Lock n Load AP set up difficulties

[Peakbagr]

I'm setting up a Lock n Load progressive I bought a month ago. Its embarassing to admit that I've had it so long and still am having problems setting it up.

These some things that have stumped me so far:

I bought the Powder thru Expanders for each of my calibers. I know they go into the Quick Change Powder die. But do I also put either sleeve #1, sleeve #2, or the Pistol Powder sleeve above it?

I'm a long time single stage guy and just getting my mind around the 5 stations and the 5 slots on the shell holders. When setting up the dies, it appears like the deprime station should be in the station right after where the loaded round gets tossed into the tray. This doesn't jibe with what I was told
when I first got the press:
station 1 deprime-resize
station 2 powder
station 3 powder cap if I want to use one
station 4 seating
station 5 taper crimp

In order to be able to use the automatic ejection wire on the loaded rounds, I bought Hornady taper crimp dies. The only problem is that it appears that the TC dies go in the station right before the wire kicks them out. If I put the TC die in that station, when the press indexes, the wire hits the bottom edge of the Hornady die that is supposed to work with the wire.

This has been really discouraging to say the least, but I've finally swallowed my pride enought to come here and ask for advice. Embarassing after reloading so many years to have difficulty setting something up that everyone seems to do without a problem. I've felt so dumb that I'd even thought about selling the press and going back to single stage, much as I'd hate to do that.

 

[cobra1414]

your operations are fine, the first die (after ejection) is the resize/decap die.

Use no powder sleeves with powder through expander inserts, just use the expander insert.

A hornady TC correctly adjusted will not interfere with the ejector wire, either you have a die whitch is not designed for the LNL-AP (it will say AP on the die), or the die is incorrectly adjusted.

 

[roc1]

I use the ECW die on my press on 40 cal and the taper crimp die works fine and allows ejector wire to work.I got the casefeeder and it works good I still am working on 40cal,it is only one that gives any problem.
roc1

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

roc,

Do a search for a poster called Idano. I believe he's got your solutions related to .40 Cal. solved in his "pimped out LnL" posting.

Regards,

Dave

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

"Its embarassing to admit that I've had it so long and still am having problems setting it up."

The only thing about it I think you did wrong is you waited a month before seeking help. I think you should have asked from day one or called Hornady Technical Support "and gotten help immediately so you could go on. There's no dumb questions and a Progressive is a long way from a single stage and is a great deal more complicated.

These some things that have stumped me so far:

I bought the Powder thru Expanders for each of my calibers. I know they go into the Quick Change Powder die. But do I also put either sleeve #1, sleeve #2, or the Pistol Powder sleeve above it?"

You just use the insert. You need to adjust the die and possibly the clamps (do this as a secondary thing) on the die and the powder measure so the powder measure is "topped out" so the expander can bell the case mouth.

"I'm a long time single stage guy and just getting my mind around the 5 stations and the 5 slots on the shell holders."

Here's what you do. Take it like a pirannah eats and elephant, one bite at a time. First, install your shellholder and get it working smoothly with correct timing. Next, install the sizing/decapping die in station one (The one with the hole for the spent primer underneath it.), then go to the next station. Get each one running right and then setup the next.

When setting up the dies, it appears like the deprime station should be in the station right after where the loaded round gets tossed into the tray."

Station 1 is the deprime station and the station your sizing die goes in. It is just past where the loaded round is ejected and is where the brass tube with the plastic tube attached is underneath.

"This doesn't jibe with what I was told
when I first got the press:"

I don't know what you were first told, but this list you have here is correct, with station one being where the spent primer tube (brass tube) is underneath the press. I've added some information below:


station 1 deprime-resize Correct - it's where the arm for mounting the case feeder is.

station 2 powder Correct, but it also should include case expansion as well as powder drop.

station 3 powder cap if I want to use one I'm assuming you mean powder cop here and with pistol, it's a real good idea to use an RCBS lock out die, as it locks your press up when you have an over or under charge.

station 4 seating Correct, it's the station just past the front vertical of the "O" frame of the press, if that makes sense.

station 5 taper crimp Correct, this is the station right next to the ejector wire.

"In order to be able to use the automatic ejection wire on the loaded rounds, I bought Hornady taper crimp dies. The only problem is that it appears that the TC dies go in the station right before the wire kicks them out. If I put the TC die in that station, when the press indexes, the wire hits the bottom edge of the Hornady die that is supposed to work with the wire."

If this is the case, you don't have the die adjusted properly. Double check the instructions or call Hornady support for a bit of highlighting of how to do the adjustment. The Hornady taper crimp dies are made deliberately short to clear the ejector wire. Basically, you raise a cartridge ready to crimp into the "up" position, then screw the die down enough a bit at a time until you get enough crimp. This should prevent any issues with ejector wire clearance. If you still have clearance issues, you either don't have it adjusted right or it isn't a Hornady LnL AP taper crimp die.

"This has been really discouraging to say the least, but I've finally swallowed my pride enought to come here and ask for advice. Embarassing after reloading so many years to have difficulty setting something up that everyone seems to do without a problem. I've felt so dumb that I'd even thought about selling the press and going back to single stage, much as I'd hate to do that"

Don't get discouraged, people have problems. You can sort this out and once you get the hang of things, you'll be amazed you ever said that. Call Doug at Hornady and ask some questions, get him to cover it with you if you're not sure. Things will be fine long term. I don't know what calibers you have, but start with a caliber like .45ACP that's an easy caliber to load to learn the press, then move to other calibers.

As far as .40 Cal. goes, it's kind of an odd duck and you will likely have to make a mod like the one Idano made to get the .40 to feed well with your casefeeder.

Hope this helps,

Dave

 

[Peakbagr]

You guys have been terrific.

I'm going to give the techs a call tomorrow.

Thanks,
PB

 

[Master Blaster]

Here is a another thread where the powder drop belling issue is discussed, and I give my input on installing and adjusting it. I set mine up about 9 days ago and its working well now. Dont forget to degrease all of the parts for the powder measure and case drop really well. I cleaned mine with a little blue wonder and boiled it to get all the oil off and get it dry. Mine came drenched in oil.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=251422&highlight=Lock+load

 

[roc1]

Thanks Dave I did make the copper insert and installed it I have not tried yet.
I will let everyone know if it fixes my problems.
roc1

 

[Peakbagr]

Setting it up finally

Got away from loading last year.
Following folks advice, I'm clear on station set up and want to set up each station one by one but having a problem.

I swapped in the 9mm shell plate and then inserted the 9mm decapping/resizing die. When I index, the brass is hitting the edge of the die and being crushed. I tried adjusting the die depth and decapping pin, no luck. Could the press be slightly out of synch and causing a mis-alignment?
Anyone suggest a fix?

I just went and took another look at the press. Removed the sizing and decapping die and looked down in the opening. When the press indexes, it appears the hole thru which the spent primer would drop is not aligned with the center of the shellplate.
Is this a timing issue? If I move the shellplate by hand, I can align it.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

I just went and took another look at the press. Removed the sizing and decapping die and looked down in the opening. When the press indexes, it appears the hole thru which the spent primer would drop is not aligned with the center of the shellplate.
Is this a timing issue? If I move the shellplate by hand, I can align it. Yes, you have a timing issue and need to adjust the feed pawls on the ram per the manual's instructions. My suggestion for you is to get this timing/feed pawl adjustment issue straightened out, then adjust the priming system, then start adding the dies. Be aware a little adjustment goes a long way, but what you're looking for with the feed pawls is for the shellplate to rotate and the ball detents in the bottom of the feed plate to "lock in" to the scallops in the subplate.

Regards,

Dave