Progressive Press Help

[elwoods67]

Does anyone have any contacts in Orange County CA that can help adjust a progressive press? I have a Hornady LNL AP and the case does not feed as it should. I'm new to reloading and wanted to make sure I have this set up correctly and wouldn't even mind a tutorial. I will be loading 45 ACP.

 

[fiftybmg]

If you don't find anyone local, I can try help. I got two of those. One worked great from the factory, the other needed a small adjustment to get the cases lined up with the dies on cycling.

 

[brl0301]

you should get on calguns and ask, the reloading forum is pretty active on there. Im also in Orange county but I dont have a hornady so I cant be of much help in that reguard

 

[elwoods67]

fifty BMG: That's exactly the problem. When the Case feeds into the shell plate it's a bit off. I've tried adjusting the shell plate but since this is my first time reloading I'm trying to be super cautious. I got it set up with the bullet and case feeder but that added speed isn't going to help much if the cycle is off.

brl0301: Yeah I looked into the NRA's hand loading course as well as read up on loading basics but it covers single stage presses. Nothing really get's into the mechanics of a progressive. Any assistance you can give would be appreciated. I have been trying to find a mobile gunsmith that may be able to help but have not been able to find anyone in the area. If you are interested, let me know what you would charge and when you would be available. Do you have a Dillon, Lee or RCBS?

Thank you

 

[fiftybmg]

Raise your ram to within 2" of the top of the stroke. You'll see two hex-driven bolt heads at the base looking at you.

http://www.lambdacode.com/reloading/images/root/lnl_index.jpg

You just need to screw one or both of them either in or out just a little to get the timing right.

Screwing the left one out will carry the shellplate further on the downstroke, screwing the right one out carries the shellplate further on the upstroke. The other way does the opposite.

You should have a hex driver supplied with the press. It just takes a minute to sort out.

 

[fiftybmg]

I also put together a how-to on getting the press setup for reloading -

http://www.lambdacode.com/reloading/docs/lnl_setup/index.html

 

[elwoods67]

WOW! Thank you. That is a very in depth link you have. I'll have to bring my lap top down to my reloading bench and go through it step by step.

When I adjust the "2 hex driven bolts" it would seem that it would adjust the height of the shell plate during the stroke. The issue I'm having is a miss feed of the case into the shell plate. Then if I mess with it a bit to feed the case in right, sometimes the case does not line up with the station (Shell plates rotation during the stroke is a bit behind). Will this fix that issue?

Also, how far should I tighten each die? Should the base of the die when installed go as low as to almost make contact with the shell plate when it is in full stroke or should there be enough space for me to see the case still?

 

[fiftybmg]

I don't have a case feeder or a bullet feeder, but once you get the case feeding right, you can use those 2 screws to adjust the amount of shellplate rotation. What you're looking for is just enough of an adjustment for the floating ball bearing under the shellplate to engage it's depression in the shellplate carrier.

You can't adjust the height of the shellplate, it's fixed.

If your rotation is a bit behind, screw out the left hand adjustment screw in small increments, untill the ball bearing under the shellplate engages at the end of the stroke. It'll engage with a soft click.

The bottom of the die should never touch the shellplate. When you fit the decapping die, do it with the shellplate fully raised, and screw the die in till just before it touches the shellplate. Then lock it to the bushing.

For the bullet seating die, you can follow the instructions I posted 'Setting up for Crimp'

http://www.lambdacode.com/reloading/docs/crimp_setup/index.html

 

[Blue68f100]

If your talking about the case feeder of the LNL-AP.

Forget the brass feeder right now till you have the press index right. Once that is set the rod that mounts to press that hold the loaded ammo needs to be adj. With the proper foot installed for you caliber, you can run the rod up (using the 2 locking nuts) and down to feed the brass sooner or later. This is where you change the timing for the brass feeder.

 

[elwoods67]

FiftyBMG, That makes sense. I will adjust it tonight. Thank you. And I must say that your link is very informative! They should consider using that as an instructional video for the LNL AP instead of what they have now.

And blue68f100, Yes the indexing is off (Rotation). I have the bullet and case feeder but you're right I'm not even messing with volume and speed until I get the rotation right. Loading is definitely not an area I want to compromise quality. HAHA.

 

[Blue68f100]

On adjusting the indexing paws, move them in 1/16 turns. A little goes a long ways.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

I think you got too much going on. I suggest you remove the case feeder and bullet feed dies if you are using them and get used to reloading on the press by itself. Once you get the press adjusted, dialed in and running smoothly, then integrate the case feeder and bullet feeder type stuff in. This will reduce your frustration a great deal.

 

[Aguablanco]

Adjustments

I have the same press and have put a little blue Loctite on those pawl screws to keep them from going out of adjustment. Worked perfect, 1500 rounds since then and no further adjustments.
RichH

 

[brl0301]

I load on a lee classic turret which is why I dont know how much help I would be. I could still always come by seeing as sometimes 2 heads are better than one. Where in OC are you located?

 

[nojoke]

Blue68f100 did what I have done to dial in my case feeder.
Never touched that other stuff ya'll are talking about.

Small adjustments up and down with the wire got it perfect.

 

[elwoods67]

Thanks for the help everyone. I got the indexing dialed in and the press is humming smoothly!

 

[Hondo 60]

Great - thanks for lettin us know you go it working.

This is exactly why I love this site.
Everyone here seems to have the motto:
The only stupid question is one NOT asked & it ends up gettin someone hurt or worse!

 

[Blue68f100]

Glad to here every is humming along now.

 

[elwoods67]

OK. I may have spoke to soon. Once I started feeding cleaned brass through the cycle, the 5th station (Bullet Seating & Crimping) the bullet doesn't stand exactly upright so it does not feed into the die as it does in the other stations. I tried to adjust the die height as well as the tightness of the shell plate. I thought maybe once I actually cycle powder through, the weight may balance it back down as it seems to tip towards the center just slightly. But I don't want to mess with adding powders and primers until the cycle is perfect.

 

[Blue68f100]

The main reason I like the Hornady dies (bullet seater) with it's drop down tube.

You may not be putting enough flare on the mouth of the case. The bullet should be able to sit there. Some bullets have a flat base while others have a rounded base. The flat base bullets require more flare than the rounded ones. If these are lead you are for sure need to have enough flare to prevent shaving lead off.

 

[Master Blaster]

You may have to increase your belling a tiny bit so the bullet will sit straight on the casemouth.

 

[elwoods67]

I got it! It was the flare. But i gave the Bullet too much flare so it would not sit in the bullet seater right. I'm going to pick up primers and smokeless powder this weekend and start making live rounds which will be the true test.

 

[elwoods67]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their help! I pressed 150 Rounds and only had one dud (I think it was a bad primer). 8.1 G of Alliant, Winchester Case, Hornady XTP 185 Grain bullets, and CCI Large pistol primers.