Take the load off your Hornady LNL!

[sd_shooter]

I'm a total noob to reloading, but I'm happy to report that I got my first press, the Hornady LNL. Unfortunately, I hit a snag on my first loading session: the powder metering insert would get stuck at the top of the slot in the powder measure!

I read through many online forums and only a couple people had the same issue and of course no solutions. Eventually I traced it down to the hex nut at the base of the insert. The nut was interfering with the body of the powder measure and a small amount of filing solved the sticking.

Anyway, during the course of my investigation I found the following video on youtube where a someone had built a gadget to limit the amount of travel on the powder insert:



Now I also use a PTX (Powder through expander) and I had also experienced that using the PTX forces the powder insert to the top of its travel - that's how the PTX creates the necessary pressure when belling. I figured I should also make a gadget like the one in the video.

But guess what? Good ol' Home Depot already sells such a gadget! It's called a turnbuckle, and I already had a bunch of them on my wife's clothes line.

I bought the regular steel type, not the SS model (they are too wide.) I screwed the reverse threaded end in completely and measured how much to cut off, then trimmed off the excess threaded section with a dremel. On the other end I installed a regular 1/4" bolt. I put a nut in the middle just so the stud sticking out of the powder measure would have something to butt up against, but I think this would work equally well with just the bolt and no nut. I applied blue threadlock on the bottom bolt. It's about $5 in parts.

Now I can adjust the belling in two ways: by raising the entire powder measure or by screwing in the 1/4" bolt.

First pic shows the turnbuckle at rest. Second pic shows the turnbuckle at full extension, when the PTX is applying the bell. Third pic shows the full extension from another angle.

Ever since I installed this thing it's been smooth sailing. My powder measure doesn't wobble when loading and my PTX creates very even bells! (I use the powderfunnels.com PTX, BTW.)

[tzahoy]

Are you using a powder checking die in the extra station? If so, which one and how do you like it?

[sd_shooter]

Are you using a powder checking die in the extra station? If so, which one and how do you like it?

My setup:
1. Redding Pro series full length resizing
2. Powder measure + PTX
3. RCBS Lockout Die
4. Redding Pro series seating
5. Redding Pro series crimp

The RCBS Lockout die is great! If you have no charge or a double charge, it prevents the ram from going up all the way. No need to keep an eye on it, it "just works."

[10fcp]

I'm curious about the lock out die. It will show a double charge or no charge but what about an over charge? One thats not double but definately over.

[sd_shooter]

I'm curious about the lock out die. It will show a double charge or no charge but what about an over charge? One thats not double but definately over.

I haven't used it for very long, but it has some slop, eg. I have varied my charge from 4.8gr to 4.0gr and it still let the case go through. I've tested it with no charge and double charge and that's all I expect it to catch - the powder measure is supposed to always give the correct charge. I check the accuracy by weighing one out of every ~20 charges.

[Boilermaker]

I'm pretty sure the lockout die doesnt work as a "lockout" on the hornady it needs to be on a RCBS to work. I use the powder check die it has a stationary post with an "O" ring you set at the top of plunger with the proper powder charge and then just watch it every pull of the handle for the plunger to match the "O" ring
BTW-great idea on that PTX

[sd_shooter]

I'm pretty sure the lockout die doesnt work as a "lockout" on the hornady it needs to be on a RCBS to work. I use the powder check die it has a stationary post with an "O" ring you set at the top of plunger with the proper powder charge and then just watch it every pull of the handle for the plunger to match the "O" ring

The lockout die does work regardless of who makes the press - it's just a die.

[Sideline Shooter]

Question:
Does the screwhead on the turn buckle rest on the die lock nut or does it hit on the press die head?

I am also guessing that your setting is set to bell only one specific caliber? it must be adjusted to bell another caliber?

sideline shooter

[sd_shooter]

Question:
Does the screwhead on the turn buckle rest on the die lock nut or does it hit on the press die head?

I am also guessing that your setting is set to bell only one specific caliber? it must be adjusted to bell another caliber?

sideline shooter

The screwhead does not interfere with any part of the press, nor does it touch the dies when in operation. (In my setup I happen to have the metering insert toward the inside, but I could also swing the whole powder measure 180 degrees around.) The only thing affected is the range of motion for the metering insert. When at rest, the bolt floats about 0.5" above the press head. When at full extension, it's at about 1".

Right now I'm loading .40 and everything is adjusted accordingly. When loading something else I assume I'll have to readjust.