Armory Sponsor
Posted: 1/29/2012 4:40:59 PM EDT
|
I have been using my LEE Classic turret press for about 5 years now. This thing does not owe me jack. Works great, but now that I am doing basically all pistol shooting now it is starting to become a pain. For example, I just did a box of 50 9mm loads. After doing them, I realized that was 200 ram strokes. Well, that would have been 200 rounds on a progressive. Doing the math, it is very easy to see how I could bang out 500 an hour on the progressive.
I load for 38, 357, 9mm, and 45acp. So I wanted enough stuff for all 4 calibers to make swaps easy. So, after a TON of reading and looking around I ordered the following. Hornady L-n-L AP Progressive Press Quick Change powder die (3) Press comes with one so I was told I only need three. Bushings 10 pack (2) PTX Insert .355 PTX insert .451 PTX Insert .357 (2) So I dont have to use the same one for 38/357 and can leave it in the die boxes I will setup. Handgun Metering insert (3) Press comes with one so I was told I only need three. #6, #8, and #45 Shell Plates Extra spring for powder measure Hornady One Shot spray lube and degreaser Large Cartridge container (the bigger red one that hangs on the press. Don't know if I needed it but I grabbed it for the 6 bucks) So do you think that is a good list of stuff? I also see the Ergo handle setup on the innovative something website. I will see how I feel first with the factory handle. I am stoked to say the least. I think this setup is going to be the best reloading investment so far. I was afraid to go progressive when I first started and I am happy I did not. The classic turret has taught me so much about reloading, as you really learn step by step how everything works. And it is great for beginners because you are focused on one operation at once. Now that I have been doing this a while now, I feel as though I can handle the multiple operations at a time on the progressive. Later on when I have some more cash to blow I will most likely get the COB die Hornady has for each caliber. But until then I will just eye ball each case to make sure the proper powder charge is in place. With a pistol, its either where it should be or not. |
|
Congrats on a great buy. You'll love the LNLAP. When I first started using my LNLAP for pistol ammo, I couldn't stop giggling at how fast it kicked out the ammo. The first thing I realized was that I didn't have as many bullets and primers as I thought I had.  You've made some great decisions on the quick change stuff. That will speed up changing calibers a lot. Don't bother with the Powder Cop dies; it's just as easy to just look into each case as it goes around. The only powder check die that is worth using in the Hornady is the RCBS lockout die. Have fun with the new press, and try not to giggle too much! |
|
Basically what kicked this whole thing off, is me watching vids on youtube. I was watching a 20 min video of setting up the L-n-L and then he started actually doing full speed loading. Almost got sick to my stomach seeing how fast you can crank them out on it. Just turned around and looked at my turret press and started laughing.
Is the OneShot lube no good? |
|
Quoted: Is the OneShot lube no good? The only stuck case I've had in the last 25 years was with HOS. Many folks swear by it, more here swear at it. Currently, I use only the homemade 12:1 99% Isopropyl Alcohol / Liquid Lanolin lube. Works great for me. And it's very inexpensive. |
 I recommend FA from Midway or Dillon spray lube. The commercial version of the home made lube. Both work well. Put cases in box shake to get then to one end. About half will be neck up. 2 sprays, shake case, 2 more sprays. Enough lube gets into the inside of the necks so you don't have to do an extra inside neck lube step. If you decide to try the One Shot, be sure you have a stuck case removal kit handy.
|
|
Ohhhh... I think you guys got a little confused as I did not clarify why I bought the one shot. I bought it to spray down the press with. Not to lube the brass casings.
I don't use lube to do my pistol brass. And I don't load any rifle anymore so I don't use lube. On Midway the ad for the LnL said they reccommend using the OneShot lube to spray down the press when you are unpacking it etc. |
|
Congrats on your LNL, you are going to love loading on it! Talk about pulling the trigger, you definitely set yourself up properly with being able to quickly change calibers.
The other thing you are going to need is a steady supply of components to feed that LNL. I sat down at mine last night for a brief leisurely session and cranked out 500 rounds of 9mm in about 80 minutes. Wasn't trying to break any speed records and had to load some primer tubes and deal with some interruptions. Time to reorder components again.
|
|
Pissing through the components worrys me LOL!
So I have a question about setup. I know if you fail to prime one and powder goes into the priming system its a bitch to clean. So since I will only be using 4 stations I'm wondering if I can move station two over and have it work like this... Station 1 decap and size Station 2 prime the case but no die installed Station 3 powder through expander Station 4 bullet seat Station 5 taper crimp May not do it like that, just wondering if its possible. |
|
Quoted:
Pissing through the components worrys me LOL! So I have a question about setup. I know if you fail to prime one and powder goes into the priming system its a bitch to clean. So since I will only be using 4 stations I'm wondering if I can move station two over and have it work like this... Station 1 decap and size Station 2 prime the case but no die installed Station 3 powder through expander Station 4 bullet seat Station 5 taper crimp May not do it like that, just wondering if its possible. that is a good set up and should work just fine. i use pretty much the same set up on a couple of calibers. |
|
Quoted:
Pissing through the components worrys me LOL! So I have a question about setup. I know if you fail to prime one and powder goes into the priming system its a bitch to clean. So since I will only be using 4 stations I'm wondering if I can move station two over and have it work like this... Station 1 decap and size Station 2 prime the case but no die installed Station 3 powder through expander Station 4 bullet seat Station 5 taper crimp May not do it like that, just wondering if its possible. You can run your set up like that, moving the PTX over to station 3 will certainly help reduce powder getting into your priming system. However if you still fail to prime a case and then fill at station 3 and fail to catch it you will still end up with some powder under the shell plate. Just become sensitive to the feeling of seating a primer and you should be able to avoid that situation completely. |
|
I am quite positive I will be able to feel the primer setup immediately, as that is the way my Lee Turret primes. It has a nice feedback of the primer seating. Who knows. I have a flashlight I am going to mount into the press for some light, I am thinking of putting the PTX as station 2 and then the flashlight on station 3 so it is real easy to verify powder charges.
|
|
Quoted:
Pissing through the components worrys me LOL! So I have a question about setup. I know if you fail to prime one and powder goes into the priming system its a bitch to clean. So since I will only be using 4 stations I'm wondering if I can move station two over and have it work like this... Station 1 decap and size Station 2 prime the case but no die installed Station 3 powder through expander Station 4 bullet seat Station 5 taper crimp May not do it like that, just wondering if its possible. Priming happens between stations as it happens on the downstroke so skipping station two really doesnt do anything for you IMO. A small pack of the artists brushes or cleaning brushes at the local show will make it so you can clean out the station easy. You will know by feel if a primer is seated after about 100 rounds. Your setup is fine, althoughyou can either use station two for PTX and charging and then move the other two and/or drop in a powder cop if you want later or leave as is. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Is the OneShot lube no good? The only stuck case I've had in the last 25 years was with HOS. Many folks swear by it, more here swear at it. Currently, I use only the homemade 12:1 99% Isopropyl Alcohol / Liquid Lanolin lube. Works great for me. And it's very inexpensive. One Snot is great for pistol calibers....it's shit for bottlenecked cases...It took me all of about 14 cases to get one stuck in a .223 die 
Get the Dillon or similar product, or make your own |
|
Quoted:
I am leaning toward a LNL AP after I move and get settled in the next year...did you consider a Dillon at all? If you did what made you choose the LNL? I did but the price of everything is just a little much to be honest. Swapping calibers over is very expensive on a dillon as you need basically a complete new setup.. IIRC it was like 175 per caliber to swap over after getting the new tool head and powder measure etc. With the Hornady it is just a few bushings, and a quick change powder die. So basically under 50 bucks per caliber. Nothing against the dillon as they make fantastic stuff, I just don't have disposable cash at this point in my life. |
|
Great choice, I have been using mine for about 13 years. The only issue I have ever had -which I am sure is present with all progressive presses- is a primer problem. missed or flipped or whatever causing a powder mess.
A couple years ago I bought a RCBS hand primer and now I never prime in the press. I can haul ass through a thousand cases just decapping and sizing in no time. Then load 3-400 primers into my handprimer and sit on the couch priming brass. It has made loading more problem free, it's easier on the press and the bench not having to push the upstroke. I will never go back. ETA: Do use the powder cop die. It is very handy and simple; just catch that white o-ring in your peripheral vision as you're reaching for another bullet and case. I don't know how you see inside a bottle neck case. |
|
Quoted:
I have been using my LEE Classic turret press for about 5 years now. This thing does not owe me jack. Works great, but now that I am doing basically all pistol shooting now it is starting to become a pain. For example, I just did a box of 50 9mm loads. After doing them, I realized that was 200 ram strokes. Well, that would have been 200 rounds on a progressive. Doing the math, it is very easy to see how I could bang out 500 an hour on the progressive. I load for 38, 357, 9mm, and 45acp. So I wanted enough stuff for all 4 calibers to make swaps easy. So, after a TON of reading and looking around I ordered the following. Hornady L-n-L AP Progressive Press Quick Change powder die (3) Press comes with one so I was told I only need three. Bushings 10 pack (2) PTX Insert .355 PTX insert .451 PTX Insert .357 (2) So I dont have to use the same one for 38/357 and can leave it in the die boxes I will setup. Handgun Metering insert (3) Press comes with one so I was told I only need three. #6, #8, and #45 Shell Plates Extra spring for powder measure Hornady One Shot spray lube and degreaser Large Cartridge container (the bigger red one that hangs on the press. Don't know if I needed it but I grabbed it for the 6 bucks) So do you think that is a good list of stuff? I also see the Ergo handle setup on the innovative something website. I will see how I feel first with the factory handle. I am stoked to say the least. I think this setup is going to be the best reloading investment so far. I was afraid to go progressive when I first started and I am happy I did not. The classic turret has taught me so much about reloading, as you really learn step by step how everything works. And it is great for beginners because you are focused on one operation at once. Now that I have been doing this a while now, I feel as though I can handle the multiple operations at a time on the progressive. Later on when I have some more cash to blow I will most likely get the COB die Hornady has for each caliber. But until then I will just eye ball each case to make sure the proper powder charge is in place. With a pistol, its either where it should be or not. I too upgraded from a Lee to a Hornady LNL AP. I love the Hornady. I still run Lee dies though, because that's what I have already. You can make a ton of pistol ammo in a short time with this Hornady press. Carefully check to ensure your PTX inserts actually work. Mine do not so I still use the Lee case mouth flaring die. Hornady will remedy this but I have not called them about it yet. Also if you really reload for so many calibers you may want to it was a good move to buy a couple 10 packs of bushings and maybe pick up some of the LNL lock rings. ETA - I pay the youngest boy .01/case and he's my automatic case feeder. Money well spent IMO. Sudboy |
|
Quoted:
Ohhhh... I think you guys got a little confused as I did not clarify why I bought the one shot. I bought it to spray down the press with. Not to lube the brass casings. I don't use lube to do my pistol brass. And I don't load any rifle anymore so I don't use lube. On Midway the ad for the LnL said they reccommend using the OneShot lube to spray down the press when you are unpacking it etc. Yes the Hornady dry lube is what you'll need to hose out the shipping grease. |
Armory Sponsor