Lee Auto-Disk On Hornady L-N-L

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RMG123

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Hi guys, I am a new member but have been lurking on this site for quite a while. This is a great site with great members and great info.

I have a Lee Classic Turret. Try as I might, I just can't seem to come to like it. I reload a lot of shotgun shells on a MEC progressive and I love doing that, but the Lee turret, not so much. I just seem to be too busy trying to remember when to use the safety prime, when to set a bullet, etc. With the MEC, I can get into a rhythm that works for me.

I am thinking of trading up to a Hornady L-N-L AP. I understand that my shell holders will need to replaced with the proper shell plates and I think the my current dies (mostly Lee) will work in the L-N-L bushings.

My biggest question is: will the Lee auto-dick and the Lee PTX die work on the L-N-L?

Is there anything else I should know about before making a decision?

Thanks
RMG
 
I've been using mine for about 4 months....also after coming from MEC progressive shotshell loaders. You are right in that the rhythm is almost identical, just inserting a bullet in place of a wad! I am using an assortment of dies....Lee undersized 9mm sizing die....hornady powder die that came with the press...hornady titanium flare die.....hornady titanium seating die....and then Lyman taper crimp die (polymer coated bullets). The only problem I have had is the bushings working loose under the vibration of the cycle....mostly the powder drop....but I fixed that with a little teflon tape on the bushing lugs and using channel locks on the bushing to get it fully turned to the stop. 6000 rounds and counting )
 
Brian425 if you did a google search you would find a bunch of info on how to stop bushings from coming loose. You don't have to re-invent the wheel.

RMG--- The Hornady powder measure is a proven performer with a good assortment of accessories. Sell your Lee as a complete kit.
 
RMG
With the Hornady progressive you have several different ways to set it up using the 5 stations. There really isn't any good reason to use the Lee powder measure as the Hornady measure is very good.

OK, if you are using a Lee 4 pc die set you can set the LNL up as follows: station #1 size and deprime (then prime on the down stroke), station #2 case mouth expansion, station #3 powder drop, station #4 seat bullet station #5 crimp with lee fcd).

The beauty of a five station press is you can free up one of the stations very easily. I wanted to use an RCBS lock out die that will prevent a squib round. To free up a station, I purchased a Hornady PTX that is installed in the powder measure so I case mouth expand and add powder in one station. Mine is set up station #1 size/deprime, #2 powder/expansion #3 lock out die, #4 bullet seat #5 crimp.
 
Thanks all,
I already have several of the auto-disk risers on Lee PTX dies, so I am good there. I also have several disks set for particular powder drops, that is why I was wondering about using the Lee auto-disk. I expect that I would eventually get enough inserts for the Hornady power measure so that I am not trying to dial in a specific drop every time.

In all my research on the Hornady press, I have never seen anything concerning the dies coming loose. Is this the dies getting loose in the inserts or the inserts getting loose in the press?

RMG
 
Inserts loosening from the press. It's an easy fix with teflon tape (plumbers tape). I don't have any experience with the shims so I can't say about those.
 
bluetopper said:
Lee disc powder dispensers suck. You'll realize this if you ever use anything else.
Click to expand...
It's is absurd that some find it necessary to trash another product just because they couldn't figure out how to use it properly. This is a longstanding ignorance in the handloading world. It is necessary? What does it prove? I have a Dillon and all its trappings. I also have a Lee press. Both serve a purpose. The Auto disk, the PPM and the new Auto Drum all work as well as my Dillon PM, my Hornady PM and my Uniflow and my Harrells. Certainly the Lee PMs cost a lot less money and yet the perform their jobs on par with the other in my collection. Some work with specific powders better than other and yet that is a part of learning how to handload and using your tools.
 
bluetopper said:
Lee disc powder dispensers suck. You'll realize this if you ever use anything else.
Click to expand...

In the 40 years I have been reloading, I have used B&M, RCBS, Redding, Hornady, and Lyman powder measures in addition to the Lee. I own Hornady and Lyman electronic dispensers.

With this experience in mind, I find that the Lee Pro Auto Disk performs remarkably well for the pistol loads I use it for and find that it is an exceptional value.

I'll admit that I am not a fan of the Lee PPM.
 
I had a Lee turret and was happy with it before I updgraded to a LNL for more volume. I still use the auto disc, micro disc and adjsutable disc for all my pistol loads. The LNL powder measure is good, but I've found it easier to leave it set up for rifle loads and use the auto disc for pistols. It's worked for me through 1000s of rounds.
 
I have 3 pro auto disks set up for favorite calibers on lnl-ap. Really this is overkill as the measure is easily swapped among PTE dies without adjustment and disks are easy to adjust. I suggest using the auto disk riser, keeps it up above powder check dies etc. the lnl measure is good, I leave it set up for 223. Auto disks are way easier to adjust and they work really well in my setup.
 
A mechanics 13mm box end wrench made in China will turn nuts and bolts. But for some anything less than Craftsman is a no go. For others it's Snap-On or nothing. But still some are fine with the Chinese tool.

My tool box is full of Craftsman and some Snap-On. Some of my Craftsman tools I have had since 1974 and some were my Dads going back to 1950.

There are no plastic Lee powder measures on my bench and I don't think there ever will be. One of my powder measures was my Dads, he bought it in 1967, it's an RCBS Uniflow which is still balls on accurate with any kind powder I have. For me handloading is a hobby and I load a lot of ammo, about 7000-8000 pistol and 1000-2000 rifle per year.

So I will spend a few bucks for something really nice. I want good solid tools that always always work. I doubt that there are very many plastic Lee powder measures that seen 50 years of hard service. Maybe a few but certainly not a whole lot. Still some report good results with Lee plastic and I have no reason to believe that this is not fact.

Because of the Craftsman condition I have, when I started collecting my own presses and tools I just couldn't buy any Lee presses or major tools. I know that Lee has got many into handloading at a low cost but I rather save my money and buy at a higher price/quality point. I will say that some of the Dillon users are a bit overbearing when it comes to their choice in press but the Lee classic turret press people are just as overbearing when it comes to the question "what press should I buy".

I have a Lee shotshell loader and it works but it's not fun by any stretch of the imagination to use.

Sorry if I offend. Handloading is like a religion to some.
 
Be aware that the press comes with a powder measure, although not prepared for small handgun loads. The pistol rotor with metering insert is extra. The press relies upon everything going vertical. The Lee measure might not fit in the tight cluster of dies. However, I can't see any reason not to use the nice measure that comes with the press, and I own and use both the LnL AP and the Lee turret.
 
Mine also. I buy a new $11 insert for whatever cartridge I'm going to load and set it for that cartridge and keep it with that die set. The LNL measure is a matter of seconds to swap out inserts.
 
I have found that the pistol micrometer insert is all I need... I never use the standard insert.
I have a chart for the powder weights each 0.25 change. I only have 231 charted since I only had the chart idea recently :)

I also have my LNL powder measure setup to work as a bench mount dispenser. That way I don't have to set up fussy powder drops on the press to load 5 test rounds quickly.

Mike
 

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My LnL progressive press came with both the rifle and pistol rotor.
Click to expand...

Or was it the pistol metering insert that was extra? It has been some years now. I do know that when I replaced a broken pistol rotor recently, the new one came with the insert and there was no option to buy them separately.
 
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