Hornady lnl powder problems

[hornadylnl]

I'm in the process of setting up my hornady lnl ap press. I'm loading 223 with 26.5 grains of varget (max is 27.5) and winchester 55 grain fmj bullets. The powder about goes up to the top of the case neck so I backed it off to about 25.5 grains. It seems that some powder throws out of the case when I raise and lower the ram. It also seems to leak a grain or two every now and then when it charges the case at the powder measure. The grains get down in the shell plate and it keeps the cases from fitting all the way into the shell plate and giving me fits getting the cases primed ever now and then. I've adjusted the timing to try to smooth it out a little and it seems to help some. I've noticed that the shell plate doesn't want to hit the detents in the same spot every now and then. I'm wondering if Luggernut was having the same problems. I'm wondering if one of the dogs on the index wheel is a little off.

On my case feeder, every now and then, I get 2 cases to drop at once. Anyone know what to adjust to stop that? I've pretty well got the case feeder figured out. Every now and then, the case won't seat all the way into shell plate. Seems to have the most trouble on 2 of the spots on the shell plate. I've tried the timing on both screws and it hasn't seemed to improve. I've also adjusted the case feeder rod and it is in the position where I get the most reliable feeds.

Thanks for any input.

 

[1911user]

Keep a can of pressured air (like they use to clean computers and electronics) handy. The primer slide tolerates NO foreign matter in the slot it moves in on the shellplate. If you spill powder on the LNL-AP, stop and clean it up. It will affect shellplate movement and keeps the primers from lining up directly under the primer pocket.

Luggernut's problem was not one covered in the LNL-AP manual and is not simply adjusted away. The ram and yoke were mis-aligned IMO and those are put together at the factory with no possible adjustment. His was either made wrong or the subplate was hit very hard somewhere. I suspect it was wrong from the factory.

 

[hornadylnl]

I did clean the measure with hornady one shot cleaner before I put it together. Forgot to mention that in my earlier post. I've got hornady one shot lube that I tried using and I can't ever get that stuff to work. The cases go in real hard and come out real hard. I've let it dry and sized while they were still wet and it didn't make any difference. I finally wiped it all off and used hornady unique lube and it is better. With the one shot, I get a real heavy ring down by the base of the brass from the sizing die. I don't know if I got a bad bottle of it or what but I hear several people say it is good stuff but doesn't work at all for me.

 

[Idano]

hornadylnl most likely the timing is not the issue but rather the ejector wire. If a case fits tightly in the shell plate on the fifth station when it goes to be ejected it can hang up against the ejector wire and keep the shell plate from reaching it's detent making it look like a timing issue. I haven't noticed it on .223 but I sure have on 9mm military cases. I have noticed the angle on the web is steeper on some military casings and they tend to stick in the shell plate. I wish I had a suggestion for the powder issue but unfortunately I don't. The problem is the case density is too high and spillage will occur with the rotation of the shell plate, it is the nature of the beast in the progressive world. The only thing I can suggest is another powder. I would recommend the powder I am using, 2200, but it's no longer available and in fact I am going to have to find another powder this spring when I run through the last 4 lbs. I was hoping that DP-68 was still going to be available but we have missed that boat too. I am guessing H-414 will have to do until another pull down powder becomes available.

 

[Luggernut]

"Luggernut's problem was not one covered in the LNL-AP manual and is not simply adjusted away. The ram and yoke were mis-aligned IMO and those are put together at the factory with no possible adjustment. His was either made wrong or the subplate was hit very hard somewhere. "

Yep 1911- exactly. Not sure what was the cause but it not a timing problem. It's on its way back to Hornady now.

Hornadylnl- if everything lines up with your dies when the shell plate balls are in the subplate detents then you don't have the problem I encountered IMO. The pawls simply move the shellplate to just the right point at where the detent balls engage the subplate dimples. If the pawls are adjusted wrong it won't move the shellplate enough OR it will move it past the dimples in the subplate.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

hornadylnl,

Based on what you've said in your posts, your timing on your press (specifically the shellplate) and possibly your die settings (a separate issue) aren't quite right yet. You need to work on your press and die adjustments a bit more. You're close, but not quite there.

Also, as a new user, you will need to develop your rhythm for operating your press. This will take a bit of time, so be patient.

If you're unsure of an adjustment, call the Hornady Tech Support line and get them to talk you through that specific detail.

As far as the Hornady one shot spray goes, all you need is a little spritz, then let them dry completely, then run the brass through the press. If you're still having problems, you've got too much or too little. That's something that comes with experience. What caliber are you loading? If it's pistol, you don't need one shot and you'd be better off using Nu Finish Car polish in your tumbling media. Takes about a capful to polish a good load of brass.

Regards,

Dave

 

[hornadylnl]

I'm loading 223. I tried the one shot on my single stage press and got the same results. The unique lube is much smoother than the one shot. First, I lubed the brass with the one shot and let it dry. That didn't seem to work so I sprayed on a little more and let it dry. Still didn't help so I sprayed it again and ran it still wet. Same thing. The brass I was sizing was shot through my 5.56 chambered ar15. I was told that a 5.56 chambered ar was a little looser than a 223 chamber to allow better feeds. I was wondering if the brass was expaned more than normal 223 brass would be and that was causing the brass to size harder. That may be total rubbish, I don't know. According to hornady, you can run 800-1000 through the ap with the case feeder. I'm hoping to run in the 300-400 range. I don't plan on getting in any big hurry.

I was really surprised that the varget filled the case as much as it did considering the max load listed is 27.5 grains and I started with 26.5. You'd really have to compress the 27.5 when you seat the bullet. Is compressing the powder like that good?

 

[1911user]

The midway and dillon spray lube (same thing I think, please correct if wrong) are better lubes for rifle sizing and still easy to apply IMO. A light coating of one-shot does help reduce the effort for loading pistol brass (even with a carbide sizer), but it is not required at all. I honestly have not heard good things about using one-shot for rifle loading.

Compressed charges are somewhat normal with extruded rifle powder (like varget and IMR series powders) although I don't have much personnal experience using them.

 

[Idano]

hornadylnl on the off chance you didn't accidentally pick up a can of Hornady One Shot gun lube? I only say that because earlier this week I picked up another can of On Shot and if the guy at the gun shop hadn't point it out, all I was buying was reloading components, I would have ended up with it at home. I have been using Hornady One Shot for years without any problems and would recommend it over any other no aerosol lube. It works so well not every case needs lubed. I use a big cookie sheet and spray my casings then roll them 180 degrees and spray again then also transfer some off the sheet.

By the way compressed load are preferred by some old timers. I have know some that would dump their powder then top of the case with oatmeal. The theory was that if the powder was packed against the primer they got more consistent rounds. You can't prove it by me I was never that concerned with my reloads since I am not a bench shooter.

I don't think I would load the Varget in a progressive if the powder was not below the neck just because of the potential of spillage when the shell plate moved.

 

[Shoney]

I load the 222 and 223 on my LNL. I tumble the brass and add a heaping tablespoon full of Turtle Wax to the media. I then lube with Imperial Sizing Die Wax, as it is the best lube I have found in 46 years of reloading. If case necks are sticky, I dip each case neck in graphite after lubing. Sizing with this combo is like using a hot knife on butter.

Yes, it is more time consuming, but saves a lot of time compared to having to reef on sticky necks or remove stuck cases.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that you would be better off using a ball powder like H335 or it's military surplus equavalent. Varget is extruded, and I have not had good luck with one time throw accurate metering of extruded powders.