Hornady LNL, powder spill when advancing?

[Steel185]

I've been reloading on my LNL for about 2.5 years and all that time i just did 45ACP. I loaded everything else on my turret because of low quantities. Now I want to put out large amounts of .223. So i get it all set up and have a small issue. I've read it on here someone before but couldn't find it. After the powder station when it advances to the next station, it jerks so much that some of the powder spills out. I'm using Varget 25.9grn so it is pretty close to the top. I'm sure there are lots of over loads that are simular with high amounts. How do i get around this? I have powder everywhere and nothing to say for loads with different amounts of powder after the spill.

 

[cfullgraf]

Have you tried slowing down the movement of the handle so the shell plate does not rotate as fast?

The auto advance should operate smoothly without any binding. If the shell plate is binding, smooth operation will be difficult.

 

[Steel185]

i guess i can describe it in more detail. I move it slowly with the handle but there still is a point where it "clicks" and advances just a touch. Slowing the entire process helps, but its obviously slower and i don't load nearly as many rounds. I was hoping there is a better method or adjustment to run at speed and not spill.

 

[floydster]

Just use your hand to slow the shell plate down when it engages the ball indents---works for me.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

I have an empty case ready to put on the shell plate and use that to slow the indexing down. Works every time.

 

[Walkalong]

Both floydster's and ole farmerbuck's methods work. I have been loading some 9MM this evening and have been using the ole farmerbucks method of placing an empty case in the shell plate immediately after ejection and use that to stop the little jolt you can get when the ball detent drops in the hole in the sub plate.

 

[Blue68f100]

With the indexing, your speed must be constant for everything to run smoothly. Check and adj indexing on your speed. I place my finger on the shell plate to determine if it's indexing properly, you can sometime feel it jump and not hear it. Adj accordingly. If properly adj you will get very limited jump. Make sure your shell plate is tight, if loose you get more shake.

Also placing your little finger on the shell plate at station 4 will dampen the snap action too.

 

[[email protected]]

My LNL press "clicks" harder when I put more trouque on the bolt that holds the shell plate on. On some loads I can only finger tighten the bolt or the jerk of the advancing shell plate will cause some powder to spill, when loading short pistol cases. My guess was that with the shell plate tight, it caused the ball detents to seat in their slot harder. This may help or make the problem worse due to the height of a .223 case. If the shell plate is too loose the top of the case may tilt more. I have noticed that my press advances more smoothly after alot of use. Also have you greased the ball detents on the shell plate? It may help if you havent.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

I've found that making a pawl adjustment can help a little too but adjusting the pawls can be tricky if you haven't done it before. If you adjust them too much you can completely mess up the rotation of the shell plate. A 1/8th of a turn adjustment may not seem like much but it can make a HUGE difference for better or worse. I would only use it as a last resort if you can't get any other trick to work for you. Using a powder that takes up less case capacity may even be a better option.