Help me solve a problem: LnL issue

Status
Not open for further replies.
K

Kevwyo

Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2008
Messages
32
Reloading .223 in a Hornady LnL press. When I raise the ram so the case activates the powder drop I hit a point where something is hanging up such that I have to add a fair amount of pressure to get the case to activate the powder drop. It feels like something is "hanging up" or binding and that the extra pressure basically forces one part past another.

I have looked at the external linkages and I can't see where there would be any binding or one part hanging up on another.

When the powder hopper is empty the problem is less evident but still there. Big difference when there is even a modest amount of powder in the hopper. The kind of powder doesn't seem to make any difference.

It really feels like the powder bushng is getting hung up ... but on what???

Your help and advice is appreciated. Thanks!

PS: none of this happens when reloading pistol ammo.
 
I have had a similar problem reloading .223 on my LNL.

In my case it was caused by the powder measure cutting the large grains of the powder I was using (Varget, I think). The resistance would come just as the measure would shear the powder caught between the rotor and the housing.

If you did it slowly in my case you could hear a crunching sound.

I switched to 355 powder, and this problem went away for me.

I am unclear on how others have no problems with Varget with this identical powder measure.

HTH

Bob
 
I have the some problem with H4895. I have gotten to the point where I feel too much pressure on the handle then I raise the raise the powder-drop with my other hand so it cuts the powder then I raise the ram all the way up from there. Got tired of cases belling inward, for a lack of a better term, and then having stick powder going everywhere.

I would pull you rotor out and see if you have a bur either on the rotor or where it sits in the powder-drop. If not there, then look at the nuts holding the linkage together.
 
I have had the same priblem with stick powder. I only use ball or flake powder now and have had no problems since. If all else falis, call Hornady @ 1-800-338-3220.
 
"If you take the powder measure off and run cases though it as dummies, does the same problem occur?"

Not quite sure what you mean. Like I mentioned with no powder in the hopper there is less of a problem but it is still there. Now that others have mentioned having similar issues with some powders I seem to really be having the problem with 3031, less so when I ran a batch of H322, and as memory serves none with H335. So maybe the type of powder is the issue. I haven't been able to get my hands on H335 in so long I had forgotten that reloading223 was a smooth and enoyable process.

I have a brand new can of 3031 so I guess I'll be suffering a little heartburn with this batch.

Any recommendations for a H335 like powder in terms of it's ease of metering?
 
What I was asking is if you remove the powder measure and run 10 or so dummy cases though the whole cycle of loading (without actually putting primers in or bullets), does the press hang up on the same spots or does the problem completely go away?

If the fault is in the powder measure, then the problem should completely disappear. If the problem doesn't go away, then it might be a problem somewhere else in the press.

Also when you are cycling the press, are you moving the arm firmly and briskly? Not going really slow? If you move it really slow on an extruded powder, I imagine it will be much more apt to hang up on the powder.

Have you taken the powder drop section apart and lubed it with graphite?
 
bobotech,

I actually did all the things you suggested prior to posting. I think my problem is the powder I am currently using. IMR3031 seems to make life difficult. I haven't been able to find any H335 which I don't have any problems with. I guess LnL's just don't like those extruded type powders.

So the next question is if I really like H335 but can't find it what would be a next best powder?

Thanks for your help.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top