Shell plate not fully indexing?

Halftail

Halftail

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
7   0   0
Location
Nova Scotia
Set up my Hornady LNL AP yesterday.Made a couple 100 rounds.I noticed the case where it goes into the powder drop needs a nudge with my finger to line it up.Dont happen every time but I keep an eye on every case as it goes in.The manual says 3 different possible problems.1 the primer not fully seated.2 pawls correctly adjusted? 3to make sure you have the latest shell plate versionwith the groove on the bottom side.
I bought the shell plate new from a local gun smith/supplier so I'm thinking that's not it.
As for adjustment of the Pawls....I have no idea.
Primers appear to be fully seated after they come out.I did notice some looked deeper then others.
Any insight?
 
Perhaps the nut holding the plate down is too tight. Tighten it down to the point where the plate seems to bind when pulling the handle, then back the nut off until the plate rotates smoothly when the handle is pulled. There can even be a tiny bit of play here so the ball detents in the plate can retract freely until they get to the next notch in the ram plate. You will hear little clicks as they find the indents. If the ball detents click in place everything is lined up.

The pawls you are thinking of are at the base of the handle on the cross tube. There are two. You can lock them at the right position with an allen key. One sets the timing on the upstroke and the other is for the downstroke. The manual which you can probably get online will describe how to achieve the correct setting. Once this is set, you should not have to re set them. Just keep moving the ram up and down while closely observing the pawls and it will become clear how they function. Again, check with the manual. Cheers.

OK to add to that. The two small rods with the angled ends can adjusted in or out by loosening the set screws. If you extend them, they will rotate the plate more. If you retract them, they rotate the plate less. You adjust them to turn the shell plate enough to allow the ball detents to click into place. I hope I got this right since I haven't even done that in over ten years. If not I can go into the loading room and look at things.
 
Last edited:
I had this problem when I bought a used LNL AP from the EE a while back. You just need to adjust the pawls just a hair. Also, I'd recommend getting a locking washer to use with the shell plate bolt. You only need to tighten the bolt finger snug. The lock washer will help keep the bolt from slowly backing out.

If the primers aren't fully seated, they will drag and cause the plate to bind. If it's seating deeper, that' perfect. One problem I had with my primer seating pin was that it was not perfectly flat and as a result, would dimple the primers. I think that was an earlier version 'cause the spare one I picked up is ground flat.
 
MustangFrank said:
Perhaps the nut holding the plate down is too tight. Tighten it down to the point where the plate seems to bind when pulling the handle, then back the nut off until the plate rotates smoothly when the handle is pulled. There can even be a tiny bit of play here so the ball detents in the plate can retract freely until they get to the next notch in the ram plate. You will hear little clicks as they find the indents. If the ball detents click in place everything is lined up.

The pawls you are thinking of are at the base of the handle on the cross tube. There are two. You can lock them at the right position with an allen key. One sets the timing on the upstroke and the other is for the downstroke. The manual which you can probably get online will describe how to achieve the correct setting. Once this is set, you should not have to re set them. Just keep moving the ram up and down while closely observing the pawls and it will become clear how they function. Again, check with the manual. Cheers.

OK to add to that. The two small rods with the angled ends can adjusted in or out by loosening the set screws. If you extend them, they will rotate the plate more. If you retract them, they rotate the plate less. You adjust them to turn the shell plate enough to allow the ball detents to click into place. I hope I got this right since I haven't even done that in over ten years. If not I can go into the loading room and look at things.
Click to expand...
No Need to look Mustangfrank I understand what you said.I will check the tightness of the plate this evening and go from there.
 
Trinimon said:
I had this problem when I bought a used LNL AP from the EE a while back. You just need to adjust the pawls just a hair. Also, I'd recommend getting a locking washer to use with the shell plate bolt. You only need to tighten the bolt finger snug. The lock washer will help keep the bolt from slowly backing out.

If the primers aren't fully seated, they will drag and cause the plate to bind. If it's seating deeper, that' perfect. One problem I had with my primer seating pin was that it was not perfectly flat and as a result, would dimple the primers. I think that was an earlier version 'cause the spare one I picked up is ground flat.
Click to expand...
Trinimon,Mine dosent do that every stroke but every so often.I noticed it kinda locks up in the almost lowest position the handle can go.Like I told mustangfrank I'm gonna check the shell plate tightness and go from there.All new territory for me so I'm goin cautiously.How's you LNL AP been treating you? You like?
 
Halftail said:
Trinimon,Mine dosent do that every stroke but every so often.I noticed it kinda locks up in the almost lowest position the handle can go.Like I told mustangfrank I'm gonna check the shell plate tightness and go from there.All new territory for me so I'm goin cautiously.How's you LNL AP been treating you? You like?
Click to expand...

Once you figure out and become familiar with the unit, it'll run fine. There's a thread out there (got to look for it) where they fine tuned the LNL AP using shims so that it runs smoother. I did manage to find the shim kit on ebay and not sure if it was because of the shims but my press runs pretty smoothly.

I found it you really snugged down that shell plate bolt, it would make the shell plate drag. I think the shims help prevent it from binding if you do snug down that bolt.

Try this, run the arm up/down nice and slow a few cycles. Does the plate snap into position or does it get hung up and you have to nudge it with your finger for it to pop into place? If it hangs, you need to tweek the pawls.

Here's how to adjust the timing of your LNL AP.

Also, check out 76Highboy Reloading yourtube channel. he does a series of tips/tricks to the LNL AP that will have your unit cranking out ammo trouble free.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom