Hornady LnL AP w/case feeder

man, I haven't been to THR in a loooooong time.

Been getting back into reloading and I was thinking about getting an LnL press and case feeder. I have been reading about them, including some improvements made to older versions. Instead of stealing one of the other LnL threads, I'll start this one.

I'm looking at this combo from Cabela's for $649, which is approx $50 less than buying the press and feeder separately. Only bad thing about Cabela's is that I would have to pay sales tax...

LnL w/feeder

getting them separately at Graf's would be around $700, with free shipping hopefully. That would make it right about the same as the Cabela's combo after sales tax.

anyway, to my question... would any new LnL AP press that I buy have all the improvements on it? As in the EZ-ject system, and any other improvements made. Cabela's website makes no mention of "EZ-ject", however Graf's website does in fact specifically mention EZ-ject.

That's why I'm wondering if all LnL presses now sold do have the EZject, or if they are still selling ones without it.

I have never used a progressive press before, although I've been reloading for 20+ years, so any tips or advice appreciated.

 

I believe all of the LnL AP presses 2009 and later are e-z-ject. I like mine (after working out a few bugs). When obtaining shellplates, keep in mind that the old ones aren`t compatable with the e-z-ject presses, without modification. New plates will work on the wire eject (old) presses though. There`s a good thread on the plates that Walkalong ( I think) made.

 

bender,

It should have all the current modifications, but it doesn't mean they don't have old stock either. If you bought a new one now and it didn't have the EZject on it I am sure that Hornady would take care of you; they always have me.

I just installed the EZject conversion on this one, but haven't had a chance to do any reloading with it yet:

 

yeah, that was basically what I was wondering. I wasn't sure how long ago Hornady improved the press with the ez-ject. I was just wondering if places are still selling the older versions.

I would be mad if I bought a new press and it still had the old eject system (I know Hornady would help me out though).

On the new LnL's, do they work good out of the box (as long as you set them up properly), or do you need to finagle and fiddle with stuff getting it all working smoothly?

In other words, do you need to be mechanically inclined to get it working properly?

 

I got mine 2 months ago from Midsouth. EZ ject and work right out of the box!

 

Got mine less than a month ago from Cabelas and it has ez-ject.

 

Got 2 of them and both are e z. No problems with either yet.

 

Check out manventuresoutpost.com They had the cheapest price when I just ordered my press. If I decide to get the case feeded that Is where I will get it. I have ordered several things from them and it has all been new and deliverd within a week.
Mark

 

I bought my press and case feeder a few weeks ago. Can't get the 9mm cases to feed. Been on the phone multiple times, but so far the problem remains. There is a thread on THR about their case feeder problem. They have promised to ship me a new case plate but its on backorder. So I'm sitting, waiting, and have just shot them an email letting them know that I wish I had bought Dillon!

 

Wow! That should help. not You dont think the Dillons have trouble? Read on.

 

thanks for that tip. I never heard of that place, but yep, they do have the cheapest price on the LnL. However, they are OOS, and estimate 3 months before any more are available.

I've never loaded with a progressive before, so now I'm thinking I may just get the LnL AP itself, and hold off on the case feeder.

Also, the RCBS progressive thread is kind of scaring me regarding progressives.

 

Send there customer service an email and they will let you know when one gets in. They did this for some dies and shell plates that I wanted, and they got them earlier then there site said. All of there parts are cheaper than anywhere else, and there shipping is not over priced to make up for this prices.
Mark

 

I bought mine from manventureoutpost.com and yes, they are OOS a lot. Midsouthshootersupply.com is a few $ more but usually in stock. I was comparing item to item and they were quite close with MVO being cheaper but oos on almost everything. Good luck and happy reloading.

 

yeah, I'm getting ready to order the LnL from Midsouth. They have the next best price after ManVentures. I was thinking it came with one shellplate, but I guess it doesn't.
I would probably order the #1 plate, since I shoot a lot of 30-06, 308 and .45acp. I hope it works ok for .45, that is what I will be loading most of. Hornady does not list .45acp as a caliber that works on the #1 plate. But ultimate reloaders says it works ok.

 

I went ahead and sprung for the #45 shellplate. #1 might get you by but if the cases start hanging while trying to eject, you'd better stop before you round it off. Wanna know how i know?

 

what other items do I HAVE to order for me to start using the LnL immediately?

I've been reloading for 20 years, so I have all dies, electronic scale, and all other reloading tools and supplies.

Don't have a powder cop die. Do I only need one of those for all calibers...? Are they all the same or are some better than others? I've never used one.
Since the LnL comes with 5 bushings, I'll probably just order an extra 3-pack for the time being. Then more later.

Ok, hope these aren't dumb questions, but how does the powder measure connect to the die... and will it work with my existing die sets (mostly Lee, but some are Hornady and RCBS).
Also, does the die that the powder measure goes thru also expand, or is that a separate step?

Like I said before, haven't ever done the progressive thing. I'm pretty excited about getting this machine.

I guess I should order the #45 plate first then, since I plan to learn the machine while loading .45acp.

Walkalong - do you use the case feeder with yours?

 

I've had progressive presses for 9 years now. I own Dillon but this applies to all progressive presses. I tell everyone thinking of buying one to make sure the press has a station for a powder check die. It's not "IF" you are going to get an over/under charge but "WHEN". I went 10k of rounds before I started getting squibs. Powder measures don't like all powders and it's something you learn from experience. The Dillon measures don't like Unique.

Some have different features. The RCBS will lock the press if the charge is not correct. The Dillon will beep. I do not know how Hornady's works. I would not run the press without this die. You only need one and it adapts to various calibers and cartridges.

 

The powder measurer doesnt go on a die. After you put the PM together, you screw a lnl bushing on it. Some people have ruined a retainer spring that holds the cases to the shellplate. Might want to have a spare. I have Hornady powder cop die but, well lets just say I should use it more often maybe. Instead, i have a light on mine so i can look in the cases and see the powder.

 

Bender, i just pm'd ya.

 

the "retainer spring" is the long spring that goes around the outside edge of the shellplate right? Yeah, I was going to ask if I should some extras of those.

Can you eyeball the powder in the case while sitting at the machine, or would it be above eye level? I don't see much difference in using a "cop" die that you have to always look at, and just looking into the cases (if you can that is).

any other small parts or springs that are breakable besides the retainer spring? Might as well get extras right at first.

also, does hornady's powder cop die work will all pistol and rifle calibers? RCBS says theirs just works with pistol cases, and just bigger than 9mm.