[Wilburt]

I recently installed the new ez-ject system on my lnl. I really thought it was an improvement over the wire until I tried loading 200 gr LSWC. I successfully loaded Berrys 200 gr HP and Rainier 230 gr RN. Then when I tried loading some 200 gr LSWC's I noticed it.

In station 5 the retainer spring lifts the outer edge of the shell up and cant's the lead in causing it to strike the rim of the crimp die (currently using a hornady crimp die). The shoulder is what strikes the rim of the crimp die and in doing so it re-seats the bullet. Unable to come up with a solution, I switched to the FCD. Not because I like them but it sticks down farther and I thought it might work better. It did, but only by a little bit. Still have about 1 out of every 30 rounds catch.

Any ideas? Anyone else experience this?

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PV68GG7NWUQ/Sixz_9cMDDI/AAAAAAAAA1M/Lq3mEEj9rjk/s640/DSC_0004.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PV68GG7NWUQ/Six0APFJVTI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/DcWthPUR7oU/s640/DSC_0006.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PV68GG7NWUQ/Six0AUiBvrI/AAAAAAAAA1U/G9wj5Ga42xw/s640/DSC_0008.JPG

[Shoney]

What shell plate # do you have???

[Wilburt]

Before I upgraded I was using a polished #1. After I upgraded the #1 plate ejected even worse. So I got the #45 Plate and my ejection problems went away. That is the plate I am curently using.

I think that the conversion sub-plate may have been machined wrong. If they pushed the radius back a bit like in the picture below, then the spring would drop sooner. Hopefully then it wouldn't push the case up, tilting it.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PV68GG7NWUQ/SiyFVTb8CKI/AAAAAAAAA1w/nsKgeP14Ss0/s640/DSC_0004.JPG

??????????????

[Roccobro]

Great pixs, standing by to find the resolution.

Justin

[Shoney]

If I am not mistaken, the Lee FCD has a smaller diameter opening than a regular crimp die. It will actually size down cartridges near the head, It also appears that the spring ispushing up on the outside edge of the cartridge and tipping it.

When you had the Hornady crimp die in, did you have this problem??

I think the combination of these two factors (pressure up from the spring and an undersized mouth to the crimp die) are giving you the problems.

Call the toll fre number at Hornady early tomorrow and ask them about the spring issue. Reference your great pictures of the problem.

[Wilburt]

Yeah I will try to call them tommorow. I was using the Hornady crimp die first. That's when I noticed the problem. The FCD might have a smaller opening but actually has a slight bit more bevel on the opening. Not much but that combined with an earlier contact time seemed to help a bit. I'm not a fan of the FCD so we'll see what hornady says.

[Randy1911]

I think that the subplate may be the problem. I upgraded my LnL to the ez ject and don't have this problem. I load 45 acp with 200 LSWC. Call Hornady and let us know what they say.

[realbuffdriver]

You might want to read this thread on another board:

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=65572

I had the same experience, only with 38 Special. I found a workaround by stretching out the case retaining spring. This reduces the upward pressure that causes the case to tip inward, but honestly, I believe that we are dealing with shellplate tolerances. I have considered asking Hornady to replace my shellplate. Good luck, hope this helps.

[Wilburt]

I read that thread....

Just got off the phone with Hornady. I spoke with doug who stated he had never heard of the problem. He said to try to stretch the spring out and if that didn't work call him back. :scrutiny:

Well, since I haven't tried that I guess I should. I mentioned that maybe they could bump the shoulder back on the sub-plate and he said that if they did it wouldn't hold the cases. Maybe... I guess there could be a happy medium.

Well see, kinda disapointing.

[Knucklehead2]

I filed mine right where you have it outlined. I filed the other side where the spring comes out of the dip to ease the transition.
I have an older LNL with the wire but I found the spring was binding because the shoulder was to square. If you are smooth with the stroke you really do not need the spring to hold the case on station five.

Edit: I filed an angle to smooth the transition.

[Wilburt]

Yeah I might try that. Not sure yet. Today I tried the "Walkalong" approach. I tried size/de-prime, hand prime, and then progressive through the rest. While this takes a lot of time, it was the smoothest reloading session I've had with this press. No need for a die in station 5 as well. I might just keep doing it this way as it's far easier.

I guess it's come to this.

[Walkalong]

While I size prior to loading, I still use the 2nd station to bell, the third to dispense powder, the 4th to seat (and sometimes crimp as well), and the 5th station to crimp.

As you can see in the pics, my sub plate is machined different. On the upstroke in the 5th station the retaining spring is dropped down under the case. I have no tipping problems in that, or any other, station. If I have to, I will make that mod as well. It should be easy enough.

This is not an EZ-JECT sub plate. They may be a bit different, but I have no doubt it could be modified to work. I have ordered the EZ-JECT sub plate conversion myself. I have to mod it for my lift plate (http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=95263&d=1238384087) that operates my home made powder measure activation system (http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=95266&d=1238384103).

The round has no powder or primer. It was a test round setting up a crimp.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=99693&d=1244511468
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=99694&d=1244511474

[Wilburt]

That was one thing I had yet to do. Compare the old subplate to see how far back they machined the shoulder. It looks like it's a bit farther back. Maybe I'll break out the dremel and try to push the shoulder back.

Wonder how hard that steel is...... Also I'm probably going to be too busy to mod the subplate for a while so I will be standing by to see how Walkalong mod's it :D