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LNL Progressive Initial Setup
My Hornady LNL Progressive arrived Friday form Cabela's and became the weekend project.
Step 1- Watch all the videos, then watch them again before each step! They really help.
Step 2- Clean the pieces as directed- they really are oily and greasy. The Remington spray clean and lube I got at Wally World works fine.
Step 3- Die set up. I have Lee 45 ACP dies, and I had trouble with expanding die and the seating die. The expanding die was not getting far enough done the throat of the case. The seating die was apparently crimping before the bullet would seat. I think I have it adjusted now, but I am still watching this point. I am going to order Hornady dies with the thought that they may be better suited to the press (and I get more free bullets!).
Step 4- Primer assembly. The shuttle spring is now another piece of space junk in orbit somewhere.
It flew across the room and I could not find it again. I tried to fashion a workable spring from some I got at Home Depot but the diameter, length, or strength was never quite right. I got something working so-so, but I am going to order a new spring (and a spare).
Fabricate a low primer warning by finding a stick (I had a fiber glass rod lying around). Put it in the empty primer tube and wrap a piece of tape around it at the top of the tube. Take it out, fill the primer tube (it holds about 125 primers- I had to determine this being an engineer), then put your indicator into the tube on top of the primers. When the tape hits the top of the tube it is time to refill.
The Wolf primers have an advantage for the LNL because they are packed anvil up. That means if you invert the package and carefully slide the sleeve from the tray on a table top the primers are shiny side up and easy to use the loading tool.
Step 5- The case-based powder measure- I love it. I cleaned it thoroughly as directed, though I had to view the video again to make sure I got the parts together right. That guy in the video has had too much practice! It probably took a third of the time to get the right charge compared to my old powder measure.
Step 6- Made a used primer catcher. Take an empty (and clean) plastic bottle and simply drill a 7/16 inch hole in the top and insert the plastic hose, It couldn't be easier.
Step 7- Trial run. I loaded about 50 rounds of 45 ACP (200 gr Rainier RN and 5.4 gr of Unique). I got about 35 shootable rounds. The major problem was the failure to prime which I think is related to losing the correct spring. Second problem was bullet seating- the bullet wold have some of the plating sliced off on one side. This makes me think the Hornady dies would work better. The new style bullet kicker works great.
Overall impression is positive so far, but there is much to learn. I wish I could get the guy in the video to come over and adjust my set up- he looks like he could do a setup blindfolded. My order for 1000 bullets is filled out and in the envelope ready to mail today. A great Christmas present from my wife.
Step 1- Watch all the videos, then watch them again before each step! They really help.
Step 2- Clean the pieces as directed- they really are oily and greasy. The Remington spray clean and lube I got at Wally World works fine.
Step 3- Die set up. I have Lee 45 ACP dies, and I had trouble with expanding die and the seating die. The expanding die was not getting far enough done the throat of the case. The seating die was apparently crimping before the bullet would seat. I think I have it adjusted now, but I am still watching this point. I am going to order Hornady dies with the thought that they may be better suited to the press (and I get more free bullets!).
Step 4- Primer assembly. The shuttle spring is now another piece of space junk in orbit somewhere.
It flew across the room and I could not find it again. I tried to fashion a workable spring from some I got at Home Depot but the diameter, length, or strength was never quite right. I got something working so-so, but I am going to order a new spring (and a spare). Fabricate a low primer warning by finding a stick (I had a fiber glass rod lying around). Put it in the empty primer tube and wrap a piece of tape around it at the top of the tube. Take it out, fill the primer tube (it holds about 125 primers- I had to determine this being an engineer), then put your indicator into the tube on top of the primers. When the tape hits the top of the tube it is time to refill.
The Wolf primers have an advantage for the LNL because they are packed anvil up. That means if you invert the package and carefully slide the sleeve from the tray on a table top the primers are shiny side up and easy to use the loading tool.
Step 5- The case-based powder measure- I love it. I cleaned it thoroughly as directed, though I had to view the video again to make sure I got the parts together right. That guy in the video has had too much practice! It probably took a third of the time to get the right charge compared to my old powder measure.
Step 6- Made a used primer catcher. Take an empty (and clean) plastic bottle and simply drill a 7/16 inch hole in the top and insert the plastic hose, It couldn't be easier.
Step 7- Trial run. I loaded about 50 rounds of 45 ACP (200 gr Rainier RN and 5.4 gr of Unique). I got about 35 shootable rounds. The major problem was the failure to prime which I think is related to losing the correct spring. Second problem was bullet seating- the bullet wold have some of the plating sliced off on one side. This makes me think the Hornady dies would work better. The new style bullet kicker works great.
Overall impression is positive so far, but there is much to learn. I wish I could get the guy in the video to come over and adjust my set up- he looks like he could do a setup blindfolded. My order for 1000 bullets is filled out and in the envelope ready to mail today. A great Christmas present from my wife.
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