Hornady LNL case ejector problem.

Jasonsmack

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Working on getting my new LNL progressive running smooth. I think I have it all cased except I have an issue with the cases binding with the ejector wire sometimes to the extent of jamming the machine. The instructions indicate that an empty case will be more difficult to eject than a loaded cartridge but my fail to eject rate is likely 50% or worse on the empties. I was really hoping to use the press for de-priming before cleaning the brass. I have only been messing with 9mm and 223 cases so far. The 223 has significantly less problems than the 9mm.

Anybody else have this problem and/or have a fix for it?

Thoughts I have for a fix:
1) Light metal removal on the shellplate?
2) Bending the ejector wire?
 
1 - the 'new' shellplates, that are radiused instead of chamfered at the shell entry/exit point, work better.
2 - keep the shellplate clean
3 - a shot of remington drylube
4 - make sure the ejector wire is as far in to the retention slot (the one with the allen head screw) as possible.

There are all sorts of ideas for bending the ejector wire, you could fool with it. Keep one on hand in case you can't bend it back...
 
I have the new style shellplates.

I will certainly try the dry lube out, that is a great idea.

I tried bending the wire a bit but I imagine if I get too crazy on the bends it will only cause me more difficulty when I change to a different sized shellplate.
 
The lube helped things out quite a bit. I simply hosed the shellplate and wire down with some One-Shot.

I ended up using a Dremel to round out the shellplate a little bit more on the side that pushes the brass. I took very little off and it helped quite a bit. Once the brass started to bind on the ejector spring I would give the spring another quick shot of the Hornady brass lube. The more I used the press and shellplate the better it worked. I still managed to fire a dozen pieces of brass into places unknown but I deprimed over 3000 pieces last night.

I had a few dozen 308 empties from hunting season so I set the machine up to deprime them and it worked flawless. The changeover was alot quicker than I had first anticipated.

I will have to mount the press to a sturdy bench now. I have not needed to use much force for the de-priming but once the whole reloading process is in motion I doubt that the Black&Decker Workmate will hold up.
 
cutbut said:
I went to the hobby shop and purchased some piano wire used for model airplanes . I made a new wire, reshaped it, changed the angle so that it moves the shell rather than wedging the shell in the shell plate. works fine now. I uploaded a picture , hope this helps. It's a great press except for this little quirk.

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewthumb/5436633078-1175036254-31403/54366/page/1/15/


Brilliant, I thought of making a new wire, but didn't know where i could get some....
 
I did it cold using the vise and a hammer. The jaws on my vice have no teeth so as not to damage rifle barrels. I made three before I finally got the design, angle and sweep right. I've only loaded 38 special and 40 S&W with it.

Daryl
 
9mm seems to be the only case I really ever have an issue with, but part of my problem might be my random, eclectic collection of brass picked up here there and everywhere :rolleyes:
 
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