44 mag reloading problems

[mud99]

Does anyone load 44 magnum on a Hornady LNL?

I just loaded my first 100 rounds, and had a couple of issues I have not had with other calibers.

First, the case feeder has issues. With the large pistol plate, it runs several revolutions before catching a single case, which makes loading ridiculously slow.

With the large rifle plate, it works faster, but the cases are too short to orient properly, so half of them either jam against the adjuster plate, or feed upside down.

Seating primers is a nightmare. I started with once fired Herters brass, and it takes a ridiculous amount of force to seat primers, and I do not see a crimp or anything which would interfere.

After flattening a few primers, I gave up and tried out some new starline brass. Primers seat easier, but still take far more force when I am loading identical primers in 45ACP cases.

[Fyathyrio]

For the case feeder, try reducing the amount of brass in the hopper. Taller brass like 44 mag and 357 tends to fall out of the slots on the way up and knock out the ones below. Less brass seems to help for me, I just toss in a handful or two, and add when I hear there's only a couple left. I fill and start the case feeder first, then while it's filling the tube I add primers and get everything else ready. It keeps up OK as I take the occasional pauses to verify powder charge or check OAL, but I'm sure I could outrun it if I didn't pause for those checks. I don't have an issue with shorter stuff like 45 and 38.

For the primer issue, ensure there's no crud under the primer slide where it sits over the primer seating punch, even a very tiny amount can cause a problem. Over time powder and stuff can accumulate there and prevent the slide from coming all the way forward, thus it's slightly misaligned with the case. I use Starline for my 44 and also Wolf primers (harder cup) and it does take a little force to seat. I ensure I'm aligned straight with the press handle and push from the shoulder and don't have any issues anymore. The curved ergo press handle I got from 9in1twist here on Calguns makes it more of a downward push that I find a bit easier with my bench/stool/press setup.

[PatrickHenry]

For the primer issue, ensure there's no crud under the primer slide where it sits over the primer seating punch, even a very tiny amount can cause a problem. Over time powder and stuff can accumulate there and prevent the slide from coming all the way forward, thus it's slightly misaligned with the case.

I'm having a primer feed issue and this sounds like the fix. Thanks for the info.

[mud99]

I'm not having the crud problem, I pull out the primer punch each time I swap calibers and clean the press and punch with compressed air.

I'll try again tonight, it is possible that after loading 1500 rounds of other calibers that my brain could use a fresh start.

[PatrickHenry]

Yup,
Crud under the primer disk, cleaned and problem gone.
Thanks for the idea and info.

[Fyathyrio]

Glad it worked!