New Hornady LNL

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gspn

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For the past few years I've been using a Lee Classic Cast to reload for around 10 different calibers. Recently I've seen a need to produce a lot more ammo than I want to do on the Lee. The Lee is a great piece of gear...but reloading is a pretty straight forward time/money tradeoff.

I can spend less money and more time at the bench, or less time at the bench if I spend more money. Money won that argument so I started looking for a new press. Ultimately Hornady won my business.

I'm just now getting started with it but early indications are that I will be very, very happy with this machine. I really like the speed of a progressive.
 
I load a few thousand .357 a year with mine. once you get used to it you'll be doing 4 or 500 a session. I only do 100 .308 a day on it but I try to get those perfect.
 
You will enjoy your new press. Once dialed in they rock 500-600/hr with brass feeder. I average over 5k/yr through mine. The key with any progressive if you have a problem clear the stations and start over unless it is a simple fix and does not impact the other stations.
 
I prefer to load 100 at a time. I keep the primer pick up tubes filled so a quick 10 minute getaway to the garage yields 100 bullets. Add maybe 2 minutes to change calibers and check powder drops if necessary. It's an easy and almost "invisible" way to build up or replenish your stash.

By the way, if you don't already have your LnL, go and buy:
1. A can of One Shot Gun Cleaner and Dry Lube (not the One Shot Case Lube). You'll need it to clean off the packing grease on all the parts. Especially clean the powder hopper parts or you'll never get a consistent drop.
Any degreaser will work, but the dry lube will also inhibit rust.

2. Primer Flipper Tray if you don't already have one.

3. A grease gun with a zerk fitting. Spraying lube around will not be sufficient. There are specific grease points which need to have grease injected into them to ensure smooth operation. They are about $10 with grease at Harbor Freight or Walmart.

Watch the assembly and instruction videos many times. It also helps to have it with you as you assemble it. The written instructions are pretty poor, but the video is quite clear and helpful.
 
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Love mine and use it to load large quantities of 45acp and 9mm weekly. If you ever run into problems or issues, just ask, there are many users on this forum. The best initial advise I can offer is keep the primer slide and feed area free of powder flakes. If you have a hiccup and spill powder, clean it up. A can of compressed air for keyboards is handy to have around.
 
Love my LnL...great press, especially with the case feeder. I'm probably doing 5k rounds per year.

It will take a little effort to dial in the press and learn its operation; however, once dialed in it becomes an ammo plant.

One piece of advice...buy the RCBS Lock out die. Prevents over and low powder charges.
 
Enjoy!

I do about 800 rounds of 9mm/month and about 400 rounds of 30.06/month.

Before you do anything with the press get a couple of cans of the Hornady One-Shot cleaner and thoroughly spray EVERYTHING to get the protective oils off. This is especially important for the powder measure/related components. Also, spray some down the primer disposal tube.

Then just go slow initially...if it doesn't feel right don't power through something or you will bend/break/need to re-adjust. Don't ask how I learned this lesson (more than once).
 
I've had my LnL AP for about three years now and really like it. The only other suggestions I would add to the above is to make certain you keep the primer shuttle area clean (I keep a small brush nearby), and purchase a few extra case retainer springs.
 
I've had 2 LNL APs for about 2 years now and have loaded slightly more than 40,000 rounds so far with no problems. I shoot several different calibers every week and love how easy and fast it is to change from one to another. I do keep one set up for SP and one for LP.
 
I run much lower volumes than many people, but the time changing out between large and small primers was annoying when doing small batches. Finally decided to take the plunge and pick up a second LNL to set up like BYJO4. Glad I found this thread, now I can tell my wife that I am not the only one to do this :evil:

The advice on this thread is solid. Go slow at first and always feel free to ask questions.
 
Thanks to all for the advice and encouragement.

I've been doing it nice and slow so far. I cleaned everything per the instructions, put it together, and loaded one round at a time just so I could see what was going on at each one.

I had a few powder spills but even those had some benefits. Each time it forced me to pull the shell plate off, clean it, regrease, and reinstall. It was a great way to get up the learning curve...I took it apart and put it back together a bunch on day one.

The only problem i seem to have with it is the large primer carrier. It sticks...all the time. I think it's out of tolerance. I've got an e-mail in to Hornady about it and will have to wait to hear what they say. It's clean as a whistle so I know it has to be the press or one of the parts. The small primer carrier works great...the large one sticks.

That might be my only complaint about the machine. If you have a problem in the priming process there is no good way to un-load the primer station.

Other than that it's been a love affair. It's a smooth piece of equipment that is doing exactly what I want it to do...smoothly pump out higher volumes of ammo.

I REALLY dig the powder measure and the quick change bushings. It makes changing powders or putting powder away for the day a really easy job.

The pistol micrometer insert is also a wonderful invention. I'd put it on the top 10 list of things that mankind has ever invented...right up there with guns, beer, lingerie, and Kung Fu. Once I get the load dialed in I just write down the setting and can come back to it instantly next time I'm doing a load with that powder. It's exceptionally consistent too. The old Lee powder measure I used before was good...just not as precise.

So far I love it.
 
Can you describe the large primer slide sticking in a little more detail? I think I remember something similar with mine. Running the slide back and forth without the spring showed a little friction. A very light sanding of any burrs and edges + a touch of graphite grease on the sides and it has been running great.
 
When I push the handle down and the ram goes up...the primer carrier goes back just fine. However...when I bring the ram down the primer carrier just stops. It won't bring another primer forward. If I move the handle really fast it will "bump" it which causes the carrier to slam forward because it's under full spring pressure when it breaks free from whatever is holding it back.

I disassembled everything and worked the slide by hand and it slides smoothly until it hits "something" which stops it in it's tracks. It's more than just rough edges not wanting to slide against each other...it's more like something is sticking up too high and the slide has no chance to clear it.

Complicating matters is that it's intermittent. Tonight it acted a little better and only did it a few times. The problem is that when I'm loading I'm going to have to look at it every single time to make sure it came forward or I'll get shells with no primers in them leaking powder everywhere.

The fact that it's located on the back of the machine and basically out of sight just adds to the level of difficulty.

I'll try sanding everything down as you mentioned...can't hurt.
 
clocker said:
Can you describe the large primer slide sticking in a little more detail? I think I remember something similar with mine. Running the slide back and forth without the spring showed a little friction. A very light sanding of any burrs and edges + a touch of graphite grease on the sides and it has been running great.
Click to expand...
Keep it clean. I use a little bit of dry lube.
 
When I push the handle down and the ram goes up...the primer carrier goes back just fine. However...when I bring the ram down the primer carrier just stops. It won't bring another primer forward. If I move the handle really fast it will "bump" it which causes the carrier to slam forward because it's under full spring pressure when it breaks free from whatever is holding it back.

I disassembled everything and worked the slide by hand and it slides smoothly until it hits "something" which stops it in it's tracks. It's more than just rough edges not wanting to slide against each other...it's more like something is sticking up too high and the slide has no chance to clear it.

Complicating matters is that it's intermittent. Tonight it acted a little better and only did it a few times. The problem is that when I'm loading I'm going to have to look at it every single time to make sure it came forward or I'll get shells with no primers in them leaking powder everywhere.
Click to expand...

There are a couple of things to check. First make sure the alignment is good for the primer to feed. I do not know if the new style primer feed has this adj but make sure the rod is as low as it will go in the press. This should give you about 3/8" of vertical rod to increase the dwell time. I the alignment is off your primers may not be dropping all the way down. Make sure your using a pusher rod. A friend of mine was having problems with his. What I found was some of the primers were 0.005" shorter than the rest. What I did did was take the deburring tool and knocked the sharp edge off of the primer hole in the sled. This allowed the sled to push the stack of primers out of the way. I also take a file to bottom front edge so small flakes of powder do not prevent the sled from going full forward. Can air is your best friend here for keeping it clean. I assume you already polished the sled and slot. Use a small amount of graphite for lube.
 
Since you indicate no problem with small primers, the issue must be with either the large primer slide or the large primer feed tube. Calling Hornady customer service will get you immediate help and they will be able to diagnose the problem better than doing it by Email. They will probably send you a new slide or tube or both. When talking to them, you might also ask them to send you shims to use with the quick change bushing that you have your powder measure in. Without the shim, the bushing tends to work loose because of the height and weight of the powder measure.
 
The bushing "shouldn't" come loose from vibration if the press is mounted solid. I've not had mine come loose yet, but it would mean my house's foundation is collapsing if my press was wobbling. A wrap of teflon pipe tape would hold it also, I would think.
 
This is not an uncommon issue. While tape will work, Hornady provides the shims for just this purpose and at no cost. It never hurts to have a few in case you might need them.
 
I'm a reloading noob and bought a similar rig. Down to the micrometer for the drop rotor. I figured I would start where I would probably end up if I began with the inexpensive route. I love this press. Very consistent powder drop even with difficult powder. I shot a few of my creations today. I'm still learning about crimping. I'm still learning how to eliminate set back. Very frustrating.

My primer slide "sticks" and will not return fully over the primer lug when I get loose powder between it and the slot it fits into in the press body. My press is set up next to my air compressor in my garage. So I usually pull the slide back with my thumb and give the slot a shot of air. I have also just pulled it back and cleaned it with a small paint brush from a couple of directions. It will seem to hang and cannot be moved with my thumb if I have the press handle pushed even slightly forward.

Consider the PTX inserts for your drop for your next expense. Search for "PTX" on the Hornaday site. You can't get there through the menus. And search Amazon too, of course.

http://www.hornady.com/store/PTX-Powder-Drop-Expander-.355-1-Each2

I also got a powder cop because I need all the help I can get, lol.

Dan in ABQ
 
BYJO4 said:
Since you indicate no problem with small primers, the issue must be with either the large primer slide or the large primer feed tube. Calling Hornady customer service will get you immediate help and they will be able to diagnose the problem better than doing it by Email. They will probably send you a new slide or tube or both. When talking to them, you might also ask them to send you shims to use with the quick change bushing that you have your powder measure in. Without the shim, the bushing tends to work loose because of the height and weight of the powder measure.
Click to expand...
HA! I just noticed the "loose" powder measure tonight. I couldn't figure out why it kept coming loose. I thought "I know I tightened that yesterday". Thanks for the tip
 
Another thing that helps primer feed is make sure your primer feed tube shroud is not TIGHT. After you have filled your primer tube, screw the shroud tube down finger SNUG, then loosen 1/4-1/2 turn. This seem to give a little "play" in the primer feed. Works wonders with my LNL.

I strongly recommend this jewel! www.powderfunnels.com
This is a "powder-thru" powder drop tube. It bells the case mouth of all cases from .30 to.50

Next, if you are going to add a case feeder here are a couple of easy modifications that REALLY improve case feeding: DSCN5571.jpg

DSCN5570.jpg

This mod prevents cases from bouncing off the shell plate. It is made from a piece of THIN WALL PVC tubing (1/16").

DSCN5569.jpg

And, finally, the opening on the case feeder bucket is too big for feeding small 9mm cases effectively. The large opening allows the cases to drop sideways and jamb in the feed chute. This mod prevents jambs.
photo_zps2b0056eb.jpg
 
I have had my LNL AP with bullet and case feeder for over a year. When everything works properly you really crank out ammo in a hurry. But in reality you will be tinkering and adjusting the setup more than you might think. All is takes for example is some powder to get into the area around the primer. Or the nut securing the shell plate gets lose. I see it like operating a steam engine, you gotta keep an eye on everything.
 
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