my first press..what else?

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justin 561

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Royal palm beach, Florida
My background in handloading is: beginner.
What I plan to handload: 308 and 223.

Well I was gifted a press, I had no say in what press I want, i was just told it will show up at my door step soon. It is a Hornady LnL ap.

I am not sure what I need to get started handloading said calibers, or the tools. I will be using my range pickup brass which is mostly .223 LC headstamp and about 40 hornady match .308. I will also be ordering some .308 brass SBS military used (once fired).

from what I've read so far I will most likely need a way to remove the crimp from the rounds I have checked so far. I was doing some research and noticed the Dillon super swage was the fastest easiest for the several thousand rounds I have to do. Do you recommend anything different that can go the same speed/consistancy?

I have also been looking at manuals and such. do you reccomend? I see there is Speer, Lyman, nosler, ABCs of reloading etc etc.

Unfortunately I don't have a mentor that could teach me hands on or even guide me, so a book or videos will be my primary mentor.

Is there anything I missed?

Thanks for reading, look forward to your responses.
 
Definately start with buying a manual or two and reading cover to cover. The Lyman 49th is good with good instructional information. The ABCs of reloading isn't really a manual, but more of a book on reloading. I would recommend you read it. I did when I got started. Look for it at your library. Lots of good information on this site. You have come to the right place. The search function is your friend. If you can't find your answer in prior posts, feel free to ask away.

The good news is you are getting a very nice press. But, there is a lot going on at the same time with a progressive press. As a new reloader starting from scratch with no one to look over your sholder, you will need to take extra care and time to make sure you proceed safely. There is a pretty lengthy list of additional gear you are going to need. Some immediately and some eventually. A reloading scale and a set of calipers are an absolute must. Other things include loading blocks, powder trickler, brass trimmer, chamfer tools and powder funnel and the list goes on.
 
Single stage press

I would buy a simple single stage press (SSP).
I gave my SSP away when I got my progressive and ended up buying a good used one.
For jobs like swaging primer pockets, pulling bullets or punching out primers etc a progressive can be a hassle.
Many reloaders believe a SSP turns out better rifle ammo.
 
I have a Hornady LNL-AP and it's a great press. You won't be disappointed in it. You definitely need to start with reloading manuals. I personally like Lyman Reloading Handbook 49th Ed. and Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading 9th Ed. You want two books for cross reference. Commit to reading at least one of them for the basics on how to reload before you start doing anything else.

I'm assuming that it's a "new in box" press and it's the standard kit which will come with the press, the powder dispenser, primer feed tubes, and primer pick-up tubes. You'll also, at minimum, want to get:

  • Die Sets for .223rem and .308win. The Hornady dies are good but there are many kinds.
  • Hornady Shellplates for .223rem and .308 win - see http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/Reloading_Essentials_Chart.pdf. You'll have to purchase Hornady's plates for the LNL
  • Hornady Lock-N-Load die bushings to seat the dies in the press
  • Impact-style puller to "erase" your mistakes
  • Set of decent calipers
  • A scale that measures in grains and comes with a check weight
  • A lube and lube pad to lube your cases for resizing or some other way to do it
  • A primer flip tray
  • A good set of allen wrenches
  • A large can of Hornady One Shot Cleaner/Dry Lube to thoroughly clean the press and all of its parts.

Since you're doing rifle brass, you will also likely want a case trimmer and a case prep hand tool that does deburring, chamfering, and primer pocket cleaning.

I strongly also recommend a Hornady Powder Cop die to check for squibs or over-charges. I also personally recommend the Hornady "Die Wrench Deluxe". It's a bit of a luxury item but I like it better then trying to use a crescent wrench on the tool head.

Hornady has a great set of videos on YouTube on how to clean and setup the press. (I think they're on a DVD in the box too?). There's also a channel on YouTube by "neutered10mm" who has a video series on the Hornady LNL-AP as well.

Just take your time, read the books, ask questions online, watch Hornady's instructional video, and don't be afraid to pull apart possible mistakes and start over. Start near the minimum charges (but never under them!) and weigh your charges VERY often until you know how whatever powder you choose is going to meter through the powder dispenser as they all behave differently.

Good luck!
 
A big thing to look for is a way to store your loaded ammo. For .223 I would suggest the plastic trays used in packaging 9mm, and for the .308 look for the ones for 40sw or even 45acp. This cheap (free if you dumpster dive) and easy organizational tool can also help you to know what is what when you do ladder tests. Aside from standard reloading tools I can't suggest much more aside from a cheapo 4" paintbrush to sweep up powder and primers that escape the machine.
 
justin 561 said:
My background in handloading is: beginner.
What I plan to handload: 308 and 223.

............................308. I will also be ordering some .308 brass SBS military used (once fired).

........................I will most likely need a way to remove the crimp from the rounds I have checked so far. I was doing some research and noticed the Dillon super swage was the fastest easiest for the several thousand rounds I have to do. Do you recommend anything different that can go the same speed/consistancy?

The RCBS bench swager is similar and just as good and just as fast. The footprint & stroke is different.....depending on your bench space one bench swager will fit you better than the other. See my note on reamers, below.
Click to expand...

You are starting out in the deep end. Doable but you'll have some frustrating moments. That said, don't make the teething process harder than it has to be. Start by reloading factory brass....perhaps hold off on ordering military .308 that needs crimping until you learn how to process the factory brass and get comfortable with your press.

You can get by with an RCBS or Hornady Military reamer mounted in a drill (way cheaper) to test the waters on what military brass you already have. NOTHING is more frustrating than to have a progressive session get stopped cold by primers that won't seat easily, or get crushed trying. Reaming is more sure for a beginner.

It's possible that your .223 range pickup may already have pockets swaged. That's good.....you'll learn quickly if it is. Hand primers are great also to test the waters and learn. You will always have a use for one, even it you end up priming for the most part on the AP.

Don't waste money on a cheap digital scale. Get a good one or buy a quality beam scale......many of us have both. One backs up the other (to verify accuracy) Digital scales are sensitive to power variations, drafts, and fluorescent lighting that's too close.

Think seriously about starting with an easy metering powder for your progressive......ball powder like Ramshot TAC or others.

READ everything you can get your hands on. Your first manual should probably be a Hornady (comes with the press?) So then buy Hornady bullets first. Bullet load data is somewhat proprietary.....only Hornady bullet data is found in a Hornady manual, IOW. The Lyman & Lee manuals have some data for more brands. Powder manufacturers have some load data on the Internet, but not much reloading info.

Sierra has a site that has their very good section on loading Gas Guns (M1s, M14s, Ar15s, Ar10s) here. Do read that.

On .762 military brass: A lot of the "once fired" brass for sale is MG brass (machine gunned) That means it may be hard to size having been shot out of generously sized MG chambers. I wouldn't want to baptize an aluminum progressive with that.....bad enough on a cast iron Rock Chucker.

This is only the tip of the iceberg......about lubing cases: if you use Hornady One Shot be warned. Follow directions exactly or you will stick a case. Imperial wax or a lube pad is safer to start with.......at first at least.

There is a thread on AR15.com's reloading section called "Tuning a Hornady AP." Its a long one and has lots of information.

Welcome to progressive reloading.....in 2 months you will be a pro.....I hope!:)

I'll get some flack on this one but if you want to be sure your reloads will chamber and feed perfectly, do yourself a favor and buy small-based dies for your AR's. That will insure they will feed in anything you have now or will have in the future. Some AR's have tight chambers and you won't know until you load up a bunch and they won't feed worth a bean. Then you will be madder than a wet hen.

All Dillon rifle dies are small-based, both Redding and RCBS make them. RCBS's "AR" die sets are small-based and they include a taper seater which is more forgiving of case length.

BTW, you didn't mention your budget.....people's recommendations may change a little depending on budget. You need a trimmer for rifle loading....can be done cheaply or you can spend a lot.
 
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Congratulations on joining the reloading club. It is an enjoyable and lifelong rewarding skill and hobby.
I don't own a Hornady LnL, but have read that it's a fine machine for the tasks.
As to learning what else you will need, how to get started as well as learning the tricks and nuances of the program, most people will recommend you start out with reloading manuals. My view is that depending on your age and your preferred method of learning, there may be other ways to get started and to move up the ladder of knowledge and experience more quickly.
Reloading books (they are really manuals) have a set way of defining the basic techniques and then get in to the cartridge and round specific metrics. They do so because they are books. Books are designed around a linear flow through the matter. Beginning, middle and end.
More people today take in their bits of learning at different spots along a continuum, sometimes going forward, then stopping, spending more time on a subject, going back and reviewing in some depth, and then jumping over learned matter. That is, its non-linear subject-driven and interest-driven learning.
More and more young people prefer the latter method and reloading lends itself particularly well to this type of learning and skill building.
I would suggest that the OP starts out with a dozen or so basic Youtubes (tools and techniques for loading for semi auto and bolt rifles) and then advance (i.e. loading for precision shooting). Use forums like this to search for multiple opinions and information on techniques and what to avoid. Go to the sites of the manufacturers who make the loading components to get starting load data, either bullet, powder or cartridge centric.
And optionally you can get manuals that can pull some form of this information together in a more structured form even if the data is more likely to be out of date. The fact is that there is so much sponsored (and responsible) loading data out there (from the component vendors that is fresh and new) that books are automatically old. I keep two around but I rarely consult them.
You'll learn best from YouTube what tools and components you'll need and also learn the basic skill, area of particular attention, actions to avoid taking, safety techniques and how to start off loading versus what you might be doing with long experience.
Many have begun their reloading learning by having an experienced friend spend a few separate hours with them in their new reloading room demonstrating the basics. Youtube is the equivalent of that friend, and though you can't ask questions you can go back, halt one and find another that is more germane, all the while saving on the beer bill or aggravating your neighbor/instructor. Feel free to ask questions here regarding a basic starter set to get you going with the proper tools but hopefully not wiping out your bank account.
Best of luck. With some focus, concentration and attention to detail you might find that reloading provides as much enjoyment as does shooting.
GL,
B
 
I think it is valid and reasonable to recognize and acknowledge that different people have different learning styles and methods and that there is likely a generational aspect to that fact. However, I would caution that, unlike reloading manuals published by major players in the business, Youtube videos can be done by any old jack wagon with a smartphone with no vetting. That leaves the viewer in the position of determining the credibility of the source. This is not an issue with manuals. Granted, there are videos out there produced by very creditable sources and I have watched and learned from a number of them myself. But, videos are no substitute, they are a supplement.
 
I've owned my LNL-AP since 2008, very good machine.

I will recommend that you start using the machine as a SS press. Meaning 1 die in the proper station and 1 round at a time. This makes it easier to set up the dies. As you get more comfortable you can populate the stations and run full AP. This way your dies will be set very close when you start AP. There will be some die tweaking on the seating die once all stations are up and running due to some base flex.
 
Yep single stage it .( Till you get rock"n.) Good luck and have fun!
 
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I started with a Lee Pro 1000 as my 1st press....

Just take it slow.. 1 case at a Time, Each stage at a Time,

be sure each stage is Dialled in perfect before ya get the Next one dialed in...

And like about.. take it slow till you understand and get everything perfect


Good Luck and Welcome abord
 
I also recommend using the LNL as a single stage when you get started.

Get the press mounted and only install one die. Learn the adjustments and the function of that die before moving on.

Remove that die and mount the case activated powder measure in it's intended station. This really can take some time as you have to adjust for case length, to get the rotor to move it's full travel and then you have to adjust the powder prop.

Then remove the powdermeasure and move on to Seating die to repeat the process.

When you have all the dies adjusted, I'd recommend installing them all on the press and using the press as a turret by only inserting one case at a time. You'd rotate that one case through all the stations to complete one round at a time.

One of the advantages of the LNL AP, due to it's bushing system, is that it allows the owner to easily learn each station in turn
 
justin 561 said:
Unfortunately I don't have a mentor that could teach me hands on or even guide me, so a book or videos will be my primary mentor.
Click to expand...
This site will be extremely helpful. If a mistake has been made some wrote about it here. If you have a question ask away. Most of my learning has been reading from here. That and a few manuals. So in a way there is a mentor out there sort of watching over your shoulder.
 
OP, I'm not quite close enough to you, but not TOO far. I'm in southern Broward county. But, if you want, send me a PM, we can exchange email addresses and phone numbers. I'd be glad to answer any questions you have. I own a Hornady LNL AP, actually 2 of them. I load various calibers and will share what knowledge I have.
 
Gadawg88 said:
I think it is valid and reasonable to recognize and acknowledge that different people have different learning styles and methods and that there is likely a generational aspect to that fact. However, I would caution that, unlike reloading manuals published by major players in the business, Youtube videos can be done by any old jack wagon with a smartphone with no vetting. That leaves the viewer in the position of determining the credibility of the source. This is not an issue with manuals. Granted, there are videos out there produced by very creditable sources and I have watched and learned from a number of them myself. But, videos are no substitute, they are a supplement.
Click to expand...
I thought I worded my message carefully. That is, I intended to separate our the methods of gathering reloading data from the method of gathering information regarding reloading technique.
I would not advocate using YouTube for specifying a load. But I was stating and stand behind the thought that printed manuals are anachronistic and guaranteed to be out of date. The best way is to go on-line to the powder and bullet makers and read their recommendations. Then, just like people do today (or used to do with reloading manuals), define a safe and conservative load that fits within the aggregate of informed on-line recommendations.
But YouTube is a good source of reloading techniques. It can be a substitute for having a friend spend some time at your home helping you to learn your technique. The downside is that any single YouTube can be misleading, created by some yahoo (no pun intended) who has no business trying to educate. But there is a great advantage and it is trivial to sample many videos and find the dominant trends that define the right technique. Just as you can never be sure that the one friend that you invite over to your house to teach you reloading might be a yahoo, if you were able to invite two dozen friends who reload, you're likely to find the proper answer.
B
 
B. fuel don't sweat it!

9MM Ive always wanted to check out the u-tube videos of his and im sure i seen a few of them before as well as Hickock 44 I believe it is.(For gun reviews.)

I my self had purchased the dillion how to set up and when I have a problem I watch it again again and again and it been a charm!:)
 
Get several re-loading books, watch some YouTube vids, and on-line forums is the best places to start. Always double check measures (powder, COL, etc). Do it in a place where you can be left alone. Enjoy.
 
I want to thank ya'll for the replies. I know I am a little late but I guess it's better than never. I have heeded y'alls advice and been watching YouTube vidoes and a family member gave me a couple books I've been trying to cram in during my lunch hour/down time. I have the press in my garage back in the box, I seemed to have gotten the silly idea that my plastic Kmart 4 leg "table" would suffice as a suitable bench, first dry run it toppled over on me so this weekend I will be building a real bench out of wood. I was taught that there is no such thing as a stupid question, I can guarantee I will test that. Thanks again.

Mstreddy, I will definitely take you up on that offer. I appreciate it. Thank you.
 
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