David Wile
Member
Hey folks,
In the most recent several, or more, years now, I have been reading what folks have been discussing about the Hornady powder measure on their L&L AP presses. These folks have been talking about buying a new L&L press and having to buy a second rotor drum for their powder measure.
When I look at the online PDF Instruction Manual for the powder measure, the rotor drum and micrometer adjustable plunger that goes in the drum do not look like the drum and plungers that are in my Hornady powder measure.
My L&L AP was one of the first presses out of the factory, and the serial number is 1525. My powder measure came with one rotor drum and two metering plungers - one for small charges and the other for big charges. The plunger faces on both plungers are the same size and fit perfectly into the cylinder bore of the rotor drum.
On the plunger for large charges, the plunger face itself is directly attached to the micrometer adjuster, and it moves in and out the cylinder bore to change adjustments for large charges.
The plunger for small charges is completely different. On it, the plunger face is fixed in place and fills the drum cylinder fully. Inside the plunger face body, is a smaller plunger face that is connected to the micrometer adjuster, and it is the part that moves in and out of the small cylinder within the larger plunger body, and it allows the smaller charges to be adjusted.
I am certain my description may be lacking in my ability to explain the working of the two plungers, but I am hoping some of the folks may have an idea of what I have described.
It seems obvious to me that Hornady made some changes to the powder measure somwhere along the the years of production. That is not surprising; they have made a few other changes to accomodate a case feeder, change the case eject system, and some changes to the primer system. My press remains in stock condition as it was issued, and it works like a charm.
My questions on the subject have to do with when the changes were made to the powder measure rotor drum and metering plungers. Also, am I correct in my understanding that presses are issued today with only one size rotor drum metering system? If so, I cannot understand how they would go from initially selling a press outfitted for both large and small charge throwing capability and then start selling a press where you have to buy the other size metering system. Any ideas on that?
Do not misunderstand my questions as a problem with the L&L. I am not knocking the L&L AP at all. I have been using mine for 14 years now, and it is a truly fine machine. My powder measure throws very consistent charges when using ball and flake powders - it does not meter extruded powders well at all, however. This is also true for my RCBS and Lyman powder measures concerning extruded powders. The case activated system is absolutely reliable as long as I take my time to devote all my attention to the reloading process. I would simply like to get an idea of when Hornady changed the powder drum/plunger system and their policy to only include one charge size. I would also like to know if anyone has any idea of why they made the changes.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
In the most recent several, or more, years now, I have been reading what folks have been discussing about the Hornady powder measure on their L&L AP presses. These folks have been talking about buying a new L&L press and having to buy a second rotor drum for their powder measure.
When I look at the online PDF Instruction Manual for the powder measure, the rotor drum and micrometer adjustable plunger that goes in the drum do not look like the drum and plungers that are in my Hornady powder measure.
My L&L AP was one of the first presses out of the factory, and the serial number is 1525. My powder measure came with one rotor drum and two metering plungers - one for small charges and the other for big charges. The plunger faces on both plungers are the same size and fit perfectly into the cylinder bore of the rotor drum.
On the plunger for large charges, the plunger face itself is directly attached to the micrometer adjuster, and it moves in and out the cylinder bore to change adjustments for large charges.
The plunger for small charges is completely different. On it, the plunger face is fixed in place and fills the drum cylinder fully. Inside the plunger face body, is a smaller plunger face that is connected to the micrometer adjuster, and it is the part that moves in and out of the small cylinder within the larger plunger body, and it allows the smaller charges to be adjusted.
I am certain my description may be lacking in my ability to explain the working of the two plungers, but I am hoping some of the folks may have an idea of what I have described.
It seems obvious to me that Hornady made some changes to the powder measure somwhere along the the years of production. That is not surprising; they have made a few other changes to accomodate a case feeder, change the case eject system, and some changes to the primer system. My press remains in stock condition as it was issued, and it works like a charm.
My questions on the subject have to do with when the changes were made to the powder measure rotor drum and metering plungers. Also, am I correct in my understanding that presses are issued today with only one size rotor drum metering system? If so, I cannot understand how they would go from initially selling a press outfitted for both large and small charge throwing capability and then start selling a press where you have to buy the other size metering system. Any ideas on that?
Do not misunderstand my questions as a problem with the L&L. I am not knocking the L&L AP at all. I have been using mine for 14 years now, and it is a truly fine machine. My powder measure throws very consistent charges when using ball and flake powders - it does not meter extruded powders well at all, however. This is also true for my RCBS and Lyman powder measures concerning extruded powders. The case activated system is absolutely reliable as long as I take my time to devote all my attention to the reloading process. I would simply like to get an idea of when Hornady changed the powder drum/plunger system and their policy to only include one charge size. I would also like to know if anyone has any idea of why they made the changes.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile