Looking for some advice on the Hornady Lock 'N' Load AP

[Frank_CPL_USMC]

Looking for some advice on the Hornady Lock 'N' Load AP running a case feeder and bullet feeder. Is anyone running that set up, and if they are what 5 dies are you using in your set up and in which order?

[Waldog]

Don"t have the bullet feeder. I do have the case feeder and I have been very happy with my LNL setup. (40,000 rounds). Dies are set up accordingly for 9mm/40S&W/45ACP:
1. Sizing/decapping die
2. Powder Die with a www.powderfunnels.com insert
3. Powder Cop or RCBS Lockout die
4. Bullet seating die
5. Taper Crimp

With 38spl/357mag/44mag:
1. Sizing/decapping die
2. Powder Die with a www.powderfunnels.com insert
3. Powder Cop or RCBS Lockout die
4. Bullet seating/roll crimp die
5. empty

A bullet feeder will occupy a station on the press. You would use your bullet feeder in the station normally occupied by the Powder cop/Lockout die. It's not a problem with rimmed cases as you would have a open station anyhow. However, it's not really a problem with straight cases either as you can seat the bullet and crimp in the same die. I just prefer a separate Taper Crimp die when loading straight cases.

[Frank_CPL_USMC]

Thank you very much for the reply. i would really like to run the powder cop die, because im going to produce a lot of rounds at a high rate so any way to reduce the chances of a squib load or a double charge would be useful. now when you say that you can seat and crimp in the same die, is that a specifice die that does both to free up a station?

[Savage_The_Barbarian]

I have the this set up with the case feeder and bullet feeder for 9mm:

1. Deprime/Size
1.5 Prime
2. Charge/PTX Bell
3. Bullet feed
4. Seat
5. Taper Crimp

Without the bullet feeder:

1. Deprime/Size
1.5 Prime
2. Charge/PTX Bell
3. RCBS Lock Out
4. Seat
5. Taper Crimp

However, the safe way to do this is:

1. Deprime/Size
1.5 Prime
2. Charge/PTX Bell
3. RCBS Lock Out
4. Bullet Feed
5. Seat & Crimp

[Savage_The_Barbarian]

Yes, you can use a seat and crimp die in a single station and that will fee up another station for the powder cop/RCBS lock out die.

[Frank_CPL_USMC]

Sounds good. where can i find a die that seats and crimps in one function?

[Savage_The_Barbarian]

All of my Hornady New Demension seating dies crimp at the same time.

http://www.hornady.com/store/9mm-380...ng-Die-1-Each/

The only problem is that it's a roll crimp and not a taper crimp. I think that it will aso do a modified taper crimp but its not a true taper crimp.

I think that RCBS does make seat/taper crimp dies for some cartridges but don't quote me on that.

I'll have to do some more research as I want to taper crimp my straight walled cases but I want to use the powder die as well. That requires that I get a seat/taper crimp die so the search begins.

[Waldog]

Savage_The_Barbarian is correct. RCBS makes a taper crimp/seating die as does Sinclair. Many reloaders use a standard seating/roll crimp die to load straight cases. They set the die to just take out the case mouth bell. It doesn't actually crimp. I have not found that process very satisfactory. Especially if your pistol has a tight chamber.

[Fargazer]

Waldog, I see the www.powerfunnels.com link is not working; I think you are referring to powderfunnels.com.

[Waldog]

You are correct. I can't spell

www.powderfunnels.com

[Frank_CPL_USMC]

Okay now with the correct link to powderfunnel.com, can someone explain to me how it works? i see that it expands the case but how is it set up? is it used in conjunction with the case activated powder charger that comes with the LnL? looks like a good product but the website doesnt give a ton of info. i am happy to see that it is only made in the US though.

[Crunchy Frog]

The powder funnel works much like Hornady's powder through expander (PTX). It goes inside the case activated powder measure in place of the spacer that you would otherwise use.

As the resized, primed case enters the powder measure die body, the case mouth contacts the powder funnel/PTX/spacer. As the ram is raised, the upward motion of the case pushes up on the powder measure, causing it to cycle to the top of its rotation. As the ram lowers, the charge is dumped thought the drop tube, through the powder funnel/PTX/spacer into the case.

Hornady supposedly redesigned the PTX' to resolve some complaints. I have three, in .38, 9mm and .45 ACP. The powder funnel product is one-size-fits-all. The PTX, like a standard expander die, is supposed to expand the case mouth to accept the diameter of a new bullet, and to provide the desired amount of "flare" or "bell" to the case mouth to get the bullet started. I use lots of lead bullets which require more flare than jacketed bullets to avoid shaving lead and other problems.

I can see how the powder funnel product can provide a flare to any caliber with its cone shaped tip. I don't see how it otherwise expands the case mouth. I have not tried it so take that comment with a grain of salt.

I am fiddling and tweaking with mine. I have had some dented (ruined) cases in .38 Special using the PTX, less so after replacing the case retention spring. Better results with the 9mm and .45 Colt.

[Waldog]

I have the PowderFunnel and love it. It does not expand the case like an expander plug does. IT does flare the case mouth beautifully. With pistol cases, not expanding the case mouth is really a moot point in my opinion. The cases are thin and easily expand when the bullet is seated. If anything, the bullets are gripped tighter.

I have the old Hornady PTX and they do work. They are caliber specific and are a PITA to adjust properly. The PowderFunnel is very easy to adjust from one caliber to another. AND, you only have to have ONE. It flares the mouth of all cases from .30 cal to .50 cal.

I highly recommend having a POWDER DIE for each case you load that is pre-set. This makes swapping from 9mm to 45ACP about a 5 minute proposition. Powder Dies are cheap, $24.95
http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...productId/5947