243 Brass Cases Falling off of the Hornady Lock n Load AP Shell Plate

cjacobs · March 23, 2014, 02:42 PM

I just purchased a new Horandy Lock n Load AP. I started putting my once fired 243 brass cases into the Hornady shell plate (#1) and every time I pull the lever to change from one station the next, the case slides or slides off of the shell plate. Can anyone shed some light on why I may be having this issue?

Ole 5 hole group · March 23, 2014, 03:30 PM

1. retaining spring not present
2. Case not being inserted correctly
3. Defected or mislabeled shell plate

Kimber84 · March 23, 2014, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole 5 hole group

1. retaining spring not present

2. Case not being inserted correctly

3. Defected or mislabeled shell plate

+1 to #1

cjacobs · March 23, 2014, 08:52 PM

So where should it be located?

cjacobs · March 23, 2014, 09:02 PM

Yeah I didn't install the retainer spring. When I put in on...the cases still come off. The press came with 3 springs though. Are the springs for different calibers? I'm sorry if I seem like such a novice at this.

David Bachelder · March 23, 2014, 09:38 PM

The springs are not caliber specific. Watch the DVD that came with the press or read the manual.

It goes under the shell plate.

cjacobs · March 23, 2014, 09:40 PM

I did...and installed it like it showed. But it's still not holding them in place. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

cjacobs · March 23, 2014, 09:42 PM

Maybe I'm just placing the case in wrong. I slide the case into the groove leaving the spring on the outside of the case. But when the shell plate rotates, the case pushes the spring out and the case comes out.

BOOMST1CK · March 23, 2014, 10:01 PM

Tons of you tube videos out there on this press,

BOOMST1CK · March 23, 2014, 10:03 PM

You might be trying to put the case into station 5 right before it ejects, maybe

LE-28 · March 24, 2014, 05:21 AM

Is your shell plate screwed down tight?

David Bachelder · March 24, 2014, 08:44 AM

The "Spring Case Retainer" would have to be moved out of the way to install an empty case in any station except station one.

Lets see if I can help.

The spring should be in one piece. It does have a joint where it is screwed together to form a loop but "in use" it is one piece. You said you are using the #1 shell plate, this is correct for the 243. Starting from the beginning, you place the required shell plate on the "sub plate" be sure to align the notch on the shell plate with the key on the drive hub. Once the shell plate is properly oriented install the "shcs ss 3/8-16 x 3/4", this is the hex head shell plate retaining bolt and washer. The bolt needs to be tight, not bone wrenching tight but firm. Its a good idea to add a lock washer there and tighten the bolt till the washer collapses. This is tight enough and the shell plate will not work loose during use. Now install the case retaining spring. You slip it over the shell plate and it will settle in the space between the top of the sub plate and the bottom of the shell plate. You will see where the sub plate angles down between space five and one. Place your finger on top of the shell retaining spring and slowly pull the handle down then back up, maintain a slight downward pressure on the spring and it will drop down enough to slip a case over the spring and into the shell plate. Now remove your finger and cycle the press several times. Be careful and move slowly, you can get pinched there if you aren't careful.

Install an empty shell, cycle the press and the shell should travel all the way around the press and fall out into the catch bin. Move at a slow steady pace at first, once you get a feel for things you will be better equipped to judge what is too fast and what is too slow. Going too fast could sling the empty case free of the retaining spring.

You should be good to go. If not call Hornady 800-338-3220

I hope I was able to help.

cjacobs · March 24, 2014, 06:44 PM

Thanks a lot. I had to go out of town for work until Friday. I'll try this out Friday night and let you now know how it goes when I get back.

cjacobs · March 24, 2014, 06:46 PM

Boomstick. I put it in station 1 and the case would push the spring out and fall out. And yes it is screwed down tight.

PeterTheFish · March 27, 2014, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjacobs

Boomstick. I put it in station 1 and the case would push the spring out and fall out. And yes it is screwed down tight.

You've gotten a lot of good advice that you're disregarding. The sting should be under the shell plate at station one. It cannot be pushed out by the case. Watch the DVD. You need to seat the spring by pressing it into the recess before station one while cycling the press n

MudMarine99 · April 4, 2014, 06:35 PM

A pic is worth 1000 words. Google up a pic or youtube. The spring does a great job of holding brass. You are using a #1 or # 45 shell-plate correct?

March 23, 2014, 09:38 PM	#6
David Bachelder Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2011 Location: Trinity, Texas Posts: 636	The springs are not caliber specific. Watch the DVD that came with the press or read the manual. It goes under the shell plate. __________________ David Bachelder Trinity, Texas I load, 9mm Luger, 38 and 40 S&W, 38 Special, 357Magnum, 45ACP, 45 Colt, 223, 300 AAC, 243 and 30-06

March 24, 2014, 08:44 AM	#12
David Bachelder Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2011 Location: Trinity, Texas Posts: 636	The "Spring Case Retainer" would have to be moved out of the way to install an empty case in any station except station one. Lets see if I can help. The spring should be in one piece. It does have a joint where it is screwed together to form a loop but "in use" it is one piece. You said you are using the #1 shell plate, this is correct for the 243. Starting from the beginning, you place the required shell plate on the "sub plate" be sure to align the notch on the shell plate with the key on the drive hub. Once the shell plate is properly oriented install the "shcs ss 3/8-16 x 3/4", this is the hex head shell plate retaining bolt and washer. The bolt needs to be tight, not bone wrenching tight but firm. Its a good idea to add a lock washer there and tighten the bolt till the washer collapses. This is tight enough and the shell plate will not work loose during use. Now install the case retaining spring. You slip it over the shell plate and it will settle in the space between the top of the sub plate and the bottom of the shell plate. You will see where the sub plate angles down between space five and one. Place your finger on top of the shell retaining spring and slowly pull the handle down then back up, maintain a slight downward pressure on the spring and it will drop down enough to slip a case over the spring and into the shell plate. Now remove your finger and cycle the press several times. Be careful and move slowly, you can get pinched there if you aren't careful. Install an empty shell, cycle the press and the shell should travel all the way around the press and fall out into the catch bin. Move at a slow steady pace at first, once you get a feel for things you will be better equipped to judge what is too fast and what is too slow. Going too fast could sling the empty case free of the retaining spring. You should be good to go. If not call Hornady 800-338-3220 I hope I was able to help. __________________ David Bachelder Trinity, Texas I load, 9mm Luger, 38 and 40 S&W, 38 Special, 357Magnum, 45ACP, 45 Colt, 223, 300 AAC, 243 and 30-06

March 23, 2014, 02:42 PM	#1
cjacobs Member Join Date: February 13, 2013 Posts: 38	243 Brass Cases Falling off of the Hornady Lock n Load AP Shell Plate I just purchased a new Horandy Lock n Load AP. I started putting my once fired 243 brass cases into the Hornady shell plate (#1) and every time I pull the lever to change from one station the next, the case slides or slides off of the shell plate. Can anyone shed some light on why I may be having this issue?

March 23, 2014, 03:30 PM	#2
Ole 5 hole group Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2002 Location: Red River Valley of the North Posts: 203	1. retaining spring not present 2. Case not being inserted correctly 3. Defected or mislabeled shell plate

March 23, 2014, 08:52 PM	#4
cjacobs Member Join Date: February 13, 2013 Posts: 38	So where should it be located?

March 23, 2014, 09:02 PM	#5
cjacobs Member Join Date: February 13, 2013 Posts: 38	Yeah I didn't install the retainer spring. When I put in on...the cases still come off. The press came with 3 springs though. Are the springs for different calibers? I'm sorry if I seem like such a novice at this.

March 23, 2014, 09:40 PM	#7
cjacobs Member Join Date: February 13, 2013 Posts: 38	I did...and installed it like it showed. But it's still not holding them in place. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

March 23, 2014, 09:42 PM	#8
cjacobs Member Join Date: February 13, 2013 Posts: 38	Maybe I'm just placing the case in wrong. I slide the case into the groove leaving the spring on the outside of the case. But when the shell plate rotates, the case pushes the spring out and the case comes out.

March 23, 2014, 10:01 PM	#9
BOOMST1CK Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2014 Posts: 117	Tons of you tube videos out there on this press,

March 23, 2014, 10:03 PM	#10
BOOMST1CK Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2014 Posts: 117	You might be trying to put the case into station 5 right before it ejects, maybe

March 24, 2014, 05:21 AM	#11
LE-28 Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 759	Is your shell plate screwed down tight?

March 24, 2014, 06:44 PM	#13
cjacobs Member Join Date: February 13, 2013 Posts: 38	Thanks a lot. I had to go out of town for work until Friday. I'll try this out Friday night and let you now know how it goes when I get back.

March 24, 2014, 06:46 PM	#14
cjacobs Member Join Date: February 13, 2013 Posts: 38	Boomstick. I put it in station 1 and the case would push the spring out and fall out. And yes it is screwed down tight.

April 4, 2014, 06:35 PM	#16
MudMarine99 Junior Member Join Date: January 12, 2013 Posts: 6	A pic is worth 1000 words. Google up a pic or youtube. The spring does a great job of holding brass. You are using a #1 or # 45 shell-plate correct?