Hornady Lock'n Load PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS!

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Gentlemen,

I urge you to ignore the hecklers and continue your discussion about slicking up your Lock N Loads. You've got a good thread going. Keep it up. It'll help anyone who's new to the press or has some adjustment issue they haven't resolved.

As far as the problems you're having, a lot of what I'm reading here looks very much like Hornady got way better response to their bullet deals than they expected and they've had to ramp up production to meet demand. Like most companies (Including Dillon, I know, I was around when they went through it.) they're having some QC/QA issues. Like most companies, they'll improve their design and QC and things will settle down. Just be patient and call their Customer Service when you have issues, so they know about them. Engineering fixes sometimes don't come as quick as we'd like, but they'll come eventually.

Regards,

Dave

 

[pinkymingeo]

I wonder how many they've made? My serial # is 125XX, and I just got it a couple of weeks ago.

 

[GregDi]

I received mine about 2 weeks ago. Zero issues to report other than the 9mm ejection issue which I resolved 100% in under 30 seconds with a dremel and a felt pad. Prior to polishing the shell plate, I could not get a round to slide out. After a quick polish, I can't them to jam!

 

[Roccobro]

Serial # 124xx, bought in early November.

I didn't even read the instructions for the PTE, and I now have the perfect case flair down with less than 20 separate .45 case attempts (setup the crimp and seating dies while I was at it too). Never reloaded before and this is my first press.

Justin

 

[Johnny Guest]

HEY! Let's stay on topic, shall we?

Looks to me as if this thread started out with a very specific request for assistance, concerning the Hornady Lock 'n' Load press. No one asked for input as to which other press YOU prefer, or even how much you like YOUR Hornady.

I've gone through and chopped out some of the non-contributory posts in this thread. Please notice: If YOUR post was cut, then it falls into that category. Please read the sticky at the top of this forum and take note of the entire content.

This thread is valuable, and I intend to leave it open.

Thanks for your cooperation
Johnny Guest
THR Staff
H&R Forum Moderator

 

[jenrob]

Here's a link to some Ideas it's a thread I started a while back and kinda went no place.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=326414&highlight=Hornady

The thing on the PTE are that you really need to have a quick change powder die for each cal. that you reload so if you reload 40S&W, 10mm 45acp, 45colt then you would you would need 4 and also one 400 PTE and one 451/452 You can switch the back and forth between the QCP dies once you have them set up don't mess with them. The first time setting them isn't to bad but can be frustrating. After that it get easier. That takes care of 4A&E

1AB&C. I only get this every once in a while and the noise I work out in my shop so don't really think much of it.

2A If you do this righ tit will fix 2B if you are using the Lee FCD in station five don't Mangle the wire. instead put the die in and bring the ram up till it touches the wire with a punch a pencil or something push the wire over just enough that you can get the wire past the die (make sure the die is already set where you want it). Now the wire will leave a shiney mark on the side of the die when you lower the ram. Grind that portion of the die away almost to the carbide ring. Take a sharpie and mark on your die, Bushing and press jsut a dot will due. This will be a reference point to reinstall the die later then repeat with your other dies. Now take a buffer whell on a dremel tool and buff the wire on the edge that catches the case. These steps will keep the die from tweeking the wire and allow the cases to come out easier. You can also grind more of an angle on the shell plate (do a search I think it was on here somebody has a picture of this) I will be doing this also.

3A&B Make sure that the inside of your primer tubs are smooth at the bottom neck there have been a couple people that have had small burs that would hang primers. Also keep a can of air on your bench every hundred rounds when you refill the primers shot it with a little air every 500 or so I shoot mine with Hornady one shoot gun cleaner & lube.

4B don't loosen the hex bolt as much Is kinda bad design but if you leave them snug they won't slide
4C When setting up your powder dispenser you need to use a case every time you dispense powder If not the powder bushing or the PTE will set at the bottom and act as a shelf some of the powder will drop on it then the next time some might fall off. if you use a case to push it up it keeps every thing together
4D buy a Powder Baffle I put an RCBS powder baffle in mine and it works alot better.
6 I thought I was going to break something I tightend mine so tight before I got it to stay put but it doesn't move anymore. I tried it on top and bottom and it is now on bottom and beat it stays put now.
whelp gotta go getting blisters on my finger tips

 

[Roccobro]

4D buy a Powder Baffle I put an RCBS powder baffle in mine and it works alot better.

I installed one of these right away at the positive comments made by users. The cheapest one fits fine with a little tweaking down/in of just the sharp tips.

Justin

 

[jenrob]

yea when I first tried to get that powder baffle in right i bout through the hole setup out the window. The RCBS was the cheapest that I found needed a little flattening but works great