Ghost In The Fog
Member
First I want to say I have loaded 8,500 rounds of 9MM exclusively on both the Lee Classic and Hornady LNL AP. This is my first time loading .223 or any rifle and this question is regarding the LNL.
All cases have been cleaned, lubed, sized, de-burred, chamfered, pockets swaged and primers in. All that is left is to charge and seat bullets.
Two part question:
1) Ram stroke in relation to die depth
2) COAL of Hornady Vmax 55Gr
Part 1
On the LNL station 1 Powder Measure. Set depth of die to allow full rotation of the powder bushing- Height adjusted on shell plate.
Station 2 Powder Cop. Adjust in and out based on a charged case.
Station 3- Bullet seat die. Raise shell plate, screw in die to touch. Lower ram and screw in an additional ¼ to 1/3 in. (Lower)
Station 4 Crimp. Raise shell plate, screw in die to touch. Lower ram and screw in an additional ½ turn.
Starting at station1 each die is then installed lower than the last in turn changing the relation of the shell plate to the previous setting and distance from the shell plate. It also changes the ability for the ram to reach the top of the stroke because it is stopping at the shell plate at the crimp die. That initial set up is no longer accurate. If I take out the crimp die, it then hits the seat die. Each one of these changes the rotation of the powder bushing in station one to not 100% complete of its travel. (Only slightly but it is no longer set as it was on step one).
This also affects the travel of the arm on the press. It no longer completes a full stop at the bottom of the downward stroke as in the initial powder measure set up.
My question is then this…
Isn’t this backwards? Shouldn’t the lowest die be set first? Crimp, seat, powder measure and finally powder cop? Each die would then be above the shell plate except the crimp die. How do you compensate for the restricted ram stroke caused by the dies hitting the shell plate?
I never had this problem loading 9MM.
Part 2:
I am loading my ladder test groups using 55Gr. Hornady Vmax
Matching Norma brass all at 1.750, Federal small rifle primers and laddering at 21.2, 21.7, 22.2, 22.7 and 23.2 grains of Alliant 2230 powder.
I am loading 11 rounds of each powder charge and run 10 through the chrono and number 11 into my unscientific ballistic water bottles just to see the difference in expansion. I am anticipating speeds from 2,936 on the low side to 3,200 on the high.
The max overall length stated in cartridge data is 2.260 My factory loaded Hornady 55Gr spire points are 2.173. Very similar profile, but slightly different.
Question: is there a minimum? I am not talking compressing the load, just as a general rule. Something not to go lower than?
Overall length of 2.250 plunks fine in my chamber. Is there anyone out there that loads 55Gr Vmax that can share some info? I am happy with keeping it at 2.250 but that is close to max length of 2.260. Is it better to shorten it some? I am thinking of seating at 2.200-2.210 and calling it good for the initial test.
As always, thank you for all of your input and experience.
All cases have been cleaned, lubed, sized, de-burred, chamfered, pockets swaged and primers in. All that is left is to charge and seat bullets.
Two part question:
1) Ram stroke in relation to die depth
2) COAL of Hornady Vmax 55Gr
Part 1
On the LNL station 1 Powder Measure. Set depth of die to allow full rotation of the powder bushing- Height adjusted on shell plate.
Station 2 Powder Cop. Adjust in and out based on a charged case.
Station 3- Bullet seat die. Raise shell plate, screw in die to touch. Lower ram and screw in an additional ¼ to 1/3 in. (Lower)
Station 4 Crimp. Raise shell plate, screw in die to touch. Lower ram and screw in an additional ½ turn.
Starting at station1 each die is then installed lower than the last in turn changing the relation of the shell plate to the previous setting and distance from the shell plate. It also changes the ability for the ram to reach the top of the stroke because it is stopping at the shell plate at the crimp die. That initial set up is no longer accurate. If I take out the crimp die, it then hits the seat die. Each one of these changes the rotation of the powder bushing in station one to not 100% complete of its travel. (Only slightly but it is no longer set as it was on step one).
This also affects the travel of the arm on the press. It no longer completes a full stop at the bottom of the downward stroke as in the initial powder measure set up.
My question is then this…
Isn’t this backwards? Shouldn’t the lowest die be set first? Crimp, seat, powder measure and finally powder cop? Each die would then be above the shell plate except the crimp die. How do you compensate for the restricted ram stroke caused by the dies hitting the shell plate?
I never had this problem loading 9MM.
Part 2:
I am loading my ladder test groups using 55Gr. Hornady Vmax
Matching Norma brass all at 1.750, Federal small rifle primers and laddering at 21.2, 21.7, 22.2, 22.7 and 23.2 grains of Alliant 2230 powder.
I am loading 11 rounds of each powder charge and run 10 through the chrono and number 11 into my unscientific ballistic water bottles just to see the difference in expansion. I am anticipating speeds from 2,936 on the low side to 3,200 on the high.
The max overall length stated in cartridge data is 2.260 My factory loaded Hornady 55Gr spire points are 2.173. Very similar profile, but slightly different.
Question: is there a minimum? I am not talking compressing the load, just as a general rule. Something not to go lower than?
Overall length of 2.250 plunks fine in my chamber. Is there anyone out there that loads 55Gr Vmax that can share some info? I am happy with keeping it at 2.250 but that is close to max length of 2.260. Is it better to shorten it some? I am thinking of seating at 2.200-2.210 and calling it good for the initial test.
As always, thank you for all of your input and experience.