Decided on the Hornady

[SwampYankee]

So I decided to go with the Hornady LNL. I got a lot of good information from everyone but decided for the amount of use it will get, I was better with the Hornady than going to the Dillon 650.

My question is: what else do I need? I assume I need a shell plate for each caliber, do I need additional bushings? Anything else?

[LHB1]

Congratulations on your choice. I used a Hornady ProJector for 20 years and now have two Hornady LNL presses. They are great. You may need multiple shell plates (check Hornady list as some cartridges share same plate). I recommend:
1) good scale to set your powder measure,
2) Powder Baffle in the powder measure hopper,
3) Powder Cop/Check die in the press after powder drop station,
4) rifle and/or pistol metering inserts for measure (depending on cartridges you plan to reload).

FWIW, I use RCBS 3 die sets to reload pistol cartridges in both my LNL's with combo bullet seat/crimp die in last station. If you do likewise and have problems adjusting seater/crimper die, let me know. I have a set of simple instructions that have helped several new reloaders adjust the die properly.

ps: If you have any difficulty or questions with your new Hornady equipment, contact Doug in Customer Service at:
1-800-338-3220 X206

[Bronco4me]

Congrats on the LNL, I wouldn't trade mine for any other press. Depending on the different calibers you plan to reload, a 10 pack of bushings would come in handy unless you don't mind swapping dies/bushings. As stated above, get a good scale..you'll use the heck out of it! Additional metering inserts for the powder measure are nice, but not absolutely necessary to get going.

FYI - you should have received a baffle with the powder measure along with instructions on how to insert it.

[Waldog]

I highly recommend buying this little jewel:

http://www.powderfunnels.com/


This single item will bell any case from .30 cal to .50 cal. No need to by 5-6 Powder Thru Expanders

[Walkalong]

Most shell plates work for more than one caliber. You don't have to have more bushings, but it sure is handy and fast to have them for all your dies.

I attached a Shell Plate chart from Hornady. Did you get the EZ-Ject version?

[LAlineman]

LHB1, I would be interested in your info ( trick ) to setting the bullet crimp with the bullet seat die ! Thanks, LAlineman

[LHB1]

LAlineman,
PM sent. It's no trick, just restating RCBS instructions in a more easily understood way. Let me know if you have any questions.

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

Just rec'd my new L&L AP this afternoon.

Now the set up --------------

Think I will build a new mounting plate for my under-bench receiver set up, which will allow the press to sit a bit higher then my Rockchucker and the rest of the tools.

Figured that might happen, but wanted to wait until the press got here before I started building things.

Thought a spring was missing which would mean a wait for parts.

Found it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! in the instruction package.

Now to clean everything as per set up info CD.

Sure do need to do a casting session, as this thing is go'in to eat up my bullet supply - fast.

Keep em coming!

CDOC

[LHB1]

Note: BE SURE to disassemble and clean rotor assembly and housing of powder measure with alcohol to remove sticky preservative from mfr. Else powder will stick badly.

[Field]

its a nice, red, fancy looking press that i didnt feel too bad spending the money on it

[mongoose33]

What else do you need? Actually, other than shellplates, not much. Some things you might wish to add over time, however:

1. Wrench for tightening dies/bushings into the press. Hornady sells one for under $10. It's hard to get an adjustable wrench in there.

2. A few extra retainer springs. This is the spring that holds the cases in place as they go around the press. I'm still using my original one (after thousands of rounds), but it struck me as the kind of thing that might break at some point. Yeah, you can sort of rethread it on itself to get it working again, but I wanted to have a few spares. They're like a buck apiece in a pack of 3.

3. Micrometer inserts for the powder measure. If all you do is load one caliber, you probably don't need it, but it allows you to record and come back to specific loads without having to diddle around getting it to the right powder drop.


I'm sure you're getting the free 1000 bullets; I don't know if Hornady will extend that offer to 2010, but for now, you can get 100 free bullets with each set of dies. I like the Hornady dies, especially the bullet-seating dies with the bullet-alignment sleeve. If you're going to buy additional dies, now might be the time given the free bullets.

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

Yep, the order is already filled out for the 1000 bullets.

Thanks for the heads up as per needed spare parts.

Seems like maybe (?????) one each of the springs plus a few of the retainer springs, and of course some L&L bushings should be on the first order.

If anyone out there in forum land has a better list of parts that would be good to have on hand, sure would like to hear it.

As I will be loading for a number of handgun calibers, having a micrometer adjustment on the powder measure seems like a good idea.

Considering I will be loading for mostly 40S&W, 38/357, 45acp, and 44 mag.,

Which of the metering cylinders is likely to get the most use??

Small one seems very small, while the larger one seems on the big side for calibers below the 44.

5 to 5.5 grains of Bullseye in the .38, 40S&W or 45 ain't going to take up much room in the larger cylinder.

Picked up some cleaner and lube a bit ago, made the measurements for the new mounting hardware and will soon head out to the shop to start cleaning and building.

Maybe I can complete set up by this evening.

Press looks good in it's tempary position, will look better when I get the dedicated mount build for my receiver mounting system.

Then the L&L, the Rockchucker and the rest of the tools can come and go as needed, just with the twist of a couple wing screws.

Keep em coming!

CDOC

[jon123]

This is what I use: 40 S&W and 38/357 small metering cylinder, 44mag large metering cylinder.

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

Thanks Jon 123, that seems reasonable.

Keep em coming!

CDOC

[mongoose33]

I don't think you need each one of the springs; the case retaining spring will likely, over time, get a few kinks or even separate. I've seen pictures of some pretty gnarly springs that still work fine.

People have been able to twist it back on itself when it breaks or separates and it works fine. I only mention it because mine had a kink and I just wanted a spare in case on some weekend when I had a big reloading gig planned I didn't suddenly lose it.


That's really the only spare part I'd suggest having on hand. Mine hasn't broken yet, and it's had thousands of rounds, and there's only a small kink in one place on it. So it's not like it's a part just ready to fail at any time; it's not.

Put your money into other stuff such as dies and bushings and the like.





And, yeah, having some extra LnL bushings is nice.

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

Thanks Mongoose33,

I may be an Ol'timer with a single stage press, but am for sure the new kid on the block with a progressive.

Propably wouldn't have one now if it wasn't for a healthy balance of Cabela's points, their $30 rebate on 150 dollar orders and those 1000 bullets Hornady will send my way.

Did get the mount build this afternoon and it is drying with the first coat of paint as we speak.

Should be able to mount the press to it sometime Sunday.

Parts are degreased and put back together, so can work some more on assembly this evening.

Think the first run of ammo will be .44mag loaded with my 310gr. LBTs.

Might have gone a different direction, but short on bullets until I get a casting session in the works.

Keep em Coming!

CDOC