Hornady Customer Service = 5 out of a possible 10

[rajb123]

I have reloaded on a SS press for decades but I do not have any experiece on a progressive press or loading small cases.

For the last 30 days, I have been addressing numerous issues with the L-N-L progressive press. These include:

(i) 3 broken indexing pawls,
(ii) a stuck primer shuttle guide rod,
(iii) case ejection issues,
(iv) failure to prime,
(v) failure to pick up primers,
(vi) failure of the press to be able to insert a die into Station #1 without use of my fingers for case alignment
(vii) failure of Station #1 bushings to insert or release from the press without vice grips,
(viii) inconsitent powder throws,,,

,,, and on and on and on and on and on..... Currently, I have little confidence in this press and I am loading one case at a time through each of 4 stations...

I have called Hornady Customer Service about 8 or more times and they have been reasonably helpful and they have sent me a few new parts including 3 new indexing pawls and a longer shuttle rod guide rod.

I have asked them about how to properly index the press and have not received great advice. They beleive I should screw down the indexing pawls 100% and then back them out 1.5 turns as the starting adjustment. I'm still not sure, however, how to tell if the press indexing is correct.

Anyway, Hornady Customer Service is only availible Monday through Thursday 8-6pm Central time.

Since I have a full time job and load cases exclusively on weekends, this is not real helppful time for Customer Service to be open for questions if I need service or advice during the times I am loading. In addition, the parts that they forward are not particularily timely and I have had to wait a minimum of 5 business days to receive them.

Before I bought the press I read great reports about their customer service. Now, I'm not so sure.

I would rate Hornady Customer Service no more than a 5 out of a possible 10.

I'm I being too harsh?

I'm getting ready to chuck the press an buy a Dillon.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Nothing but good stuff to say about my LnL and Hornady's service hear.

 

[jwrowland77]

I love Hornady and their customer service. As a matter of fact, I called them this morning, and told them I had gotten a .223 case stuck in die when I first started reloading and while I trying to get the case out, the expander ball chipped a little and that I was calling to see where I could order a new one. The customer service rep promptly asked me to verify my address, so I did, next thing he told me was that a new one will be shipped to me, free of charge.

Well within 4 minutes of hanging up the phone, I received a confirmation email showing what they were sending me. Not only are they sending me a new expander ball, but also a new spindle and two new decapping pins. So I'll have a spindle and two news pins as back up. I call that AWESOME customer service. 10/10!

 

[Uncle Richard]

Sorry to hear your misfortune. Had a few bugs to work out of my LnL; however, they were made in my error.

Love my press, don't regret buying it.

Send yours back the factory for replacement and follow the instructions to the t.

 

[cfullgraf]

These include:

(i) 3 broken indexing pawls,
(ii) a stuck primer shuttle guide rod,
(iii) case ejection issues,
(iv) failure to prime,
(v) failure to pick up primers,
(vi) failure of the press to be able to insert a die into Station #1 without use of my fingers for case alignment
(vii) failure of Station #1 bushings to insert or release from the press without vice grips,
(viii) inconsitent powder throws,,,

Sorry to be blunt, but if the press jams, do not force it through the jam. This breaks parts as you found out. You should have the feel of the press by now of when it is operating normally so, if it feels "hard" or jams, stop and correct the problem. The press should operate constantly with about the same force at each pull of the level.

One frequently problem I encounter is the primer not fulling being ejected from the case and it jams up the shell plate. Adjust the extension of the decapping rod and/or polish the end of the decapping rod.

There are a number of threads on THR on the improvement of operation of the priming system. You won't like my solution so I will not present it but there is lots of good tune up and adjusting information and it is available 24/7.

In my opinion, the priming system is the top source of problems.

There is another thread on THR recently discussing the alignment of cases as they go into the sizing die. From my observations, something in the shell plate cants the casing, the spring, a burr on the rim, or maybe the shell plate is out of tolerance. I get hang ups on occasions but it is not an issue for me for the method that I use the progressive.

A tight L-N-L bushing/socket is a Hornady issue, but if manageable, i would not try to make it looser. It will get looser over time as it is used. Maybe try a different L-N-L bushing.

Drum style powder measures must be operated consistently to reduce the variances of the charges. By nature of a progressive, that can be difficult but if you are banging around the press when operating, that can upset the powder measure. Jams and stoppages can cause the density of the powder in the powder column and metering chamber to change. After a jam or stoppage, run a few powder charges through the measure before resuming loading.

If throwing pistol level charges, you should be using the small drum. I use a baffle, actually two, one about an inch above the other, to help with consistency.

Write your questions down so that when you talk to Hornady, you do not forget anything. Write the answers down so you do not forget anything.

Hope this helps.

 

[Tim the student]

I've been happy with their CS in the past. I'd give them a 10/10. I hope they get you squared away soon.

As far as their hours, I can relate. But, it is what it is, and it isn't like they only take calls for 2 hours on Monday mornings. I'd like them to extend the hours a bit too, but they do take calls for 10 hours during normal workdays. Can you not sneak away for a call while you are taking a lunch break? It wouldn't be as ideal as having the press in front of you, but it beats nothing.

If you want to get rid of that press, I'll happily pay shipping

Good luck with it.

 

[sean eady]

Took me about a month to figure everything out and make the correct adjustments. Hornady's customer service is second to none in the rather large number of times I found myself calling them and got the same result as previous posters...... Verification of address and part shipped free of charge. Now that I have learned how to properly handle and use the press it runs flawlessly and has produced thousands of rounds with excellent results. Its doing 5 things at once. If its not set up right , its not going to work right.

 

[Blue68f100]

Hornady CS has been first class every time I have called them.

Indexing is something that's hard to detect if right, particularly if you have a hearing problem. If it's off the whole system is impacted and will not work right.

As far as feeder not picking up, it's an easy fix on the old system ( I have not looked at the new system). Make sure the rod guide/feed rod is as low as it will go in the press without getting in to the top. This will give you about 1/4" of upper vertical run for picking up primers, aka dwell time. Then adj the guide so it's vertical through the full range.

I don't know where your located at but if in my area I would offer to help you. I dialed in friend of mine last month and he's still raving on how smooth it's working.

 

[rajb123]

ok thanks guys

i'll try to have more patence. some of the issues I have worked through, so eventually, I will probably get it to run.

 

[BYJO4]

I think Hornady's customer service it top notch. Some of the problems you have be caused from over adjusting the press or when you obviously exerted excess pressure when encountering resistance. I would call Hornady and ask them to have the press shipped back to them for all the needed adjustments.

 

[jjjitters]

Patience, PATIENCE, PATIENTS, YOU need to stop thinking it's all the press!
Remember you have never used a progressive, so to sit here and complain is just poor.
And stop forcing things, what else could have been bent or tweeked when you broke those pawls off.

DO you know anyone nearby that can come over and help you set it up properly?

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

i pulled my dillon 550 out of the box and had it mounted and was loading ammo in a couple hours.

it was my first experience with a progressive press.

 

[KansasPaul]

I believe that Hornady, Dillon and RCBS all have great customer service - in MY opinion, RCBS is tops among the three but that;s not what is important here.

You stated that you have moved from a SS to progressive press - regardless of the brand, Hornady, Dillon or RCBS there is going to be a pretty steep learning curve, especially when setting up the press - changing calibers also complicates the matter.

As already stated, be patient, be resilient, take time and enjoy what you learn in the process.

Paul

 

[joed]

I did not know help was only available 4 days a week, that's kind of thin. I know Dillon is there 6 days a week and have always been helpful.

Now, I don't think Hornady makes a bad press though I've never owned one. But, I've owned 3 Dillons and can't complain. If I were in the market I'd buy another Dillon because they've worked so well for me.

 

[Otto]

Anyway, Hornady Customer Service is only availible Monday through Thursday 8-6pm Central time.
Before I bought the press I read great reports about their customer service. Now, I'm not so sure.

You're mistaken, Hornady CS is indeed open Mon-Fri.
Perhaps you should revise your rating....

 

[dragon813gt]

Their hours are more than reasonable. I know it sucks. But people these days expect to never be inconvenienced. I can't comment on the problems. But Hornady has been more than helpful when I called them with load data questions.


Brought to you by TapaTalk.

 

[smith627]

I have asked them about how to properly index the press and have not received great advice. They beleive I should screw down the indexing pawls 100% and then back them out 1.5 turns as the starting adjustment. I'm still not sure, however, how to tell if the press indexing is correct.


You may know that the right pawl aligns shell plate for decapping primers/resizing and the left pawl aligns shell plate for seating primers. If your shell plate is not aligned at either of these stations and your shell plate needs to be moved counter clockwise, then slightly move your pawl screw clockwise. If your shell plate needs to be moved clockwise, then slightly move pawl screw counter clockwise.
I had to blue locktite both my pawl screws due them moving from vibrations and that fixed the problem. I broke a pawl when I first got my press running but it was my fault and Hornady sent me two free ones. I was heavy handed.

Cases tilted slightly at the resize/decap station - be sure case retention spring is seated correctly in its groove. Be sure shell plate is snug/tight. I put a lock washer and fender washer under my shell plate bolt and it has never loosened up on its own.
Be patient. It's as good a press as any out there on the market.
Good luck.

 

[silicosys4]

I decided to get into reloading about a year ago and bought an L-N-L progressive. Probably not the best move for my first press, setting it up was a bit of a PITA since I literally had no clue and was just bolting things together that fit and looked right. I must still be clueless because after approximately 4k rounds I like the press and while I've had many of the same problems described, I found them to be pretty easy, self explanatory fixes.

I broke an index pawl....by trying to force through a "jam".
Called Hornady, and told them what happened...they said they would send a new pawl, for free. I basically told them I didn't know what I was doing and would rather send it in for repair and tuning. The guy sighed and issued a shipping label, but didn't argue. I ended up feeling like an idiot after reading up on the subject, and went ahead and paid for a new pawl from midway....I didn't think Hornady should eat a pawl because I tried forcing through a jam even though I'd read multiple times not to.

As far as adjusting the new pawl....I had a problem with my press failing to index fully, It would "click" through the first index, but wouldn't "click" through the second...If you look at the pawl they are angled and unscrewing it out of the mount will make the pawl engage earlier or later on the index gear. You can unscrew or screw it in to change how early the pawl engages or disengages, and how long it engages for. Screw the pawl fully in, and GENTLY advance the press. It should click twice. If it doesn't index or click on the downstroke of the handle, the right pawl needs adjustment. If it doesn't index or click on the upstroke of the handle, the left pawl needs adjustment.....try tightening and loosening while gently working the handle, and checking that the press indexes fully and "clicks" into position.

The stuck primer shuttle guide rod...don't know what that is exactly, but I have run into 2 main problems for my primer system.

1. Trying to primer crimped primer pockets is a no-no...unless you want to spend 5 minutes every 10 shells digging metal out of the primer punch. I had to ream every single crimped primer brass I had. The crimp "cuts" a shaving of metal off of the primer each priming, and eventually those shavings build up both in the shuttle channel and in the primer press itself. Once the primer press is full of those little shavings, the press won't fully retract and the primer shuttle will catch on it and lock the press up...You have to unscrew the primer press from the baseplate and clean it out, and make sure the primer shuttle guide is free of any shavings too. Spilled gunpowder isn't anywhere nearly as bad as those little shavings, and they can be almost too small to see and still lock your press up.

2. Primers "catching" in the primer tube and sticking, or coming out sideways or upside down....pretty rare though.

The failure to prime for me is almost always caused by those primer shavings building up in the system. Either in the shuttle channel, which prevents the primer shuttle from retracting fully and lining up with the primer pocket, or by causing the primer punch to stick up and catch on the shuttle. Once I figured out the crimped primer pocket was causing my problems and weeded them out, things started working much better for me.

I have had failure to pick up primers, but it was almost always something to do with the cleanliness of the primer system, those damn shavings, or the occasional sticky primer in the primer tube.

The one thing in common between our presses is the often misalignment of the shell into the first station, the depriming station. About every 4-5 shells I'll have to reach in and flick a case with my finger to get it to line up with my depriming die, and I've crushed multiple cases by going too fast and not being aware when they are misaligned.

I get pretty inaccurate powder throws. That is the one thing that pisses me off about my L-N-L....anywhere up to .6-.8 grains variance on a bad day, with the worst powder (unique). I have no leg to stand on there though, since I'm using the same barrel for pistol and rifle, so I assume the press came with the rifle barrel installed...that said, I've take my powder throw apart a few times, as much as I can anyways, to clean it....I can't even begin to fathom how to change the barrel.

Overall, being that I have no experience with anything other than my L-N-L, and I still have my face, fingers, and all my guns in one piece still, I have to give Hornady a thumbs up, their dies are pretty good too, except for the expander die....***.

 

[jjjitters]

The barrel for your powder drop is rather easy to change. You push in the little button on the left side and pull out the quick change charge adjuster, then you unscrew the two flathead allen screws on the side that attaches the linkage to the barrel. Then the barrel slips right out to the side and you put the small one in and reattach everything back up. It is a two minute job, including going to the kitchen and getting a pop(soda for some of you)

I would definately change to the small for pistol,you will get +/-.1gr even with Unique.

 

[hAkron]

I've had better luck with their CS than their QC, but I will say, your LnL sounds like my first MEC 9000, something just wasn't right with that press. I boxed it up and took it back, then swapped it out for a new one, which was a winner. Was it me or the press the first time around? A little bit of both I suspect, but a fresh start was just the ticket. I would box up the unit and either return it to the store where you got it and swap it for a new one, or see if Hornady will make the swap for you.

My LnL powder measure is DEAD NUTS accurate though. Lock it down tight into the press with a wrench so it doesn't move, and use the correct meter insert, and the baffle.

 

[longdayjake]

If you are breaking so many parts, you are trying to force it too much. A single stage press doesn't have the small moving parts that the AP has. If you get hung up you dont want to force it. Trust me, I ran both of my APs just fine through thousands of rounds but I let a 17 year old work with them for one day and I had to replace priming rods, primer sleds, and pawls. Some people don't mix well with machines. It sounds like you may be one of them.

Also, my experience with dillon CS is a lot of skepticism that a part is not working and telling me to try three or four things first. I try to explain to them what is happening and they just tell me to try what they tell me. They end up just acting like I don't know what I am talking about and I get frustrated and just end the call. They have been 0 help to me because I happen to own an older model that they no longer support. So much for the no BS warranty.