223 Reloading on Hornady -- Dies and Pistol to Caliber Changes?

[psychbiker]

I've only loaded 9mm and 45. The change to 45 after having it setup for 9mm was tedious.

I'm about to start loading 223 and just realized what seems to be a much bigger pain....the Powder Drop.

It seems like getting a completely separate powder drop is the only way. It's $70 plus another $45 for the case activated drop but then its set once for 223 and the one I use for pistol wont be touched.

Having to remove my pistol powder through expander everytime and re-calibrate to do 223 seems very very time consuming.

What else is involved from changing from pistol to 223 on the LNL?

I'm also thinking about the the RCBS X-Die, Hornady seater Die and a CTS Trimmer thats sold on ebay with great reviews. Hooks to a 3/8 drill and no need to chamfer/debur.

 

[ShadowsEye]

Cry once and buy the whole deluxe quick-change kit, with the separate tool head and powder drop for each caliber. If you don't have the cash, that's fine, it's doable. But it's going to be very unpleasant.

A lot of people have 2 550s, one for large primers and one for small.

 

[Hondo 60]

Not sure what's all involved with a LNL.

But it only takes me about 15-20 minutes to change from Lrg Pistol to small rifle. on my 550.
While I know some reloaders have multiple presses, I couldn't afford it, nor do I see a necessity.

 

[cfullgraf]

To make the changes quick and easy on the Hornady L-N-L, you want a set of L-N-L bushings for each die. Once the dies are set, just swap them out.

You will also want the powder drop die with a bushing for each different cartridge. Then set the drop die up for the cartridge to be loaded. Move the measure to the drop die with the appropriate drop tube in the die.

You can by separate metering inserts for each cartridge for the powder measure. Then, the metering insert is preset for the charge and you only have to verify that the setting is still correct.

No need to buy separate complete powder measures.

The primer system parts should have come with your press. I do not prime on my Hornady, so i cannot help you there.

Hope this helps.

 

[BYJO4]

It isn't difficult to change over to rifle without buying an additional powder measure although that would be the fastest and easiest way. To use your current measure, you would need to change the pistol rotor over to the rifle rotor (both came with press). To eliminate changing settings everytime you change calibers, you need a Quick Change Powder Die (about $20) for each caliber you load whether pistol or rifle. Once they are set, you simply insert the one for the caliber your loading into the press and set the powder measure on top of it. Get a metering insert ($10) for each caliber so you can just insert that into the rotor. Finally, I have individual powder sleeves or PTXs for each Quick Change Die. All this allows you to just twist out one die and insert another with no adjustments.

 

[Mike 27]

I changed my LNL over in about 15 minutes the other day taking my time from 9mm to 223. I would say 5-10 minutes as you change out the rotor and a few other parts for the longer cases. After that you adjust the die a little and you are off. That was without changing the primer system over from large to small as you would have to do if you plan on priming on it. That would take another 5 minutes and a chore sometimes.

 

[psychbiker]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I didn't think spending $100 plus was needed. As for loading 9mm and 45. I use a Powderfunnels ptx. It's not caliber specific. One is used for all pistol calibers. Not sure how that changed things. I imagine it that would stay in the pistol Quick Change Die. The 223 quick change die would have the orignal powder drop assembly.

I'm not trying to race and pump out as many rounds an hour as I can so I'll be patient. Once I decide on the Dies I want I'll follow these directions again, thanks a lot!

Still trying to decide on the RCBS X die for size/deprime and the Hornady 223 seater.

 

[tcj]

I've only been using my LNL AP for about 4 months now but switch regularly between 9mm and 30.06. If I include clean-up time as well I doubt that it takes more than 15 minutes to switch...that includes the case feeder and the bullet feeder (for 9mm).

I doin't think I would get another powder drop. Instead just get the lower (case activated powder drop) and powder measure stop.

The additional lower will mean that you can leave the caliber specific portion in place for each caliber/case height; the powder measure stop allows the setting to be locked in and stay the same each time.

To make things go faster, I would also get the drain insert so that you can change the powders out faster.

Your press should have come with 2 drop inserts for rifle and 2 for pistol. Once adjusted for a given load/powder they should not have to be changed.

I've loaded several thousand of each round and with regard to the powder drop, after switching out lower, stop and rotor/insert it usually only takes a couple of drops to confirm my load.

 

[Etkini]

...and powder measure stop.

Why would you need a PTX powder measure stop for a case that doesn't need a PTX?