Pimped Hornady L-n-L AP

[Idano]

Well I think I can honestly say I now have a custom one of a kind press now. Today I just installed the Dillon Roller Handle on my Hornady AP press. So I thought I would share with everyone the modifications I have made in case anyone is interested.

Here is a list of everything I have purchased since I bought my Hornady which includes modifications and the accessories to load .233, 9mm and .40 S&W:

• Hornady L-n-L AP Press $330
• Hornady L-n-L Case Feeder $250
• 15 L-n-L bushings $45
• Shell Plate #8 $23.50 for 9 mm
• Shell Plate #10 $23.50 for .40 S&W
• Shell Plate #16 $23.50 for .223 REM
• Case Feeder plate Small Rifle
• Case Feeder plate Small pistol
• Digital Case Counter $17 on eBay
• Dillon Roller Handle $36+ $8 for 5/8: 18 tpi die to tread handle
• RCBS Low Primer Alarm $6.50 on eBay
• RCBS Uniflow $48 on eBay
• RCBS Case Activated Linkage $45 I had bought this years ago for my Lee Load Master

The total is $910

Here the Press:

Here is the Dillon Roller Handle:

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=49214&d=1165948201

Here is the RCBS Powder Measure:

Here is the Digital Case Counter:

Here is the .40 S&W case feeder insert I made to better feed the cases when using the large case feeder tubes:

Here is a close up of the insert. It is a 1/2" piece of copper tubing that that I polished and flared one end so that it would fit inside the large tube feeder end and keep the cases stacked strait on top of each other instead of resting at an angle. This made for consistent case feeding.

If anyone has an questions or help with any of the modifications let me know I'll be glad to help.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Idano,

You're press shares several features with mine. You gotta get that handle grip painted quick though, that blue is just ugly. (grin)

Great job of customizing your press to suit your needs and desires.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Idano]

Dave thanks. Hey that handle is sweet. I just loaded 100 rounds through it and I don't know if has to do with ergonomics or whether it is just the novelty but I swear that handle some how makes the motion feel more fluid. Time will tell but my initial reaction is that the handle is definitely in the top two got to have modifications; number one with no debate is the low primer alarm.

 

[robctwo]

I have a nice piece of wire with some duct tape on the top which indicates low primers. I stick in the wire after the collection basket gets full enough to tell me that I'm in the las 1/4 of the primers. Get a good visual of the remaining primers from the wire.

I like the handle, except for the color. How did you mount it?

 

[Idano]

robctwo I cut off the the bottom 2" of the Dillon handle; the portion that was machined down to fit in the Dillon presses. I then got 5/8" X 18 tpi die from the local tool supplier then threaded the Dillon handle it about an 1-1/2" from the bottom. This gives you enough threads to screw the handle in so that it just protrudes through the knuckle with the jam nut installed.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Hey Idano,

Are you having trouble with your Lock N Load AP? I am, I've run out of reloading components yet again. That thing just sucks up reloading components like a vacuum.

(grin)

 

[Idano]

Oh yea that is the ongoing problem. It seem like all I am doing picking up bullets every time I go out. This week I had 2000 22 cal 55 gr PSP delivered from Dillon's and I picked up another 500 9mm from Cabalas too. Now I am running out of powder. It is a vicious cycle. I have become a reloading junkie:banghead:

 

[Plastic Cowboy]

It gets worse.....then you will need to buy more firearms to use up all that ammo being stockpiled!!! Fortunately you won't have to worry about having all that money sitting around anymore!!

 

[carsonbm]

Do you put the flared end of the copper tubing into the plastic tubing?

 

[Empyrean]

Nice job Idano! I wonder if you can polish off the blue on the handle.. That would be pretty sweet looking!

 

[Luggernut]

Like Dave, Idano and others... I too now find myself shooting to reload. It's so gratifying isn't it. Sorry for the diversion on this thread.

 

[Peakbagr]

Idano,

Some great ideas...

I'm especially into the roller handle modification, but am kinda mechanically challenged.
I'm OK in cutting off the buttom of the Dillon handle. But what is a 5/8" X 18 tpi die? Can you describe how you insert the handle into the bottom of the die? And how do you end up with a threaded end to insert in the L n L?

Also, would anyone make some sort of adaptor that would allow you to screw the Dillon Roller Handle into it, and then the entire thing could screw into the Lock n Load?

When all you guys who are really mechanical get off the floor laughing, I'd love to understand how you did this.

Thanks

 

[Empyrean]

I was looking at this totalizer for my press. It is just so expensive for suck a simple thing.

 

[robctwo]

Thanks for the reply. One thing I noticed is that I save so much on the reloaded ammo that I have money left over for new guns. They in turn allow me to shoot more, which creates even bigger savings for additional guns. If I get new calibers, then I have more components to stock, more dies and things to purchase for more ammo to shoot for bigger savings.

 

[Idano]

Peakbagr

Since you probably already don't own a Tap & Die set I would recommend taking the Dillon handle to your local machine shop along with your Hornady handle to match the threads. The threads are 5/8" x 18 Threads Per Inch (TPI)). Have them cut off the machined portion of the Dillon handle and then thread it up one and a half inches. This will give you enough threads to install the nut off the Hornady handle and be able to screw it into your press so that it just barely protrudes through the knuckle.


Empyrean,

I used a Red Lion Cub 2000 digital meter for my case counter that I bought new on eBay for $17 delivered. I then used a reed switch that I mounted on the base of the press with 3M double sided auto body tape and then just stuck a magnet on the bottom of the sub plate to trip the reed switch. Here are the pictures:

The Reed Switch:

The Magnet:

 

[Empyrean]

Idano, I've been looking for the model you have since I saw your original post. I still have yet to find it.

 

[Idano]

Wow, when I bought mine they were all over eBay. I only found one and it was buy it now for $34.95 + $7.30 shipping. Remember these are commercial counters that typically go for $200+ from the manufacture so if you don't want to wait and see if you can find one for less $42.15 still a good price for what you are buying.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Red-Lion-CUB2L800-8-Digit-Digital-Counter-CUB2L8_W0QQitemZ300071281041QQihZ020QQcategoryZ42899QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

However, I think if you are patient you'll find one for less. You can use any digital count that uses dry contact closure for the input. Here is the Web site for Red Lion Controls:http://www.redlion.net/Products/DigitalandAnalog/Counters.html

You can also use a cheap calculator by soldering a wire to each of the contacts for the = key. To start the counter press the 1 key followed by the + key then every time you short the wires the calculator increments one digit. I was going to use a calculator from the dollar store until I came across the digital counter.

 

[roc1]

I too added the Blue handle to my AP press.I bent mine in to fit the press better.I also added the low primer attachment. This is my first post glad I found this site.I have about $840 in my setup with casefeeder and 6 caliber setups and numerous powder inserts.Thanks for pictures yours works great too I assume.
roc1

 

[Idano]

roc1 it's good to hear from another Hornady owner who has modified their press. I would really like to see a picture of your press, I am curious what kind of bend you put in your handle to make it more ergonomic.

 

[roc1]

Idano I would love to post pictures if I knew how?I did add the Dillon low primer sensor to mine and that is wonderful.I like the counter I never even thought about that.Does that tube keep 40 cases from double feeding?Can you give me the size?I think 40"s are the hardest to feed.How do rate your machine compared to Dillon who everyone thinks is the best?I have a Dillon and it is great but so is the Hornady IMO.
Thanks for your pictures it is great to see someone else doing the same thing.
In fact I told Hornady they need to add some things loke the handle and low primer sensors to their line.
roc1

 

[Idano]

roc1,

The copper tube does keep the .40 S&W from double feeding and from jamming up on pivot. Since you have to use the large feed tube and large feed tube end the .40 S&W don't sit exactly on top of each other, they cant in the tube. Using the copper insert prevents the casings from canting in the feed tube end so that they don't jam at the pivot. I made the insert out of a 2-1/2" piece of 1/2" copper pipe. I flared one end with as standard flaring tool I purchased at Home DePot and polished with 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper until it slipped in freely into the large feed tube end. The flare keeps the insert in and helps feed the casings into the smaller diameter. You want the copper insert to extend just slightly below the feed tube end.

I personally I feel that the Dillon 650 and the Hornady AP are very equivalent presses. Their basic design is relatively the same; an O press with a double linkage ram. Neither press is without its quirks or faults and I don't believe one has more of them then other. When I bought my progressive I was originally going to by the Dillon but I didn't because no one locally sold them here. I don't mind buying the press on-line but I want to be able to buy accessories locally. The day I bought my .40 S&W I picked up a shell plate and dies and had ammo ready for it the next day which I couldn't have done had I bought a Dillon because I would have had to order it. I know a lot of folks claim the the Hornady is a lot cheaper compared to the Dillon but when I compared the number for the two presses setup identically with the same three calibers the price difference was only about $100 difference now with the handle and was not the deal maker or breaker for me.

I think the only only press that is truly better is the Dillon 1050 which is about $550 more then what I am into my press. I like the design but I certainly don't need the speed because I already have thousands of rounds loaded up that will take me most of the year to shoot.

 

[roc1]

Thanks Idano for the info.You got your counter from Red Lion?One more question how do you post pictures?
Thanks
roc1

 

[Idano]

roc1,

Just use Manage Attachments button below your Submit Reply and then you can upload your file.

 

[roc1]

Thanks Idano.Is the copper tubing or pipe?I guess it goes on top of feed tube just below plastic tube and not but 2 1/2" long?
I think the Hornady is a lot easier and cheaper after setup to change calibers.
Do you have the new linkage and belling insert?I could not make that work right on my press.Does it work okay for you?
Thanks again. Tried to upload picture not working yet try later.
roc1

 

[Idano]

roc1,

It is copper 1/2 pipe and not the flexible tubing that comes in a roll. Inside the large case feeder tube end there is a ledge where the clear plastic case feeder tube rests. The flare on the copper tube should rest on the ledge inside the large case feeder tube end and just protrude out the bottom of the case feed tube by no more then an 1/8". The overall length of the copper pipe is 2-1/2".