Hornady LNL and New Dimension dies (a couple of issues)

[mobiusnc]

I've been using my LNL for about a month now with the New Dimension dies, but I'm still running into two issues which are really slowing me down (I could probably run a single stage faster).

Here is how I have the dies set up (9mm at the moment):
Station 1 - Hornady Deprime/resize
Station 2 - Expander
Station 3 - Powder Drop
Station 4 - RCBS powder lockout
Station 5 - Seating/Crimp

First, the seating/crimp die is hitting the ejector wire so I'm ejecting by hand. I've read the the Lee dies do not work in station five without adjustments but shouldn't the Hornady dies? Am I not adjusting this station correctly?

Secondly, the bushings keep loosening on the powder drop. I'm going to give the extra o-ring suggestion a shot this weekend so hopefully this one will get work out. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

mobiusnc

 

[DEDON45]

I can answer these for you....

The issue you heard about with Lee Dies that everyone talks about is their Factory Crimp Die hitting the Ejector wire in Station 5... some of the bullet seaters (not just a crimp die, and I use Hornady and RCBS dies, and not all of them) I have will also hit the wire if it's installed in Station 5. Since you have the RCBS lockout die installed, and are using a separate expander die, you're currently forced to use Station 5 for bullet seating.

Try this: purchase a powder-thru expander http://www.grafs.com/fc/browse.php?q=&v=410&s=az&p=587 and eliminate the expander die. This works great for me in my .45ACP setup.

As to the measure getting loose... two things: degrease the female bushing (in the press) and the bushing on your powder measure. Also, just give it a little extra tightening with a wrench, and it'll stay put.

Incidentally, I also recommend that you use a separate taper crimp die with your 9mm setup... makes reloading much easier, and I find the ammo to be more consistent. Use the Hornady Taper Crimp die in Station 5, and you won't have any ejector wire clearance issues.

 

[Shoney]

Sorry to tell you this, but I couldn't get either 9x19 or 9x18 to eject on mine as well. I ground off a bit of the die after it was perfectly adjusted, so it didn't hit the wire, but the cases still would hang up.

I finally got it to work after adjudting the wire in and out and bending it into various shapes, trial and error. It is very frustrating. I have not had this problem with any other size case.

 

[DEDON45]

I have heard of others having trouble with 9mm and the ejector wire (with ejection, not the dies hitting it) ... I don't know much about that as I don't have a 9mm (never have), but I'd probably just buy an extra ejector wire and bend it 'til it worked. I think if you check the forum (and other site's forums) you'll find some detailed drawings of how some fellas bent theres to correct that problem. I've had no issues with any of the Calibers I reload (.30-30, .44Magnum, .45ACP.)

 

[DEDON45]

Also forgot to ask, how's that RCBS lockout die working? I've got a Hdy Powder Cop die, but that lockout die would be a pretty cool addition to my setup.

 

[Walkalong]

Sorry to tell you this, but I couldn't get either 9x19 or 9x18 to eject on mine as well

The 9MM was the absolute worst for ejecting on the original Projector as well. Cases would randomly hang up, and then bend the ejector piece if you were going too fast. I solved the problem with some work on the shellplate. I finally figured out which edge was the culprit. Mine now ejects flawlessly with .380, 9mm, & .38 Super.

 

[mobiusnc]

"Also forgot to ask, how's that RCBS lockout die working? I've got a Hdy Powder Cop die, but that lockout die would be a pretty cool addition to my setup."

I like the lockout die a lot. In fact it's saved my butt a couple of times when the powder drop has worked it's way loose.

Unfortunately, I'm not really happy with the LNL. The ejector wire jams within every 10 rounds. And the de-prime station jams within every 10 rounds or so - I think the old primer is getting stuck somewhere. So far I've loaded about 400 rounds and I've never been able to load more than 15 rounds total without:

1) the powder drop working loose
2) an old primer getting jammed
3) a cartridge getting stuck in the ejector wire
4) a cartridge failing to prime and power getting everywhere.

The last one is could be due to failing to establish a rhythm, a consequence of the first three, and missing an upstroke. Not sure yet. I hope I get it worked out soon...

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

"1) the powder drop working loose"

This is a function of an improperly machined (too small) LnL bushing or bushing receptacle. Contact Hornady for a replacement. Do not suffer in silence. That's what their tech support and warranty is for.

"2) an old primer getting jammed"

If an old primer is getting jammed, it's not going down the spent primer chute. This is most likely because your die ejection pin is not adjusted down far enough. Adjust it down a bit more. Also, you may, if you have picked up some milsurp brass from the range, have primers that are difficult to get out and you then run into crimped pocket issues.

"3) a cartridge getting stuck in the ejector wire"

This typically can be handled as suggested above by other posters. Combining expansion and powder drop, then using a crimp die will solve most of it. 9MM is the MOST problematic cartridge. Also, look at the corners of your shell plate. You probably need to open them up on the "eject" side a bit and you may have an older shellplate, depending on the vendor. Hornady's later plates did a better job, as they changed the design, but not all vendors sent the older stock back in. But it's not that hard to remove a bit of material and polish the shell plate up with a dremel. This will solve a good bit of your problems.

"4) a cartridge failing to prime and power getting everywhere."

If you're having problems, your primer seater may be the issue, spilled powder may be the issue, you may not have the priming system adjusted properly (see older posts of mine for more details on how to adjust the priming system). Priming is problematic to some extent with most progressives and generally, proper adjustment is the solution. Also, you can tune the priming system with a bit of work to smooth it up.

Hope this helps,

Dave

 

[Canuck-IL]

For the priming issue, add a length of brass rod to the top of the stack of primers in the tube ... eliminated all stuck or flipped problems for me...good to the last primer and you can mark the rod to alert when you're running low.

Old primer hang-ups - as above noted, you've got the deprime pin too high or, if initially correct, it's being forced slightly higher by tough to deprime, crimped cases. Lower and tighten.

Ejector blues?? Had those on day 1, about 4-5 years ago and I've just flipped cases out w a finger as I mount the new case ever since. Not a significant speed impediment.
/Bryan

 

[Shoney]

I'd almost forgotten (KOP disease) that I also polished each shell holder on the 9mm plate with a Dremal tool, especially working over the leading edge (right edge if you are looking at the plate) of each shell holder on the plate with emery cloth on a 3/32 dowel in a drill.

Combination of the bent wire and the polished sshell holders solved the problem.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

The fact that both the spent primer and the new primer are having problems also could mean that the indexing pawls are out of adjustment. Refer to your owners manual for how to adjust them.

Depending on which way you look at it, "leading edge" could mean either one. The edge that sometimes needs work is the "back" edge of the slot, the edge that the ejector wire pushes the cartridge against.

I also second the opinion to get the powder-through expander from Hornady. That will let you remove the separate expander die, and either seat and crimp in station 4 (leaving #5 empty), or you could add the Hornady taper crimp die and crimp in #5. This will solve the problems with the ejector wire and small cartridge dies.

I know it is frustrating for you, but hang in there.

Andy

 

[Walkalong]

The bottom edge all the way around in all 5 cutouts is left at 90 degrees with machine burrs. That is the most crucial spot to remove burrs, break the edge, and polish, although I also polished to rest of the areas on the shell plate where the brass makes contact. It looks like chrome now, and the brass just jumps out.

 

[mobiusnc]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I'll defiantly implement them. Honestly, I'm still working up the least smoky loads possible (with hard cast lead) so I haven’t been terribly concerned with the low volume. Now that I’m hopefully nearing completion with that endeavor I’d like to start cranking them out.

I’m going to give Hornady a ring today on the bushings and try the other stuff this weekend. Hopefully I'll have some good news to report soon!

mobiusnc

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Gentlemen,

You guys have warmed my heart. A few years back I was one of only a few guys around with a Hornady LnL and some knowledge that was sharing it. It was kinda rough and lonely back then. To see so many guys posting solutions is fantastic for me to see.

Walkalong,

I like the way you've labelled and finished up that shellplate. Looks sharp and allows one to know what plate they've got at a glance and what calibers it fits.

mobiusnc,

Hang in there bud, with a little patience, you'll have that press rocking and rolling soon enough.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Walkalong]

Thanks. I'm still running a Projector, although the free bullet offer was sure calling my name.

 

[Otto]

Just got my 9mm shellplate this week but about half of the cartridges wouldn't eject. After extensive polishing it's 100% reliable now.
As a matter of fact, I've had to do this with every shellplate I've bought.
If you look at the plate with a 10x jeweler's loupe you'll see burrs, tool marks and gouges. It's like the machinist was using a dull cutter. Some plates are worse than others.

I quit reloading 9mm years ago because Winchester white box was so cheap...how times have changed.

 

[koulikov]

On my LnL I have the priming problem too. Sometimes it's not possible to prime because the shellplate is not properly align ! There is a gap of 1mm.
I didn't find the solution. All is cleaned and the problem appear randomly. I suspect the spring around the shellplate which create some friction.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Koulikov,

You need to adjust the timing of your shellplate, as it sounds like your advance isn't adjusted properly. Do this in small increments. The explanation of how to do so is in your manual. If you need help beyond that, give Hornady a call while you're standing beside the press and the technical support man will explain it to you.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Shoney]

koulikov:
Dave IFBGA is correct, as usuall,

and if you do not have a manual,
http://www.hornady.com/media/LNL_AP.pdf
plate adjustment Page 17

 

[Iron Sight]

Thanks for the Info on polishing the shell plate. not perfect yet but helped at least 80%.

Those 380/9mm auto are small.

 

[Waldog]

Been loading 40 S&W and 45ACP with my LNL with great success. Just started loading the 9mm. I knew there seemed to problems ejecting 9mm cases. Before I loaded ONE case I used a Dremel tool, felt polishing "cone" and, polishing compound and polished the shell plate openings AND, ejection wire. I have had 100% success ejecting 9mm cases.

It works and it took me all of 20 minutes to polish. Give it a try.