One reason for squib loads on a AP press.

[FullEffect1911]

I was loading with my Hornady LNL AP last night and ran into a issue. I finally got it metering perfectly; and with unique no less, and fortunately I always look into the case before placing the bullet for seating.

As it turned out the rotor didn't return all the way to go back into the "fill" position, so when the next case came by there was no powder in the rotor to drop into the case. This is something a powder cop die would not have caught.

Just a reminder that it always pays to keep an eye on the situation.

As far as my powder measure is concerned the tightness is all in the rotor assembly itself. It is pretty new and probably just needs to wear in a bit more, so really I'm not concerned about that all that much.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Never had a problem with my rotor making a full stroke...

 

[FullEffect1911]

Never had a problem with my rotor making a full stroke...

My LNL powder measure has definite tight spots in the rotor that will eventually smooth out. This also may have been aggravated by a flake of powder in the wrong spot. Regardless if I wasn't paying attention to the cases it would have resulted in a squib.

 

[Fmjblack]

As long as the rotor is adjusted to lift all the way and you make a full stroke with the handle, it's hard to see how this could happen. It may also be a good idea to use one of the rotors with a larger powder reservoir when using large flake powder like Unique. I've never run into an issue in thousands of rounds on my AP press, but it never hurts to remind everybody to be careful, thanks!

ETA: did those of you who have experienced issues with the rotor being "tight" lube the rotor and related parts with oneshot lubricant before initial use as the manual advises?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Yeah, I really like the powder cop die for an extra safety net.

 

[gregj]

As I understand what was described, the powder cop die should have indicated no powder was in the case, unless you didnt see it. At least that is how mine works.

I do know often there is enough going on with my LNL AP, that I dont always look at the PC die each time. Because of this, I really want to set mine up with the buzzer that I think is available from Dillon. One day ....

 

[FullEffect1911]

ETA: did those of you who have experienced issues with the rotor being "tight" lube the rotor and related parts with oneshot lubricant before initial use as the manual advises?

yes, twice in fact. It did a very good job getting rid of the preservative lubricant, which was causing all sorts of grief. That one shot lubricant is good stuff.

As long as the rotor is adjusted to lift all the way and you make a full stroke with the handle, it's hard to see how this could happen. It may also be a good idea to use one of the rotors with a larger powder reservoir when using large flake powder like Unique. I've never run into an issue in thousands of rounds on my AP press, but it never hurts to remind everybody to be careful, thanks!

Lifting all the way is what will dump the powder into the case. Upon retracting the ram the rotor failed to return all the way, and the rotor failed to refresh with a new charge. The small rotor was throwing perfectly consistent charges and there is no reason to change it.

This is a case of rotor fit (tolerances most likely), not consistency and will wear in in time.

As I understand what was described, the powder cop die should have indicated no powder was in the case, unless you didnt see it. At least that is how mine works.

I was mistaken. I don't use a power cop die, as I don't have Hornady's powder through expander. I thought they only show overcharged cases and was unaware that they fine uncharged cases, which is pretty cool. But I just make sure there is powder present when I place the bullet. Works for me.

 

[Walkalong]

Sticking linkage/drum on a powder measure has always been something to keep an eye out for.

I like Sentry's Tuff-Glide for measures if they need lube at all. Be sure to let the carrier evaporate completely before using. I have not lubed my measures in some time.

 

[cfullgraf]

As it turned out the rotor didn't return all the way to go back into the "fill" position, so when the next case came by there was no powder in the rotor to drop into the case. This is something a powder cop die would not have caught.

If properly set, the Hornady powder cop die should easily pick up an extra light or zero load. Of course, if you don't look at it...

I spray some dry lubricant on my Hornady powder measure and the sticking problem is virtually non-existent. It doesn't take much. Just make sure the carrier solvent has flashed off before putting powder in the measure. It would probably make sense to put lubricant on the measure at the end of the session after the powder has been removed. The solvent will have flashed off well before the next loading session.

 

[roadliner]

I had a similar problem last night, but with a Lee auto disk. I was throwing Accurate #5 and the disk was sticking on it's way back to the hopper. After weighing the loaded rounds, I found a partial and ten no loads. Had I been paying more attention to the process this would have been caught sooner. I try to glance into a case every dozen rounds or so just to eyeball the amount of powder thrown. I really hadn't thought about a spray dry lube before. Great idea.

 

[Ken451]

The early Dillon presses had the possibility of the powder measure sticking on the up stroke. They added a rod to ensure that it gets pulled down. Of course other things can still go wrong.

 

[45taurus]

Roadliner that just happened to me about 30 minutes ago. I'm not sure what it got hung up on but i took everything apart and put it back together and the problem went away. I have noticed since day 1 that if you tighten the powder hopper screws to tight the disk will drag and catch on the bottom of it. But that wasn't the problem this time. Luckily i look into every case b4 i set the bullet. What would you use to lube the disk with? I need something i can pick up locally.

 

[jja327]

I had a similar problem last night, but with a Lee auto disk. I was throwing Accurate #5 and the disk was sticking on it's way back to the hopper. After weighing the loaded rounds, I found a partial and ten no loads. Had I been paying more attention to the process this would have been caught sooner. I try to glance into a case every dozen rounds or so just to eyeball the amount of powder thrown. I really hadn't thought about a spray dry lube before. Great idea.

IMHO you need to get into the habit of looking in to EVERY case before seating a bullet.

 

[junkyarddog]

I just started using the powder dispenser from the LNL AP with the micrometer pistol metering insert. I too have noticed the rotor assembly not returning after i had maxed it out during a powder drop It was happening more when I maxed it out harder. It also became less of a problem with more use.

It also sticks when I let it return fast and hard. I'm thinking the widest nut shaped part of the metering insert body may be rubbing the against the powder dispenser body and causing the sticking. I'll need to examine mine more closely to be sure.

I cleaned off the factory protectant but didn't lube it.

 

[Walkalong]

IMHO you need to get into the habit of looking in to EVERY case before seating a bullet.

Yep. I preach that all the time.