REL1203
Member
Remember, you can mod the Dillion Handle to work with the LNL as I have done, others have done it as well. At this point, I dont think i could go back to a Non-Roller handle.
I Ordered the Hornady LnL AP
- Thread starter dbarnhart
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Remember, you can mod the Dillion Handle to work with the LNL as I have done, others have done it as well. At this point, I dont think i could go back to a Non-Roller handle.
I am going to turn the plastic LNL ball on a lathe at work and see if I can clean up the injection edging around the "equator" of the ball and see if that fixes it for me. Just seems to bug every once in a while. Maybe I just need an 8 ball. Or maybe a 2 Ball to match (they are red, right?)
CHALK22 said:
My press, case feeder and accessories are scheduled for delivery on Monday. I'd better take the day off work since I don't want $1,000 worth of stuff sitting on my door step all day long!! I've been using the same progressive press for more than 15 years so this latest edition is really exciting. I doubt I'll change out the press handle though. My progressive and single stage presses have balls for handles and I've never had a problem with them.
I have a Redding Big Boss II single stage and the PiggyBack II progressive sits on a Rock Chucker. Both have smooth plastic balls on the handles. If there's a ridge on the L-N-L ball I'll knock it down with a file and then polish with fine emery paper.
1858 said:
I need to make a correction to my statement. When I woke up this morning, I checked the ball handles on the RCBS Rock Chucker and Redding Big Boss II and only the Redding is perfectly smooth. The RC has a ridge around the equator but it's never bothered me. I think I've smoothed the ridge over the years since it doesn't feel rough at all ... I've been using it since '92.
I was reading a thread on the dimensions of the L-N-L with case feeder and I think I'll need to build a new bench for it.
Carry on!!
Blue68f100
Member
Yes it is, It make you wonder why it took you so long to get one. Love mine....
well it only took me about 2 weeks to get it, mainly I was waiting for it to get back in stock. Just during the setup and me getting used to it as far as timing and what I need to do as it is working.(remember the bullet, or you get powder in the catch bin!!)(primers!) I managed to load 300 rounds of 9mm with out really thinking about it. F'n sweet. I also think that I may be okay with just the plastic ball handle. at the position I sit, I might not be able to use a roller handle efficiently. Only time will tell....
Blue68f100
Member
My LNL is on a 31" high bench and I use a folding chair with a boat cushion on it. It's just the right height, my arm is full extended in the down stroke. With it at this height my elbow does not hurt after doing 600+ rounds. Before my elbow would start hurting after several 100.
Get you an adjustable chair. Once you find the right height which allows you to straighten your arm out on the stoke you will be good to go. I find that I like a chair without caster.
I have no problem with the ball handle, if it's bothersome you can use a glove. You normally do not use the right hand for any thing else except the 1-arm bandit.
Enjoy your new found friend.
Get you an adjustable chair. Once you find the right height which allows you to straighten your arm out on the stoke you will be good to go. I find that I like a chair without caster.
I have no problem with the ball handle, if it's bothersome you can use a glove. You normally do not use the right hand for any thing else except the 1-arm bandit.
Enjoy your new found friend.
My L-N-L with case feeder and a bunch of accessories arrived today. I have to say, I'm really impressed with Big Supply Shop. Great prices, everything ordered was in the boxes and nothing arrived damaged in any way.
I spent much of the weekend organizing my reloading area and making room for a new bench. I took a vacation day today to get the bench set up and only had time to take an inventory of the all the parts that I ordered. Next step is to set up the L-N-L and case feeder.
I spent much of the weekend organizing my reloading area and making room for a new bench. I took a vacation day today to get the bench set up and only had time to take an inventory of the all the parts that I ordered. Next step is to set up the L-N-L and case feeder.
dbarnhart
Member
I just finished reloading my first 1000 rounds (45 ACP) on the LnL-AP and it's hard to believe how quickly and easily it went.
I'm really impressed with the L-N-L and case feeder. They work very well together and the press is ridiculously smooth. I've got the case feeder set up and adjusted and have done some dry runs and all is good. I just need to move the .45 ACP dies and Redding 10X from the RCBS to the L-N-L and I'll be in business.
dbarnhart
Member
I'm waiting on some stuff to arrive Tuesday (extra LnL bushings, quick change power dies, etc) and I'll switchover to loading some 223.
The L-N-L came with five bushings so I ordered 30 additional bushings to get me started. I already have six powder dies for quick changeovers that I use with the 10X and BR-30 on the RCBS progressive. I do need a couple more though. Here's a short video showing off the press and case feeder after the initial set up. I wanted to make sure that everything worked properly before installing dies and the powder measure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZROOZIACK0c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZROOZIACK0c
dbarnhart
Member
You're making me want one!
I just wanted to give a "quick" update on my L-N-L with case feeder that I bought after dbarnhart started this thread.
First, I mailed in the 'free bullets rebate' form last week and received an email this morning telling me that my "order" has been processed, so I have 500 .45 ACP 185gr XTP JHP bullets on the way.
So far I've assembled more than 1,000 rounds of .45 ACP and I'm LOVING this L-N-L. Some complain about the priming system but it works great for me and it's compatible with my older RCBS which also uses pick up tubes. I use the case entering the shellplate to gauge the priming step. As the ram comes down, the case feeder carrier pushes a case towards the shellplate. There's a momentary pause as the case at the priming station engages the primer. I then watch the case enter the shellplate as I seat the primer and can visually "see" when the primer is fully seated by the position of the case in the shellplate. This seems to give very good results when combined with the felt resistance of the lever. With the L-N-L it's so much easier to remove/replace the shellplate compared to my RCBS, another feature I really like both for cleaning/maintenance and changing over to a different cartridge. Also, the L-N-L is very smooth with its 1/10th indexing (I love that) and seems to have a lot of power to the extent that if I only seat and crimp it feels like nothing is happening. The Redding 10X powder measure is flawless on the press and the L-N-L is working exactly as it should. I've found it easy to remove/insert cases anywhere on the shellplate, it's easy to get back up and running when the primers run out, and the dies don't move in the bushings at all.
The case feeder isn't quite so perfect ... yet anyway. It worked great 98.0% of the time but has given me a little trouble. I was getting the occasional jam when a case would rotate when falling through the opening from the hopper into the plastic funnel. I noticed that the hopper opening was about 1/4" out of alignment with the funnel, and this was allowing a case to hit the leading edge of the funnel and rotate rather than drop straight down the tube. I taped a small piece of plastic over the leading edge of the hole in the hopper so that the case always clears the leading edge of the funnel. Confusing I know! I'll make something permanent soon but this "fix" improved reliability to 99.5%. The other issue is that very occasionally a case won't drop from the case feeder plate soon enough. With the sliding gate all the way open, two cases can drop at the same time. If the leading case (based on rotation direction) doesn't clear the case feeder plate in time, it will crash into the hopper and cause a jam. I extended the opening in the hopper by 1/4" so that it's aligned with the trailing edge of the plastic funnel and this seems to have fixed that issue. Reliability now seems to be up around 99.9%. I've thought about adding a thin angled piece of sheet metal to drive a case back up into the hopper if it doesn't clear the case feeder plate soon enough.
All in all, I couldn't be happier with the L-N-L. It's a really well thought out progressive that produces quality ammunition. Hornday's case activated powder drop linkage with quick change powder dies is the best powder measuring system available bar none. It's even better when used in conjunction with a Redding powder measure such as the 10X or BR-30. As for the L-N-L, I don't go crazy and try to set ridiculous production rates. In my opinion, this is where people run into problems. I produce about 15 quality rounds per minute, maybe a little more, which in theory is about 900 rounds per hour. In reality, with stopping every 100 rounds to pick up new primers, adding more bullets to the bullet tray, moving loaded rounds out of the inbox, making a cup of tea, petting the dogs etc., 300 rounds for a weekend's match takes a lot less than an hour and a lot closer to half an hour. That's more than fast enough for me.
Here's the L-N-L just waiting patiently for a chance to do what it does best.
First, I mailed in the 'free bullets rebate' form last week and received an email this morning telling me that my "order" has been processed, so I have 500 .45 ACP 185gr XTP JHP bullets on the way.
So far I've assembled more than 1,000 rounds of .45 ACP and I'm LOVING this L-N-L. Some complain about the priming system but it works great for me and it's compatible with my older RCBS which also uses pick up tubes. I use the case entering the shellplate to gauge the priming step. As the ram comes down, the case feeder carrier pushes a case towards the shellplate. There's a momentary pause as the case at the priming station engages the primer. I then watch the case enter the shellplate as I seat the primer and can visually "see" when the primer is fully seated by the position of the case in the shellplate. This seems to give very good results when combined with the felt resistance of the lever. With the L-N-L it's so much easier to remove/replace the shellplate compared to my RCBS, another feature I really like both for cleaning/maintenance and changing over to a different cartridge. Also, the L-N-L is very smooth with its 1/10th indexing (I love that) and seems to have a lot of power to the extent that if I only seat and crimp it feels like nothing is happening. The Redding 10X powder measure is flawless on the press and the L-N-L is working exactly as it should. I've found it easy to remove/insert cases anywhere on the shellplate, it's easy to get back up and running when the primers run out, and the dies don't move in the bushings at all.
The case feeder isn't quite so perfect ... yet anyway. It worked great 98.0% of the time but has given me a little trouble. I was getting the occasional jam when a case would rotate when falling through the opening from the hopper into the plastic funnel. I noticed that the hopper opening was about 1/4" out of alignment with the funnel, and this was allowing a case to hit the leading edge of the funnel and rotate rather than drop straight down the tube. I taped a small piece of plastic over the leading edge of the hole in the hopper so that the case always clears the leading edge of the funnel. Confusing I know! I'll make something permanent soon but this "fix" improved reliability to 99.5%. The other issue is that very occasionally a case won't drop from the case feeder plate soon enough. With the sliding gate all the way open, two cases can drop at the same time. If the leading case (based on rotation direction) doesn't clear the case feeder plate in time, it will crash into the hopper and cause a jam. I extended the opening in the hopper by 1/4" so that it's aligned with the trailing edge of the plastic funnel and this seems to have fixed that issue. Reliability now seems to be up around 99.9%. I've thought about adding a thin angled piece of sheet metal to drive a case back up into the hopper if it doesn't clear the case feeder plate soon enough.
All in all, I couldn't be happier with the L-N-L. It's a really well thought out progressive that produces quality ammunition. Hornday's case activated powder drop linkage with quick change powder dies is the best powder measuring system available bar none. It's even better when used in conjunction with a Redding powder measure such as the 10X or BR-30. As for the L-N-L, I don't go crazy and try to set ridiculous production rates. In my opinion, this is where people run into problems. I produce about 15 quality rounds per minute, maybe a little more, which in theory is about 900 rounds per hour. In reality, with stopping every 100 rounds to pick up new primers, adding more bullets to the bullet tray, moving loaded rounds out of the inbox, making a cup of tea, petting the dogs etc., 300 rounds for a weekend's match takes a lot less than an hour and a lot closer to half an hour. That's more than fast enough for me.
Here's the L-N-L just waiting patiently for a chance to do what it does best.
dbarnhart
Member
It sounds like you are a happy camper too.
I smoothed the edges of the priming (I forget the name of the part but it is the sliding piece that pushes the primer under the shell) with a little emery cloth and have had zero problems since. Even withojt the case feeder I'm amazed at how fast I can turn out 223 rounds
I smoothed the edges of the priming (I forget the name of the part but it is the sliding piece that pushes the primer under the shell) with a little emery cloth and have had zero problems since. Even withojt the case feeder I'm amazed at how fast I can turn out 223 rounds
dbarnhart said:
Are you trimming the cases after you size them? I'll be setting up the L-N-L for .223 Rem soon but plan on decapping on the single stage, tumbling in stainless media, body die to bump the shoulder back on a single stage, trimming, and then finally into the hopper and onto the L-N-L for neck sizing, priming, powder, bullet, seat, crimp.
dbarnhart said:
Very pleased with the press so thanks again for this thread ... it's what inspired me to add another progressive.
Sommerled
Member
Thanks for the nice pic 1858, showed it to my wife. You helped me prove to her that I am "normal" and not the only guy in the world that has a "few" items in my gun room.
Very nice indeed. I have three LnL progressives, bought the first one in 2001. My experience has been very positive as well. This thread now has me seriously considering the shell feeder now.... but then would have to get three!
Very nice indeed. I have three LnL progressives, bought the first one in 2001. My experience has been very positive as well. This thread now has me seriously considering the shell feeder now.... but then would have to get three!
dbarnhart
Member
>>Are you trimming the cases after you size them?<<
Yes but only if necessary. Right now I have two 'batches' of 223 cases, about 1500 cases per batch. I will decap and size the entire batch. I'll measure fifty or so and if a few need to be trimmed then I'll run the entire batch thru the trimmer.
I can use a batch 2-3 times without trimming. The cases don't 'grow' enough after one firing to justify trimming.
My process for 223 is:
1 When I come home from the range I dump the cases into the tumbler.
2. Case inspection. The cases then go into a bin. When the entire batch is in the bin, I then do the remaining steps.
3. First pass thru the press:
Station 1 RCBS Lube Die (also decaps the case)
Station 2 Sizer
4. Tumble cases to polish and remove lube
5. Swage if necessary on Dillon 600 (Only needed when the batch contains a bunch of cases I've bought used and never processed before)
6. Trim (then deburr) if necessary
7. Second pass thru the press:
- Prime
- Powder
- Powder cop
- Seat & Crimp
Yes but only if necessary. Right now I have two 'batches' of 223 cases, about 1500 cases per batch. I will decap and size the entire batch. I'll measure fifty or so and if a few need to be trimmed then I'll run the entire batch thru the trimmer.
I can use a batch 2-3 times without trimming. The cases don't 'grow' enough after one firing to justify trimming.
My process for 223 is:
1 When I come home from the range I dump the cases into the tumbler.
2. Case inspection. The cases then go into a bin. When the entire batch is in the bin, I then do the remaining steps.
3. First pass thru the press:
Station 1 RCBS Lube Die (also decaps the case)
Station 2 Sizer
4. Tumble cases to polish and remove lube
5. Swage if necessary on Dillon 600 (Only needed when the batch contains a bunch of cases I've bought used and never processed before)
6. Trim (then deburr) if necessary
7. Second pass thru the press:
- Prime
- Powder
- Powder cop
- Seat & Crimp
- Status
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