Hornady L-N-L AP what else do I need?

C

CourtenayBoy

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I want to start just with .45 acp.

Here is what I have compiled. What am I missing, what would be nice to have etc?

Thank you very much - NOOB HERE!

Te9KImn.jpg
 
Holy Hannah!! I started reloading a few years ago on a budget and still haven't passed the $250 mark in equipment, and I have everything I need! I bought 3 different single stage presses at shows and off kijiji in perfect condition and they range in price from $20-$60. Everything new and from one place sure isn't the route I would take but hey, to each their own. Have fun, it can be relaxing AND frustrating. At some point, no matter how great the setup you WILL make a mistake and need to pop open a cartridge. get a kinetic bullet puller. Whatever you do though DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR LOADS! Be safe, Cheers
 
handofzeus said:
Holy Hannah!! I started reloading a few years ago on a budget and still haven't passed the $250 mark in equipment, and I have everything I need! I bought 3 different single stage presses at shows and off kijiji in perfect condition and they range in price from $20-$60. Everything new and from one place sure isn't the route I would take but hey, to each their own. Have fun, it can be relaxing AND frustrating. At some point, no matter how great the setup you WILL make a mistake and need to pop open a cartridge. get a kinetic bullet puller. Whatever you do though DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR LOADS! Be safe, Cheers
Click to expand...

someone has to buy equipment before it can become "used"

just curious, how many calibres do you load for?
 
lose the deberring tool......pointless for reloading strait wall cases as you won't be trimming them......and the max cartridge gage is also pointless, use your barrel/mag and your eyes/ears to find your max length.

before you commit to spending over a g note on all that equipment I would invest in a reloading manual.......
then PM me, I am 45 minutes away and have that press mounted and usable, its pretty simple to set up unless the pawl adjustment is out....if you know what your doing its a easy fix.
 
Instead of the powder cop die, I would personally go with a RCBS Lockout die. It will actually stop the press, whereas the powder cop will not.
 
jackenape said:
Instead of the powder cop die, I would personally go with a RCBS Lockout die. It will actually stop the press, whereas the powder cop will not.
Click to expand...

nothing is as much fun as short stroking a progressive press..........
at least with the LNL moving the brass back a position is easier then with a dillon........
 
I would not buy the following

Die wrench
PTX die
Powder cop (I have one and never use it)
Deburring tool (useless for pistol as you won't be trimming)

One thing I would add is a lee FCD and a case gauge. I case gauge all my 9mm for competition and its much easier that using a barrel
 
Onagoth said:
I would not buy the following

Die wrench
PTX die
Powder cop (I have one and never use it)
Deburring tool (useless for pistol as you won't be trimming)

One thing I would add is a lee FCD and a case gauge. I case gauge all my 9mm for competition and its much easier that using a barrel
Click to expand...

I agree with above, but think the OP has the .45 case gauge in the list already.
Not sure if the Lee factory crimp die comes with the 3 die set or not?
I would get some extra decapping pins for the small primered brass that sneaks into you brass stash.
Get lots of brass. If you haven't done much .45 shooting, the Norinco ammo is a good place to start with your brass stash.
Cheap loaded .45 and the brass will last a long while once you have shot off the ammo.
I would also highly recommend getting a cartridge disassembly hammer tool thingy (sorry, don't know the real name for it)
And if you can afford it, the case feeder and extra primer tubes are really almost a must with this press.
 
good point....at least 10 primer tubes and a kinetic bullet puller are handy. I think there are extra decapping pins with the FL sizer, although I have never had to replace one.

The one thing I didnt see which I don't think is included with the press is bushings. Even if they are included you'll want extras. What I have found with mine is that the lugs wear down enough for the bushings to work loose. I've had to replace 1, nearly 2 in around 30,000 rounds.
 
jackenape said:
Instead of the powder cop die, I would personally go with a RCBS Lockout die. It will actually stop the press, whereas the powder cop will not.
Click to expand...

yodave said:
nothing is as much fun as short stroking a progressive press..........
at least with the LNL moving the brass back a position is easier then with a dillon........
Click to expand...

Yea, it is a bit of a pain. What I do now is instead of lowering the ram all the way to cycle the shellholder, back the ram down a smidge and take the case with the bad powder load, dump it, and throw the case back in the pile to be run through, then continue the stroke up. It works with pistol rounds, but I don't know if rifle cases will activate the powder drop before the lockout die engages. If so, yea, you have to take the cases out and move them back a slot. If you don't want to waste the primer, keep it aside and run it through at the end, just stick it in the primer station and go from there.
 
A package of replacement case retainer springs $9.00
A package of bushings for additional dies.
I like using the Hornady PTX expander so I would get it.

Instead of the powder cop die get the RCBS Lockout Die.
The powder cop die requires you to spot the height of the gauge on the die to tell you if you have a double charge or no powder while the RCBS lockout die will stop the press cold if there is no powder or a double charge.
It isn't designed to catch a variation of 1/2 a grain or so.
 
Thanks everyone, this is all great advice. I am getting closer to making my purchase. Its too bad a few things I need aren't at budget. Mainly a bullet puller and some better .45 acp dies.

Keep it coming, ill be sure to post a pic once my setup is complete!
 
Spawn-Inc said:
someone has to buy equipment before it can become "used"

just curious, how many calibres do you load for?
Click to expand...

Currently I'm loading for 8 calibres, some more frequently than others. Most enjoyable? .357, 30-06, .45, 7.5x55, .303, 30-30, 7.62x54R. Most aggravating? 22-250!!! Some of my die sets came with some of the presses. Sometimes the 'package deals' have most of the stuff you need.
 
Ok, I have got it narrowed down. I will pick up tumbler media, RCBS dies, a bullet puller, and a lead melter locally and will more than likely order a .45 mould online when I find one I am interested in.

Here it is folks. Will I be able to run a batch through with all this or will I come up short on anything?

4fIlzFD.jpg


I really appreciate everyone's help.

PS- I have Nosler 5th edition reloading manual. These books aren't bullet specific are they? ie: is all load data only compatible with Nosler bullets?
 
CourtenayBoy said:
Ok, I have got it narrowed down. I will pick up tumbler media, RCBS dies, a bullet puller, and a lead melter locally and will more than likely order a .45 mould online when I find one I am interested in.

Here it is folks. Will I be able to run a batch through with all this or will I come up short on anything?

4fIlzFD.jpg


I really appreciate everyone's help.

PS- I have Nosler 5th edition reloading manual. These books aren't bullet specific are they? ie: is all load data only compatible with Nosler bullets?
Click to expand...
A set of .45ACP dies would help.
I like the Hornady dies for the LnL AP Progressive because they're deeper than the Lee dies which need to be screwed in all the way to the end of their travel.
Also that scale is junk. I know I have one. The problem with it is that it is only battery powered and has an auto off time which is very short so it can't warm up and stabilize.
Spend a little more and get something that can be plugged in and will stay turned on.

I went completely in the other direction and bought the RCBS Chargemaster combo which I bought in the USA for less than $300.00.
A good electronic scale for not a lot of money is the Jennings Mack 20.
It can be bought with a power adapter and will measure in 0.02 grain incriments.
Most reloading scales measure in 0.1 grain incriments.
This scale is a great value for around $80.00 USD.
 
Thanks, I opted out on the scale as Henry doesn't have them in stock. I'm thinking of going beam. I also am going to pick up RCBS dies today locally and a bullet puller.
 
Beam scale will do ya. For an inexpensive unit, the Hornady Powder Charge drops em very consistently. You'll only need the scales as a prudent spot check.

At some point, try Vhitavouri N320. Your RCBS Lockout die will prevent "doubles" and you'll love the metering and cleanliness of N320 powder.
 
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