Master Blaster
Member
Some of you good folks may have read about my issues with the LNL powder measure with case activated linkage and through powder belling. Recently I had a squibb I didn't catch, and the unit has always suffered from poor consistency when dropping small volume pistol powder charges. I also own a RL 550B and have loaded many tens of thousands of rounds on it with reliable accurate powder throws, and easy adjustibility of the belling from caliber to caliber, so I decided to put a Dillon measure on the LNL.
I found a very easy way to get around the need for the safety rod bracket and rod without compromising the reliability of the powder measure. Basically it involves two screws and two nuts at a cost of 20 cents. I replaced the function of the rod by using a broken case retainer spring from the LNL wrapped around the safety spring area of the Dillon measure. I have a few of those should it wear out. (this was the old way of ensuring the slide returns if gravity doesnt do it.)
Last night I spent exactly 25 minutes adapting the measure and adjusting the powder die and quick change bushing for perfect belling and a perfect powder drop on .45 acp. I already had the powder funnell /belling insert from my dillon .45 acp set up so I only had to buy the measure which came with a powder die. The nice thing is that I now have perfect belling, easy adjustment and a consistant reliable powder drop. 20 consecutive drops tested at exactly 6.0 grains of W231. I have never been able to get this consistency and reliability from the Hornady measure.
I loaded 100 rounds with no powderless or low powder drops (unlike the Hornady measure). The press is much smoother and quieter, and requires much less effort to operate without the 8 pound Hornady measure and seperate belling die. The belling is also perfect without a loss of case tension on the bullet, or the issue of underbelling. I can now use a RCBS lockout die in the empty station if I want.
Change over to other calibers require a caliber specific funnel/ belling insert, and a powder die, and once set take about 10 seconds, as you can have the powder die preset in a Hornady LNL bushing.
Here are a few pictures:
I found a very easy way to get around the need for the safety rod bracket and rod without compromising the reliability of the powder measure. Basically it involves two screws and two nuts at a cost of 20 cents. I replaced the function of the rod by using a broken case retainer spring from the LNL wrapped around the safety spring area of the Dillon measure. I have a few of those should it wear out. (this was the old way of ensuring the slide returns if gravity doesnt do it.)
Last night I spent exactly 25 minutes adapting the measure and adjusting the powder die and quick change bushing for perfect belling and a perfect powder drop on .45 acp. I already had the powder funnell /belling insert from my dillon .45 acp set up so I only had to buy the measure which came with a powder die. The nice thing is that I now have perfect belling, easy adjustment and a consistant reliable powder drop. 20 consecutive drops tested at exactly 6.0 grains of W231. I have never been able to get this consistency and reliability from the Hornady measure.
I loaded 100 rounds with no powderless or low powder drops (unlike the Hornady measure). The press is much smoother and quieter, and requires much less effort to operate without the 8 pound Hornady measure and seperate belling die. The belling is also perfect without a loss of case tension on the bullet, or the issue of underbelling. I can now use a RCBS lockout die in the empty station if I want.
Change over to other calibers require a caliber specific funnel/ belling insert, and a powder die, and once set take about 10 seconds, as you can have the powder die preset in a Hornady LNL bushing.
Here are a few pictures:
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