spencerhut
Member
I prefer the the Hornady LNL die bushings and have the conversion kit on on my RCBS Rock Chucker.
Fastest / Most Accurate Single Stage Die Change
- Thread starter spencerhut
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Once a set of dies is adjusted to a press and the lock rings cinched down, I see absolutely no reason for the Lock-N-Load system at all.
I can screw one die out and the other one in, in what? 10 -15 seconds.
That adds up to less then 1/2 - 3/4 minute total time in loading from 10 to 10,000 rounds in a batch.
rcmodel
I can screw one die out and the other one in, in what? 10 -15 seconds.
That adds up to less then 1/2 - 3/4 minute total time in loading from 10 to 10,000 rounds in a batch.
rcmodel
DEDON45
Member
Well, I happen to like Hornady equipment, so I voted for the LnL setup... It is fast. That said, Lee's little retainer button is an improvement, and I imagine that it works well... I just don't like Lee's products as much as others. The reality is, even a die set that uses REAL locking rings (RCBS, Hornady, etc.) is pretty fast, once set. Those lee 'O' ring locking rings stink for holding adjustments, though.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Yes they do!
That's why all of mine have been replaced, or drilled & tapped for lock screws.
Again, you only have to adjust dies to the press once, not every time you change from a sizing die to a seating die, change calibers all together, etc..
The same adjustment has to be done with the L&L insert the first time you screw a die in them.
If you have to adjust the crimp die, you still have to loosen the die lock ring in the press, or the L&L insert.
SO, where is the time savings?
rcmodel
That's why all of mine have been replaced, or drilled & tapped for lock screws.
Again, you only have to adjust dies to the press once, not every time you change from a sizing die to a seating die, change calibers all together, etc..
The same adjustment has to be done with the L&L insert the first time you screw a die in them.
If you have to adjust the crimp die, you still have to loosen the die lock ring in the press, or the L&L insert.
SO, where is the time savings?
rcmodel
DEDON45
Member
Rcmodel, you are right about all your points... There's not much of a point, but the OP was talking about FASTEST. Yeah, I'm picky about locking rings... Even my RCBS dies carry Hornady rings (don't) like the brass screw into the threads, or the lead shot, setup). The LnL bushing system is neat... But bot totally necessary. It's just that my two Hornady presses use LnL bushings. I'll say this; quick die changes isn't a primary reason to pick one press over another; it's just part of the package to me.
ClarkEMyers
Member
Forster/Bonanza Co-Ax snap in and out.
ranger335v
Member
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- 3,797
ClarkEMyers - "Forster/Bonanza Co-Ax snap in and out."
End of argument.
End of argument.
For years I never saw the need for the LNL feature. My Projector worked just fine without that feature, and once set, the dies screwed right back to the same spot, unless you torqued them very differently. I can see where the speed would be nice, (I am lazy after all.) and they might "float" a bit helping alignment, but I don't know, never having seen one in person. I am still tempted to buy a LNL though, especially with the free bullets, but my Projector just keeps on cranking out good ammo. 
Otto
Member
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The LNL system isn't faster when the dies work loose in the bushings and I have to stop reloading and find a solution to a problem that shouldn't exist in the first place.
I've seriously thought about ordering five (1 1/4-12 to 7/8-14) bushings from RCBS and converting the LNL AP back to the traditional system like the Hornady Projector had.
Converting the LNL die system should also save money in the long run.
I've seriously thought about ordering five (1 1/4-12 to 7/8-14) bushings from RCBS and converting the LNL AP back to the traditional system like the Hornady Projector had.
Converting the LNL die system should also save money in the long run.
Hunter0924
Member
The L-N-L set up is nice. It is hard to see unless you have used it.
The die is only set up once and just a 1/4 turn in or out. It is not just the time savings but the convenience of being able to swap dies out without threading the dies in and out.
It does not save hours but it is a time savings and a convenience factor.
It does make a difference even more in a progressive press.
The die is only set up once and just a 1/4 turn in or out. It is not just the time savings but the convenience of being able to swap dies out without threading the dies in and out.
It does not save hours but it is a time savings and a convenience factor.
It does make a difference even more in a progressive press.
OP
OP
spencerhut
Member
Interesting responses, I was expecting the Lock-N-Load to just walk away with it. But for the most part unless you are stuck with o-ringed Lee dies for use in a single stage, screwing the dies in and out is really no big deal. I happen to use a number of Lee die sets (among others) and the Lee dies (in my single stage) drove me to the LNL bushings since the setting seem to change do to the o-ring torque always being slightly different each time you re-install a die.
Now using the Lee dies in my Pro2000 is no problem since they are in the die plate and never really move once setup.
Now using the Lee dies in my Pro2000 is no problem since they are in the die plate and never really move once setup.
R.W.Dale
Member
Once I understood the mechanics of rifle die adjustment setup time is almost nil. Depending on what I need to do the FL sizer die either gets ran down to, the shellholder or + - an 1/8 to 1/4 turn depending on what I'm doing.
The seat die is easy since I NEVER use it to crimp. If crimping is required I use a Lee FCD
The seat die is easy since I NEVER use it to crimp. If crimping is required I use a Lee FCD
midnights
Member
+1 Co-Ax
I use plain-ol-dies.....A plain-ol-press....And just double nut them down.
Thread two nuts onto the die, adjust it, and lock the nuts togeather.
take it off...lower nut...put it on...upper nut.
No adjustment needed.
No screws to tighten...no "o"rings to mess with.
Just like installing an exhaust manifold stud in a 72 CAMARO.
Thread two nuts onto the die, adjust it, and lock the nuts togeather.
take it off...lower nut...put it on...upper nut.
No adjustment needed.
No screws to tighten...no "o"rings to mess with.
Just like installing an exhaust manifold stud in a 72 CAMARO.
I like the LNL bushings I bought. I could not get the lockrings to hold on tight enough and I'm so meticulous (aka-anal) that I want my dies within the same few thousandths every time. Being I have RCBS dies, I could not get their lock rings to work well unless I used steel set screws with a lead shot underneath to keep from damaging the threads. Even then I think I'm a bit to hard on them when I screw them into the press.
I do use a wrench to add just a touch of oomph to the LNL bushing because I did notice they wiggled a little bit if I didn't. I particularly like a quick system like this when I find one or two cases that I dropped on the ground and ignored because I kept chugging and neglected to pick them up. In this case, I can pop in the appropriate die that may be one or two steps behind my processing and quickly get the neglected brass caught up with the others.
A lot of good info here, just my two cents, not gospel or anything. I do think the LNL bushing set has put off my purchase of a progressive press for some time. Albeit, I still wish to acquire a Hornady progressive with the LNL by years end to get all those free bullets.
jeepmor
I do use a wrench to add just a touch of oomph to the LNL bushing because I did notice they wiggled a little bit if I didn't. I particularly like a quick system like this when I find one or two cases that I dropped on the ground and ignored because I kept chugging and neglected to pick them up. In this case, I can pop in the appropriate die that may be one or two steps behind my processing and quickly get the neglected brass caught up with the others.
A lot of good info here, just my two cents, not gospel or anything. I do think the LNL bushing set has put off my purchase of a progressive press for some time. Albeit, I still wish to acquire a Hornady progressive with the LNL by years end to get all those free bullets.
jeepmor
The Bushmaster
Member
Who's in such a hurry...I have both a single stage and a turret (the turret is faster) and I still haven't found a need for speed. I go to my "Man Room" to relax and reload...Saves money by not having to pay a shrink...
bullseye308
Member
Bushmaster beat me to it, why the rush? I was told many years ago my my father, if you needed it done 5 min ago you should have started it 10 min ago. That way you could finish in the alotted time and check your work. Great philosophy to live and reload by.
As far as the original ? just screw them in and go on about it. Enjoy it and don't stress it. Your gun will know the difference.
As far as the original ? just screw them in and go on about it. Enjoy it and don't stress it. Your gun will know the difference.
BigJakeJ1s
Member
Co-Ax is fastest AND most accurate.
LNL is best among those listed.
Andy
LNL is best among those listed.
Andy
infantrytrophy
Member
Another vote for the Forster Co-ax. Instant die change AND very accurate. Adjust a Redding Competition (micrometer) seating die, take it out, snap it back in and it still seats the bullet precisely to the same depth.
MMCSRET
Member
My dies are reset every time, they get used in Lee, RCBS, and Herters presses as well as the Lee hand press. If I'm in that big a hurry it's time to slow down and size some bullets or something, because I have obviously been O.B.E.(overtaken by events)
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