HORNADY LNL AP Owners!: A few questions

chrisward3

chrisward3

Regular
Rating - 100%
162   0   0
Location
Ottawa, ON
So i've ordered one, but its been locked up pending Christmas later in the year (Dec 25 timeframe). In order to ensure that I can start pumping rounds through as soon as possible, I have a few questions on little necessities and accessories you'd recommend I purchase.

First off, this isnt my first press, and im not new to reloading (so i dont need anything dumbed down). I will be loading 40sw and 223rem. Ive bought:

Hornady LNL AP press
Hornady Casefeeder
Sm Rifle & Sm Pistol feeder plates
#10 & #16 shellplates
I have the dies already.

Questions:

1) Ive seen a few people talking about the powder system; adding micrometers, pistol rotors, etc... What do I need in this regard (in addition to what is included in the press)?

2) Several people recommend different powder check dies (rcbs lockout, hornady powdercop, dillon powder check)...which is the best bang for the buck?

3) What other must-have parts are out there for this press that will make my life easier once I unpack the box and set this up. (no interest in an autodrive...and a bulletfeeder is already on the radar!).

Thanks in advance for any advice!
 
I used to use the powder cop, but opted for a FCD die for my pistol reloading. I wouldn't get to caught up on the accessories, the press is going to be ready with the stuff you've already bought.

Be sure to have lots of brass tumbled and ready to go...and have a good supply of components.

As a reference, I can reload 500 pistol in one hour, at a moderate pace...caliber change outs take about 15 minutes or less. In your case even less since you don't have to change the priming system.
 
Onagoth said:
I used to use the powder cop, but opted for a FCD die for my pistol reloading.
Click to expand...

by FCD do you mean "factory crimp die"?

and my biggest concern is with the powder measure...will the measure, out of the box be able to throw pistol loads around 4.0gr accurately? or do i have to buy the pistol rotor, micrometers, etc...?

As for brass, shes already to go! got 5000+ 40sw ready and spent 4hrs yesterday tumbling, size/depriming, and swaging all my PMC crimped brass...PIA!!!
 
Comes with both the small and large rotors...so no need to get the pistol one.

I find that with 231, it meters pretty well (for pistol) usually around +/- 0.1 gr....not sure if this is enough accuracy for your .223 reloading, may need a micrometer for that....your call.

To me...pistol powder charges aren't overly important, just as long as there is no uncharged or double charged cases, I'm good to go....

223 can't be that important either, seeing as how action shooting is usually limited to 100 yards or less (unless you have other plans for your .223 loads, I assume you're using them in an AR or similar)
 
chrisward3 said:
by FCD do you mean "factory crimp die"?

and my biggest concern is with the powder measure...will the measure, out of the box be able to throw pistol loads around 4.0gr accurately? or do i have to buy the pistol rotor, micrometers, etc...?

As for brass, shes already to go! got 5000+ 40sw ready and spent 4hrs yesterday tumbling, size/depriming, and swaging all my PMC crimped brass...PIA!!!
Click to expand...

Mine throws 4.5 +- 0.1 unless it sits for more than a day or two. It comes with both a large and small rotor for the powder thrower so it can do pistol and large rifle sizes out of the box.

The Only thing it is missing are dies and a shell plate.
 
Onagoth said:
223 can be that important either, seeing as how action shooting is usually limited to 100 yards or less (unless you have other plans for your .223 loads, I assume you're using them in an AR or similar)
Click to expand...

the 223 im gonna run through the Hornady is gonna be the 55gr Bulk ammo that just has to work inside 100m. My match 223 is done on my old lee turret thats been relegated to single-stage mode!

thanks for the info on the powder measure...what do you recommend for a powder check die?
 
I used the powder cop....not as many bells and whistles as other dies....but it does the trick.

I've had problems when I tried to charge/flare in the same station, as such, I stopped using the powder cop.

Right now, its FL sizer, flaring die, powder drop, seater, crimper.
 
You will need extra bushings for your dies as it only comes with five, if
I was going to add a powder checking system to mine I would go with the
RCBS lock out die, unfortunately I have no room to add one to my press...:(
 
As far as the powder measure goes I may be lucky , I just loaded 500 .38 spec. with my older LNL press and suplied powder measure checking every 20-30 rds and they were within 1/2 of 1/10 th gr +/_ of set charge 2.3 gr. I have had my LNL since before the (upgrade ) with the rifle and pistol powder measure . Henry N. has since helped me out with that. Now I will have to find another excuse for shabby accuracy ! You will love your LNL press and the Warranty service that goes along with it (if needed) makes it worth every penny!
 
Last edited:
chrisward3 said:
2) Several people recommend different powder check dies (rcbs lockout, hornady powdercop, dillon powder check)...which is the best bang for the buck?
Click to expand...
RCBS Lock-Out. Once it's set, you don't have to watch as the press will stop on a squib or double.

Will not work on 223; just use a free-flowing ball or modified ball and good technique - never a squib.
 
CeeZer said:
Also, you can get RCBS bullet feeder and use it on Hornady LNL.
Click to expand...
One can do all sorts of crazy things, but if a feeder is needed the Mr. Bulletfeeder setup is widely considered the "best". Mine is fantastic. A lot more compact than the RCBS or other competitors.

http://www.mrbulletfeeder.com/

Having said all that, if you add a bullet feeder something has to go, and that is typically the powder check.
 
chrisward3 said:
3) What other must-have parts are out there for this press that will make my life easier
Click to expand...

The PTX™ Powder Drop Expander for the powder throw. Throw / expand in one step, freeing up a station (which you only need to do if you want to add either a powder check or bullet feeder and are simultaneously doing seat/crimp in two steps). They are fussy to adjust. If you get a Mr. Bullet Feeder, it will come with a custom ptx anyway, which is easier to adjust than the Hornady version.

http://www.hornady.com/store/PTX-Powder-Drop-Expander-.400-1-Each
 
acrashb said:
One can do all sorts of crazy things, but if a feeder is needed the Mr. Bulletfeeder setup is widely considered the "best". Mine is fantastic. A lot more compact than the RCBS or other competitors.

http://www.mrbulletfeeder.com/

Having said all that, if you add a bullet feeder something has to go, and that is typically the powder check.
Click to expand...

Good to know, thanks a bunch :)
I feed cases and bullets manually so far, don't have powder cop or a like as I check charges visually. And I don't separate bullet seating and crimping at this point, I got 2 dies set for 2 different OALs and just swap them when needed. I do flare cases separately thou, just before dropping powder.

So, how much will Mr.Bulletfeeder be for 3 calibers? I just checked their prices and it seems RCBS would be quite cheaper?...
 
thanks for all the advice guys!

i just ordered an rcbs lockout die, extra bushings, and a PTX for .40..and I think that should set me up for success.

I cant wait to unpack this thing and get it up and running...watching the setup videos on youtube got me all hot and bothered!

i did a fair bit of research before going with Hornady...and came awfully close to drinking the blue kool-aid. I like the cost and speed of the caliber conversions with this model better...the rest seemed very similar.
 
blaser.306 said:
As far as the powder measure goes I may be lucky , I just loaded 500 .38 spec. with my older LNL press and suplied powder measure checking every 20-30 rds and they were within 1/2 gr +/_ of set charge 2.3 gr. I have had my LNL since before the (upgrade ) with the rifle and pistol powder measure . Henry N. has since helped me out with that. Now I will have to find another excuse for shabby accuracy ! You will love your LNL press and the Warranty service that goes along with it (if needed) makes it worth every penny!
Click to expand...

blaser is right the warranty is great. I just called them today to get some parts that have "broke for no reason at all". The guy I spoke to was great. He is sending me a whole gamit of parts free of charge. I was even honest with him and told him that I may have had something to do with these parts breaking. He said that Hornady's concern is that this press is working for me.

He asked if the powder measure bushing ever popped up when loading. I said it did and he is sending a shim that is suppose to rectify this issue.

I tried emailing them and didn't get much assistance so just call and it will be taken care of.
 
acrashb said:
The PTX™ Powder Drop Expander for the powder throw. Throw / expand in one step, freeing up a station (which you only need to do if you want to add either a powder check or bullet feeder and are simultaneously doing seat/crimp in two steps). They are fussy to adjust. If you get a Mr. Bullet Feeder, it will come with a custom ptx anyway, which is easier to adjust than the Hornady version.

http://www.hornady.com/store/PTX-Powder-Drop-Expander-.400-1-Each
Click to expand...

I replaced my PTXs with this.

It is universal so it will do 9mm through to .45 ACP

hXXp://www.powderfunnels.com/


I used it on .40/10mm and .45 ACP this summer and worked like a charm.
 
350 Mag said:
I replaced my PTXs with this.

It is universal so it will do 9mm through to .45 ACP

hXXp://www.powderfunnels.com/


I used it on .40/10mm and .45 ACP this summer and worked like a charm.
Click to expand...

Looks like what I would be looking for, I tried the Hornady ones and they were terrible...Did you buy it direct or does someone in Canada have them?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom