Newbie with Hornady Lock-n-Load 5 Stage Progressive Auto RL Needs Help

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Mark Mags

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Hey guys,

New to relaoding and I have alot of questions. I recently accquired a UNUSED Hornady 5 Stage ARL...and I need alot of help. Starting with initial set-up. Does anyone else here use the same RL? I pulled the base out of the box, and although I am handy, I am at a total loss of what goes where. Are there torque specs? Clearances? Advice? etc etc...I have looked through some, but not all boxes looking for the op manual, and so far nothing.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
I do not have one, however, in my search for which press to buy I found that Hornady has a complete setup for thia on youtube. There is also videos by Ultimate Reloader... or something to that extent. Youtube is your friend on this one... and a lot of other things related to reloading.
 
Download a manual:

ht tp://www.hornady.com/store/Lock-N-Load-AP-Reloading-Press/

The setup instructions for the L&L AP aren't the most detailed in the world but go over them thoroughly before you touch so much as a screw.
 
Pistol or rifle?

What caliber are you looking to reload? do you have dies / shell plate?

what other equipment do you have other than the press

I Assume you have no reloading experience ---- Yes

Do you have the owners manual ?

w w w.hornady.com/store/Lock-N-Load-AP-Reloading-Press/

all progressive presses are similar

Some one with no experience will need lots of reading and maybe a mentor for reloading
 
The more solid the mount the less issues you will have, my mount is ok, but the design of the LNL base leaves a bit to be desired as they only use 2 mounting holes which can lead to "bounce" as you operate the lever and attempt to resize brass.
 
Hey Guys,

Thanks for the help so far. As it is now, I don't have proper internet at home, so I have to wait until break at work, and alot of sites are blocked, like the link for the manual. I was watching Gavin and his Ultimate Reload vids at home last night with my phone. At least I could get the gist of what he was doing and what was happening. Sadly for me, my basement probably won't allow for the brass loader, but I can figure something out.
 
You might want to consider grabbing the cheapest possible single stage reloader as well if you have never reloaded before. With the extra distractions of calibrating all of your stations and the additional (possibly several) problems you can have tuning these machines to get them working it increases the chances you make a mistake or miss something not working as it should. It only takes one to seriously hurt / kill yourself when you fire the round. I own this press and 2 single stages. Still use them a lot as well. Focus on learning all about reloading, not how to work a press ABC's of reloading and Lyman's manual are 2 of the best for learning the entire process. If you have some experience and I am wrong then go for it. If not, seriously take this advice.
 
shaddp said:
You might want to consider grabbing the cheapest possible single stage reloader as well if you have never reloaded before. With the extra distractions of calibrating all of your stations and the additional (possibly several) problems you can have tuning these machines to get them working it increases the chances you make a mistake or miss something not working as it should. It only takes one to seriously hurt / kill yourself when you fire the round. I own this press and 2 single stages. Still use them a lot as well. Focus on learning all about reloading, not how to work a press ABC's of reloading and Lyman's manual are 2 of the best for learning the entire process. If you have some experience and I am wrong then go for it. If not, seriously take this advice.
Click to expand...

:agree:.

If you do this, selecting a SS press that either is, or can be converted to, a L&L bushing type press, you'll have both an excellent training press AND a permanent augmentation to your reloading setup. Most, (not all), serious Reloaders have a SS press along side their progressive, turret, or whatever, press. Also, I cannot recommend highly enough, the "RCBS Lockout Die". You have room on your 5 stage L&L machine for this and it will ensure you produce no squib or double loads as you learn.
 
I bought a LnL LP almost 10 months ago.

First set up your press - use a SOLID table. I made a 2 x 6 ft table with 3/4" plywood (two layers for the top) and 2 x 4s" - it's SOLID. I mounted the press right through the 2 layers of plywood top and it isn't moving. Just keep in mind - if you build your own table - to keep the area that you'll be bolting the press down to isn't impeded by the frame of the bench (unless this may help with the rigidity, depending on design). Remember that the press did come with a manual - use it.

Second when setting up your dies go one at a time. You may go through a dozen pieces of brass before you get it to the measurement you want - don't sweat it, you will make some scrap during initial set up. I actually crushed a few cases. IMPORTANT: Before each reloading session always reverify COAL and powder measurer.

Once you've set up each die individually put them all in their spots and have at er.
 
The progressive press can be run as a single stage so there is no reason to learn on a single stage press..... ugh.



That being said a single stage in addition to the progressive is good for experimental stuffs!
 
So I am still looking at the set-up process...moving lights etc.. Until I read a thread about firearms and insurance, and someone mentions that reloading is a whole other ball of wax. So I better check my policy asap! I will post pics as it comes along.
 
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