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Old January 29, 2011, 10:58 AM   #1
PaseMkr
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Noob Hornady LNL AP equip question

Hi all,

I am new to reloading and when I say new, I mean I have yet to purchase equipment! I am going to buy a Hornady Lock-N-Load AP with a number of accessories. I plan to start off reloading 9mm, .380 and .223. I apologize for a stupid question which I think I already know the answer to,, but I wanted to get a definitive answer from experienced reloaders. I am also looking to purchase a scale with the press, but since the press has a case activated powder drop would a scale/auto charge powder dispenser such as this be overkill?

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoot...0%3Bcat1047610 80%3Bcat104661180

I may be wrong, but I am thinking that a digital scale like this one would be good enough since I am thinking that the press measures the powder?

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoot...Fbrowse%2Fshoo ting-reloading-tumblers-scales%2F_%2FN-1100197%2FNo-48%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104661180%3FWT.mc_id%3D58000000001389 021%26WT.srch%3D1%26WT.tsrc%3DPPC%26WT.z_mc_id1%3D 111996486%26WTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104792580%253Bcat 104761080%26WTz_stype%3DGNP%26rid%3D20&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104792580%3Bcat104761080%3Bcat104 661180

Also, what do you folks recommend for a tumbler? I am not sure whether to go rotary or vibratory.

Thanks so much in advance for your guidance.
Steve
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Old January 29, 2011, 11:47 AM   #2
bbqncigars
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The auto charge dispenser is a bit of overkill IMHO. I've always thrown charges slightly under target weight and trickled up to final value for my match rifle loads. A good scale and powder trickler are all you need. I would also advise picking up a spare shell plate spring (I bought a three-pack) in case you roach one. You will want to [b]thoroughly[/] clean/degrease the powder measure before using it. Do NOT use something like the Hornady One Shot cleaner/dry lube. Get the rotor and drop tube clean and DRY. Give the inside of the hopper a good wipe down with a new dryer softener sheet to help kill static charges (and associated powder clinging). Follow the press set up instructions, and you should be GTG.


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Old January 29, 2011, 11:53 AM   #3
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I have been loading for more than a couple of decades. Since you are new to reloading I strongly recommend that you learn with a single stage press. A progressive press has a lot of processes going on at the same time. It can be REALLY exasperating to get a new AP up and running smoothly, especially for a newby. Don't worry that a single stage press will be a waste of money. I positively guarantee that you will use a single stage after you advance to a AP press. I find that I load virtually all my rifle cases on my single stage press. Hornady makes a particularly nice single stage "Kit" that has everything you need to start loading except dies. RCBS, Lyman and Lee make one as well.

You can learn on a AP press, Others have done it. I don't recommend it though.

You certainly will need a scale. I have a PACT electronic scale/trickler and I am very happy with it. However, I also have a RCBS 1010 balance beam scale that I find I use more. The best bargain out there for a balance beam scale is the Dillon Eliminator, $55. No electricity required! The reason I suggest a balance beam scale is that electronic scales are prone to drifting if the voltage fluctuates, there are drafts or florescent lighting. Also, a electronic scale must "warm-up" to operate properly. As I recall, 30 minutes is recommended. Electronic scales/tricklers are wonderful accessories. You just have to learn their idiosyncrasies. Remember, no electricity, no scale!
If you buy a single stage kit as I recommended, the scale is included.

Be sure to buy the new 2011 edition of ABC's of Reloading and Lyman's 49th edition Loading Manual.

If you have further questions feel free to PM. Good Luck!
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Last edited by Waldog; January 29, 2011 at 12:33 PM.
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Old January 29, 2011, 11:56 AM   #4
PaseMkr
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Thanks. What do you use for cleaning your used brass? I have been looking at both a rotary unit and a vibratory unit. DO you recommend one over the other or do you use something else all together?
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Old January 29, 2011, 12:30 PM   #5
Waldog
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Vibrator/tumbler is my recommendation. Brass needs to be clean. It doesn't have to shine like GOLD.
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Old January 29, 2011, 12:45 PM   #6
rsnell
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I agree with bbgncigars and Waldog. I prefer a vibrating cleaner with ground corn cobbs or ground walnut shells. You will have less trouble with a balance beam scale and a powder trickler. All these items can be purchased from Midway.

Bob Snell
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Old January 29, 2011, 01:11 PM   #7
That'll Do
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I've had my Hornady LNL AP for about 3 months now, and I love it. I learned on a Lee Turret, which I still use, but the LNL AP is a godsend for loading. It definitely speeds things along.

As a new reloader, you can definitely learn on a progressive–it just will be a steeper learning curve. The LNL AP is good because it won't dispense powder unless a case is present, and same with primers, it won't endless feed them unless one is used to prime a case. One tip about the LNL AP though. It seems to not like Winchester primers, AT ALL. It seems that on Winchester primers. the anvil sticks up juuuuust enough to snag on something in the feed assembly. I've have used Federal, CCI, and Remington primers flawlessly though.

As far as the LNL AutoCharge dispenser, I say go for it! You'll have an excellent scale, and the powder dispense will be invaluable for working up loads. You can weigh powder for your test loads with the dispense, and then once you've determined what works, you can set the powder dispense on the press to drop the appropriate charge weight.

An accessory I recommend for the on-press powder dispenser is the Micrometer adjustment handles (for handgun: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=615914) and (for rifle: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=425241). The LNL AP comes with both handgun and rifle powder measure inserts, but not the micrometer handles. They make it easier to make fine adjustments and to record the setting for future use.

As far as case cleaning goes, I like a vibratory tumbler. I use a Lyman, but just about all of them are good.
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Old January 29, 2011, 07:24 PM   #8
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I began with the LnL AP as my first press about 15 months ago but purchased an LnL Classic single-stage a couple of months later as there are definitely tasks which are much better suited to carry out on a single-stage press. I was willing to be as patient as I could possibly be and took baby steps to running the press. I had timing issues with the index pawls and a primer shuttle adjustment to make before it ran smooth.

Starting with a progressive can be done but a LOT of it has to do with your mechanical inclination and degree of patience you are able to exert through the learning process. There are several things you must simultaneously and carefully keep an eye on with progressives.

But would I start with a progressive again? You betcha! But that's just me, YMMV.

I'll stop here- the above posters have given excellent advice IMO.
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Old January 29, 2011, 08:25 PM   #9
PA-Joe
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With the AP press you get a powder measure that attaches to the press so that you can drop powder as the cases progress through the press. Therefore you do not need the LNL Dispenser. You do need a scale to measure the powder drops as you set the measure up. Then you want to confirm every 5th to 10th powder drop. You can not use a powder trickler with the AP press since it is a progressive. Make certain that you are using the correct measure insert. There is a small diameter hole for pistols and a larger one for rifles.
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Old January 30, 2011, 10:45 AM   #10
kdvarmint
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I have a Hornady Progressive AP, and love it. FOR PISTOL ONLY.
I use a Hornady single stage for all rifle loads, and weigh each individual charge. If I could only have only one, it would be the single stage. If I only shot pistol, and lots of it, it would be the progressive.
RCBS seems to be more popular and more places carry it. But I've been satisfied with Hornady.
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Old January 31, 2011, 05:12 PM   #11
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I agree, progressives really work best with pistol cartridges.

My problem with rifle cartridges is that you have to lube the case. So you lube, then size. When you go to charging step, powder hangs on the edge of the case. If that does not bother you, you can move to the next few steps without a problem. But ball powders stick to everything. Which means there is no way your charges will be consistent. And the amount of time setting the LNL up for a rifle cartridge is ungodly, it took me hours to go from pistol to rifle. I'll never do it again. I move much faster doing rifle cartridges with a single stage and using the progressive for the pistol/revolver.
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Old January 31, 2011, 05:38 PM   #12
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Since you're starting out, I would NOT recommend a progressive press at this time. Take this from a relative noob (been loading for almost 2 yrs) to a new reloader. There is waaay to much going on at the same time with a progressive loader for a new reloader to try and keep up with, at least it would be for me. I know have a LNL AP, and I'm glad I didnt start out on it.

I started out with a Lee Classic Turret kit from Cabela's. Graf's has a similar kit. Includes everything but dies, spare turrets, and components. The turret press is great to learn on, and I highly recommend it.

I ordered a vibrator tumber from Harbor Frieght, and it has performed quite well. I use the Lizard Litter (crushed walnut shells) from the local pet store.

If you havent already, make sure you read the sticky at to the top of this forum.
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Old January 31, 2011, 07:33 PM   #13
PaseMkr
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Thanks for all the help and info from everyone! You guys are a great group. I ended up ordering the Hornady LNL Classic Kit and the LNL Progressive AP today. The opinions regarding starting out on a single stage and the fact that it is a better choice for rifles than the AP was very helpful. I look forward to continue my learning here on this site.
Thanks
Steve
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