Any running a Mr. BF in Station 3 on a Hornady LNL AP Press (FIXED!)?

[rdtompki]

Got my Mr. BF up and running about a week ago - ranks right up there with my first purchase of a cordless drill or hexadecimal calculator back in the day!

I'd love to run the BF die in Station 3, but there is a slight interference between the powder funnel casting and the lower fitting on the slinky bullet tube. I'm gradually relieving the funnel, but don't want to take off too much material.

SOLUTION: After looking over the lower slinky fitting I determined I could add a complementary flat to that component. BF now works fine in Station 3 and I can return to my separate seat and crimp dies.

Loading a longer case (I'm doing only 9mm) or a longer expander (Mr. BF expander is fairly short) would raise the powder die and probably avoid the interference.

Anyway, if you've been there done that or have any suggestions please chime in.

 

[Paddy]

I do, but I'm not sure what you're having interference with. Can you post s pic?

 

[kostyanj]

Slightly OT but related. If you're running a bullet feeder die, do you run a powder through expander? Reason I ask is because I really like using the powder cop and don't want to give that up to put the bullet feeder on. The only way to have enough space would be to run the powder through expander.

Just looking for real world usage.

 

[Paddy]

Yes I expand and powder in same station. I also gave up powder cop to have separate stations for crimp and seat. It's not ideal, but until I get a 6 or 7 station press it's gotta be that way I suppose. After using bullet feeder I'm not giving the that up!

Btw imo bullet feeder is much better than case feeder because I use the time spend handling each case as it goes in as the only real inspection on the brass. I don't need to inspect bullets that closely.

 

[rdtompki]

Paddy,
I'll try and post a picture on Sunday (all day match tomorrow). I agree r.e. separate seat and crimp. I'm getting good rounds out of my combo die, but I like being able to change OAL with a simple turn of my RCBS micrometer seater. I use the "controversial" Lee FCD, but 40K rounds of 9mm and never an issue.

With the BF my entire focus is on the shell plate and I do get a good view of the powder level before the ram elevates.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I don't, but I'm loading pre-prepped (decapped, sized, expanded) brass...Charge, Cop, Drop bullet, Seat, and Crimp.

If I'm loading non-decapped brass, I do give up the Powder Cop...or I'd have to seat and crimp in one operation.

I also feel that a bullet feeder is a larger improvement than a case feeder

 

[rdtompki]

I also feel that a bullet feeder is a larger improvement than a case feeder

Absolute truth. My next mini-project is "fixing" my case feeder. The bullet feeder without any adjustment is near perfect. Got to watch the case feeder like a hawk. I think just for grins I'll run my next session without the case feeder.

 

[thump_rrr]

LnL case feeder rarely gives me any trouble.
What issues are you having?

 

[rdtompki]

Primary case feeder issue is the occasional case that doesn't hit flush and can bounce off the plate. there are a number of easy fixes, but I just haven't taken the time to address.

 

[rdtompki]

I do, but I'm not sure what you're having interference with. Can you post s pic?

[/IMG]

Some of the routing is interim, but the interference is not the result of the bullet feed slinky pulling on the die. Prior to my locking the insert into the press the die operates, but as soon as I lock the die in place the interference, prior to the minor filing, would lock the die open

 

[Paddy]

Ah yes I see now. Mine is close, but I'm only using the dropper and adapted my own aluminum thin wall tube so it doesn't jam up on my measure. If you can't replace the plastic with aluminum tube, maybe you can get a longer clear tube and extend that black plastic up higher?

 

[rdtompki]

Ah yes I see now. Mine is close, but I'm only using the dropper and adapted my own aluminum thin wall tube so it doesn't jam up on my measure. If you can't replace the plastic with aluminum tube, maybe you can get a longer clear tube and extend that black plastic up higher?

No need. My trusty Dremel provided the clearance. Rick, aka Mr. BF, has been helpful and I've sent him the pictures. I wouldn't be surprised if he or the actual manufacture does a slight mod. The plastic tube would have to be quite a bit longer, however, because the powder funnel would be higher with a Hornady expander and even higher with longer cases. Maybe the lower "slinky" fitting could be machined and thus be thinner. Not a big deal either way.

I just can't believe the number of iterations it must have taken to get something like this working. Lots of prototype I expect.

 

[Paddy]

Yes it's a brilliant device isn't it? I struggled with the hornady bullet feeder dies and they made me mental. Bought MBF droppers and I use just the dropper on my rifle loading without any tubes. It only hold 3 bullets but it gives me the freedom to place the bullet into the die at any time, like while I'm operating the press handle. It really helps speed things up and maintain a rhythm.

With my home made collator on the progressive 45acp it ha completely transformed the machine into a true production unit where I have achieved an incredible output rate.

 

[AR-Bossman]

Maybe I'm seeing things but that looks like an upside down bullet in your tube.

 

[jmorris]

Maybe I'm seeing things but that looks like an upside down bullet in your tube.

Yep, good eye.