LNL Progressive - First screw up, first mod, first accessory

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MattTheHat

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Well, I got through less than 50 rounds before discovering those darned bushings WILL work loose if you don't watch them. Not a big deal, I guess, EXCEPT if it happens to be the powder station, and it stops throwing powder. (And you have to pull open about 25 cartridges because you're not sure when it happened.)

Lesson 1:
Watch the bushings.

Mod 1:
I'm going to drill an indexing hole next to the bushing and rig up some sort of index rod that clamps to one of the powder charging lock bolts. CAN'T spin loose. I'll just keep an eye on the others.

Accessory 1:
Powder cop die. Since I also want to run seperate seating and crimp dies, that will lead to...

Accessory 2: Expander bushings so I don't have to run the expander die.

Mod 2: Unless Hornady makes one, I'll be figuring out some way to use a Dillon Empty Primer Warning thingy.

The press sure is smooth, though. Daddy like!


-Matt
 
Matt,

Hornady will send you some shims to stop the powder measure from twisting loose. I was using a rubber band connected to powder cop die, but the shims fixed it.

Jim
 
If you're thinking powder cop, consider the RCBS Lockout Die. It will stop the press from cycling if you have a double-charge or a no-charge. In fact, it even can catch bad drops in between.

In the end, I found the powder cop to be little different in effect than simply peering in each case to see what the powder level is. If I lose attention, I don't see it--whether it be the powder cop or the peering into the case.

The Lockout die doesn't require my attention. I like that.

In fact, I like it so much I bought a second one so I could have one for .45 and 9mm and don't have to adjust them each time I change calibers.

What I've done to help adjustments to different powder loads is to drive a cork into a shell at the level the powder will reach, and use that to calibrate the lockout die.

In the pic following, the middle case is the "correct" powder level; all the other ones (short loads and heavy loads) cause the lockout die to lock up the press on the upstroke, announcing there's a problem w/ a load.

Amazing device. I don't know who's doing engineering at RCBS, but between the lube die, the lockout die, and the X-dies, somebody over there sure has a clue.

lockout.jpg
 
Random feedback...

On the powder hopper twisting out of the bushing: couple easy solutions. You can cut a small shim from very(!) thin cardboard and put it between the bushing and the press. Or, you can call Hornady and they'll send you 3 split washers. BTW - they aren't identical. Each is a different thickness; use the one that you need for your press. In my case, it was the thinnest one.

LNLshims.jpg

Lots easier than drilling a hole in something, and just as effective.

For a powder/expansion solution, there's a great aftermarket part. Here's a review I wrote a few months ago.

I use a powder check die for 44 mag, as it's a long case. For 9mm I don't bother.

For empty primers: get a brass coathanger. Put a little bit of masking tape around the end of it (to act as a cushion). Put this in primer tube on top when it's empty. Mark the height at the top of the tube & put a little tape there - that's your "empty" height. Now load the primers, put in your rod. Just keep an eye on this every so often when you're reloading, and you'll know roughly how many you have left. Much cheaper than a $30 buzzer.

lnl_rod2.jpg

lnl_rod1.jpg

thorn
 
My powder drop will work loose too even after snugging it up with a wrench. I'll call Hornady and have them send some shims.
My LnL came with a fiberglass rod for the primer tube and I marked it similar to yours Thorn.

As with the powder verification dies, Dillon's low primer and powder warning systems, I prefer to just do visual checks. It doesn't take any time to look at the powder hopper or the mark on primer tube rod, and I got in the habit long ago to NEVER seat a bullet without first looking in the case.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I'll try the shim first, as that takes a lot less effort as what I was getting ready to do.

I find the primer rod easy enough to watch, and I've pretty much already gotten into the habit of watching the powder charge. I'd forgotten about the RCBS lockout die, I'll check that out for sure.

-Matt
 
I made mine out of a 1/8" brass rod. I put 2 primers in the tube and marked the rod at the top of the primer tube. I then bent and cut off, leaving a small stem. I occasionally look at it to know how many primers I have left. When the bend touches the tube, I know I have 2 left.



Reloading.jpg
 
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