Hornady Lock-n-load AP assistance needed

[Jimboheme]

Hey guys. I am super new to reloading and just purchased a used AP and have no experience in setting this thing up, nor using it. My only experience is with a buddy of mine that has single stage presses and not this particular AP press.
I'm looking for someone who has this set up and is interested in helping me make the best decisions on purchases and set up for my needs.

I want to reload 9, 40, 45, 223, 308, 45-70. So far I have the info for:

shell plates, case feeder plates, and die sets
automatic case feeder, AP rifle bullet feeder, 30 cal conversion kit
large and small primer pick up tubes, primer turning plate
one shot case lube, one shot gun cleaner and lube
all caliber cartridge holders
Hornady reloading book
Deluxe die wrench

Questions:
What digital scale would you purchase?
What's the best bullet puller?

Once I get all of the components, I'd love to find someone that has the same set up to work with me on dialing my system in that is local to Petulama.
As with anything, once you get enough reps in it becomes second nature. Just need to get started.

Thanks and hope to hear back from someone soon as I am ready to pull the trigger any day on the order.

Jim

[C.G.]

I have the older version of this:

https://www.rcbs.com/priming-and-powder-charging/chargemaster-link-electronic-powder-dispenser/16-98944.html

With a couple of tweaks, it has worked well for me.

I don't have a puller but the kinetic ones seem to work well per internet reviews, no first-hand experience.

[cz74]

Look for these in the marketplace, online, eBay, etc.
I have two of these digital scales, one as backup and sanity check.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012713364

Also check weights

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012866166?pid=212586

bullet puller

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012714588?pid=215517

[Dirtlaw]

I'm somewhat into precision so the best scale I could get would be a priority. You either measure the propellant by volume or weight. I believe weight to be more accurate, but I make no claim to expertise. Since the propellant is what makes it go "bang" that is the area that concerns me the most.

[rsrocket1]

I would strongly recommend that you get a single stage press and learn how to reload with it first. Even with a progressive, you will always find a use for the SS press. I bought an LnL AP when I started reloading but first got a used Lee Breechlock Challenger kit on ebay and learned with it for 3 weeks before moving to the AP. A progressive can crank out the ammo fast but it can also get you in trouble fast too.

Watch the Hornady LnL AP videos to learn how to clean it after unpacking and how to set it up. Then start by loading one cartridge at a time "turret style". You can then increase the number of cases in the press.

Here's the vid:



Of high importance is cleaning the thin film of packing grease off all the parts of the powder measure. If you don't clean it, powder will stick to the drum, drop tube or adjustment ram and throw your charge off and you'll never get consistent charges and you won't know why.

You will also need a grease gun with zerk fittings to inject grease to fill the slotted gap in the ram. You can get one inexpensively at Harbor Freight.

For a scale, I would strongly recommend a beam scale with check weights. They are foolproof. The Lee Safety scale ($31 for a factory second) is inexpensive but works as good as any other scale and it's only disadvantages are it's limited range (110g vs 500+ for most other scales) and the Vernier markings for 1/10th grain readings (for those with poor near field eyesight or those who never used a Vernier scale). I have one and it always checks precisely with my RCBS 505 and with check weights. With Digital scales users seem to never be sure they are working properly. Fluorescent lights or other electrical noise seem to be the bane of digital scale users.

[Sir Toast]

I use the chargemaster is a great scale. buy a cheapo beam scale too to double check. I have a cheap Lyman beam scale and it works great.

I use the Lyman bullet puller and it works great too.

Make sure you watch youtube videos on how to use the LNL AP press. Also, make sure you have read a reloading manual at least once.

Also, I have always used a powder cop for pistol rounds and powder check for rifle rounds.

[BigBronco]

Use care when setting up the case activated powder measure. If not done right it can bind and lead to squids. Therefore I highly recommend using the RCBS lockout die. I will not run my LnL AP with out one.

[9mmepiphany]

I have a LNL AP setup for loading 9mm, .38Spl, .40, and .45ACP.

To make set up easier, you'll want to check out Bragging Rights Precision tools for the pawl alignment and priming setup...it just takes the guesswork out of it.

Look on Yourtube and find videos from Highboy 76. He has a whole series on setting up the Hornady LNL. The videos drag a bit, but all the information is good

I highly recommend that you don't get the Hornady bullet feeder. It is much better than the Lee, a bit better than the RCBS, but nothing close to the one from Mr Bulletfeeder. Either that or look into getting one of the 3D printed ones.

What digital scale would you purchase?

I prefer a plug in AC/DC scale as it will stay on long enough to get warmed up and stabilize the readings. For handguns, which I recommend you start with, anyone is accurate enough. Getting into rifles is a whole different game

What's the best bullet puller?

I use the Hornady Cam-Loc bullet puller for speed and ease of use...it you have to pull a lots of bullets.

In any case, you're going to need a hammer type inertia bullet puller for singles and hard to pull bullets. They are all the same...get whichever is on sale.

If you weren't 100 miles away, I'd help you set up your press. Hopefully someone close will chime in

[Dirtlaw]

Look for these in the marketplace, online, eBay, etc.
I have two of these digital scales, one as backup and sanity check.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012713364

Also check weights

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012866166?pid=212586

bullet puller
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012714588?pid=215517

If you use an electronic scale I 100% agree that having check weights is an important safety check.

[Jimboheme]

Wow... just getting back from vacation and reading all of the responses. Many thanks, guys. Going through all of them now. Lot of good info you all gave me. My head is spinning a little with all of it but I'll work through the particulars this week and hopefully nail down the bulk of my order.

[BAJ475]

You will want to get the plastic inserts for the case feed mechanism and a plastic drop tube to help prevent cases from falling off before being pushed into the shell plate.

[broadside]

My BulletFeeder is a nice to have but not required. For the Hornady case feeder, don't overload it as the plate might not be perfectly flat or the hub a tad thick allowing the plate to tilt and cases end up underneath it at the top. I had to file the bottom of the hub so the plate would stay flat in the hopper

Setting up the dies are not any different than doing a single stage. One at a time, measure, double check, adjust, etc. It just takes time to fine tune each stage.

Definitely watch the videos mentioned above. Start by getting the case feeder working. Don't set the plunger too long so it binds or maxes out before full throw of the lever.

[broadside]

My BulletFeeder is a nice to have but not required. For the Hornady case feeder, don't overload it as the plate might not be perfectly flat or the hub a tad thick allowing the plate to tilt and cases end up underneath it at the top. I had to file the bottom of the hub so the plate would stay flat in the hopper

Setting up the dies are not any different than doing a single stage. One at a time, measure, double check, adjust, etc. It just takes time to fine tune each stage.

Definitely watch the videos mentioned above. Start by getting the case feeder working. Don't set the plunger too long so it binds or maxes out before full throw of the lever.

[JagerDog]

I would strongly recommend that you get a single stage press and learn how to reload with it first. Even with a progressive, you will always find a use for the SS press. I bought an LnL AP when I started reloading but first got a used Lee Breechlock Challenger kit on ebay and learned with it for 3 weeks before moving to the AP. A progressive can crank out the ammo fast but it can also get you in trouble fast too.

Watch the Hornady LnL AP videos to learn how to clean it after unpacking and how to set it up. Then start by loading one cartridge at a time "turret style". You can then increase the number of cases in the press.

Here's the vid:



Of high importance is cleaning the thin film of packing grease off all the parts of the powder measure. If you don't clean it, powder will stick to the drum, drop tube or adjustment ram and throw your charge off and you'll never get consistent charges and you won't know why.

You will also need a grease gun with zerk fittings to inject grease to fill the slotted gap in the ram. You can get one inexpensively at Harbor Freight.

For a scale, I would strongly recommend a beam scale with check weights. They are foolproof. The Lee Safety scale ($31 for a factory second) is inexpensive but works as good as any other scale and it's only disadvantages are it's limited range (110g vs 500+ for most other scales) and the Vernier markings for 1/10th grain readings (for those with poor near field eyesight or those who never used a Vernier scale). I have one and it always checks precisely with my RCBS 505 and with check weights. With Digital scales users seem to never be sure they are working properly. Fluorescent lights or other electrical noise seem to be the bane of digital scale users.

Another proponent of single stage to get your feet wet.

I've been reloading for decades. Single stage then added a T7 turret to limit the die changes.

Then I happened across a Hornady AP (no bullet/case feeders), from a guy who decided he needed to reload. He bought most the accessories, components, etc. for a couple common calibers. Loaded approx 100 rounds of 45 ACP. Either didn't have the patience or will to learn. Thought it was just a machine you operate and ammo comes out the other end.

So I bought his whole operation for about 40 cents on the dollar. Sold off what I didn't want/need and ended up with the press for free.

I was quite competent single-staging. I'd been loading shotshell on a progressive for a couple decades as well. A bit of study to become familiar with the AP and I started making pistol ammo. Once you get rolling it's kinda nice to spit out a loaded round with each handle pull.

Then one day at the range, I get a squib. Never had one of those before. Knock the bullet out...and another squib. This repeats and I call it a day. Though I thought I was watching all the action, there's a lot going on. The powder drop mechanism had jammed and wasn't dropping powder for some number.

Back home, I weighed (digital scale is a godsend for this) all the rounds trying to discern which ones missed powder. But when your powder charge is only like 6 grains, other factors give quite the range of loaded round weights. Segregated into various piles and pulled (hammer type as there's nothing for my collet style puller to grab) the lightest and progressively heavier until I got to all having powder. Still kept the remainders of the batch separate.

Ordered a powder cop die post haste for future endeavors.

So yeh, while they make ammo fast, they make mistakes even faster. Fixing mistakes is slow going. I'd highly suggest a powder cop type die in the rotation.

No matter how adept you get on a progressive, there will be times/operations where having a single stage onsite will be handy.

[broadside]

I just made 2,000 rounds of 9mm over the weekend in about 4 hours total. Including case gauging and packing every round.

No need for a single stage for a non-precision round. Once you get used to the process, you can easily adapt to mistakes and run things through a single position one at a time if needed.