How do YOU do .223 with your LNL AP?

[technicianjay]

First, what I do...

1. Lube case with Lee Case lube, by hand.
2. Run case through Lee full-length sizer in Lee Breech Lock Challenger single stage press.
3. Tumble cases in Lyman vibratory tumbler with green Lyman corncob media.
4. Inspect and usually have to run a universal deprimer (single stage, again) through the flash hole to remove a stuck piece of media
5. Trim case with Lee lock stud in cordless drill and Lee case cutter, then chamfer.

Finally, they're ready to go through the Hornady LNL Progressive. I prime, charge, bullet seat, and crimp with my LNL (again, using Lee dies). I typically use Varget and I find the powder sits very high in the case, even at minimum and I get some spillage when the press indexes. This leads to jamming of the primer mechanism, so I'll need to stop and clean the whole thing every 20 or so rounds, depending.

That's the long and the short of my process. What I'm wondering is what the other reloaders here do. I find the LNL is amazing for pistol rounds, as I can crank out hundreds of rounds per hour, but the rifle rounds are a little tedious, comparatively. Just looking for some tips to streamline my reloading.

So...What's your process?

 

[JOJOPINTO]

1. Tumble brass then spray lube about 300 to 500
2. toss the lubed cases in the case feeder and install the resizing die
3. resize
4. tumble to remove lube
5. cut primer pockets, trim brass and clean primer pockets all with RCBS
trim mate case prep center with lee cutter installed with case gage
6. reload with out the resizing die installed, I also find the powder spilling
using varget so I switched to H335

Thats about it, the only thing that takes along time is the trimming and primer pocket cleaning, I can do a case in about 30 seconds start to finish..I don't really see any way to avoid it, I find I can trim the case as quick a I can measure it so I just trim them...

 

[technicianjay]

1. Tumble brass then spray lube about 300 to 500
2. toss the lubed cases in the case feeder and install the resizing die
3. resize
4. tumble to remove lube
5. cut primer pockets, trim brass and clean primer pockets all with RCBS
trim mate case prep center with lee cutter installed with case gage
6. reload with out the resizing die installed, I also find the powder spilling
using varget so I switched to H335

Thats about it, the only thing that takes along time is the trimming and primer pocket cleaning, I can do a case in about 30 seconds start to finish..I don't really see any way to avoid it, I find I can trim the case as quick a I can measure it so I just trim them...

What kind of spray lube are you using? How's the H335 working for you, in comparison to Varget?

Thanks for your input!

 

[JOJOPINTO]

I use the Lyman spray lube, with the case feeder it really speeds things up and you don't have to handle the cases

I like H335 it seems to be just as good shooting wise, it is far superior as far as more accurate metering and the case is not as full so less spilling, I also keep a small air compressor handy and blow off the press when I reload the primers...

 

[technicianjay]

Great info, thanks

Seriously romancing an RCBS case prep center and a case feeder, too! $$$

 

[acrashb]

pass one:
1) auto-lube/decap with the RCBS lube/decap die #1
3) size/trim with dillon 1200B

tumble

Pass two:
1) decapper (to get any media out of the flash holes)
1a) primer
2) powder
4) seat
5) crimp (lee factory crimp)

Two passes, minimal work. The 1200B + tumbling eliminates the need for chamfering/deburring.

 

[technicianjay]

Cool, that Dillon 1200b looks slick...where did you get yours?

 

[beltfed]

I typically use Varget and I find the powder sits very high in the case, even at minimum and I get some spillage when the press indexes. This leads to jamming of the primer mechanism, so I'll need to stop and clean the whole thing every 20 or so rounds, depending.

A long drop tube will help with compaction of Varget or any other extruded powders. Not sure if there is anything like that as an accessory for the LnL.
What is your minimum charge where it is filling the cases? I find 23.5 grains of Varget works just fine, even with quite a bit of disturbance, and anywhere around 25 grains is pushing it without a drop tube.

Another option is to source a ball powder with similar slower burn characteristics if you need it, such as AA2520. As mentioned, H335 is another good choice, albeit faster burning.

 

[technicianjay]

A long drop tube will help with compaction of Varget or any other extruded powders. Not sure if there is anything like that as an accessory for the LnL.
What is your minimum charge where it is filling the cases? I find 23.5 grains of Varget works just fine, even with quite a bit of disturbance, and anywhere around 25 grains is pushing it without a drop tube.

Another option is to source a ball powder with similar slower burn characteristics if you need it, such as AA2520. As mentioned, H335 is another good choice, albeit faster burning.

I go by the Lee reloading data which gives 25.5 as the minimum--and yeah, it's pretty full I've gone as low as 24.5 without any issues. 23.5 seems kinda low I'd be expecting some cycling issues. I think I'll maybe load 20 at that charge and see how they work.. I'm running 'em through an AR15 in case you're wondering.

I'll have to check out some of those alternative powders for sure. Thanks!

 

[acrashb]

Cool, that Dillon 1200b looks slick...where did you get yours?

eBay, It's noisy (4000rpm + the attached vacuum cleaner) and expensive, but the fastest possible way to trim since it's on-press.

 

[beltfed]

23.5 seems kinda low I'd be expecting some cycling issues.

I should clarify:

That load is with a 77gr. Sierra Match King seated to 2.250" with CCI BR-4 primers and Winchester cases...average velocity of 2650 fps from a Colt 20" - 1:7. Excellent cycling, accuracy, and a light, easy shooting load.