Hornady owners opinion needed

[2ma2]

Im about to order a LNL AP from cabelas. I guess I need a 3 piece die set and a shell plate for each pistol caliber I will be reloading.What else in the hardware dept. do I need to get started? Also how much faster is it with the electric case feeder?
Thanks in advance

[Waldog]

I have the LNL as well. You need a shell plate for each pistol caliber.

If you load the 45 ACP, I would also recommend that you get the shell plate made SPECIFICALLY FOR THE 45 ACP. It's a #45. The 45 ACP has the same head size as 30.06/308 etc. and the shell holder for the 30.06 WILL work for the 45 ACP. But, the tolerances for the 45 specific shell are tighter and promotes more trouble free loading.

Now, for dies. If you are loading pistol shells that require a ROLL crimp, like the 38 Special, 357 Mag or 44 Mag a standard 3 die set up is fine. If you loading straight cases like the 9mm, 40 S&W and 45 ACP you will also need to get a separate taper crimp die. You can use any makers standard dies you want but, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU BUY HORNADY, NEW DIMENSION TAPER CRIMP DIES. The reason is that any other taper crimp die will hit the case ejection wire on the LNL press. The Hornady taper crimp dies are a little shorter and don't interfere with the ejection wire.

The electric case feeder SIGNIFICANTLY speeds up your loading. However, If you are a new re-loader, I would strongly recommend that you not
use the case feeder until you are thoroughly versed in the LNL press operation. There is a steep learning curve in loading with a progressive press.

Also, don't forget a good loading manual. I recommend the Lyman manual for new loaders. You will also need a powder scale, dial calipers, bullet puller.

Also read this in beginning of the handloading forum:

Sticky: For the New Reloader: Thinking about Reloading; Equipment Basics -- READ THIS FIRST
DaveInFloweryBranchGA

[Waldog]

Sorry , goofed up my thread.

Read the Sticky: For the New Reloader: Thinking about Reloading; Equipment Basics -- READ THIS FIRST
DaveInFloweryBranchGA

http://www.thehighroad.org/forumdisplay.php?f=15

[mstlaurent]

I would buy the press from Natchez, they're about $30 cheaper:

http://www.natchezss.com/brand.cfm?contentID=productDetail&brand=PC&category=0&prodID=PC095100

[tzahoy]

Waldog has got it right about the crimp die interfering with the ejection spring. Buy the Hornady dies, and you won't be disappointed. Their seating dies are really nice as well, some have a collar that slips over the bullet as the die is lowered which helps keep the bullet straight. It's a well thought out system. I don't know if all of them have it but my 45 ACP and 357 mag dies do.

It's a great press, you won't be disappointed. I got mine from Cabela's too, and they sent me $100 worth of Cabela's bucks. I don't know if they're still doing that, but check into it. They're shipping is also the cheapest. Great prices on shipping even if you're ordering bullets in bulk.

[mattp]

Hornady reloading

I agree 100% with everything said above. The only thing that I can add is buy some extra parts, namely, the cam feed primer (part# 392210), spring primer slide (part# 392336), spring case retainer (part# 392363), Lock-n-Load bushing male (part# 392302). The cam feed primer I bent twice when I first started, and the springs, I either stretched them out (because I screwed up) or lost them when they flew off (again, my bad). Hornady will replace them under warranty, weather it is your fault or not, but having to wait a week or more sucks. You will want several bushing for the press so that you can change calibers quickly without having to adjust everything over and over again. I'm very happy with my LNL AP. If you bought it before the end of the year Hornady would give you 1000 free bullets.

[mstlaurent]

If you bought it before the end of the year Hornady would give you 1000 free bullets.

Actually, I got my press for Christmas and it came with a flyer in the box that extended the free bullet offer through December 31st, 2008. So even if you haven't ordered it yet you're still good to go on the free bullets.

[2ma2]

thanks for the replies, where do you guys like to get your supplies from? media , bullets, powder etc. Im going to be loading 9mm, 38 special and 45 ACP only. As a novice the simpler I keep evreything the better.

[Paratus et Vigilans]

thanks for the replies, where do you guys like to get your supplies from? media , bullets, powder etc. Im going to be loading 9mm, 38 special and 45 ACP only. As a novice the simpler I keep evreything the better.

Hard to beat Midway USA. Good prices, wide selection, honest about what's in stock and what's not, and all around nice folks. Cabela's is okay too, but they don't have the same breadth of selection as Midway USA because they don't focus on shooting only like Midway USA. Graf & Sons is also good for bullets, primers and powder.

[Waldog]

Midway is good. However, their shipping charges are VERY HIGH. Try
www.grafs.com They have a flat fee shipping that is very reasonable.
Also, http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/
They also have cheeep shipping.

[mattp]

I tend to like Top Brass (Scharch Mfg.), the prices include shipping but they only carry ball ammo. Midway has good prices and yes their shipping is a little high. Also try brassman, and southern bell for brass. Powder valley has good prices on powder and you can ship up to 20lbs on one haz mat ticket. Also, keep an eye on Widners.com they have specials all the time. I just bought 8lbs of powder for $82.00.

[Roccobro]

I'm setting up a primer powder buy if your in the IE. TNT reloading has good prices on Hornady .224 bullets. I have about 10 vendors on my saved list that I check prices on before I place an order. The following each have a browser open right now as I am pricing powders and primers.

Graf&sons
Wideners
Powder Valley
Pat's reloading
Midsouth


Justin