]

I keep meaning to buy both of them. I have a rather large wish list in MidwayUSA right now...

I'm sure you meant to say: "gift list for my friends" but it can be overlooked!

Hey there mister progressive, what happened to your case and bullet feeders? Did you ever get those?

 

[GT1]

Something about the Hornady and their powder measure, it just looks good.

Hornady(RCBS, Lyman and Dillon also) will take care of customers when things go wonky. I have read up about the priming issues, and you are not alone. Some have neverending trouble, some are trouble free. I am guessing when machining tolerances stack up in a bad way, maybe.

I am waiting on delivery for an XL650, and not because I drank the kool aid, the best thing Dillon has going for it is not being the best press(I doubt it is, after reading endless forums about all presses and reloading, all manufacturers have press issues that are persistant.), it is the gigantic userbase and then the no questions asked free parts forever warranty.

 

[folkenheath]

I can only half way agree with you. Most of the primers slide in so easy that it's hard to feel much of a difference.

Wow, that hasn't been my experience. What brand of primers are you using? How many times have your cases been reloaded? I usually have to give it some extra oomph to make sure I seat the primer all the way. With no primer, it just feels empty and free and hits the stop. In fact, I switched from CCI to Winchester primers because the CCI primers were difficult to seat all the way. I load about 6 different calibers. Am I the oddball here, do the primers normally go in so easy you can barely tell?

I am waiting on delivery for an XL650, and not because I drank the kool aid, it is the gigantic userbase and then the no questions asked free parts forever warranty.

To be honest I have found Hornadys warranty to be similar to that. There has been 2-3 times over the last 4 years where I broke a small part of a die or what not, and I would call them to order one, and every time they would just send me the part for free, even after I told them that I broke it, and it was my fault.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I'm sure you meant to say: "gift list for my friends" but it can be overlooked!

Hey there mister progressive, what happened to your case and bullet feeders? Did you ever get those?

The case feeder money turned into my new to me 40c:

The bullet feeder doesn't work with lead bullets so is junk to me.

Wow, that hasn't been my experience. What brand of primers are you using? How many times have your cases been reloaded? I usually have to give it some extra oomph to make sure I seat the primer all the way. With no primer, it just feels empty and free and hits the stop. In fact, I switched from CCI to Winchester primers because the CCI primers were difficult to seat all the way. I load about 6 different calibers. Am I the oddball here, do the primers normally go in so easy you can barely tell?

To be honest I have found Hornadys warranty to be similar to that. There has been 2-3 times over the last 4 years where I broke a small part of a die or what not, and I would call them to order one, and every time they would just send me the part for free, even after I told them that I broke it, and it was my fault.

I usually use Winchester primers. With the UR roller handle arm (that thing needs a shorter name) I can swing that arm faster than I can feed the press. With the shape of the arm, I can lean my upper body against the arm and it makes it so easy to seat the primer that it's hard to feel. But when they go in, they go in to the same depth each and every time.

 

[Maximumbob54]

OK, I bought the case feeder which when it's working it's great but it likes to once in awhile not push the case all the way home and if you don't see it then the case gets crushed. But when it's working it's reload magic.

HOWEVER...

All that speed has me missing over and over again that I'm out of primers and I spill powder. Easy to clean up but a bad problem has reared its ugly head at my lack off attention to the primers. They go in so easy that it's hard to feel them when I lean against the arm. So I'm curious if the Dillon primer warning can be mounted to this press.

Yes, I wWOulD aDd bLuE to mY LNL AP!!!

This is an optional part Hornady really needs to offer!!!

Pic of the whole shebang... And yes I know the room is a mess...

Oh, and as you can see, I've abandoned the roller arm. I just wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be. At first it was nice but it's just not the right angles for the bent arm and the handle for my tastes. Oh well.

 

[johngalt]

I use a thin dowel rod with a flag on it as my low primer warning. After loading the primers into the tube, put the dowel rod on top. When the flag touches the top of the primer magazine, it's empty.

 

[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.