Cab the auto index on a RCBS or Hornandy LnL be defeated?

[Rule3]

Can the auto index on a RCBS or Hornandy LnL be defeated?

Just the above two presses please. Green and Red only Don't care about the Blue ones.

Is it easy to stop the auto indexing if you wanted to. Say for setting up or just tweaking it to run one round through and check all the measurements?

Is one easier than the other?

Thanks

 

[DC_art]

R3,

I'm not familiar with the Hornandy presses But I've never seen or heard of a way to defeat the auto-indexing of the Hornady LNL. I'm sure with some disassembly, it would be possible but it sure wouldn't be simple/easy. There is no lever to flip, if that's what you're asking for. I hope I don’t have any typo’s here!

 

[rsrocket1]

If you are loading one round at a time "turret style" on the LnL AP, it would be much easier to take the single round out of the shellplate (just need to pull it out because the spring holding the case in the plate allows easy removal of the case). The problem with adjusting one station at a time is that you may need to readjust for when there are 5 shells in the plate.

You can also push the plate backwards if you need to with backward pressure when the ram is partway up. Maybe it's not recommended, but I haven't had any problems doing it.

 

[Jason977]

I believe the RCBS is sold in both auto and manual indexing configurations, and the parts can be switched out easy enough.

I have a LnL, and the auto-indexing can easily be defeated by removing the ratcheting pauls that advance the shellholder.

 

[DC_art]

Oh now Jason! That's what I'm talking about! It might be easy to remove those pawls, but re-assembly would be a different matter, especially for someone like me. I like to leave something that's working properly alone and not take it apart. "Easy" varies from person to person. Easy is like the button for Staples!

 

[Rule3]

So there is no way to manually index the press??

Heck even the Lee Turret can do that.

 

[Jason977]

I've never had mine out, but I have had to adjust them. They are held in and adjusted by one screw each side. I suppose you might be able to count the turns as you screw them all the way in, then replicate that position if/when you decide to reinstall them.

You're right though, I wouldn't want to pull them out just to run a dozen rounds through, then put it back together. In practice, I've never had a reason to run it manually. Only hiccup for me is sometimes I need to 'back it up' and it won't let you unless the handle is in just the right spot.

 

[Walkalong]

I routinely load a handful of rounds for testing on my LNL.

I do not believe there is an easy way.

Why do you want to stop the auto index?

 

[Blue68f100]

It would be a good way to cause problems down the line. You will loosen them up and may not stay in adj. Best to just remove the brass since the retainer spring easily allows this.

 

[GW Staar]

Rule3,

When I bought my Pro 2K in January after Obama got elected the first time, the problems with supply had already started. I wanted a Pro 2K auto-advance and couldn't find one. So I bought the Pro 2K manual advance at Graf's along with the $100 auto-advance update kit. Didn't lose more than $25 extra buying it that way.

Anyway, I used it manual-advance for a little while and put in the auto kit. Simple 30 minute update......I saved the parts to back date it if I want. One advantage to getting an auto-advance that way, is that you get the alignment rods with the kit. There's always the chance somebody on the line sent a press out not aligned well. Once aligned tho....never moves again....one of the perks of a simple low parts count design.

BTW, if a person does happen to get a press not aligned well, (rare) you just call RCBS and they send you out the rods to do it yourself......5 minute job.

So, you haven't bought your press yet?

 

[Rule3]

Really just out of curiosity, No real specific reason. Just that I can with a turret so wondered if I could with a progressive.

No I have not bought a progressive yet. Still watching the videos/reviews on Ultimate Reloader. I was going to jump on the Hornady as it's on sale and with the free bullets its a few bills less than the RCBS. The RCBS seems less finicky to me (not sure that is true) but when I here about fluffing and buffing and tweaking the LnL that should not have to be done. (Buy a Kel Tec and mess with it before you shoot it to see if it works kinda thing)

Just something is telling me to spend more on the RCBS. I like the looks of it and it seems simpler in design. I like all the dies on a die plate rather the separated and the APS primer system and refilling seems neater to me than pick up tubes.

 

[moonman16]

Rule3,
Google and watch "Hornady LNL-AP Set Up Hints and Tricks"

A video series by Bill Morgan.

Over at TheFirearmsForum the complete series is a STICKY in reloading section.

The series is very worthwhile if you own or are buying a Hornady LNL-AP press.

As to tube priming systems, Get a VIBRA-PRIME tube filler while Midway has them on sale $25, buy two I did.

They DO WORK, some folks (hate posters) shouldn't be around mechanical things though,

you might or might not have to do a little de-burring.

The Hornady is a GREAT PRESS, Bill's series helps you fully understand it.

 

[fiftybmg]

For the Hornady LnL press, it's not worth the time and effort to de-activate the auto index for small batches.

I suggest you invest in a LnL Classic to do that, especially if your dies already have the LnL bushings.

Whatever progressive press you buy, invest in a single stage as well.

You will need it, and the time and frustration accumulated from not having a single stage will make the price seem small.

It's not a good idea to buy a progressive press to use in single stage mode as well, then you may as well get the Lee Classic Turret that does not use a shellplate. I got one for reloading rifle calibers, and without the index rod it's a single stage with multiple dies setup.

 

[Tom488]

On the Pro 2000, remove the two little screws that hold the short bracket that moves the indexing pawl counter-clockwise during the upstroke. With this removed, the pawl will never 'reset', and the shellplate won't index on it's own.

 

[dbarnhart]

Jason99: I thought that photo looked familiar ;-)

http://www.shootandreload.com/2011/07/22/hornady-lnl-ap-setup-conclusion/

(I'm just happy that someone is finding my stuff useful)

 

[higgite]

Not sure why you would want to, but for a Pro 2000, if your cases are short enough to manipulate in a confined space, you could just not cycle the ram/shellplate all the way down to the point of indexing. But, don't let go of the handle or gravity will index it for you. Or you could carve a suitably sized block of wood, delrin, Kaiser roll, etc., to stick under the shellplate holder to limit its downward travel. Could win you a Rube Goldberg award, too. A win/win situation if there ever was one.