Am I missing anything? Hornady LNL

[caseypj]

I'm considering getting into reloading .223, I was looking at a Hornady LNL. I'm planning on getting the following items:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=679228 Press

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=184923 Die Set

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=792057 Powder Charging Die

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=234716 RCBS Powder Checker

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=738344 Shellplate

I'm also going to get a digital scale, a bullet puller, a handheld resizing tool, a primer flip tray, and digital calipers. I am planning on reading the ABCs to reloading and getting the Lyman 49th Edition Reloading Handbook before I start. Am I missing anything important?

 

[djs764]

Unless you're already on Midways backorder list you may want to check around for the LnL. Last I checked they had over 200 on the list, I found one at a small dealer in Pa. but now he's out too. Try calling these places and ask how many are on their list and get your name on the shortest one.

http://www.lockstock.com/prodinfo.asp?number=HRN095100

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00005095100

http://www.grafs.com/product/210206

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=PC095100&src=tpCtg....You can do a email alert from Natchez when they come in. I was on their list and got the email but already found one.

You will also need a vibratory case cleaner & media seperator

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&src=iF78&prodID=RC87088

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=RC87076&src=sim

 

[caseypj]

Thanks, I wasn't sure how necessary the case cleaner was. Does it look like I'm missing anything in the way of dies? Can you recommend anything in particular die wise?

 

[WV_Vizsla]

One Shot spray lube, extra case springs and an ejecter wire come to mind right away.
email me and I will send you the shopping list I used to trick it out. Reduced the "OH I want this" factor some.
[email protected]

I purchased from lockstock, natchez and midway

 

[WarHall]

Barely getting started!

I already got mine, I've loaded about 200 rounds so far. You didn't mention a scale, as well as the basic reloading stuff like primers, powder, brass etc. Getting small rifle primers right now is darn near impossible. I would recommend you get yourself a setup to extract stuck cases. My biggest problem so far with the LNL AP has been getting powder in the primer seat, and the ez-ject throwing the bullets all over or not at all. And I wish I had bought nothing but boattail bullets! I bought a Forstner case trimmer that did not come with the .20 trimmer, but they were kind enough to send me one after I mailed the postcard back to them. You'll need to clean the primer pockets of any used shells, a swaging tool to deburr or open the case mouth prior to seating the bullet. You'll need some rags to wipe off the case lube after you finish, so it won't jam up the bore of your rifle (I don't know why?) I like the idea of the powder check die, after loading about 100 of the .223, I weighed them all and found variances of up to 5 grains, which I assume is powder weight, now I have to pull them and start over. AND, this is just what I've learned in the last couple of weeks...I'm not even sure when it'll all end, but for now these are some ridiculously expensive bullets!

 

[rockhound758]

Maybe I'm missing something, but I was thinking that the powder charging die wasn't necessary on the LNL. Doesn't it have it's own integrated powder drop system? Does the powder charging die give you any additional benefits and/or is it useful?

 

[WarHall]

I don't really know much about that particular die,

(Maybe I'm missing something, but I was thinking that the powder charging die wasn't necessary on the LNL. Doesn't it have it's own integrated powder drop system? Does the powder charging die give you any additional benefits and/or is it useful?)
But I don't seem to need it. It's an integral part of the powder drop. It's a little bit of a PITA when you change from large to small calibers, but it works. Personally I'd like to get that powder check die, I've been dumping IMR 4895 for .308 and .223, and it doesn't seem to 'flow' as well as I expected. And I can't figure out why I need 5 die stations when I'm only using 3, either. the one station with the ez-ject seems to be a waste, if you ask me. Maybe someone could enlighten me as to what it could be used for? But, I would like to put in that powder check. right now I use the hole to drop the bullet on before it goes to the seating die, which again I don't need because I've been loading hollow points and VMax's, which aren't boat tails, and need to hang on to them when they are going up to the seating die. Maybe I'm doing something wrong? I've been using a countersink mounted in my vise to open the throat up a little, but I don't want to wear them down too much, either.
Oh the other thing you need is the LNL rings that lock onto the dies. this allows you to interchange different dies without changing the settings.

 

[WV_Vizsla]

I also think the LEE charging die is for their powder setup. I do like the Hornady powder thru expanded for pistol cartriges. IMO it adds vibration to the powder measure resulting in very consistant powdering ~0.0 to +/- 0.05 seems to be what I get with the small rotor & WSF. Did not like the huge AmerSelect flakes.

 

[rfwobbly]

Calipers, Case trimmer, Reloading manual, Case lube...

If 223 and other rifles is mostly what you're going to do, check out the Lyman T-mag kit. That's a great kit, with trimmer and the best manual around.... and probably not sold out.