Considering Progressive Press

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You should not need any extra PTX Stops. Adj it for one and don't touch it again. Use the Powder Activation assembly (powder die) to make the necessary adjustments. This is very helpful if your using the PTX. Doing it this way no adj will be needed at all. As soon as you adj the PTX stop it will through off all your other setups. If switching to different bullets just mark the powder base die where the locking ring is suppose to align up. Normally if your shooting lead and jacketed at about 1/4 turn different.

All you really need will be the bushing. They are sold in packages of 10 which brings the cost way down. PTX for your handgun caliber will free up a station for a powder cop or check die. I only use the cop since it works for rifle too. You may find it's better to crimp in a separate station like most do with 5 stations. Maybe a can of the Hornady OneShot for Cleaning, not the case lube. This is a dry lubricant used between the shell plate and base.
 
I load about a dozen handgun rounds and .223 with my LNL.
You will want bushings for each set of dies. I keep the necessary wrenches by the press and a brush for cleaning.
I don't have bullet or case feeders and can load 100 rounds in 12 - 15 minutes.
I recently purchased a 9mm/.38 bullet feeder die, which should speed things up, but I haven't used it yet.
Extra primer tubes are also handy.
I keep some spare decapping pins for my dies on hand. When buying once fired brass there are often some crimped primers. Squirreldaddy pins are pretty tough, Amazon has them.
Number One Tip for a Progressive Press----- KEEP IT CLEAN.
 
Thanks BBarn. So it sounds like I cannot thread the powder drop into my lee expander die. I would have to put the lee expander in the third hole, seat in the fourth and resize/crimp in the fifth. Does this sound correct? By doing it that way, I lose the option of a powder check/lockout die.

If I want to keep a fifth station free for powder check, then I would need the appropriate PTX expander, and lose the Lee expander/powder drop die? And if I need the expander, which one? Looks like there are two that could work, .355 and .357. I assume they both open wider that that. (my bullets are .356).

Thanks Pete
 
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I use a Dillon SDB primarily for 9mm, it is fast and easy once set up, as most systems are. The only thing to consider is that it ONLY works for making Pistol caliber ammo. But it is very good at it. It is costly up front but has a lifetime warranty. I have bought extra too lheads for loading .45LC and .357Mag.

If all you are going to do with it is load 9mm then it is compact and efficient for that specific task. I have added a roller handle to mine for ease of use. Iphone Feb 2015 023.JPG

LeftyTSGC
 
A LnL is what I use. Added the case feeder to make it easier on my old hands. Set it up for 9MM and kinda don’t want to switch to .45 ACP. Using mostly 9MM now. Laziness makes me want to settle on one bullet. Would like to settle on Blue Bullet 124s but the bullet feeder I got tends to miss some. Berry 115s load easily as do Hornady XTPs. Glad I bought the LnL.
 
I am happy with my LNL.
I like to prime off press, (Lee hand primer, can prime cases while watching football etc on TV) and use a tube type bullet feeder.
I bought the Hornady bullet feeder which works well for me, lots of other people say the Mr Bullet feeder is a better product.
I initially ordered the Hornady aluminium tubes ~$40 for the bullet feeder, you can however use plastic aquarium tubing ~$5 if you make something to support the tubing. (these can also be taller than the Hornday tubes so they hold more bullets)
I would suggest getting a RCBS lockout die or a powder check die. (I hear that Hornady has a lockout die not but haven't used/seen one, I prefer the lockout die but it only works on pistol rounds)
Cases are easy to feed by hand on the LNL, easy access.

Never used a Dillon but people who own them seem quite happy with them.
 
Well, tried to be a good patron to my local cabelas, but like always, they either do not have what you need or have only some of what you need. Then I had the pleasure of dealing with a person who could care less in the customer service department; how's that for irony. So I put everything that I was going to purchase there back in its place and walked out. I am so done with that place.

My dear wife came through on Amazon. Good prices on what we wanted, everything was available, and we even gave in to their credit card offer, which provided us an instant 70 bucks. So, I ended up with a brand new LNL press for 320 bucks shipped, plus I will send in for my 500 free bullets. I think that ends up being a rippin' good deal. Picked up the base plate, PTX, RCBS lockout die and some spare primer tubes as well. Time to order a few thousand more bullets; I just spent three and half hours on the turret making the last batch of about 450 bullets.

Thank you for your help guys. Pete
 
Congratulations on your purchase! I hope you are as happy with the LnL as I am.

BTW, yesterday I loaded 250 9MM in 25 minutes on my LnL, so a "few thousand" bullets won't take you very long.

Let us know how it goes.
 
One last question... I promise. I ordered the 9mm PTX. However, I am loading .356 powder coated bullets. Should I get the 357 PTX for that bullet? I am not exactly sure how much I can control the flare with these things. I can control the flaring with the Lee die, but it appears with the PTX, I cannot.
 
You can control the flare with the PTX. I should be adjusted with the powder base die. It can also be done with the PTX stop. It is very sensitive when you get to full travel, takes small changes. The newer PTX is a dual step type. The stop should be adj so the powder pistol does not hit the powder casting on full stroke. The .355 PTX should be for the 9mm where the 357 is for 38/357. I believe they sell a compete set of 5 which covers most all of the pistol calibers.
 
Blue68f100 said:
You can control the flare with the PTX. I should be adjusted with the powder base die. It can also be done with the PTX stop. It is very sensitive when you get to full travel, takes small changes. The newer PTX is a dual step type.
Click to expand...

Blue, I was going to chime in on this sort of. I have (I think) older PTX dies, I bought them in early 2015. They work fine for jacketed and plated bullets but try as I may I cannot get them to work to my satisfaction with coated bullets. The problem is I cannot get the proper flair to seat the coated and still have the powder measure rotor travel the proper distance. I have spent hours trying and finally gave up, pulled the lockout die and installed a separate expansion die. This is really no biggie just thought I would mention it. I have heard that Hornady changed the design is this what you are talking about?

Pete, I load 3 calibers on my LNL and I find it more convenient to have a dedicated powder measure lower and link adjuster foe each caliber. You got a great deal on your press. When you get it use the one shot cleaner and you will have to really scrub the daylights out of the powder measure and drop tubes. The stuff they put on it to keep from rusting is difficult to remove to put it mildly.
 
thomas15 said:
Blue, I was going to chime in on this sort of. I have (I think) older PTX dies, I bought them in early 2015. They work fine for jacketed and plated bullets but try as I may I cannot get them to work to my satisfaction with coated bullets. The problem is I cannot get the proper flair to seat the coated and still have the powder measure rotor travel the proper distance. I have spent hours trying and finally gave up, pulled the lockout die and installed a separate expansion die. This is really no biggie just thought I would mention it. I have heard that Hornady changed the design is this what you are talking about?

Pete, I load 3 calibers on my LNL and I find it more convenient to have a dedicated powder measure lower and link adjuster foe each caliber. You got a great deal on your press. When you get it use the one shot cleaner and you will have to really scrub the daylights out of the powder measure and drop tubes. The stuff they put on it to keep from rusting is difficult to remove to put it mildly.
Click to expand...

The one I have from Hornady is the same as the Lyman M dies and is .358. Can load lead,cast or coated with no issue.
 
Congratulations on your new press! May she serve you well for many years to come!
 
thomas15 said:
Blue, I was going to chime in on this sort of. I have (I think) older PTX dies, I bought them in early 2015. They work fine for jacketed and plated bullets but try as I may I cannot get them to work to my satisfaction with coated bullets. The problem is I cannot get the proper flair to seat the coated and still have the powder measure rotor travel the proper distance. I have spent hours trying and finally gave up, pulled the lockout die and installed a separate expansion die. This is really no biggie just thought I would mention it. I have heard that Hornady changed the design is this what you are talking about?

Pete, I load 3 calibers on my LNL and I find it more convenient to have a dedicated powder measure lower and link adjuster foe each caliber. You got a great deal on your press. When you get it use the one shot cleaner and you will have to really scrub the daylights out of the powder measure and drop tubes. The stuff they put on it to keep from rusting is difficult to remove to put it mildly.
Click to expand...

The newer ones are like the M die. The old style was just straight and a small radius at the top. Most all of mine are 10yrs old. I had problems early on with the 9mm. But it was a design flaw that they corrected on the next batch they made. Mine is still the old style on 9mm, I have to use a special spacer to extend the PTX for it to work. I load a lot of SWC but mainly on 38/357 and 45acp. I use the Hornady dies which has the drop down sleeve to align the bullet. With this seating die if you spin the brass while running the ram up to seat it will align the bullet so it goes in straight.

Give Hornady a call. They may have a fix for problem your having. A lot of times they have fixes, just need to call them. I ended up working directly with a design engineer on the issue with the 1st version 9mm PTX. One I gave him all the data I had, he made the little extender cone to correct the problem.

One thing I like best about Hornady is they are trying to always improve on their design. Whether the fault was the operator or engineering. As for operator induced problems, they try to design a fix that will keep parts from failing.
 
I currently have two progressives on my bench.........a Hornady LNL and a Dillon RL 550C.

The Hornady has had priming problems from the start. After numerous calls and part changes Hornady now says "send it in".

The Dillon, after a few minor adjustments, has loaded flawlessly for thousands of rounds. This includes 7 pistol calibers plus .223 & .22-250.

The Dillon loads, the Hornady sits! To me it is worth the price difference.

YMMV
 
bbqreloader said:
A progressive is a great press to have for the amount you are going to shoot. I have a LNL for about 2 years and love it. Not to sway your decision between green, two reds and a blue. Some things to ponder if you get one.
- Inline fabrication makes a VERY nice ergo handle for the LNL, which I bought.
-They also have a led lighting kit that I got and enjoy.
-I prime cases off press and have them in MTM cases ready to load, so that in itself saves me time and yes there are are numerous posts on that process, but it's how I reload and use my time.
- Dont expect to start cranking out 300 or 400 right out of the gate. May take you a couple of sessions to get a nice rhythm and awareness of whatever press you decide on.
- I can produce almost 400 9mm an hour on my LNL.

But really, if you and your family are shooting that much, a progressive is the way to go to keep up with demand. I load 9, 40 and 45 on mine. 223 is on the Rockchucker because I only load 200 or so per session.
Click to expand...
Perfect suggestions right here!
 
Dudedog said:
I am happy with my LNL.
I like to prime off press, (Lee hand primer, can prime cases while watching football etc on TV) and use a tube type bullet feeder.
I bought the Hornady bullet feeder which works well for me, lots of other people say the Mr Bullet feeder is a better product.
I initially ordered the Hornady aluminium tubes ~$40 for the bullet feeder, you can however use plastic aquarium tubing ~$5 if you make something to support the tubing. (these can also be taller than the Hornday tubes so they hold more bullets)
I would suggest getting a RCBS lockout die or a powder check die. (I hear that Hornady has a lockout die not but haven't used/seen one, I prefer the lockout die but it only works on pistol rounds)
Cases are easy to feed by hand on the LNL, easy access.

Never used a Dillon but people who own them seem quite happy with them.
Click to expand...
I actually use 3 brass tubes at .401 ID for 40 cal bullets. They are stiff enough to stand alone on the die and hold 70 bullets ea.
Saw this on a Youtube several years ago and thought I would try. Works well. No window however.
 
I cannot believe that I have only had the LNL for three and months. I have loaded 1500 rounds of 38 special and approximately 4,000 rounds of 9mm. I am still having trouble keeping up with the 9mm demands of this family. Another 4500 rounds of lead just arrived the other day. I took a break from reloading for a bit because hunting season has been in full swing. However, the press has been fantastic. It is really nice to be able to crank out 400 rounds in an hour. I could probably go faster, but then I would have to purchase more primer tubes. Right now I have four tubes.

Just a wonderful piece of equipment. I wish I could keep that damn bolt holding my plate tight. Other than that and the occasional primer not getting seated (and then leaking powder all over the bottom of the plate), it is flawless. Even these two issues are becoming rare as I can feel on the stroke when something is not right. Just like I can feel the occasional 380 auto brass finding its way onto my press ( I am range brass rat).

I am very tempted to consider a brass feeder. Although I may not have the height in the basement, and boy, they are not cheap.

Anyone that is on a single stage or a turret and considering a progressive; let me just say that it is a no brainer. Just get ready to buy everything in bulk. Pete
 
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