Hornady Lock n Load, lee dies, what do I need?

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cobra1414

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I'm currently using a lee classic turret press with all lee dies and the auto disk powder measure. I'm looking at upgrading to the hornady locknload system and am getting really confused on what I need to buy to get going.

Obviously than lock n load press, and bushings for my dies.

The biggest thing I'm having trouble with is the powder system, now I understand I can just use the lee autodisk but since you have to pay for the hornady powder measure I'd like to use that, especially since it seems easier to adjust powder settings.

So can I just use the lee sizer/decapper, bullet seater, and FCD, along with a hornady powder/expander die. Can you even buy just a hornady expander? ( I know the powder inserts just screw on the top).

Also there is this quick change powder die, what does taht do??

aargh..this is confusing

I suppose I could go Lee decap/resizer, lee bell with no powder drop, hornady powder die, lee seater, and then FCD. But then again can I buy a seperate hornady powder die?

Also what inserts do I need for the hornady powder measure?

Im planning on loading 10mm and 357mag if it matters.

Lots of questions, I know I know, but any help is appreciated.
All these parts and stuff is quite confusing and I don't wanna end up with stuff I dont need.

Thanks!
 
this thread is perfect timing for me...

I also have a Lee turret press, and am thinking about going to the Hornady LnL.

I was going to use all my Lee dies I already own... except that I'm also not sure what to do about the expander dies.

and bushings for my dies
Click to expand...
not sure what these are...
 
I have the older LNL, I know the new one is slightly different, but with mine there is no "powder die". It's set up with "sizer/decapper", expander, then the next station is the powder drop which is activated by the case pushing the powder measure up, releasing a load of powder, then seating die with the FCD as the final die if needed.

The Lee dies work fine, except for the FCD. It's too big at the base and hits the wire that sweeps the finished cartridge off the shell holder. You have two options, life the wire up and out of the way, meaning you grab the cartridge and drop it in the tray as you put the next case in, or grind the side of the FCD so that it clears the wire. Or, what I've done for most of my calibers, is forget the FCD and get a hornady taper crimp die, which works great for me for handgun calibers and causes no problems. The Lee dies are also shorter, so you have to screw them down almost to the end of the threads, but they do work just fine with the LNL.

I reload a couple thousand rounds a month on mine, just did a 1000 .45's over the last couple of nights, I love it, sure you will too.
 
So the powdermeasure setup is all one unit, including a generic powder drop die and there is no need to change the die/measure between calipers? (other than adjustting charge of course)
 
The current LnL AP comes with a case-activated powder drop that also expands. You won't need a seperate expander die. I don't know if it comes with the caliber-specific expanders, so you might need them (they're available seperately). Set up like this you'll resize & deprime on station 1, expand & drop powder on station 2, seat on 3, and crimp on 4. There won't be any problems using the Lee FCD on station 4.

The quick change powder die is the bottom half of the case-activated powder setup. You adjust the system for the length of your case by screwing the powder die up or down to the correct height. If you have a powder die for each different cartridge you load, you won't have to adjust the powder die every time you change calibers.
 
The currently shipping powder measure system (the CAPD) uses a powder-through expander die, much the same as Lee and Dillon use - though of course, not interchangeable between those brands.

The best (most efficient) way to use the measure is to buy separate powder dies for each caliber, and simply pull the measure off one and onto another. This avoids the need to readjust the die for each case length.

A point in Hornady's favor is that it is a piece of cake to do so, which is something that can't be said for Dillon (or Lee, for that matter, even though theirs is easier than Dillon.)

I like the Lee Pro Disk measure for its consistency and ease of use, but not for its tendency to leak fine-grained powders. The Hornady measure doesn't have that problem, and is accurate over a wider range of powders and charge weights than Dillon. If you buy the interchangeable Lock-N-Load metering inserts, you can preset them for your load and get somewhere close to the ease of use of the Lee.

Yeah, I've owned and used all three. Extensively. None of them are perfect. :D
 
so heres what I'm looking at ordering:
Hornady LNL
357 shell plate
10mm shell plate
10-pack bushings
(2) quick change powder dies
powder through expander for .357 and .400

is that all I'll need to get started?

what about the pistol rotore w/ metering insert? is tha really necessary? or should I just buy extra metering inserts?

Thanks!
 
Yes, you'll need the pistol rotor. The rifle rotor it comes with isn't accurate with the small pistol volumes.

If you're only going to be using a couple of consistent loads, get an extra L-n-L measure insert (about $10, I think.) That way you can preset each for the load you're using, and just store them with your die set. When you're ready to load, pop in that insert, double-check the throw, and you're good.

(Personally I use the micrometer insert, but only because I reload for so many calibers; with several different loads in each caliber, buying so many inserts would break the bank!)

BTW, I use the FCD without crimping; I put it in the second station, to size the brass all the way to the base (which I think is its best feature.) So, first station is resize/decap, second is the FCD set for sizing only, third is powder, fourth seating, and fifth is a Hornady crimp die. Works quite well.

Other than that, looks like you've got the basics covered. If I may make one suggestion, I heartily endorse the Frankford Arsenal primer tube filler, as it makes the most annoying job in reloading fast, easy and fun.

(Oh, and start saving your pennies - you'll start lusting after the case feeder. Trust me on this one. :evil: )
 
I don't think basic pistol inserts for the powder measure are sold seperately yet. One comes with the pistol drum and after that you can buy the micrometer pistol insert if you want another one. Even though I have more hornady gear now than at any time since starting to reload 15 years ago, I'm getting kind of ticked about the way they are marketing and obsoleting products. Selling a progressive press that is only useful for reloading rifle ammo (without buying extra parts) is insulting. Not selling extra basic pistol powder inserts is another insult. I'm really starting to miss my Dillon 550 setup after 6 months of using the LNL-AP.

Hold off until the 15th to place your order. Here's why: https://www.hornady.com/get_loaded.php
 
cobra1414 said:
(2) quick change powder dies
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure the press comes with one as part of the case-activated powder drop, so you'll only need one more if you're loading for .357 and 10mm.
 
Ok, I appreciate all the input guys! I think I'm ready to order

Agreed that hornady free bullet deal is sweet, get the press for 350 at cabelas, then get 50 gift card from cabelas and potentially 150 worth of free bullets from hornady, figuring its stuff you were gonna have to buy anyway that makes the press only $150, nice...
 
LnL

Cobra, thanks for starting the thread!

I've an old single stage press and a few sets of dies.

I kinda think I'd like to load for 30-06/.308, 280 Remington 7-08, and .223 in rifle and for pistol, 9mm, 9x23, .357 and .44 mag.

Since I still have to buy more dies and other stuff is the LnL still the best choice for me/this?

For the rest of you, thanks for the responses. :)
 
I am loooking to get the LNL press too and plan to buy it this month or next month. I will be loading for 9mm and 45 cal. I was checking the dies on Midwayusa and should I get the Hornady, RCBS or Redding dies? How about the lockout die or powder cop die? Do I need those too? I reload on my RCII for my rifle and the LNL will be my first progressive press.

I want to get the proper setup for this press and make it safe and fun. I just don't know what dies work the best on the LNL and should I buy brand afor station 1, brand B for staion 2, etc..

This is a great website and thanks in advance for any advice. God bless!
 
For the most part, the LnL AP doesn't care too much what brand dies you use in it. I use Hornady, Redding, Forster, and Lee dies in mine. Any good die set should work. For pistol rounds a carbide or similar sizing die is a must. For most uses I like the Hornady dies - I like the micrometer seating upgrade and the accessories they come with. I have seen one report on this forum that the titanium nitride sizing ring has durability problems, but I haven't used mine enough to know.

The one place where you have to be careful about what die you use is Station 5. The dies can't hang too low beneath the top plate in this station. If you are going to use a crimp die here, the Hornady crimp dies are made short so they will work in this press. Others may have to be shortened.

A powder cop or lockout die is not an absolute requirement. If using one will give you extra confidence in your loading, then by all means use one. I have the Hornady powder cop die, and I think I would rather have the RCBS one. The RCBS powder cop die has a reference post in addition to the indicator post, and you can set the reference post so that it's easy to tell if the indicator is very far off your intended powder level.
 
As Matt-man says. I use a combination of RCBS and Hornady dies. However, I always have the RCBS lockout die on board as it really gets your attention when something is amiss. My perfect record of rounds that 'go bang' at the proper level once they get off the press is proof of that.
 
Oh, and I'd also like to mention that the article JoeHatley posted is spot-on. I got the Lock-n-Load conversion bushing and put it in my single stage press. It's really nice to be able to move dies back and forth between the single stage and the progressive without taking the LnL bushings off the dies.
 
You won't be sorry buying the Hornady LNL,I just bought mine last month and have already ran over 3,000 rnds through it without any problems. I was considering the Dillon 650, but I am glad I bought what I did change over time is so quick compared to the Dillon. I have added all the bells and whistles; digital case counter, low primer alarm, and I have a low power alarm arriving Monday. The whole set up for three calibers, case feeder, two powder measure (one is a RCBS Uniflow with a RCBS Linkage for pistol) and the whistles ran me about $750. Definitely the best investment I ever made I am now in reloading nirvana.:D
 
I can't wait to start loading on it. I ordered Redding Pro Series Carbide 9mm and 45 cal dies for it. I selected those dies because I am familiar with them and I like Redding quality. I also ordered an RCBS lockout die. Anyone using Redding dies on their LNL?
 
I have always only used RCBS dies, but I recently bought a set of Hornady dies in 40 S&W and I think I like them better then the RCBS dies. I like the Hornady setup on decapping die instead of using a jam nut it uses compression to lock the mandrel. Also I like the collar that follows the bullet in bullet seating die.
 
Ordered my stuff as well. The press from wideners and the other stuff from midway, of course my midway stuff arrived yesterday but I won't get the press until next week. would've been nice to spend the long weekend loading but o well

i still need to build a new bench, so first things first I guess
 
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