$28 Bullet Feeder for Any Progressive

[CHALK22]

Jmorris, I have been at this for a while, just bought a new caliber, that's all.

Muddydogs, you're my hero, exactly what I needed!

Clicked the link, ordered 4, shipped free, and used my paypal, so no need for a LNT account, Thanks!

 

[Blue68f100]

I tried that a couple of years ago and found I spent more time loading the tubes than to just drop the bullet in the feeder or place it in the round. Now if you have a way to auto load the tubes you will be ahead. If you want to increase your speed add a brass feeder. Then you only function is to set bullets and pull the lever.

 

[Muddydogs]

No problem. I ordered 4 sizes that I gathered from other posts in hopes of covering .40, 38, 45 and maybe 44. The size I found recommended for the .40 was way to big and needed adjusted to fit in the die but the 1/2 inch work's great. The other calibers fit in the other tubes I have but I don't have dies so I am not sure how the tube fits in the die. I do know that 10 bullets fit in the .40 die, I put in 9 as with 10 the pipe is harder to get seated in the die. 64 165 grain flat point bullets fit in the tube with the pin in the bottom and once the pin is pulled a couple more bullets can be set in the tube. If you don't have at least 5 or so bullets in the die before you pull the pin on the tube there is enough force when the stack of bullets hit the bottom of the die to pop one out the other end.

Now I am waiting on Hornady to get a 223 bullet feeder die going as I don't like setting bullets on cases after loading with it.

Shipping was fast from this company but the packing Tape used to secure the tubes in the box was a pain to get off the tubes. Sticky nasty mess that took WD 40 and a lot of rubbing and cussing to get off. I was not impressed at all but once I got it cleaned off and set up all is well.

 

[Muddydogs]

I find that I can load the tubes very fast. Grab a handful of bullets and poke them in the tubes. It has increased my speed quite a lot and I don't feel like I need a brass feeder because all I do is feed brass and pull the handle. Left hand feeds brass and my right never leaves the press handle. This also gives me more time to watch the powder charge and other press functions as I am not worried about getting the bullet on the case. For small test batches I will just feed a few bullets into the die alone.

It would be nice to be able to fill bullet tubes like I fill primer tubes but not quite sure if Lee makes a bullet tray like their primer tray big enough to handle 100 bullets but then again if I guy is going to do this he might as well just get the full bullet feeder assembly.

Anyway to each there own but for the little money invested in the bullet feeder I think it works great and is a real time saver.

 

[hAkron]

I bought a 9mm bullet feeder die today. Went on the LNT website and orded 2 of each size up to 1/2" less than $19 to my door for the tubes.

 

[twohightech]

For the ones the have buffed the in side out to load cast bullets can you go back to FMJ? Is it still holding up good? I ordered a brass feeder for the LNL last night and had a $50 off deal so i got 9mm and .45acp dies with the order.

 

[Jake Munch]

How do you keep the bullets from sliding right through your feeder die. Every time I set the tube on top of the feeder die and pull my pin I end up emptying out the tube of all my bullets. I cannot seem to stem the flow. I load up approx 50 185g hornady XTPs? Is this too many or do I just not have my die set up correctly?

 

[CHALK22]

Check the instructions that came with the bullet feeder. I had the opposite problem, mine wouldn't feed at all, and messed up cases. Just a little tweaking and you will be on your way. Trust me, it is worth it.

 

[Jake Munch]

CHALK22,

Unfortunatly my feeder die did not come with instructions. I have the upper adjustment set so that the two collets just barely slide back and forth. The bottom protion is adjusted to the point that the die touches the shell plate. I am using the L n L PTX die in my powder measure. Do you think this could be an issue of too much belling on the 45 case mouth?

 

[Blue68f100]

If not set right, Yes. You may need to back it out to expand less. The proper way to adj these is first use the die body to get proper expansion. Then you set the PTX Stop to limit it from additional travel. I normally set these up with about 1/16 clearance on the dispenser casting. Depending on your bullets you may not need any flaring at the mouth. Some bullets have a radius on the bottom making them easy to start. So all the expander is doing is expanding but not to the extent it flares it. Without the PTX stop set to limit travel you will fail the long vertical linkage arm tying to the base unit under the knurled bolt.

I hope this made since.

Then you have to setup the feed die to work with your neck tension.

 

[Muddydogs]

CHALK22,

Unfortunatly my feeder die did not come with instructions. I have the upper adjustment set so that the two collets just barely slide back and forth. The bottom protion is adjusted to the point that the die touches the shell plate. I am using the L n L PTX die in my powder measure. Do you think this could be an issue of too much belling on the 45 case mouth?

You do not set the die till it touches the shell plate. You set the die until it touches a flaired case in the shell holder. Here are the directions, check out page 8 and 9. http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/manuals-current/metalic-reloading/LNL-Bullet-Feeder-inst-manual.pdf

The right amount of belling is just enough that a bullet will set upright in the case mouth and the case will trip the bullet feed die collets.

 

[PapaGeno21]

Well I ordered tubing and also the 38/357 die. I bought the 7/16" and 1/2" that way I can use the 1/2" to couple some 7/16" together to reach my ceiling where I will have an eyelet support. Should be a fun little project on the cheap. I already built a DIY case feeder so if this bullet feeder also works all I will have to do is pull the handle!

 

[CHALK22]

Sounds like I got beat to it.
http://www.hornady.com/assets/files...c-reloading/LNL-Bullet-Feeder-inst-manual.pdf

 

[Jake Munch]

Sorry all,

I did not think to look in the bullet feeder manual. I will try this weekend. Thank you. Hope it works and then I will get the same set up for the 9mm.

 

[AlliedArmory]

Does anyone know if Hornady ever came out with the rifle bullet feed dies yet?

 

[GW Staar]

Not a trace. I think they figured out it was harder than they thought!

BTW, I "borrowed" your clipped tubes idea for my Pro 2000 case feeder, and I borrowed the shaker collator idea from Lee, and my case feeder is working great. See the links here on THR below:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/rcbs-pro-2000-case-feeder-its-done.659144/

[URL='https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/improving-lees-shaker-collator-to-feed-rifle-9mm-yup-for-my-case-feeder.679005/']https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...feed-rifle-9mm-yup-for-my-case-feeder.679005/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/improving-lees-shaker-collator-to-feed-rifle-9mm-yup-for-my-case-feeder.679005/'][/URL]
Thanks for the idea....again.[URL='https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/improving-lees-shaker-collator-to-feed-rifle-9mm-yup-for-my-case-feeder.679005/'][/URL]

 

[AlliedArmory]

That's pretty sweet. I was going to try and use the Lee shaker case feeder for the Hornady, but the linkage below is the hard part. Never got around to trying it.

 

[GW Staar]

That's pretty sweet. I was going to try and use the Lee shaker case feeder for the Hornady, but the linkage below is the hard part. Never got around to trying it.

That's true for a Hornady AP, or a Dillon for that matter....good presses but more complicated....too many moving parts, and that makes them harder to modify, harder to keep synced. You may have noticed that my case feeder does not even move up and down with the ram. Staying put makes it easy to feed cases to it.

I actually didn't buy the Lee shaker, because it can't do rifle cases or the little shorties like 9mm pistol. So I modified the idea with the long 3' tubes, an easy way to reduce the four holes for 9mm and of course a conversion part that makes loading rifle bottle necks like .223 and .308 a breeze. I have a thread with a video of the working result, if you care to peek. Include is a many-pictured "how-I-built-it".

Your $28....thread was a hit....I wonder if it had anything to do with the $28?

 

[jmorris]

Not a trace. I think they figured out it was harder than they thought!

The KISS is pretty simple but not so simple I tried to save $125. It's just plastic and a little spring steel for the feeder part but the "conversion" includes the collator wheel, drop tube and die itself. Not shabby for that kind of money.

 

[GW Staar]

The KISS is pretty simple but not so simple I tried to save $125. It's just plastic and a little spring steel for the feeder part but the "conversion" includes the collator wheel, drop tube and die itself. Not shabby for that kind of money.

Very true jmorris. The design is even better today. I haven't given up. Will probably build a case collator this winter....maybe a bullet collator next spring....just because it's cool.

 

[AlliedArmory]

Just picked up a Dillon XL650 and I guess it's time to get this setup on there for 45acp!

 

[psychbiker]

Sorry to bump an old thread but need a little help here.

I'm using 147gr .356 9mm Moly Coated bullets. These would not drop through the Hornady Die.

I came across the youtube vid regarding polishing the collets for lead bullets. Went to borrow my dads dremel and had to do the polishing.

NOW with the collet out of the die, it drops freely through collett A. Is this right? I fear that too much got polished and now I'm hosed.

I tried turning the die more into the press but noticed the cases getting nicked on the top. I tried adding more flare on the case (using a powder funnels). No luck. I turned the top knob on the die such small increments and it would do nothing or drop all bullets at once.

 

[GW Staar]

I'm not sure what or how much you polished. I only use plated or jacketed bullets so I never really examined the YouTube video closely where the guy was trying to make it work for lead. A picture or two might help. Collet A? is that the top tube?

This whole thread started because of a thread I did on AR15.com reviewing Hornady's Bullet Feeder. AlliedArmory got the bright idea to just use the inexpensive bullet dies and build a tube feeder.

I suggest you go to the original thread....scroll down to the picture review, on past the collator pictures, to where I start analyzing the bullet feed die. I've slept a few nights since then, but I analyzed the workings pretty close. Maybe you will find a clue or an answer to your problem there. If you have a question after studying those pictures, feel free to post here or p.m. me. I'll help if I can.

One of the picture captions stated, "The upper collet HAS to pass bullets freely until its fingers are closed by the collet under it." Maybe that helps you.

 

[Famousfamas]

Psychbiker,
Sorry to read about your troubles. I too went through the trouble of polishing the collets but I was very lucky. It worked perfectly. I am now using the Hornady bullet feeder for lead bullets. I did buy a second feeder die just for that purpose, knowing that I could no longer go back and use it for jacketed bullets.
While polishing the A collet I was wondering what could be done if I went too far as it seems you have gone yourself. Maybe wrapping some aluminum foil around that collet so that it's walls are tightened inside the die. The hardest part would be to drop the collet into the die without crumpling the foil. Maybe some lube would help.
I'll try this myself in the next couple of days just as an exercise. I'll post a note if it works.
Unfortunately this would be a bandaid fix and you might have to call Hornady.
Good luck.

 

[psychbiker]

Here's a pic of my Collet A. This is the first collet to go into the die. The "355 A" faces up with the flared end to be clear. Collet B with its radiused end rests inside the flared part of Collet A, right?

That said, collet B did not need any polishing. The bullet dropped freely. What got polished was the inside here of Collet A as you can see. From about the top of the circle down about 1/4". A 147gr now drops freely through collet A when not in the die. I can get a bullet to stop in collet B if I screw down the top of the die enough. I can get a bullet to stop in Collet A with less turning of the top of the die.

BUT I cant get it to consistently drop onto a case. It will drop 5 bullets but not a single one.

I'm not sure if too much got polished from the inside of Collet A OR if its a matter of bending either collet and/or tinkering with pressure from the top kob of the die. Thats where I need help on.

Thanks again for the help.