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Old July 20, 2009, 08:40 AM   #1
WhistlerSWE
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Hornady L-N-L indexes too far

When I try to load 9x19mm in my Hornady Lock And Load Progressive press the shell plate rotates too far every fourth pull or so. Anyone have any ideas on what might cause this? The press was bought used and when I set it up it had .38spl dies installed, which I changed to 9mm that I will be using in the near future.

The rotation goes about half the diameter of the casing too far, so I have to push it back to the index point.

I also have troubles getting a consistent OAL. When I measure my finished ammunition I have OAL in the ranges between 28.3-28.8mm, where my goal was 28.6mm.

Are these two issues connected maybe?
Thankful for any help!
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Old July 20, 2009, 10:03 AM   #2
jmorris
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The indexing of the LNL is done half on the up stroke and half on the down.
It should make for less powder spill but the mechanism is more complicated that others. You can regain correct timing by adjusting the paws at the bottom, just go in very small increments and down load a copy of the manual if you don’t have one.
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Old July 20, 2009, 11:55 AM   #3
Pocketfisherman
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If there is a pattern where it is every fourth pull, then I would suspect that shellplate is faulty, and it is not the press indexing adjustment. You might however want to take a look at the indexing mechanism on the bottom of the ram and see if there is some kind of crud built up on one of the teethe making it index differently than the others.
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Old July 20, 2009, 02:41 PM   #4
LHB1
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Both good suggestions above. Emphasize that any adjustments to the pawls must be made in VERY SMALL INCREMENTS!!!! Failure to follow this rule can quickly lock your press ram in an unmoveable position. (This is the voice of experience speaking.) You can also get good assistance and suggestions from Hornady Customer Service. Talk to Doug Derner at 1-800-338-3220, X206.

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Old July 20, 2009, 03:12 PM   #5
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Customer service as above will save you a lot of time and trouble.

If you do not have the Owners Manual, you can go to:
http://www.hornady.com/display.php?t=21
Select your model and download.
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Old July 21, 2009, 11:11 AM   #6
bobotech
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Adjusting pawls
Just for your info...

I spent quite a long time figureing out how to adjust those darned pawls.

I came to a few conclusions. I should start a new thread but I'm just going to post here.

First of all, the directions in the manual are confusing. I made pictures cuz pictures are easier.

First picture:


What it shows is if you rotate the pawl screw LEFT (counterclockwise), the shell plate will rotate more RIGHT (clockwise).

Next picture:


What it shows is if you rotate the pawl screw RIGHT (clockwise), the shell plate will rotate more LEFT (counterclockwise).

Rule 1:
Left pawl adjusts the shell plate when it comes down. This is the one that causes problems with cases feeding into the shell plate or priming problems (they both rely on the the downstroke of the shell plate).

Rule 2:
Right pawl adjusts the shell plate when it goes up. This is the area that causes problems with cases entering the dies (jamming on the sizing die is the big problem child).

The rest:
Now, another key point to keep in mind about the clicks.. The manual says to listen for clicks as the shell plate is locked into place at the end of the press arm stroke. They don't explain it very well though. When I was first fighting the left pawl (shell plate problems with priming and case feeding), the manual said to listen for 2 clicks. They didn't explain that the clicks are VERY soft and I was mistaking the releasing of the RIGHT pawl being the first click when in reality, the proper click is a very soft one. The clicks are first the sound of the pawl releasing and the second click is the sound of the 2 ball bearings locking the shell plate into proper place.

The key about that is you want the adjust the pawls so that the 2 distinct clicks merge into one click, that means the pawl is releasing exactly at the same time as the ball bearings are locking into place. If you are thinking that the loud clicking is the proper noise, then you are wrong like I was.

And when adjusting these pawls, you need to move the press arm VERY slowly.

Oh well, I hope these instructions help someone else
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Old July 22, 2009, 03:28 AM   #7
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Great writeup. I've used your instructions a time or two in the past and they simplified the process. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Richard
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Old July 22, 2009, 12:51 PM   #8
albsch
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I had the exact problem with my LNL. Adjusting the pawls fixed the problem. Just make sure to work slowly on the adjustments.
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Old July 22, 2009, 01:01 PM   #9
Ub3rn00ber
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I got mine stuck, all you have to do is pushed the indexer by hand (at the bottom, the peice that the paws touch) and you can move it into a position that you can adjust the screws. Dont go the wrong way though! I dont know if this would work if they were really far out.
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Old July 23, 2009, 05:18 AM   #10
WhistlerSWE
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Thanks for many great answers!

Will adjusting the pawls affect the indexing for other shell plates as well?
Is this something I have to do every time I switch calibers?
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Old July 23, 2009, 06:22 AM   #11
Whisper 300
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LnL

In regards to re-adjusting when you change calibers---NO.

Once you get it timed it should be good to go unless/until it drifts off and you will begin to notice that either the cases don't quite sit in the shell plate smoothly or you don't get a smooth entry into the size/decap die.

If/when that occurs use the previously outlined guide to adjusting that you should have printed off this site and GENTLY--SLOWLY-GINGERLY adjust.

Unless you are like me and just wanted to see what happens when you turn the pawls all the way one way or another and lock it up! go slow!.

I love my LnL and just upgraded to the Ez Ject sub-plate for 30 bucks from Hornady and it is as smooth as a baby's bottom. No more wire to suffer through with small caliber pistol rounds.

Gary
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Old July 23, 2009, 07:01 AM   #12
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Another issue that can cause a misalignment of the shellplate with the sizing die, is the enter bolt that holds the shell plate on will loosen. I finger tighten mine about every 100 rounds or so or the sizing die will catch the edge of the case.
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Old July 23, 2009, 04:14 PM   #13
WhistlerSWE
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Whisper 300: I've spent the evening adjusting the right pawl and that really helped! Some minor adjustments left, but I'll do that as I go. How long can I expect these adjustments to stay? That is, how often do you guys adjust the pawls?

Converting to the Ez Ject system is not really possible, since I would have to send the plates across the Atlantic, and the cost wouldn't be worth it. Maybe when buying new shell plates in the future, I'll take the new version.

Master Blaster: Shouldn't that be tightened with a wrench?
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Old July 24, 2009, 11:00 PM   #14
FORKLIFT352
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A little grease on the shell plate might help.
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Old July 25, 2009, 03:23 AM   #15
WhistlerSWE
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FORKLIFT352: Might help with what? The indexing problem has been resolved. Which issue are you referring to?

I might as well tell that I have also figured out what was causing the inconsistent case OAL. I wanted 28.6mm but got all from 28.3mm to 28.8mm. What I did wrong was not having casings in all the slots. When I put a casing on every slot and made sure all stations where engaged when seating the bullet I got perfect 28.6mm every time. I measured 50 cases in a row and they where perfect!

Though now I have a 15 or so to pull with the kinetic hammer, it took a while to adjust the correct OAL.
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Old May 31, 2013, 10:55 PM   #16
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Thanks bobotech!

Just what I needed to get mine tuned up and running right. It was WAY off right adjustment screw had to be adjusted more than one full rotation.
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Old April 29, 2014, 01:09 PM   #17
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An old thread but just want to say thanks to bobotech for his post #6 above. I had saved it for the time I might need it, and that was today.
I first might say that I don't really pay attention to output. I very seldom do over 200/300 rounds in a day, and never more than 100 at a time. However, in loading 38 Super I have for some time had to push the shell plate a little to line up the case for primer seating.
Finally got tired of it this morning and went through my instructions. They were as clear as heavy mud, and the statements for the left and right pawls seemed to contradict each other. While looking on my computer for a copy of the current manual I ran across bobotech's posting above.
Even with that I first adjusted the screw the wrong way. But after correcting that I loaded about 75 rounds without a hitch.
My press is not yet two years old and I have loaded only about 15K but it had gradually been giving me more and more trouble.
I might add that I am pretty much a mechanical midget, but got the job done. I probably won't put up with it being out of adjustment in the future.
Thanks again.
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Old April 29, 2014, 06:01 PM   #18
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bobotech hasn't posted in about 5 years hope all is well.......
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