Hornady LNL

[mmcnx2]

One thing to remember on all progressive presses is to truly bottom out the stroke. A lot of folks stop the downward motion on the handle early and it does impact seating depth and primer seating.

[Jackpine Savage]

When I first got my press and was doing load development of 10 round batches I noticed that the OAL did vary between when you had cases in all positions of the shell plate and when you only had a case in the seating die. If I remember correctly the OAL increased at the end of the run.

After some research this seems to be pretty common and it can be minimized by making sure there is a case in the sizing die at all times.

[Deputyhiro]

When I first got my press and was doing load development of 10 round batches I noticed that the OAL did vary between when you had cases in all positions of the shell plate and when you only had a case in the seating die. If I remember correctly the OAL increased at the end of the run.

After some research this seems to be pretty common and it can be minimized by making sure there is a case in the sizing die at all times.

During my troubleshooting, I noticed this as well. Mostly because having a case in all positions is keeping even pressure on the plate, I assume?

[andrewP]

When I first got my press and was doing load development of 10 round batches I noticed that the OAL did vary between when you had cases in all positions of the shell plate and when you only had a case in the seating die. If I remember correctly the OAL increased at the end of the run.

After some research this seems to be pretty common and it can be minimized by making sure there is a case in the sizing die at all times.

During my troubleshooting, I noticed this as well. Mostly because having a case in all positions is keeping even pressure on the plate, I assume?

That, and the sizing die is the one that requires the most force to do its thing, so it's going to have the most influence on variance.

[Jackpine Savage]

I'd agree with Andrew, that is where most of the resistance occurs.

In what position do you have your seating die? Are you crimping at the same time? I run my seating die in the fourth position. I have an RCBS lockout in 3 and taper crimp in 5.

[Deputyhiro]

I agree. Seater in 4, taper crimp in 5. If your only using the seating die, you have X resistance at 1 position. If you have all positions used, it will even it out somewhat, even if sizing is where most of the resistance is at.

[andrewP]

Mine's set up like this:

1: Size/deprime
2: Expand
3: Powder drop
4: Hornady Powder Cop (yeah, lots of people say it's unnecessary, but I find it a useful safety and QC measure - it makes it REALLY obvious when somethings off, and can even help detect small variances in the amount of powder dropped.)
5: Seat/Crimp

I suppose I might eventually go to a powder-through expander and a then end up with the powder cop on 3 and separate seat and crimp steps, but thusfar, at least, I seem to be doing fine with a combined seat/crimp step, so I'm not too worried about it.

[noylj]

Only problem I had was the die bushing coming loose under the very top-heavy powder measure. Simply found a die bushing that locked in more solidly. Hornady has a die bushing shim if you can't cut one out of an aluminum can, but I just had to switch to a different die bushing. None of the other bushing ever came loose.
Some folks don't seem to actually set the die bushing in tight—not that it takes more than firm hand-pressure to twist into place. I believe the Lee die bushing actually has a small pin that keeps the bushing from ever twisting loose.
If I base it all on my experience, I begin to believe that at least 50% of all such postings come from Dillon guys trying to scare others from Hornady.
Almost all such problems are easily solved by calling the company, discussing the problem, and having them help you—even Dillon. I am not aware of a single BAD reloading company—they all have been most helpful. Lee, Hornady, and Dillon have all been most willing to send new parts for free—though I do like to drive the two hours to Dillon in Phoenix and get personal service. When in California, I tend to be about 30 minutes from RCBS (Oroville), so I have also gone in there for parts. I'm just not ever near Hornady...

AndrewP: I found the powder cop useless. I tend to keep my eye on the case/bullet being seated, and NOT on the powder cop. I found the RCBS Lock-Out die to be MUCH more useful, and doesn't need batteries or make noise like the Dillon.
The nice thing about the great ergonomics of the Hornady press is that the charged case is right under your nose before station 4 so it is very easy, when placing a bullet on the case, to actually look in the case and inspect the powder charge. The Hornady PTXs, the Lee PTEs, and the Dillon caliber/cartridge specific "powder funnels" all work Great. I found back in the '70s that ammunition I loaded by seating and crimping in one step was less accurate than when the two jobs are separated, so I have never gone back.

[andrewP]

AndrewP: I found the powder cop useless. I tend to keep my eye on the case/bullet being seated, and NOT on the powder cop.

I guess our experience has been different, then. I check the powder cop on the down stroke of the press handle,and I've found that I can notice variations as small as .1-.2 grains of powder vs my target charge by watching it. As far as the accuracy thing goes, I haven't been able to notice a significant difference between the ammo I've loaded myself and factory ammo. Granted, that may mean that there's room for improvement, both in my shooting technique and my reloading technique, but for my current purposes, at least, it's good enough.

[Deputyhiro]

It's cool dude... I use a powder cop too