Help choosing press

[Stryfe76]

Check out I went with the Brian Enos elec scale for roughly $80 and I like it. It is a bit temp sensative tho, just gotta watch as I reload in the eve as the air cools off. Re-cal is quick and easy, I just ensure zero hasn't drifted before I weigh a charge. Battery life has been great also.

I believe the Brian Enos scale is a Jennings JS-100XV for $74.95 with an RCBS's combination Powder Pan/Funnel (free) with each scale.

http://www.brianenos.com/store/be.scale.html

http://www.oldwillknottscales.com has the JS-100XV for $43.90 & the JS-150v for $16.90
http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/je...le-js100x.aspx & http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/je...le-js150v.aspx

I went with a Jennings JS-50X from http://www.lotioncrafter.com/jennings-js-50x-scale.html Weird site but it was the best price I could find on a Jennings at the time Current Price: $26.20.

They also sell the Jennings JS-200XV for $36.95

http://www.lotioncrafter.com/jennings-js-200xv-scale.html

From what I've seen the number after the JS is the Max Gram Capacity of the scale (1 g = 15.4323 gr) http://www.metric-conversions.org/we...-to-grains.htm

Here's more reloading info on the Jennings JS-50X.

http://www.castbullet.com/stuff/scale.htm

http://www.realguns.com/Commentary/comar118.htm

I'd assume this also would hold true for the Brian Enos Scale as the blurry text on the inside of the cover says "Jennings Quick User Guide" at the top just like my JS-50X does.

[freonr22]

Chronographs are one of the best ways to scientifically evaluate your rounds, the CED Millennium 2 is popular, easy to use, and will auto download data to your computer via USB. I like mine! I put it on a inexpensive tripod that I weigh down with sand bags the wife made to keep the wind from blowing it over.

yup, otherwise you will be like me, taking the new tool/toy/ showing your friends how cool you are, and blows over and breaks the arm before you ever use it! btw on the tripod, try an older one maybe Japanese from salvation army or good will $10 they will be heavier imho

[21SF]

Thanks for all the help guys.

I am starting to get a little worried though, i have been reading all the reviews for the LNL AP and some people rant and rave and others have a lot of issues, should i be worried ? Are these people mechanically challenged or have legitimate issues?

Now im thinking a Single stage. I just want to get set up and roll some ammo, not have to send things back or fiddle with it.

What do you guys think?

[freonr22]

my lnl is my first press. you can always use it as a single stage. thats what I do when processing the milsurp .223

[21SF]

Can the auto index be shut off or do you just remove all the extra dies

[freonr22]

you just remove the dies, or if you really wanted to, you could remove the pawls that advance, but they are a little finicky to readjust, /i mean not a huge deal, but enough to where its just easier to 1/8 turn and pop out the dies

[GeoffLinder]

If you have any doubts, you may just be better starting with a single stage system. I went single stage for a year before I got a progressive and it was a good thing to do IMHO as I knew what I was doing when I got into a progressive. The loading process is the same SS or progressive, it's just that you learn more detail doing it SS for the first time.

[freonr22]

this is the older version, the newer ones did away with the ejector wire, watch some of the youtube videos

[GeoffLinder]

Thanks for all the help guys.

I am starting to get a little worried though, i have been reading all the reviews for the LNL AP and some people rant and rave and others have a lot of issues, should i be worried ? Are these people mechanically challenged or have legitimate issues?

Now im thinking a Single stage. I just want to get set up and roll some ammo, not have to send things back or fiddle with it.

What do you guys think?

I think you oughta' do some reading on the LnL over the BrianEnos.com Forums. Yes, they are very blue oriented over there BUT the posts over there are fair and accurate and you will find the best database available of LnL owners posting their experiences.

Here are a few specific threads to start with. To find more do a search on Hornady LnL and/or look in the Non-Dillon Reloading Equipment forums

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=76573&st=0&p=1338281&hl=hornady%20lnl&fromsearch=1&#entry1338281

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=118243&st=0&p=1343970&hl=hornady%20lnl&fromsearch=1&#entry1343970

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=117787&st=0&p=1344043&hl=hornady%20lnl&fromsearch=1&#entry1344043

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=118956&st=0&p=1348586&hl=hornady%20lnl&fromsearch=1&#entry1348586

Ask questions over there too, don't worry, you will get lots of Dillon pushers responding but you will also get good data points.

[Fyathyrio]

I am starting to get a little worried though, i have been reading all the reviews for the LNL AP and some people rant and rave and others have a lot of issues, should i be worried ? Are these people mechanically challenged or have legitimate issues?

Probably the most common issue I've read about with the current design is the primer system. What I've seen happen on mine is over time the primer shuttle will push powder and brass shavings from the priming process into the slot it resides in, thus preventing it from placing the primer centered under the brass. A quick swipe with a scribe to remove the compressed trash and it's good again. Now that I've figured that out I automatically clean that area during setup and it's never been an issue since. The 2nd most common I've read about, again with the priming system, is folks tighten the small retaining bolt to tight and bind up the shuttle. Again, it's an easy fix...don't over-tighten!

What other issues are you concerned about?

[Cowboy T]

Thanks for all the help guys.

I am starting to get a little worried though, i have been reading all the reviews for the LNL AP and some people rant and rave and others have a lot of issues, should i be worried ? Are these people mechanically challenged or have legitimate issues?

Now im thinking a Single stage. I just want to get set up and roll some ammo, not have to send things back or fiddle with it.

What do you guys think?

For getting started, here's what I think. Watch this series of videos. I'm teaching someone how to reload now, so this may be relevant for you.

http://www.sanfranciscoliberalwithagun.com/basicreloading.html

Don't spend a lot of money at first. See if you like the hobby. Seriously, start small and work your way up.

Every time this question of "which press should I start with?" comes up, the Dillon fanbois come out and basically say that everything "not Dillon" is automatically junk. That's not true. All the major manufacturers make good gear that will make you very fine ammunition.

[yasushi]

Ok so here is what im going to order so far...

Hornady LNL AP
Hornady Custom Grade New Dimension Nitride 3-Die Set 45 ACP
Hornady Powder Cop Die (need something that works on rifle)
RCBS Chamfer and Deburring Tool 17 to 45 Caliber
RCBS Primer Pocket Brush Combo
Hornady Electronic Caliper 6" Stainless Steel
Hornady GS-1500 Electronic Powder Scale 1500 Grain Capacity
Hornady "Handbook of Cartridge Reloading: 8th Edition" Reloading Manual

After Christmas when everything settles down I'll get a work bench and a case tumbler.

Im I missing anything?

As others have already mentioned, primer flip tray, spare primer pick up, spare LNL bushings also if you are planning to use a taper crimp die, a PTX is a must (either Hornady or the universal Powderfunnel).

http://powderfunnels.com/

Also may want to order the One Shot cleaner/lube since they're getting hard to come by. You'll need to clean the powder measure of all the gunk and if you do clean the parts with the break-cleaner, you'll need to coat the parts with some kind of dry lube.

[21SF]

If you have any doubts, you may just be better starting with a single stage system. I went single stage for a year before I got a progressive and it was a good thing to do IMHO as I knew what I was doing when I got into a progressive. The loading process is the same SS or progressive, it's just that you learn more detail doing it SS for the first time.

Yea i may still do this, just alot less that can go wrong.

I think you oughta' do some reading on the LnL over the BrianEnos.com Forums. Yes, they are very blue oriented over there BUT the posts over there are fair and accurate and you will find the best database available of LnL owners posting their experiences.

Here are a few specific threads to start with. To find more do a search on Hornady LnL and/or look in the Non-Dillon Reloading Equipment forums

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=76573&st=0&p=1338281&hl=hornady%20lnl&fromsearch=1&#entry1338281

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=118243&st=0&p=1343970&hl=hornady%20lnl&fromsearch=1&#entry1343970

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=117787&st=0&p=1344043&hl=hornady%20lnl&fromsearch=1&#entry1344043

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=118956&st=0&p=1348586&hl=hornady%20lnl&fromsearch=1&#entry1348586

Ask questions over there too, don't worry, you will get lots of Dillon pushers responding but you will also get good data points.

THank you will do

Probably the most common issue I've read about with the current design is the primer system. What I've seen happen on mine is over time the primer shuttle will push powder and brass shavings from the priming process into the slot it resides in, thus preventing it from placing the primer centered under the brass. A quick swipe with a scribe to remove the compressed trash and it's good again. Now that I've figured that out I automatically clean that area during setup and it's never been an issue since. The 2nd most common I've read about, again with the priming system, is folks tighten the small retaining bolt to tight and bind up the shuttle. Again, it's an easy fix...don't over-tighten!

What other issues are you concerned about?

I think those are the most common ones i was concerned with, thank you.

For getting started, here's what I think. Watch this series of videos. I'm teaching someone how to reload now, so this may be relevant for you.

http://www.sanfranciscoliberalwithagun.com/basicreloading.html

Don't spend a lot of money at first. See if you like the hobby. Seriously, start small and work your way up.

Every time this question of "which press should I start with?" comes up, the Dillon fanbois come out and basically say that everything "not Dillon" is automatically junk. That's not true. All the major manufacturers make good gear that will make you very fine ammunition.

I have seen some of those videos, i dont know if ill be able to do the money part, lol

Thats the thing i have seen several videos of the LnL in action and it looks awsome, then i read about the complaints on midway and other sites.

As others have already mentioned, primer flip tray, spare primer pick up, spare LNL bushings also if you are planning to use a taper crimp die, a PTX is a must (either Hornady or the universal Powderfunnel).http://powderfunnels.com/

Also may want to order the One Shot cleaner/lube since they're getting hard to come by. You'll need to clean the powder measure of all the gunk and if you do clean the parts with the break-cleaner, you'll need to coat the parts with some kind of dry lube.

Yes i was forgetting a few things thanks !


Doesnt the press come with the power through die funnel thing?

[tujungatoes]

Doesnt the press come with the power through die funnel thing?

It comes with the case activated measure/die. However if you're using a separate crimp die you'll need the PTX so you'll have an extra station for the crimp die.

1.size/de-prime
2.expander
3.charge
4.powder check
5.seat/crimp

vs.

1.size/de-prime
2.expand/charge
3.powder check
4.seat
5.crimp

[Chief-7700]

It comes with the case activated measure/die. However if you're using a separate crimp die you'll need the PTX so you'll have an extra station for the crimp die.

1.size/de-prime
2.expander
3.charge
4.powder check
5.seat/crimp

vs.

1.size/de-prime
2.expand/charge
3.powder check
4.seat
5.crimp

Looks like one very important step missing from both the above. PRIMING