Hornady LnL AP questions

[RB98SS]

I've been kicking around the idea that it's time for me to step up to a progressive press and like what I see in the LnL AP. I've got a couple of simple questions that I'm hoping someone would be so kind.

Will I have any issues using my Lee and RCBS dies in the Hornady, and will I need to purchase the Hornady powder thru dies for each caliber I load? As of now, I have the Lee powder thru dies on my LCT but don't yet understand how the Hornady works. I really don't want to purchase more dies.

Thanks.

 

[Walkalong]

Lee and RCBS dies will work 99.9% of the time. I don't use the expander/powder setup, so can't help there.

 

[Dynamite Rabbit]

The powder measure, as supplied, works with most (or all?) calibers. If you use the powder-through-expander you need a different one for each caliber (just the expander, not the whole measure).

 

[pcwirepro]

You'll love the LNL if you go that route.

http://powderfunnels.com/

 

[RB98SS]

The powder measure, as supplied, works with most (or all?) calibers. If you use the powder-through-expander you need a different one for each caliber (just the expander, not the whole measure).

Again, stick with me on this. You're saying that the powder measure works for most calibers, but then you say if you use the powder thru expander you'll need a different one for each caliber. So keeping in mind that I'm envisioning my LCT's operation at expanding and dropping in the same stroke, does the Hornady not always expand and drop on the same station? You don't need a powder thru die to charge the cases?

Thanks.

 

[Dynamite Rabbit]

That's true -- you can expand at a different station. I use the PTX to open up a station for an RCBS powder lockout die.

The measure comes with an inverted-conical drop tube that fits over the outside of the shell mouth (it fits most calibers). The PTX replaces that drop tube with an expander of a specific diameter.

 

[RB98SS]

Awesome. So in order to get started, I need only the press and shell plate of the specific caliber to actually start loading? Provided I have the dies, powder, primers, bullets, and cases.

Anything else I should purchase, as there always seems to be things I miss.

Thanks again.

 

[pcwirepro]

Hmmm.... I'm not sure you two are on the same page. If you do want to flare the case and charge in the same station then yes you do need a seperate PTX for each caliber.
or use the powder funnel I pointed you to. The Lee expander die used with the Lee AutoDisk system will not work with the Hornady powder measure.
http://www.hornady.com/store/PTX-For-Jacketed-Bullets/

Anything else I should purchase, as there always seems to be things I miss.

You may want to grab a few case retainer springs to have on hand. $2.00 ea.

 

[Jon_Snow]

I'd suggest a powder cop or similar to catch under/over charges. You won't NEED a powder through expander as your stations can be step-up as follows:

1) Resize/Deprime Die
2) Powder Measure
3) Powder Cop
4) Expander Die
5) Seater Die

 

[jbrown13]

RB98SS, let me see if I can clarify this. If you use your existing (Lee, RCBS, etc.) expanders/flarers in Station #2 and the Hornady Powder Measure that comes with the press in Station #3, you DO NOT need anything other than the press and shellplate. You CANNOT expand and drop powder in the same station without purchasing the Hornady PTX for each caliber or the Powder Funnels device, which works with most all calibers. The measure with or without expanding devices will require adjustment each time you change calibers. Hope that's clear.

 

[pcwirepro]

1) Resize/Deprime Die
2) Powder Measure
3) Powder Cop
4) Expander Die
5) Seater Die

Are you really expanding in station #4 ?

 

[Gryffydd]

1) Resize/Deprime Die
2) Powder Measure
3) Powder Cop
4) Expander Die
5) Seater Die

One thing to note here is that depending on which expander you use and what kind of powder charges you're using, there are times when you can't have your expander die after your powder measure. That's why on my LnL I use

1) Resize/Deprime Die
2) Expander Die
3) Powder Measure
4) Seater Die
5) Crimp Die

The great thing is, there's no one right way to set it up and with 5 stations you have a lot of flexibility in how you want to do things. Just remember that some setups might work for one load and not for another.

 

[RB98SS]

RB98SS, let me see if I can clarify this. If you use your existing (Lee, RCBS, etc.) expanders/flarers in Station #2 and the Hornady Powder Measure that comes with the press in Station #3, you DO NOT need anything other than the press and shellplate. You CANNOT expand and drop powder in the same station without purchasing the Hornady PTX for each caliber or the Powder Funnels device, which works with most all calibers. The measure with or without expanding devices will require adjustment each time you change calibers. Hope that's clear.

It's starting to clear up and it appears the best way to accomplish what I want to do would be to purchase the Powder Funnels device as I load 5 different calibers. I would just utilize the expander part of my lee powder thru expander dies at different stations and throw powder in another. One more question, is there any bridging to worry about with that PFD, it looks to have a small drop hole. I use 800-X.

 

[galvatron]

Quote:
1) Resize/Deprime Die
2) Powder Measure
3) Powder Cop
4) Expander Die
5) Seater Die


Wouldn't it make more sense to run it this way 1,4,2,3,5. It lowers the number of times to shake/bump powder out of the shell when the turret ratchets, giving you a more consistent charge.

 

[pcwirepro]

Wouldn't it make more sense to run it this way 1,4,2,3,5. It lowers the number of times to shake/bump powder out of the shell when the turret ratchets, giving you a more consistent charge.

Yea I don't like the idea of powder clinging to the expander die or possibly compressing a charge that fills more than half of the case.

 

[RB98SS]

That's what I really like about this forum, it's almost, but not quite, like sitting around a campfire and discussing reloading in person. Pass me another beer, would ya!

 

[Walkalong]

Yep

1. Sizer/decapper

2. Expander

3. Powder

4. Seater/crimper

5. Separate crimp die for crimping in a second step.

Or, size decap all brass and prime, then

1. Expander

2. Powder

3. Lock out die

4. Seater/crimper

or

1. Sizer/decapper

2. Powder/expander

3. Lock out die

4. Seater/crimper

Lots of ways to set it up.

I use the normal expander in my die set, then dump powder in the next step using a different set up than the LNL comes with, then seat and crimp.

 

[Walkalong]

Pass me another beer, would ya!

As long as yer not picky....

 

[pcwirepro]

As long as yer not picky....

Better late than never Walkalong.

 

[Walkalong]

Call me most anything, just don't call me late for dinner.

 

[RB98SS]

As long as yer not picky....

I grew up on Pfeiffer, what does that tell you?

 

[pcwirepro]

Man your old!

 

[RB98SS]

Man your old!

You've heard of it.

 

[jbrown13]

It's starting to clear up and it appears the best way to accomplish what I want to do would be to purchase the Powder Funnels device as I load 5 different calibers. I would just utilize the expander part of my lee powder thru expander dies at different stations and throw powder in another. One more question, is there any bridging to worry about with that PFD, it looks to have a small drop hole. I use 800-X.

The PFD (I assume you mean Powder Funnels Device) will not be needed if you plan to expand with your Lee die. I set my LNL up like Galvatron does, and in your situation the Lee die would be in station #2 to flare the case, and the Hornady Powder Measure would then drop powder into the already flared case. The PFD would only be required if you didn't flare with your Lee die, as flaring is its only purpose over and above what is included with the LNL Powder Measure.

As far as bridging with 800X, I can't help you as I haven't used that powder. I have used AA#2, AA#5, Bullseye, Universal Clays, Titegroup and 231 and have NOT had any bridging problems.