Hornady LnL AP Press users only

If you're doing 1k at a time it's ok.i love my only.

I have a quick change powder measure die for each caliber I do. No need for an additional linkage set. Also use several different metering inserts set for the various powders/charges I use. Greatly simplifies the powder measure portion of a changeover.

However, I expand and drop powder in separate stations. I suspect the powder through expanders are headache for changeovers.

That leaves the primer size changeover, which is a bit of a pain, but actually takes only a couple of minutes. The worst part seems to be starting the new primer pin assembly threads into the bottom of the shell plate holder.

Rule3 said:

Please no Dillon fan boy comparisons.

Do you find switching calibers to be a PITA? No, it's not really awful. Guess I am just getting even lazier! Only if you do all on the press.

Change the shell plate, OK that's easy
Change the dies out, OK easy

Readjusting the powder measure and resetting. Kind of annoying

Changing primer from Large to Small or reverse. Real annoying.

Is it worth getting another powder measure and linkage system??

Click to expand...

I posted this tip on dealing with the spring maybe a decade ago. Tie a string to the spring on the primer shuttle. Then all you need to to do is run the press up, pull on the spring to unhook from the sled. replace sled and use the sting to put it back on the pin.

The primer anvil is not easy access. does help if you have small hands. Best done with ram all the way up, too.

You can buy extra powder pistons and have them preset, or use a micrometer head and log the number.

I've given serious thought to having two, small primer and large primer.
I do have 2 powder measures. One for tall cases, .38/.358/.44 and the other for short ones, 9mm/.45. They still need adjusting, just not as much.
I tend to do 1,000 to 2,000 at a time, so the setup time is well spent on a per case basis.

I primed off press with the LNL. More time consuming but less cursing and profanity.
Hornady's powder measure was flawless and i never had a problem with it.
Eventually bought Hornady's Quick Change Powder dies and it made life much easier.

For the powder measure you can buy just the powder die (lower part) generally pretty cheap. I have one for all the calibers I load, I use the ptx. All I have to do is swap the dispenser over and set. Since I have preset all with the PTX, I NEVER adj the stop. Doing so will throw all of the others off. I only adj at the base. But I have not needed to do that since they were setup.

Rule3 said:

Please no Dillon fan boy comparisons.

Do you find switching calibers to be a PITA? No, it's not really awful. Guess I am just getting even lazier! Only if you do all on the press.

Change the shell plate, OK that's easy
Change the dies out, OK easy

Readjusting the powder measure and resetting. Kind of annoying

Changing primer from Large to Small or reverse. Real annoying.

Is it worth getting another powder measure and linkage system??

Click to expand...

I use a 7/16 socket to hold onto the primer punch until lined up and started on the threads. I stuffed some paper in the socket to it doesn't engage too much of the punch base.

I have to also fiddle with my case feeder. I made notes about the measurements of lengths and gaps involved per various cartridge dimensions. I do have two powder measures but only do a few higher volume cartridges on the machine, justifying the setup effort. I like my turret press for 50 rounds or less runs, easy/peasy.

Rule3 said:

Is it worth getting another powder measure and linkage system??

Click to expand...

Now that’s just silly.
True Handloading Connoisseurs have an AP for each primer size.
Your time isn’t valueless and you’re worth it too!

(Okay, sorry, had to.
As not an actual owner of an LnL AP, and not knowing how much it would all cost, I would get another linkage and all, keeping this with all the dies and accessories needed for that cartridge. And treating the priming unit as part of just the press and stored with those components.
But seriously. Two presses.)

I resize and expand the case mouth at one time, usually shortly after shooting them. I clean the cases and store them for a future loading session.

The L-N-L is good for this as you only have to install the dies you need.

Also, I can prime off the press. I can prime 100 cases as fast or faster than pecking primers into tubes.

Because case mouths are already expanded and flared, the case only needs to activate the powder measure, not worrying about expanding and flaring as well. I have custom made drop tubes or have modified facture tubes to remove the expanding and flare features.

This makes adjusting the powder measure quick and simple. I put an empty case in the shell holder and raise it into the powder measure. I turn the powder measure until it is just short of a full stroke. I then lock the measure in place. It is one application where I use a Lee o-ring lock nut. It is easy to loosen and easy to tighten.

This allows me to have one case activated powder measure die, a significant savings over having separate dies for the 16-18 handgun cartridges I load on a progressive press.

By separating the sizing from loading, set up is easier.

I can pay more attention to the loading process when loading,

I have fewer or no jams and upsets. Recovering from a jam or upsets waste more time than the extra handling of the cases.

I do not the patience to make the primer system 100 percent reliable.

I can have a separate seating and crimp dies and a powder cop die.

I enjoy reloading and it needs to be pleasurable experience. My overall production rates are comparable to others that also do not use case or bullet feeders. I still make more ammunition than I can shoot.

Umm, I bought a second one for different primer sizes. Also, I have multiple powder measures/linkages/metering inserts. So I'm either lazy, or, as @Demi-human said, I'm a conessiour. Not the cheap way to go for sure, and yes I could have went blue, but it works for me.

Rule3 said:

It;s the adjusting of the powder measure/die that I do not like. (height) not the metering so much. Between say 9mm and 45 auto the powder adjustment is no all that much different with the powders I use.

Yes, the primer change is probably the most annoying, I will try the "string" idea rather than a dental pick/ hemostats and twang goes the spring!

Believe me, if I had the room I would have two progressives. I have the Lee Turret and LnL Ap on the small bench now.
Probably would have BLUE ones!!

Click to expand...

I've been reloading since 1969. My first press was a Herters! This lasted until it was troublesome to get dies I needed that would fit that press. Then had a Lyman and then added an RCBS Rockchucker.
Since the single stage days I got into high volume completion shooting. It seems either late 1980's or early 1990's I got into the early production Dillon progressive presses. Somehow I ended up with 5 Dillon progressive presses for the pistol cartridges and 2 Hornady progressives for rifle.
Reloading to me is a relaxing activity with the benefit of precision reloaded ammo. I mention precision because I like to have consistency and repeatability. I found that having separate presses allows me sit down and reload what I need with out a lot of fiddling. For example 45ACP I reload today will be the same as 45 ammo reloaded 20+ years ago.

Shoot more, fiddle with presses less!

Smiles,

It takes me about 1 hr to change the press and case feeder over from 9mm to 41 magnum and tune it in. No big deal. I like running my presses so any press time I get, whether caliber change or operation is fine with me. I have some new shooters (grandchildren) coming of age now so I hope to get some more reloading time.
I have the case feeder, and control panal. I wish I would have bought a bullet feeder for my LNL-AP back when they were under $270.00.
Won't pay what they want for them now. Maybe if the price comes back down. Maybe.

I don't find them hard to change over, but I've been doing Mechanical and Electrical work for over 40 years, so I'm used to working on machines.

Rule3 said:

Please no Dillon fan boy comparisons.

Do you find switching calibers to be a PITA? No, it's not really awful. Guess I am just getting even lazier! Only if you do all on the press.

Change the shell plate, OK that's easy
Change the dies out, OK easy

Readjusting the powder measure and resetting. Kind of annoying

Changing primer from Large to Small or reverse. Real annoying.

Is it worth getting another powder measure and linkage system??

Click to expand...

Love mine mate, another powder measure may work for you? I have no issues winding up or down for casing length...all my other dies are on bushings, the plates are no problem..

Thewelshm

I have had mine for about 10 years now, I don't see any problems with changing calibers IMO. I will say that when I load a certain caliber I will load at least a thousand rounds or more. I load 9mm.40S&W and 45ACP for pistol and 223/556 for my AR's, one other thing to note is that I have cut down to one powder for pistol (VV N320) and I only use H335 for the rifle loads. I also have all my dies in the quick change bushing so no need to re set the dies, I only have to change the shell plate and adjust the powder drop.

Rule3 said:

Readjusting the powder measure and resetting. Kind of annoying

Click to expand...

I have a separate lower for each caliber and a separate PTX stop and an insert for each powder and weight. That makes it really easy.
The primer change over is a pita but doable.
What I hate is the case feeder change over if you have to change both upper and lower drop tubes. That’s a real pita.

I have a separate quick change powder die and metering assembly for each caliber. This results in very quick and accurate changeover for the powder measure.
I use the Hornady deluxe die wrench for easy shell plate changes.
The only time I have to switch primer sizes is for 45 acp (the only large primer I load).
I don't have a case feeder.

lordpaxman said:

I have a separate lower for each caliber and a separate PTX stop and an insert for each powder and weight. That makes it really easy.
The primer change over is a pita but doable.
What I hate is the case feeder change over if you have to change both upper and lower drop tubes. That’s a real pita.

Click to expand...

If changing tubes, you might be changing feeder plates as well.

9mmepiphany said:

That is a bit irksome...mostly 1) moving the O-ring up and down and 2) recapturing the spring powering the block


That's easy, you just lift out the installed plate and drop in the new one

Click to expand...

You do have to go get the ladder.

Rule3 said:

Please no Dillon fan boy comparisons.

Click to expand...

^Coming from someone who traded his LNL AP for a Dillon 750, I miss how easy caliber changeovers were for the Hornady. The Dillon in my opinion is a pain to change calibers for, and I miss the LNL bushing system as well. While it may not be optimized for the volume of production as the Dillon is, the LNL AP is an excellent machine and mine ran flawlessly.

Rule3 said:

Readjusting the powder measure and resetting. Kind of annoying

Changing primer from Large to Small or reverse. Real annoying.

Click to expand...

^Can be solved by getting a powder die lower and leaving it preset.
Primer changeover on the LNL is easy, I could have it done in a couple minutes. The XL 750 takes twice as long for me to switch over. My Redding Big Boss 2 single stage takes 30 seconds!

I just lift my case feeder off the post and look in it or dump it out when I'm done.

9mmepiphany said:

I have a Rubbermaid two-stepper under the bench for when I clean out the bowl or check for shy cases that don't want to come out. I keep thinking of mounting a mirror, but it keeps dropping down the priority list

Click to expand...

I've done that too, but for me it's pretty easy to just lift it off and look in it unless you don't have the ceiling height.