Anybody used the Hornady L-N-L powder-through expanders?

[EddieCoyle]

I'm using a L-N-L AP right now with "standard" dies and I'm curious as to what you all think of the powder-through expanders. I'd like to use them because I'd like to free up a station.

Right now I load 10mm, .45 ACP, .38 SPL, .380, .32 ACP, and .30 Carbine. Most of my quantity is in 10mm and .45 ACP.

I'd like to be able to use both a Lee Factory Crimp die and a Hornady Powder Cop die that I've modified to produce an audible alarm when the powder charge is off by 1/10th of a grain or so. In order to do this, I need to free up a hole.

Are these conversions worth it? Do they beat up on the case activated powder drop mechanism?

 

[1911user]

The factory ones from Hornady are not yet available, but it sounds like you'd be a good candidate to use those inserts or modify the powder drop bushing to use those from a lyman multi-expand charge die.

I don't see how the powder drop mechanism would be affected although it might get in the way of other dies. I put a rcbs powder check die on mine and it barely clears the powder measure linkage (and spring) when everything is turned just right. IMO that is why they created the "new" case activated powder drop; to modify the mechanism for easy clearance of a powder check in the next die station. When you move the powder measure from station #3 to #2, there isn't nearly as much room around the powder measure. Try moving the measure from 3 to 2 and see for yourself, you don't need the case expanding powder bushing for a fit check; that's the easy piece.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Eddie,

Something you might want to consider is going to a Lee powder through expander die and using a Lee Pro Auto Disk Powder measure for your pistol (Around a $50.00 solution). This measure works well with most pistol powders and is an inexpensive solution to give you a "powder through/expander" capability.

You could also use a Dillon powder measure (A $100.00 solution) to get the same effect.

Or you could do the mods on your Hornady.

Regards,

Dave