Lock N Load

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MagicD

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Feb 21, 2010
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Looking to buy this set up for pistol ammo
.45 acp .38 spcl and .357, price,seems about $400 for most vendors give or take 20 bucks.

Do i need to buy new dies or can I use RCBS and Redding which I use now in a turret set up?
What else should I get to start day it arrives?
Not interested yet in case feeder.
 
Don't forget shellplates. I'd urge you to get an RCBS powder lockout die, too. Probably some extra bushings so caliber-swapping is faster. And make sure the kit comes with a pistol rotor for the powder measure. I believe they do now, but you'll be stuck if it doesn't come with your press.
 
Do i need to buy new dies or can I use RCBS and Redding which I use now in a turret set up?

Some of my 1980s vintage dies did not work in the L-N-L. mostly they were too short. More current dies from RCBS and Redding worked just fine. Unfortunately, i did not have many current manufacture dies.:mad:
 
Bought mine several months ago, primarily for .38 Spl but have since outfitted it for .45 ACP and 9mm (so far).

The press now ships with the rifle and pistol rotors for the powder measure which is good. I had read something to the contrary (old news) so ordered a pistol rotor separately, only to send it back when I found both were indeed included with the press.

Rabbit is right; you will need a shellplate for each caliber. The press comes with five bushings so you are good to go for one caliber.

It so happens I purchased a new set of .38-.357 Hornady dies when I bought the press but other brands work OK. I use RCBS dies for .45 and Dillon dies for 9mm; each works well (dies with true locking rings like RCBS, Redding or Hornady are best cuz they can be locked into LNL bushings once set).

I actually had a small problem with the #2 Hornady die (expander die) when loading .38 Special. The expander plug is built into the die body, not a separate threaded plug as in other brands. Even when run down all the way and contacting the shell plate, it does not give enough expansion to the .38 cases to load lead bullets. I either use my old RCBS #2 die in its place or use the Hornady PTX (powder through expander) in the powder measure assembly to expand my cases.

The LNL has five stations. Three dies plus powder measure leaves an empty station. I wholeheartedly agree to fill that spot with a powder check die. I spent few extra bucks for the RCBS Lockout Die. Brilliant. It works without my having to watch it. It has paid its way as far as I am concerned.

You need to buy at least one can of Hornady One Shot Cleaner and Dry Lube with your press to get it all properly degreased. I spent a few bucks and bought the larger cartridge catch bin; comes in handy.

If you don't have one, buy a primer tray so that you can flip the primers to the proper orientation to pick them up with the tube.

A Hornady rep put on a little clinic at a local store; he recommended giving cases a shot of lube even with carbide dies. I picked up a can of Hornady One Shot Case Lube (different from the other stuff) to try it out. It does make the loading go a little smoother and the lube does not leave the cases greasy at all.
 
What else should I get to start day it arrives?

Hornady One Shot Gun Cleaner/Degreaser and Dry Lube, not One-Shot Case lube. Or some other type of degreaser and dry lube.

You must read the instructions/watch the instructional video and clean off the packing grease especially in the powder measure and powder drop area, otherwise you'll pull your hair out with inconsistent loads.

Primer flipper tray.

Grease gun with zerk fitting.
 
Just got my LNL set up yesterday. Make sure you degrease everything like rocket was saying. It comes with a DVD that will take you through it step by step. And wipe out the powder hopper with a dryer sheet to get rid of static, it is a bit clingy. My Lee dies work perfect in it.
 
I just got my LNL AP a couple weeks ago and this is what I think you should get.

Needed
LNL Die Bushings - get them for every single die you plan to use in the press. (Comes with 5 to get you going)
Shell plates for every caliber
PTX Expander (for each caliber) unless you have a die which flares the case mouth
One-Shot Gun Cleaner & Dry Lube
Primer flipper tray

Not needed but will make it a lot faster and easier
Extra primer pickup tubes
Couple cans of One-Shot case lube (makes resizing straight walled cases smooth as butter)
Pistol micrometer for powder measure (not needed but makes changing powder charges easier)
Rifle micrometer for powder measure (not needed but makes changing powder charges easier)
Case activated powder drop lower assembly for each caliber (not needed but makes caliber changes much faster)

Handy spare parts
1-2 extra pawls. (Hornady will send you a pair if yours break)
Extra retainer spring (Hornady will send you one if yours break)

All of my dies work fine in there..Redding, Forster and Lee. The Lee's are a bit short and barley fit, but they do fit.
 
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