Bullet Feeder Adapter for Hornady LNL AP (Review)

[9mmepiphany]

The new system is the Bully Adapter which mates the Lee Multi-Tube Adapter for their Bullet Feed Kit with the Hornady LNL AP Bullet Feeder Die. I’ve been working with this new bullet feeding system on my LNL and thought I’d share some of my impressions.

First a little history: (you can skip this section if you just want to read about how the adapter works)

1. Hornady makes the Lock-N-Load Pistol Bullet Feeder which receives bullets from a high mounted hopper (200 bullet capacity), rights them and feeds them down a tube to their Bullet Feeder die. The bullets are dropped into the mouth of their feeder die, through a set of collets, as a case is raised into the die, and into the case mouth. MSRP is $439 for the Feeder, $36 for a Feeder die ($244 & $30 on Amazon). The Bullet Feeder die, comes with a caliber specific PTX insert to allow flaring and charging in your powder measure.

2. An after market system was hacked by AlliedArmory and referred to as the $28 Bullet Feeder. This system used some clear rigid plastic tubing to hold a number of bullets (usually 50-100) directly above the Bullet Feeder die. The tubing was retained by the tension of the tubing in the mouth of the die. Due to the weight of the column of bullets and the thinness of the tubing wall, to fit into the die, the column of bullets usually needed some external support to keep from toppling. $36 for the die, plus whatever you can get the tubing for and how you decide to support it

3. RCBS came onto the market with their Tube Pistol Bullet Feeder. MSRP is $37.45, feeder die and one clear tube that holds 20-25 bullets. Extra tubes are about $10

4. At the last SHOT Show, Hornady introduced a tube feed system, which they named the Lock-N-Load Bullet Tubes…available in 9mm, .40/10mm, and .45ACP. The Tubes consist of a set of three separate aluminum tubes which each hold 40+ bullets. These tubes have milled window slots in their bodies to allow the user can see when the tubes needed to be refilled. MSRP is $36 (market price ranges from $25-$42), plus $36 for the die

5. There is also the Mini Mr.Bulletfeeder by DAA which uses six tube magazines to hold 100 rounds. The tubes are rotated manually as they empty. You can purchase additional magazines. This unit comes with a Drop Die, in place of a feeder die and includes a Dillon specific expander. MSRP is $140; extra magazines are $50

6. Lee has its own Bullet Feeder Kit, which feeds bullets under the seating die as the case rises. Bullets are fed from their Multi-Tube Adapter, which consist of four tubes, each containing 25 bullets, held in a manually rotated assembly. This tube assembly is what the Bully Adapter uses. MSRP is $25 ($18 from Amazon) for the Multi-Tube; $48 for the Bullet Feeder

This is what it looks like mounted on my LNL AP…which is mounted to my bench with an Inline Fabrication Ultra Mount…I also love their Short Ergo Roller Handle
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…with clearance between it and the powder measure. I have a Powder Cop die between the two
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[9mmepiphany]

The Parts

The Lee Precision Multi-tube adapter consist of a plate assembly, two adapters (lg/sm) and eight clear tubes (4 lg/4 sm). The larger tubes are for larger caliber bullets (.44/.45) and the smaller for smaller bullets (9mm/.38). The larger tubes fit into the plate assembly and the smaller tubes fit inside the larger tubes
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The Hornady Bullet Feeder die locked into a LNL bushing
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The Bully Adapter
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Top surface
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…where the Lee adapter
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…screws in
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…to join the assembly plate
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…to produce this
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Set screws secure it (from turning) on the die
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And the tubes are installed
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[9mmepiphany]

Installation, Debugging, and a Sugru Hack

1. I had some initial problems with the mating of the Lee plate and the upper surface of the Bully adapter. The smaller tubes, I’m using this to load 9mm, would lock up the rotating head when I tried to switch between tubes.

I found that the Locating Pin in the assembly was too long and allowing the tube to slip into the non-rotating section. Apparently the locating pin is pressed into the assembly and there is some variance as to seating depth. Introducing the pin to “Mr Hammer” fix the problem
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2. When I had the whole thing mounted on my LNL I noticed that the tubes, especially when loaded, tended to flop around quite a bit. Nothing a “flex tie” can’t solve and for more stability, I stabilized the tubes by inserting ice cream bar sticks between the tubes to maintain alignment
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After I got the whole thing running, I replaced the tie/sticks with some Sugru moldable latex
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3. The next issue I ran into was a column of bullets not wanting to feed the entire column. The bullets were tilting slightly, after entering the Bully Adapter, before entering the Bullet Feeder die. There is a short length there, sized for larger caliber bullets, which allowed the bullets to hang up on the lip of the mouth of the die.

The solution was to cut a short length (1.7” long) of the smaller tubing (OD: .44”, ID: .40”) and insert that into the adapter spanning the distance from the entrance into the Bully Adapter to the mouth of the Feeder die…or, just use flat nosed bullets.

Flat nosed bullets stack in the tube without tilting and continue that orientation inside the adapter all the way to the mouth of the die
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…an additional benefit is that the FN bullets allow two extra bullets in each tube...and it feeds my touch of OCD

After getting it all set up, it runs like a charm.

I load the tubes with 100 bullets and I keep pre-filled ones handy for when I empty a set. As each tube empties, I rotate to the next tube. It isn't horrible if you miss the last bullet in the tube dropping into the adapter as the adapter and die hold about 10 bullets.

I find it much easier to feed cases into the shell plate than lining up bullet bases with case mouths. The adapter has easily increased my reloading speed by close to 50%...even taking the time to insure that the Powder Cop raises and checking that a bullet is in each case before entering the Seating die.

I've very happy with the Bully Adapter and consider it a well spent $30...yes, I paid for mine... (including shipping via Priority Mail). David (the inventor) is a very nice guy who makes them in his spare time and his workmanship is outstanding. If you are interested, he has a website at http://www.bullyadapter.com/home.html

My total investment was about $80; $30 for the feeder die, $18 for the tube assembly (I have Amazon Prime for shipping), $30 for the adapter (shipping included) and $2.50 for the Sugru...so about half what a Mini Mr. Bullet Feeder would have cost me

 

[higgite]

Very interesting. Thanks for the review. Well done.

I find it much easier to feed cases into the shell plate than lining up bullet bases with case mouths and the adapter has easily increased my reloading speed by close to 50%...

Most proponents of the $28 feeder say they load the tube(s) while watching TV or such. Detractors say you gain no time overall since you still load one bullet at a time into a tube instead of setting it on the case. I'm neither a proponent nor a detractor at this point, but have to say the Lee feeder/Bully adapter combo does interest me. So, long question short, how long does it take to load the Lee feeder tubes if you're not watching TV or otherwise multitasking?

Also, are the Lee tubes interchangeable such that extra tubes can be preloaded? Thanks.

 

[jmorris]

I find it much easier to feed cases into the shell plate than lining up bullet bases with case mouths and the adapter has easily increased my reloading speed by close to 50%

Years ago I rigged one of them up to feed one of my bullet sizers. The machine runs automatically so I could fill the tube while it ran and could actually preform other tasks while it was going through the stack of bullets.

The 50% increase in speed is short lived without a collator. If you added in the time it takes to fill the tubes to begin, less gain is there.

 

[Joea132]

Thanks for the explanation. I've been seriously considering doing something similar for a while. I like the added step of grabbing and flipping the bullet to be removed.

Maybe this setup doesn't save a ton of time like an automatic collater, but it allows you to focus on everything your machine is doing without any focus or thought placed on grabbing and flipping the next bullet.

 

[rdtompki]

Great effort on your part. Much appreciated. I've got a 9mm bullet feeder die, but didn't want to play around with getting the feeder to work with coated lead. I may be further inspired by your post.

 

[Walkalong]

Very cool. I would have to redo how my measures operate on my LNL, but that is doable, either by using the Hornady linkage where you can put the measure in any station, or revamping another way.

 

[GW Staar]

I'll bet AlliedArmory didn't have a clue when he built his $28 bullet feeder that his ripple would create an industry wave!

We can also blame Hornady for selling their caliber specific feeder dies separately! My part was infinitesimal, only giving AlliedArmory the idea to use the same inexpensive thin-wall tubing I used in my Hornady Bullet Feeder/Collator mods first posted at AR15.com. It certainly was a "why didn't I think of that" moment!

RCBS first saw Allied Armory's ripple as a commercial opportunity, and made their Tube Bullet Feeders. Then the Mini Mr. Bullet Feeder made it to market "borrowing" heavily from Lee's feeder, but not before Hornady "announced" their own yet to show up tube feeders. Now this! Bully for them, AlliedArmory has to be proud.

It's also fitting that Lee gets back into the fray (without any extra effort from their part), since they started the volks feeder in the first place. Hope their production can handle it!

Important revelation. It will work on RCBS progressives too. I'm used to being left out....I live in New Mexico. You'd be surprised how many are still surprised when I inform them that yes, I do live in the U.S.

I predict with even more volks feeders in use, more people will build THIS next, since bullet feeders often use up the powder cop station! If he was smart he'd make a "Bully" video powder level kit to sell along with it.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I'll bet AlliedArmory didn't have a clue when he built his $28 bullet feeder that his ripple would create an industry wave!

... My part was infinitesimal, only giving AlliedArmory the idea to use the same inexpensive thin-wall tubing I used in my Hornady Bullet Feeder/Collator mods first posted at AR15.com. It certainly was a "why didn't I think of that" moment!

I knew I was leaving something out when I was composing this yesterday...but if I had stopped to look it up, it would have likely never been completed; one of my many failings

Thank you for reminding me...I read about the hack so long ago that I'd forgotten where I'd seen it...leaving your contribution out certainly wasn't intentional

I told Dave that I'd do a review of his adapter after I got it running. The original intent was to post it on Calguns, where I'd first seen it, and to also post it here to "spread the word." That is why there aren't any forum specific user names included.

Let me edit credit to AlliedArmory for the $28 bullet feeder and add references to the systems offer by RCBS and Mr. Bullet Feeder

Sidenote: The adapter will work on any press that the Bullet Feeder die will fit on. It is currently residing on a couple of Dillons who's owners didn't want to go the Mr. Bullet Feeder route

 

[9mmepiphany]

Very cool. I would have to redo how my measures operate on my LNL, but that is doable, either by using the Hornady linkage where you can put the measure in any station, or revamping another way.

Truth be told, I don't load the way I have the press setup.

I usually deprime, size, and prime separately. So when I decide to load, I'm feeding primed cases into the press.

I usually have my powder measure (with PTX installed) at Station 1, Powder Cop at Station 2, with Feeder, Seat, and Crimp dies at the following stations

 

[9mmepiphany]

Detractors say you gain no time overall since you still load one bullet at a time into a tube instead of setting it on the case.

Even if I didn't pre-fill tubes with bullets, it takes less attention to place a bullet into a tube than on a case mouth.
1. the tube has a larger mouth
2. the bullet doesn't have to be place precisely...no balance involved
3. I'm not reaching into the press to access the case mouth

So, long question short, how long does it take to load the Lee feeder tubes if you're not watching TV or otherwise multitasking?

I don't really know.

The Mini Bullet Feeder site says that they can fill 100 rounds in a couple of minutes

Here is the way I do it:
Align the bullets, bases oriented, in a V-channel, and pour them into a tube.

An open V-channel...wood, aluminum, plastic...is easy to dump bullets into and pick out one not oriented the same way. You could even use a creased piece of cardboard.

If you wanted to get fancy, you could use a half tube...cut lengthwise...to align the bullets

Also, are the Lee tubes interchangeable such that extra tubes can be preloaded? Thanks.

Lee tubes certainly are

I'll find out about non-brand named tubes when I get out to my local TAP Plastics store

 

[9mmepiphany]

Thanks for the explanation. I've been seriously considering doing something similar for a while. I like the added step of grabbing and flipping the bullet to be removed.

Maybe this setup doesn't save a ton of time like an automatic collater, but it allows you to focus on everything your machine is doing without any focus or thought placed on grabbing and flipping the next bullet.

That was my thinking also.

It is much easier, for me, to pickup a case and have it oriented correctly to slide into the shell plate

 

[9mmepiphany]

The 50% increase in speed is short lived without a collator. If you added in the time it takes to fill the tubes to begin, less gain is there.

Since I seldom load more than 2-300 at a time, it doesn't have to last very long...plus I like a break every half hour or so anyway.

For me is it really less about time saved and more about efficiency of motion when reloading and the ability to focus on consistency of the powder drop...I'm still getting the hang of the reloading process

 

[GW Staar]

That was my thinking also.

It is much easier, for me, to pickup a case and have it oriented correctly to slide into the shell plate

I've been tooting that horn for 6 years! The Pro 2000 got endless grief over the lack of a case feeder. Nobody thought a bullet feeder was just as good. I disagreed......Nobody draws blood sliding a case in a shell holder. But almost everyone has mashed their finger trying to hold a bullet straight above a case at least once....me several times!

Nobody is arguing that both is best. I have both on my Pro 2000.....not because I want to beat speed records......I just want to be able to focus on ONE thing.....powder level in the case!

I knew I was leaving something out when I was composing this yesterday...but if I had stopped to look it up, it would have likely never been completed; one of my many failings

Thank you for reminding me...I read about the hack so long ago that I'd forgotten where I'd seen it...leaving your contribution out certainly wasn't intentional

Ah nuts, I shoulda read my OWN post. I didn't mean leaving me personally out, all I did was toot AlliedArmory's horn.

I just meant we RCBS progressive users and the RCBS press are too often left out of progressive discussions and new users don't get a fair look at the option. Moot point now with these new ProChucker presses coming out.....right down the center of the mainstream (boring) progressive thought.

Anyway I started a thread at AR15.com with a link here and to Dave's site, to start the ball rolling with a few more thousand reloaders who wish they had a bullet feeder. I wish Dave well with his venture.

 

[jmorris]

Since I seldom load more than 2-300 at a time, it doesn't have to last very long...plus I like a break every half hour or so anyway.

For me is it really less about time saved and more about efficiency of motion when reloading and the ability to focus on consistency of the powder drop...I'm still getting the hang of the reloading process

I understand that, before I had a case collator I extended the tube and loaded brass into tubes to fill the case feed tube similar to the primer tube.

If you don't count the time it takes to fill them it is a lot faster but if you include it, not so much but you are just watching stuff work.

With case and bullet feed 200-300 should get you done in half the time you usually take a break.

 

[9mmepiphany]

So, long question short, how long does it take to load the Lee feeder tubes if you're not watching TV or otherwise multitasking?

You peaked my curiosity so I timed it this afternoon when I ran off a quick hundred rounds.

I can load a 25 round tube in 37-40 secs...I was using my phone as a stop watch and had to start and stop the timer manually. About 3 mins for all four tubes (100 rounds).

You lose time, compared to the Mini Mr Bullet Feeder, as you have to pick up the tubes separately, but you make up time as separating the tubes allows you to insert the bullets nose first as opposed to tail first...almost twice as fast; but really just requiring less dexterity as you have twice as much margin for alignment error

 

[FMJBT]

I have one. I like it. I was working on this same concept about a year ago before this came out. I am not a machinist, so it was no where near as polished.

It Works great on my 9mm cast bullets. My cast 45 are a bit more finicky. They don't work if you powder coated them with the harbor freight powder coat.

Definitely worth the money.

 

[Paddy]

Also take a look at the double alpha feed die as I feel it is superior design to the hornady. Feeds anything including powder coated.

 

[GW Staar]

Also take a look at the double alpha feed die as I feel it is superior design to the hornady. Feeds anything including powder coated.

It is a good design.....just how easy would it be for someone not buying the Mini or the full blown Mr. Bullet Feeder to buy just the feed die? Afterall the original $28 bullet feeder has no peers in the cost dept.

Too bad the Lee shaker collator only works for cases! I have seen somewhere that someone just dumped a whole box of bullets along a 4' long aluminum "L". Spread them out, flipped the wrong ways, and then just raised one end enough for them to all slide into a waiting tube at the bottom! Well that's a start.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I have seen somewhere that someone just dumped a whole box of bullets along a 4' long aluminum "L". Spread them out, flipped the wrong ways, and then just raised one end enough for them to all slide into a waiting tube at the bottom!

That's a much better description than I attempted in Post #12

Align the bullets, bases oriented, in a V-channel, and pour them into a tube.

...and if you also follow what I added in Post # 17

insert the bullets nose first as opposed to tail first...almost twice as fast; but really just requiring less dexterity as you have twice as much margin for alignment error

...it is even easier

 

[higgite]

Also take a look at the double alpha feed die as I feel it is superior design to the hornady. Feeds anything including powder coated.

It is a good design.....just how easy would it be for someone not buying the Mini or the full blown Mr. Bullet Feeder to buy just the feed die?

Was wondering the same thing and found this seller under the "buy now" link on Mr. Bullet website. $50 for the "lower drop assembly".
http://www.mrbulletfeeder.biz/

I already have a Hornady bullet feeder die, which is kind of persnickity, but doable. If this Buddy bullet feeder thing works out to my liking and the Hornady die proves to be too finicky, I may be tempted to try the Mr. Bullet die. If none of it works out, well, can always use more fishing sinkers.

 

[Paddy]

Yep, 50$ gets the lower dropper from double alpha. It feeds great, my dropper for 45 would reliably feed any bullet from .450 to .460+ I imagine, without even adjusting. I also got one for .308 but haven't messed with it much yet. So, few bucks more, but for me, much less headaches. I could never get the spring collets adjusted right and seemed like it was just too darn temperamental. No disrespect to your efforts, if you can make that die work you're a madder scientist than I!

 

[9mmepiphany]

Funny thing is that I was having more problems getting the PTX to expand enough to carry the bullet between feeder and Seating die, without tipping, than I had getting the Feeder to drop.

It just took a little bit of patience and a willingness to progressively lower it a bit at a time until it dropped the first slug...and then just a touch more...and I'm loading plated bullets too

 

[Walkalong]

Have you considered using the regular expander die before the powder drop?