Just ordered a Hornady Lock n Load Progressive Press, accessories needed?

Hi,

I'm planning to start reloading .40 s&w so I bought the above mentioned progressive press.

I already have an RCBS single stage Rock Chucker with all the brass prep stuff and a digital scale.

I assume I will need the following:

4x #10 40 S&W/10mm shell holder

1x #10 shell plate

1x Powder Measure: Do I have to use the lock'n'load one or will others fit the press? Is the LNL the best one to use?

1x Resizing Die

1x Expander Die

1x Bullet Seating/Crimping Die

1x Hornady LNL Primer Feed System

So aside from the actual reloading components, am I missing anything? I might get the automatic case loader eventually too.

 

You don't need the shell holders. The kit comes with (5) lock-n-load bushings. The powder measure that comes with the kit is killer. Be sure to hose it all down first to get rid of the anti-rust stuff they put on it.
Primer feed system comes with the kit as well.
I found the hornady carbide dies to be superior to the Lee dies I started with.

 

The press comes with most of the parts listed, as Pcwirepro mentioned.

You'll need dies and the shell plate for your caliber, a couple of bolts, washers, and nuts to mount it.

LOTS of components, as once you get your feet wet on the press and figure out it's quirks, you'll end up running a lot across it.

 

One problem with the LNL powder measure is that it loosen up in the bushing. This may cause failure to get a full charge in the cases. Contact Hornady Technical Support and they will send you shims to fit between the bottom of the press and the O-ring. This solves the loosening problem completely. I live in Michigan, called Hornady on a Monday and had the shims by Wednesday. Super service.
Also, watch the video that comes with the press before setting up the press. You will learn some good tips.
thom

 

To clarify what others have mentioned. The SHELL PLATE is the shell holder so no additional shell holders are needed. If you ever plan on loading more than one caliber you can buy the package of inserts to save time in die changes. The press does come with 5 the lock-n-load die holders, one for each station.

You can use any brand of dies with the press but the Hornady dies work a little better as other manufacturers dies can be a little short in the die body to fit well.

I have heard others say their die inserts loosen up but I haven't had that problem with my press and its an earlier one.

 

Thanks for the tips everyone, sounds like it's just dies and shell plates then!

 

Yep, you will need the shell plate and the dies but that is all. By the way there is nothing wrong with the powder measure I have loaded close to 7000 rounds on mine since 2006 without a problem

 

Use this link. It talks about some of the problems with the powder charger on the LNL

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=487222&highlight=Hornady+LNL+Press

 

Get a 3pack of case retaining springs. Cheap and you will need one sometime or another.

 

Here's a link for the retaining springs ole farmerbuck is talking about

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=721452

 

Get 2 brass or Delrin rods sized to sit on top of the primer stack (1 for LP and 1 SP) - you can mark them for a low primer warning ... more importantly, they keep the last 2-3 primers feeding smoothly from the stack.

One-Shot case lube is excellent stuff - a quick spritz, even when using carbide pistol dies, makes everything run so much more smoothly.

I found the Dillon pick-up tubes easier to use than the Hornady but either work.

Keep the primer feedway clean - a spritz of canned air now and then or a Q-tip work well ... a single grain of spilled powder in there can cause headaches.
/Bryan

 

Let me suggest:

1. Powder-thru expander (PTX). This one--http://powderfunnels.com/products.html--costs $25, but you can use it for virtually anything, so you only have to buy one. I have it, it works great.

2. Powder checker. The reason for the PTX is so you can free up the station you'd normally use for the normal die. That will allow you to use some form of powder checker.

In my view, you should *not* get the Hornady Powder Cop. It requires you to look at the powder cop all the time to see if your powder load is good. Strikes me as no different than simply looking at the powder in the case itself, and if you lose concentration, forget to look, whatever, then it does no good at all.

Instead, look at the RCBS Lockout Die. The LD will stop the press from fully cycling if you have a squib load (no powder) or a double-charge. In fact, mine will catch very light or heavy loads too. The beauty of it is that it requires no operator intervention--it just works. Amazing thing.

I was loading some 9mm last week and it caught two squib loads--the powder measure bound up and didn't return to normal position, and didn't drop a load (I had to lube the sleeve w/ some graphite and it straightened out). The LD was on the case (sorry : ), and caught them.

3. As others have said, clean the parts as per Hornady instructions, to remove oils and rust inhibitors.

 

looks like Midway is out of stock on the springs, just like they always are in the case of anything slightly popular...

 

BTW: What looks like a "Broken retainer spring" is usually one that has just "come apart" - the two ends screw together.

You may want to check out my LNL AP HD videos on www.ultimatereloader.com , just click on the "Hornady" tab.

Let us all know how it goes!

 

My LNL purchased a few months ago comes with a plastic rod for this purpose.

Every problem mentioned in that thread is easily and quickly fixed. Don't be frightened away from the Hornady powder measure too easily. But as has been said (and never too many times), clean it out as they demonstrate on the DVD before you use it.

 

In about 5,000 rounds, I've broken only one case retainer spring. Except as you've said, my spring wasn't broken. A couple of twists and 30 seconds later, the spring was back in action.

thorn

 

Yep, they can get pretty gnarly looking with kinks and twists and still function just fine.
/B