Hornady LNL AP press questions

[the count]

Just ordered a Hornady LNL AP press along with the case feeder from Cabelas for the special combo price of $699. They even have $5 ship until midnight tonight. As I am switching over from a Lee classic press, does the Hornady come with a shell plate? I will primarily use it for 9mm and 45 acp. Order 2 or what? I like the LEE dies I have which are 4 each (w/factory crimp die). Whats the deal with the bushings. For quick caliber changes do I need to one for each die?

Thanks....

 

[scotch827]

Count, You will need a shell plate for both of calibers you are loading. I am not sure, however I think you get 5 bushings with your press. You would need a bushing for each die for quick changes. I do not use lee dies, other people do with the lnl and seem to be happy.

Scott

 

[Canuck-IL]

You don't HAVE to have a bushing for each die ... once the lock ring is set, you can unscrew the bushing and use it on another - clearly, a bushing each makes life easier/quicker.

You do need plates - the #45 for 45ACP is tough to find at the moment - very backordered.
/Bryan

 

[cfullgraf]

Yes, you will need shell plates. You can manage without anything else extra.

Over time you will decide what you might want to have as extra pieces to make change overs easier.

You can do without extra bushings but the Lee lock ring is a pain since it does not clamp to the die. L-N-L bushings are about the same cost as clamping lock rings so you may want extra bushings pretty quick.

I have a powder drop die for each cartridge I reload on my L-N-L. Each is set up for the appropriate cartridge. Again, not necessary, you could readjust the die at each change, but I make short runs, 300-500 rounds, and it makes things easier for me.

 

[Whalen7840]

I'm on the same page as cfullgraf, I might even go one step further and have seperate seating dies for each specific bullet

 

[cfullgraf]

I'm on the same page as cfullgraf, I might even go one step further and have seperate seating dies for each specific bullet

I agree, but I only shoot one style bullet in my handgun loads so i don't think about extra seater dies.

But, if i did, I am sure I would have multiple seater dies.

 

[raddiver]

I switched from a lyman turret.
I would STRONGLY suggest the powder cop die. I've either double stroked or short stroked the ram because my wife distracted me. The give on that, is you give up the spot for a separate crimping die. But if you really wanted to keep the crimping die, you could go with a powder through expander die.
The LNL is versatile, you just have to figure out what you want to do.

 

[CHALK22]

I am glad to see someone else is jumping on that deal. I will be ordering it soon, but missed the shipping deal :-/ I am excited to have a progressive press....

 

[Blue68f100]

You said 9mm and 45 you will need the small and large pistol shell plate for the brass feeder. The bushing can be had in a 10 pack which is the most economical to get. The Lee dies will work but I had to flip the retaining nut over in order to secure the die to the bushing. Lee's retainer system is very weak, your better off buying the Hornady split nut type. Hornadys Ti dies are a lot smoother to run than Lee's and have a larger radius to make it align easier on the sizer. I've used both and have replaced my Lee's with Hornady. I think MidSouth Shooting Supply has the 45 shell plates, did a couple of weeks ago.

 

[capreppy]

For the 45 ACP Shellplate, check Midsouth (as noted above), Graf & Son's, and Natchez. When I got my LnL AP, I had to get parts from a few different places to get going.

Definitely buy the 10 pack of bushings. It is most economical and you'll use them. I'm contemplating getting another 10 as I think I have only one free.

 

[Blue68f100]

Don't for get to do the 500 Free Promotion Hornady has going for the press, and 100 for dies. Just pay shipping.

 

[nyc71]

Those 500 bullets does sweeten the deal.


"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety"- Benjamin Franklin

 

[HK SD9 Tactical]

You can get the AP from Midsouth and the case feeder from Tactical Store. The shell plates can be had at Big Supply.

I have ordered my AP stuff from Midsouth, Tactical Store and Big Supply. I have spent more than 5 days searching the internet for the best deals for the Hornady LnL AP and misc items needed.

And get the RCBS lock out powder die. Get it from Optics Planet. It is just over $50 so you get $10 rebate from RCBS which makes is cheaper than paying just under $50 for the die with no rebate.

Check Big Supply for all the stuff you need. They are by far the cheaper of the three. Their Case Feeder was $254 (+ S&H) but it is out of stock.

 

[HK SD9 Tactical]

Apparently the case feeder from Tactical Store has a price increase. It is now listed as $315. That's a pretty hefty jump. They do have a price match program though.

 

[the count]

Price update:
Natchez has the best price on the LNL AP press at $389!
Hornady case feeder is $289 at Midway.
Hornady bullet feeder is $249 at Miday (think this is the best price anywhere)!!!

Question:

"Hornady Custom Grade New Dimension Nitride 3-Die Sets include CGND Nitride Full-length Sizing Die, CGND Adjustable Case Mouth Expander Die and CGND Seater Die with roll crimp. "

So if i get this die set the seater die with roll crimp will essentially combine the 2 Lee dies I currently use, the seating die and the factory crimp die?

Where I want to get is this:
1) resizer die
2) powder through die
3) case mouth expander die
4) bullet feeder die (yeah, bullet feeder baby)
5) seating and crimping die

I think I could also get the powder through PTX expander insert. OK to do that and save a station or just use the separate expander die?

 

[357Shooter]

I just found a #45 ShellPlate at Bass, looked all over, hard to find. Get a lockout die, they work! You need bushings for each die, that's why they make em, get the 10-12 pack, you'll use them. Extra primer slide springs, primer slide, shell plate retainer springs, primer tubes. You'll find another thing or two, but I hope this will save you some time. I'd set the press up and go manual before you add the feeders, it helps to just get to know the press.
Of course just my thoughts, I hate waiting for parts!

 

[Blue68f100]

Extra primer slide springs, primer slide, shell plate retainer springs, primer tubes.

Of these I would not get the primer sleds or springs. These do not fail under normal operation, if they do Hornady will send you out free replacements. As for the shell plate spring, these are nice to have around but you can get free from Hornady. If you ever need to call CS just suggest your spring is kinked and they will send you a couple out. Primer tubes most definitely you need these or every 200 rounds you will be stopping. Dillon primer tubes are cheaper in all ways but do work. I had a set of SP that would not hold any primers back if over 1/2 full. Then they would dump primers all over the place, I was pissed to say the least. Dillon sent me some replacement ends, but I expected Dillon to be better than that. So beware.

If I recall the bullet feeder actually seated the bullet, but I may be mistaken on this. I have the brass feeder on mine. Very touchy to get it 100%. But once you learn on how to set it for the different size brass it rocks. The bullet feeder would be nice if you wanted to make it a 1 arm bandit. Then set back and just check your powder drop. I use the PTX and would not do without it. This allows you to use the powder cop or lockout die and/or separate crimping on station 5.

Don't for get you will still need supplies, primers/powder/bullets.

 

[the count]

I have the brass feeder on mine. Very touchy to get it 100%. But once you learn on how to set it for the different size brass it rocks.

I found it to be dependent on 3 things. Trying out the V-blocks. I use #5 for 38 SPL even though the manual says #2. Then the cam wire. I was baffled by shell that would jam in the shell plate no matter what. Lowering the cam wire 1/2 inch did the trick, not sure how or why that makes such a difference.

The third potential spot to screw up is the adjustable drop tube, just above where the case sits before it gets dropped. The tube should cover about 1/8" of the the top of the case waiting to be dropped. Too high and cases will jam/fall out.

The feeder now works flawlessly. At least until I switch calibers

 

[CHALK22]

If anyone is interested, the LNL AP can be had at Midsouth for 379.99 and 5.99 shipping. I actually just ordered the press, a 10 pack of bushings, two shell plates, and another die I needed and the shipping was still under 10.00 with insurance. Score!