Powder Thru Expanders

[NavArch]

I load .40S&W with Berry's bullets and am about to buy a LnL. Going into the MidwayUSA online catalog, I found a .400 diameter powder through expander. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=717561&t=454362205 Is that the right one? Some of the other dies listed correspond to calibers I'm familiar with. Others do not.

Hornady Powder Cop v. RCBS lockout die - The first just checks, the second shuts things down in the event of a "no charge" or "double charge" situation. I'm trying to figure out if the RCBS die is worth the extra $. Or should I just do a visual check on each round and not buy either die?

 

[FieroCDSP]

Depending on the powder, this may or may not be a good buy. If using a flake powder like Unique, the case will almost be full and you can easily see if it's drasticly over-charged. If using a spherical like AA#2, there's not as much volume used, and it's harder to see.

From what I've heard, the check-dies are a pain if you're going to be changing them constantly. I use the Lee expander dies and trust my methods my eyes, and my scales to not get a double or severe under-charge. You can always set a mechanical device wrong and get many rounds that are wrong, or you can trust your eyes and maybe get a few wrong before you notice. That's why you should check charges at regular intervals.

 

[Hunter0924]

I use the Hornady Powder Cop die in conjunction with eyeballing the powder level in the case before I seat the bullet. I do like the Powder Cop die as just another check but I agree that best is a visual inspection.
I am in love with my Hornady L-N-L progressive press.

 

[NavArch]

Lee Powder Thru in the LnL?

Does the Lee Powder-Thru Expander Die work in the LnL? Is an adapter bushing of some sort required? I'm trying to get a workable system ordered in one fell swoop instead of multiple back-and-forth order and return episodes.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

AFAIK, the Lee PTE die only works with the Lee auto powder measure, not with any other.

Andy

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

The Lee expander is included with and works with Lee dies and the Lee powder measures. You can use the Lee measures on a Hornady LnL if you wish. In recent years, due to sheer laziness, I've added a couple of the Lee Pro Auto Disk powder measures for the pistol loads I've settled on. I've been very happy with their performance I also use a lot of the Lee dies in the Hornady LnL as well.

For pistol, where the expanders are most needed, the Lee powder measures work quite well, as finding a good shooting load doesn't require measuring down to a specific grain. You won't need anything more accurate unless you're shooting bullseye.

This is a good option for saving money on materials and the Lee Pro Auto disk has given me great service as I've been careful to buy powder that was known to work well with the Lee measures.

I have the RCBS lockout die and prefer it to the Hornady powder cop die.

If you want to buy everything in one shot, I'd suggest ordering Lee 4-die sets for your pistol and ordering the Lee Pro Auto Disk powder measures to go with those die sets. They're inexpensive and you won't be out much cash. Use the Hornady measure for your rifle reloading and you'll have a simple system that works well, with minimal dollars out of your pocket.

Regards,

Dave

 

[NavArch]

So.... how does the Lee Pro Auto Disk powder measure fit up to the Hornady powder flask and case-activated powder drop? Do all of the threads match, or is some special piece required?

 

[NavArch]

Looks like I've gotten quite confused. It would appear that the Lee Pro Disk set up is a complete powder flask and measuring system and that I would be setting aside the powder dispensing gear that comes with the LnL if I went that route. This that right?

 

[snuffy]

Looks like I've gotten quite confused. It would appear that the Lee Pro Disk set up is a complete powder flask and measuring system and that I would be setting aside the powder dispensing gear that comes with the LnL if I went that route. This that right?

Yup! It would completely replace the powder measuring system that came with your press, die and all. The lee disc is not as versatile as the Hornady lock&load measure, it's not infinitively adjustable like the Hornady is. That means you're stuck with the cavity in the discs.

 

[HiWayMan]

That means you're stuck with the cavity in the discs.

Not if you are willing to destroy a cheap replaceable part (the disc) and use a round file to expand the cavity a bit.

 

[NavArch]

I'm trying to order a functional powder thru expander set up for a Hornady LNL (.40S&W reloading) tonight, the last day of Midway's Labor Day Special sale.

I think I have figured out the Hornady parts that are needed:
LnL Powder Measure Handgun Rotor & Metering Assembly
LnL Powder Measure Micrometer for Handgun Rotor & Metering Assy
Quickchange Powder Die
Quickchange Powder Die Powder Thru Expander .400 Diameter

So far, I've identified two Lee parts that seem to apply:
Lee Pro Auto DiskPowder Measure
Lee powder thru expander for .40S&W

What else am I missing?

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

IINM, the LNL AP comes with a quick change powder die, included in the case activated linkage. You'd need another if you have a second cartridge you wish to reload, and don' want to have to adjust the powder die between them.

You probably want an additional LNL die bushing for each additional powder die (Hornady or Lee).

Do you already have the correct shell plate for 40 SW?

Andy

 

[evan price]

The Lee auto disc powder measures, from my use, seem to be 99.99% accurate in terms of drops, and you can buy an adjustable charge bar with a micrometer knob to eliminate the discs themselves and get a truly infinitely variable powder dispensing setup (instead of being limited to the 24 cavities, or 48 with a disc doubler set, that the Lee gear provides). There's also a micro disk for really small calibers and loads. IMHO, I have never had a problem finding a cavity to match what I am going to shoot, since I usually find the maximum cavity for my powder/projectile/caliber and then step down a cavity or two depending on the ammo.

IIRC and don't quote me on this because my notebook is not where I am, I load 4.7gr of Titegroup in .40 S&W and .45 ACP, so the powder measure disc is the same.

I've always liked the Lee carbide pistol die sets anyway, and the case-activated charging is pretty foolproof. Again, IMHO, Lee carbide pistol dies are nice.

 

[PsychoKnight]

I was using Lee expander insert in the Hornady LnL powder measure CAPD system. It "sort of" works. The Lee insert is slightly smaller in diameter than the proprietary Hornady and will just fall out the bottom unless you modify. I used a rubber o-ring with the Lee insert and its just enough to retain the insert w/in the Hornady dispensing die, but kinda sloppy during the retraction phase after belling and dropping - always felt like the insert was about to yank out of the die and get stuck to the case, but technically, yes it works and I haven't had a problem, but decided to separate the expanding and dispensing functions for better control.
Daves idea is better. Keep the powder measure system together by brand. I like the adjustable charge bar for Lee measures, they are so cheap, you can order one for each load and just affix a small sticker to the side and label it.

For Hornady, you can do the same with the pistol metering inserts. Based on what you ordered, you will already have a standard pistol insert, a micrometer pistol insert, and a rifle insert. That gives you three preset options already. I also have a micrometer but don't like redialing the knob for each different load. The markings are hard to see - they are not as good as the Redding micrometer inserts, whereby the markings are white on black I believe. Less frustrating to just have a separate insert for each long-term load.

You'll end up with a redundant powder dropping setup w/ the Lee and the Hornady (same as me & Dave). This gives you even more options if you buy a few Lee adjustable charge bars to preset the charges, and as Dave mentioned, only use powders compatible with w/ the plasticky Lee dropper (ie stay away from 800X and similar large flakes)

 

[NavArch]

Now That the Orders Have Arrived....

and I can see and handle what I've been babbling about, I understand what everyone has been trying to explain to me.

I talked with a gentleman in Hornady technical (their phone tree is a riot, if you've never called them), who explained that the only two parts I will need are the handgun rotor and metering assembly, and the appropriate pte bushing. I didn't understand what all was included with the basic LnL AP.

If it only takes two orders to give me a reliable setup, I will still be doing better than par for my usual forays into household plumbing repairs.