Priming problem fixed on Hornady LnL

[fiftybmg]

A long time ago I experienced difficulty seating small pistol primers in S&B brass on my Honady LnL. Primers would not seat fully, no matter how hard I pushed on the lever.

I assumed that the brass was somehow not to spec, because it was just that make of brass giving me trouble, and I got rid of all my S&B pistol brass.

Over time, I noticed a greater frequency of primers not being fully seated with other makes of brass, after checking each batch of reloads. I also began to experience the same problem priming my 38 special brass, which is when I realised the problem may not be the brass, because I've reloaded many thousands of 38 special and I have the most diverse selection of head-stamps in that caliber.

Examining the press I noticed this.

Over time, the primer punch wore a hole in the press body, reducing the travel of the primer punch, effectively reducing the pressure able to be applied to seating primers. Obviously, S&B pistol brass has the tightest primer pockets.

I stuck a steel washer over the hole with superglue which increases the travel of the primer punch. This has the effect of increasing the pressure able to be applied to primer seating, and my problem has gone away.

This is an easy product enhancement for Hornady, they just need to add a removable [ threaded ] carbon steel button to the press at that spot.

 

[Blue68f100]

At one time Hornady had a longer stem primer punch they could send to compensate for the length. I drilled and taped mine for set screw. I think I used a SS 10-32 or 8-32. The head of the setscrew was contoured to fit the primer pin. All the really need is to bore a small hole and press a solid steel pin in place and be done with it. They could even cast the base with it. I suspect this will happen as the continually improve the press.

 

[fiftybmg]

pictures repost

 

[LiveLife]

Nice investigative work!

Obviously, S&B pistol brass has the tightest primer pockets.

You may want to add RWS to the list of "tightest" primer pocket cases.

 

[RealGun]

How about drill and tap for a flathead SS machine screw?

 

[Blue68f100]

You mean like this. I did this about 4+ years ago. I was not having any high primers issues at the time but I noticed once you pass a certain over travel you loose leverage to seat them and the base wont's to rotate. So if your press arm is going past vertical your loosing some of your power.





Need to use an angle drill and snuby drill bits for clearance. It would have been a lot easier to drop a steel pin in a hole than D&T.