Hornady lnl upgrades?

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choppertime

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I bought my lnl in 2008 worked with it for a couple years,some frustrating times and some not so frustrating times,added case feeder,learning curve,added rifle bullet feeders and control panel..all went ok at times and at other times not so good anyway what are the upgrades that I can put on my press that I see people keep saying like on the case feeder,what upgrade is there for that...and primer feeder...press is packed away for now as I have moved on but still wana give it a chance..tell me about all these upgrades hornady has done and are any of em free? my primer feed rod looks like a coat hanger used to break into a car with,,,im sure it was my fault......thanks
 
My press is older than that and still has the solid wire primer system. The newer upgraded one has a break away setup if it binds to keep from tearing things up. The main key to the primer system is getting the shuttle in alignment and timed with the press. If done right it can feed primers as fast as you can run the ram. Also the use of a weighted rod on top of the primers helps too. They use to provide one of plastic. I made my own using old primer cups (L/S) and a rod. A little weight goes a long ways in helping the primers feed.

As for brass feeder, do you have the thin one or the heavier plastic one? There are mods that some uses have done to keep the brass from piggy backing. Hornady has a support brace (Al housing to sq tubing) to keep the brass feeder/from rotating the whole bracket. They5 also have added some feed tubes to keep the brass in better alignment.

Call and talk to CS they should send you the newer primers system alone with extra support bracket and guide suite.
 
Modification for the last eight years are as followed.

Press: new Primer AP break away wire. New primer punch. Shime for Lock and load bushing.

Case feeder: New style case feeder. Med. drop tube. Cam Block clamp. Case feeder tip stop.
 
I modified the primer punches. Called Hornady to tell them what they needed to do and they eventually did.

Replaced the plastic stick riding the primers down the tube with a brass one. My original was 6" too short.

After complaining to Hornady about the sorry PTX performance they made some kind of linkage to do something for that and sent me one but I had found PowderFunnels PTX insert and started using that. Had sense enough to get 3-4 of them before they went belly up.

Someone else is making something similar but I can't find it just now.

No feeders and on a good day for me when I don't fumble finger anything, I can load the equivalent of 400 per hour.
 
k4swb said:
I modified the primer punches. Called Hornady to tell them what they needed to do and they eventually did.
Click to expand...

How did you modify the primer punches exactly? I just got a LNL less than a week ago so I can benefit from threads like this too. Not a big fan of the priming system so far, my primers are seating barely below flush right now so no issues but Im used to my loadmaster where I can set them to well below flush.
 
dave333 said:
How did you modify the primer punches exactly? I just got a LNL less than a week ago so I can benefit from threads like this too. Not a big fan of the priming system so far, my primers are seating barely below flush right now so no issues but Im used to my loadmaster where I can set them to well below flush.
Click to expand...
Carefully take the punch assembly apart. Once the "nut" is stripped from it's innards, carefully sand, file or do whatever you need to do to take whatever is needed off the bottom to make the nut thinner. I needed to file mine down about .004", I think. Put it all back together and that should make the punch go that much further into the pocket thus seating the primer that much deeper.

It may also help to find a thin, hardened piece of steel, maybe a piece of hacksaw blade and super glue it onto the press where the bottom of the punch hits. This should take the dimple effect out of the press where the punch bottoms out.

Hope this makes sense and is helpful.
 
I bought my lnl in 2008...
Click to expand...

I’d suggest upgrading to the EZ Ject, if you had problems with the original design.

I suppose it would be helpful to know what your issues were to suggest potential remedies. No need to fix what isn’t broken and it narrows the focus to just problem areas.
 
DRAINSMITH said:
Modification for the last eight years are as followed.

Press: new Primer AP break away wire. New primer punch. Shime for Lock and load bushing.

Case feeder: New style case feeder. Med. drop tube. Cam Block clamp. Case feeder tip stop.
Click to expand...
Any chance of pictures of or links for each of those? I have an LnL AP of some years and am not sure of the items by name. In particular, I am unsure of the style of case feeder, cam lock block, case feeder tip stop, primer break away wire. I may have some of these but am unsure by the name.
 
Download the Ammo-Plant owners manual. It will have not only the illustration but the part numbers. As far as the new case feeder if it has the detachable case feeder funnel it is the new one.
 
One of the mods done to the base was to knock off the corner where the cartridge retainer springs (around shell plate) drop down past station 4 for ejection at 5. Knocking/beveling that edge allows the spring to get out of the way earlier. This is not a factory mod but works very well.
 
Blue68f100 said:
Knocking/beveling that edge allows the spring to get out of the way earlier.
Click to expand...
What concern does this address / what benefit should one anticipate by performing this mod?
(I believe I've seen a pic of the finished mod {Walkalong}, but unclear on why it's done)
Thanks,
 
It cause the spring retainer to get out of the way earlier so ejection can accour without binding the brass on ejection. As you pick up speed this widely happened with the old wire ejector. It makes ejection smoother over all. As you spring gets kinks it prevents the spring from rolling out of the way as a new non-damage spring. So in turn it allows you to use a kinked spring longer with out malfunction.
 
Will hornady charge for the case feeder cam block clamp if my case feeder is old enough and didn't come with 1? That's 1 issue I have with the case feeder. I guess when I packed the press away I didn't keep up with upgrades now is time to unpack it and make it work right!
 
Just call them (CS) once you get it up and going and say I have a problem with ..... they should take care of you. I made my own out of scrap Al I had laying around my shop.
 
k4swb said:
Carefully take the punch assembly apart. Once the "nut" is stripped from it's innards, carefully sand, file or do whatever you need to do to take whatever is needed off the bottom to make the nut thinner. I needed to file mine down about .004", I think. Put it all back together and that should make the punch go that much further into the pocket thus seating the primer that much deeper.
Click to expand...

When you say "....sand, file or do whatever you need to do to take whatever is needed off the bottom to make the nut thinner." The bottom, are you referring to the surface of the nut that faces downward, towards the frame of the press where the plunger "dimple" forms?
 
You want to ask for the Cam Block clamp (part # 399691) and the Case feeder tip stop (part # 399677) both will be shipped to you at no charge.
 
choppertime said:
Will hornady charge for the case feeder cam block clamp if my case feeder is old enough and didn't come with 1? That's 1 issue I have with the case feeder. I guess when I packed the press away I didn't keep up with upgrades now is time to unpack it and make it work right!
Click to expand...
DRAINSMITH said:
You want to ask for the Cam Block clamp (part # 399691) and the Case feeder tip stop (part # 399677) both will be shipped to you at no charge.
Click to expand...
The clamp also requires two bolts and two nuts, possibly a good drill bit.
 
The detachable case feed funnel is part of the collator where the brass drops down to the feed tubes. It is part #398443 Or item # 5 on the case feeder exploded view.
 
thomas15 said:
When you say "....sand, file or do whatever you need to do to take whatever is needed off the bottom to make the nut thinner." The bottom, are you referring to the surface of the nut that faces downward, towards the frame of the press where the plunger "dimple" forms?
Click to expand...

Yes.

The bottom is where it touches/bottoms out on the frame. Make the part that the wrench fits thinner by filing on the bottom. Take everything apart. If I remember, C-clip, spring and plunger. DO NOT FILE THE PLUNGER, just the nut.
 
k4swb said:
Yes.

The bottom is where it touches/bottoms out on the frame. Make the part that the wrench fits thinner by filing on the bottom. Take everything apart. If I remember, C-clip, spring and plunger. DO NOT FILE THE PLUNGER, just the nut.
Click to expand...
Seems like we should decide if we are discussing upgrades from Hornady or the mods that have been thoroughly covered in earlier threads. Those subscribers set to "follow" this thread are getting posts that are off topic. Perhaps a couple PMs will settle the existing questions about mods to old parts.
 
I have the old style case feed funnel..can the old one be changed to the new style? I'm really not trying to be a pain in the ass...just have way to much invested in this press to let it sit and collect dust....I have spare time on my hands for a couple months before I have to go back to work and I figure now I might be able to work with the press and case feeder to get it running top notch.......maybe I should paint it all black...that would give me a different view of it...LOL
 
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