More Progressive Press Questions

[lwlaml]

Do you have stand alone expander dies for each caliber? If so , you don't need the PTX. Here's how mine is set up with RCBS 3-die sets:

1 - Deprime/ size
2 - Expand
3 - Powder drop
4 - Powder cop
5 - Seat/ crimp

[BigBronco]

You don't necessarily need them to get going. If you have the new style you can eliminate the flaring die and save a die position that can be used for a powder check and or in the final spot for a separate crimp or the bullet feeding die. If you plan on setting up the $28 bullet feeder they come with the bullet feeding die. But this is for pistol. For rifle you do not flare the inside diameter of the case is set for proper neck tension by the sizing ball on the decapping pin in the sizing die. Keep in mind rifle sizing and trimming should be done off the progressive press. I simply seat primers charge and seat bullets on the LNL when doing rifle like 223. Unless you can trim in line on the press with lets say a Dillon power trimmer. Progressives are best for pistol.

[Dark Mod]

gotcha guys, does the powder drop throw a charge without a die? Im gonna go with a $28 bullet feeder so i guess if a die isnt required for charging my setup would look like this:

1. decap/resize
2. flare only
3. charge
4. bullet feeder
5. seat/crimp

If i got powder through expander dies i could throw a lockout die in the middle

[rsrocket1]

I use the Lee PTX dies that come with the Pistol set, but you can buy a universal expander die that works from .22 to .45. The only downside is that you have to change inserts and adjust the die when you change calibers. When you have a dedicated PTX with each pistol die set, you don't have to adjust anything, just unlock the LnL bushing and swap out the new one.

My set up for pistols is:
1) Decap/size/prime
2) charge
3) expand
4) seat
5) FCD (just close the bell on rimless cases or roll crimp on revolver rounds)

I have a super bright LED lamp shining down the center hole of the press to see the powder in the cases.

[lwlaml]

If I understand your question, then no you do not need anything extra on the charging stage to drop powder into the case. The powder drop comes with a lower assembly that goes into an LNL bushing. There is no separate die needed in addition to this.

gotcha guys, does the powder drop throw a charge without a die? Im gonna go with a $28 bullet feeder so i guess if a die isnt required for charging my setup would look like this:

1. decap/resize
2. flare only
3. charge
4. bullet feeder
5. seat/crimp

If i got powder through expander dies i could throw a lockout die in the middle

[freonr22]

My first and only press is the lnl ap. after about 500 rds, I purchased the case feeder. Made life much easier. One less thing to handle. What are you going to use for a scale? The lee dies were ok, but I threw their scale out.

[XDRoX]

Congrats Mark. Glad you upgraded to a progressive. Even though you joined the other team we're still friends

My neighbor runs two LNL's side by side and loves them. He's on his way over right now to size some boolits.

Have fun.

[Clownpuncher]

gotcha guys, does the powder drop throw a charge without a die? Im gonna go with a $28 bullet feeder so i guess if a die isnt required for charging my setup would look like this:

1. decap/resize
2. flare only
3. charge
4. bullet feeder
5. seat/crimp

If i got powder through expander dies i could throw a lockout die in the middle

I plan on throwing a lockout die on mine and I use a factory crimp die. So, I bought the flare inserts for the powder charge die that comes with the press. I bought the appropriate inserts for the calibers I will load. They were like $9 each. That way, they will flare and charge, I just won't use the powder through die on my progressive set up.

I plan on my set up looking like this:

1. Decap/Resize
1.5 Prime
2. Flare/charge
3. Lockout Die
4. Seat
5. Crimp.

If I decide to go with the $28 bullet feeder later then I will put it in 4 and seat/crimp in 5

Here's an example of the powder through insert. This one is for the .40

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/762019/hornady-quick-change-powder-die-powder-through-expander-400-diameter?cm_vc=S015ID659496

[Fyathyrio]

This Powder Funnels PTX works with all pistol rounds pretty much. Put it in the powder drop and forget about it. Just have to adjust the height to get desired amount of flare when you change caliber. Some have had issues getting deliveries in the past as it seems to be a one man show...so I'd recommend calling/email to confirm product availability and backlog issues are straightened out. With this you free up a spot for an RCBS Lock Out die (much better then Hornady Powder Cop) and can still seat and crimp on separate stations.

Like mentioned above, only issue with the primer system is debris preventing shuttle from going all the way forward...and I once had a small sliver of brass get caught in the primer punch itself.

Hornady sells a $15ish red anodized wrench with a round tab on the side that makes tightening the shell plate retaining bolt a breeze as well as sized for other press work. They have an older/cheaper one without the tab, don't get it. Worth the money as a loose bolt can cause annoying issues and is easy to miss at first.

It's a great press and I think you'll love it, and Hornady customer service is fantastic.

Oh, and resist the urge to fiddle with the timing adjustment pawls until you are 100% sure there are no other issues. They are set at the factory and don't normally change, so they aren't often the cause of an issue you may have.

[BigBronco]

Mark, Shame you are leaving Tomorrow morning. I may have two extra Ducks tickets. Oh well there are other games. Have a good trip.

[Nessal]

I have been using the LNL for quite a while now and have been extremely happy. I didn't even have to adjust the paws. But make sure you clean out the powder dropped REALLY well. They recommended that you use their one shot to lube it but I found that it will make your drops less consistent. I run it dry now and it get it on the dot to the tenth of the grain 95% of the time. The other 5% is up(never down) .1 grain. Now thats accurate!

Just make sure you keep the primer slide clean.

[Nessal]

Doubled.

[jimboone]

I don't own the blue, but the LNL AP all you need to buy is a $20 shellplate to change calibers. The powder measure comes with 2 rotors to switch from rifle to pistol. It also comes setup for large and small primers.

Where do you find $20 shell plates? Can't find them that low.

[lwlaml]

Lowest I found was $26 @ PrairieArms.

Where do you find $20 shell plates? Can't find them that low.

[SandDiegoDuner]

If you have a FFL03 and have a dealer account setup with Grafs things are a bit cheaper. I think Shell plates are just under 26 bucks.

I've been really happy with my LNL AP. Just keep it clean and keep a few extra die bushings around. One other thing I have done is replace all die lock rings with Hornady lock rings. I just prefer them over Redding, RCBS, and Lee lock rings.