hornady lnl ap woes

[Super_Chicken]

That looks kinda like a static build up.

It was, I had put a drier sheet inside the powder tube at the top which stores all the powder in an attempt to cut it down, but i guess there was still a lot of static within the actual rotor too.

 

[Seagull]

I will definitely look into picking that up. After taking out the current rotor, I noticed this:

Wow looks like a whole bunch of little magnets

I can't remember what I cleaned mine with but I only ever have a couple flakes in there, nothing like you have.

Hornady calls the rotors pistol and rifle not small and large. I remember seeing somewhere the rifle was for 5gr - 100gr and the pistol was .5gr to 17gr, I think. The micrometer inserts make it really easy to change from one load to another and then back. The other option is to just buy extra standard meter inserts for changing loads but I like the micro ones.

Hope the issue clears up for you.

 

[luke s]

I have this powder thrower, the pistol rotor AND the micrometer insert, and a hornady electronic scale. It has been degreased and cleaned.

But the damn thing will not measure unique powder inconsistently. Charging 100 cases takes forever because I weigh each one due to inconsistency. I am ready to toss this thing because charging cases has become unenjoyable.

The scale is not even consistent from charge to charge, you can weigh one charge, take it off and put it back on a second later and it will give a different reading.

 

[Super_Chicken]

I have this powder thrower, the pistol rotor AND the micrometer insert, and a hornady electronic scale. It has been degreased and cleaned.

But the damn thing will not measure unique powder inconsistently. Charging 100 cases takes forever because I weigh each one due to inconsistency. I am ready to toss this thing because charging cases has become unenjoyable.

The scale is not even consistent from charge to charge, you can weigh one charge, take it off and put it back on a second later and it will give a different reading.

Yeah I'm using an MTM electronic scale, the first one I had was buggy and killed itself in 2 weeks. I phoned them up and they sent me a newer one that has been working flawlessly.

I'm going to call up hornady and look into buying that micrometer insert.
Thanks again guys.

 

[spideysteve]

If you are getting static build up (it does appear like it) try wiping it out with a used bounce sheet. I also keep a bounce sheet (used again) while it's being stored. Seems to help with keeping the static down.

 

[Jarlath]

I will definitely look into picking that up. After taking out the current rotor, I noticed this:

If you are constantly adjusting the insert for various loads, the moving action of the plunger can force flakes around the edges. This usually would happen if you were starting at a large charge volume and adjusting to a smaller volume (trying to compress the powder already in the rotor). The powder has to go somewhere and if not back in the hopper has only one other option. That would be in the void behind the plunger.

And from the picture you had TONS of powder behind the plunger (looked like 3-4 gr of titegroup...) which I hope was deposited in there by static as you removed the metering plunger assembly. If not Static, I would contact Hornady as it then would look like a tolerance issue with the rotor pocket and/or the metering plunger. The tolerance between the two should be tight enough to prevent any major amounts of flake powder from accumulating behind face of the plunger.

Gun Powder is sticking in the powder measure, or inconsistent charge weights:
Is the inside surface dry and clean?
Try pouring a little powdered graphite thru the powder measure for lubricant. Rub the outside of the powder hopper with a dryer sheet to eliminate static.​

Personally I would bet that your rotor wasn't cleaned properly between conversion of 45 & 9mm. A blast of air may look clean, but there could still be oils on the rotor/plunger from your hands/cleaning cloth/etc...

 

[Super_Chicken]

And from the picture you had TONS of powder behind the plunger (looked like 3-4 gr of titegroup...) which I hope was deposited in there by static as you removed the metering plunger assembly. If not Static, I would contact Hornady as it then would look like a tolerance issue with the rotor pocket and/or the metering plunger. The tolerance between the two should be tight enough to prevent any major amounts of flake powder from accumulating behind face of the plunger.

I was emptying out the reservoir and the rotor to take pictures and after removing the insert and getting ready to slide out the rotor there was still some powder in the resevoir (i guess under the baffle) that poured into the back end of the rotor.

Also I keep a drier sheet inside the reservoir because it was really bad in regards to static electricity when I had first got the kit.

 

[thump_rrr]

I just removed my small pistol rotor after having loaded 2000 of .45 ACP and 9mm and there were only 2 flakes stuck in it.
There is no way that what I saw in your picture is caused by static electricity.
I suggest you clean out your powder measure once again with either brake cleaner or 99% isopropyl alcohol and try again.
Put a little on a rag then testing it out on an inconspicuous area of the paint since it may be strong enough to remove the finish.

As far as the drier sheet is concerned I'm not sure if there would be any effect on the powder if you left it in there.
What I do is rub a used drier sheet on both inside and outside of the powder hopper before filling.

I have always been within 0.1gr on any charge regardless which of the following powders i've been using. Vhitavuori N320, Varget, TiteGroup, W231, IMR XBR (8208).

Please let us know if your repeatability improves.

 

[aridan]

AFAIK, static doesn't form on metal parts - try to ground the press, and you'll see it makes no difference.

I had the same problem as you when I started - I cleaned with OneShot, as recommended, but didn't like the throw variance I was getting.

I then re-cleaned with brake cleaner, and ran some graphite powder through the measure. This fixed the problem. You can get the graphite powder at Rona, right where they have the key cutting station. That small bottle will last forever.

P.S. I am using the micrometer pistol insert.