"Pulled the Trigger" on a reloding setup

[Tom]

I just ordered a Hornady LNL Classic kit

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productnumber=749997

and a set of Lee carbide dies

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productnumber=622255

along with an assortment of bullets from Midway.

I bought powder, brass, and primers from Widener's. Nobody local had primers, and I had a hard time finding them online.

anything I'm missing?

[wwillson]

Tom,

The only thing I see that you might want is one more LNL die bushing. I believe the kit only comes with three and you'll have four dies.

Wayne

[Tom]

good point! I'll need more bushings for other calibers anyway.

At least I remembered to order the the correct shell holder.

Hornady has a special right now for 500 bullets free with a press purchase. That's worth about $90.

[Arkie_Lefty]

Hey guys, what's changed? When I bought my die sets, have

Dillon, Lee, and RCBS, only the re-size die was carbide. Case belling and bullet seating have always been accomplished just fine with standard dies. Why is Lee now making all with carbide inserts? Price ain't bad though.

Bob

[Tom]

no lube needed with carbide

[Arkie_Lefty]

No lube needed without carbide, other than re-size die.

Bob

[steves]

Midway is a good place to do business with, You will enjoy the pastime.

[wwillson]

Tom,

Do you need 40S&W brass?

Wayne

[Tom]

I just ordered 1000 "once fired". Have you got a stash/good source?

[wwillson]

Yeah - I'll send you a PM

[Arkie_Lefty]

Guys, really not trying to be a smart-arse here. Would really like someone to 'splain why die sets have all carbide dies? Lube has nothing to do with other steps after resize. Actually, it's far preferable to remove lube before proceding to other steps.

Bob

[Tom]

I received my hardware today. The Hornady and Lee parts seem to be very well made.

The "carbide" die set only has carbide in the sizing and crimping die, the other two are regular steel.

[wwillson]

Tom,

I just looked at my Lee .45ACP die set and the only dies with carbine inserts are the sizing/decapping die and the factory crimp die. It does make sense as these are the only two dies that put any pressure on the case walls.

Wayne

[Tom]

Makes sense to me too. It's interesting that they are listed as if the entire set as "carbide". I don't think they person that wrote the description had a clue what they were writing about.

[wwillson]

Tom,

How is the reloading going?

Wayne

[Tom]

It's great! I've loaded about 600 .40 S&W and about 80 .22-250. I really like that I can load whatever I want; 155 JHP, 165 FMJ, etc for the .40 without having find them at the store. The .22-250 is also great because all you ever find for factory loads is 55gr but now I can play with 40 gr, 50gr, 65gr...

[wwillson]

Tom,

Great to hear the reloading is going well. I too much prefer to load the loads the way I like instead of shooting factory ammo. It's less expensive to reload and is a great hobby - a win-win.

Did you find a local supply of primers?

Wayne

[Tom]

Local shop had large rifle primers, I ordered the small pistol primers when I ordered powder.

I did find that guns shows are the spot for powder and primers. The one that comes around here is fairly worthless except for ammo related stuff.

[Crashbox]

The LNL Classic is a really nice single-stage press in my opinion, have one myself for de-priming and other tasks which are best suited for a single-stage. The only thing I don't really care much for on it is the hokey spent primer catch; I seem to get primers scattered all over the place! Since I use other tools to prime my cases, though, I just filled the slot in the ram with silicone RTV caulk and it now does a much better job of dropping the spent primers in the little catch tray.

But I do wish the assembly thicknesses were the same on both the classic and AP presses... maybe I can have someone turn me a bushing for it...

Congrats on your purchase!

[Tom]

I install the "L" shaped piece that's supposed to be used for holding primers while they're installed. It guides the primers to the cheesy plastic primer catch 95% of the time.

[Pablo]

Tom - if you had to do it over again, would you buy this set up?

[Tom]

Still happy with this setup. The quality and function is great. I haven't used other single stage presses but I don't know how any of the same "O" frame presses would work better. The only downside is loading pistol rounds is slow but I don't shoot that much volume and it would be the same with any single stage press. I can load about 100/hr with my single stage, with a progressive that would be 300+. Rifle is faster because you only have 2 steps instead of 3 or 4.

The Lock and Load die bushings work very well but you have to make sure they are completely seated, especially if you are only neck sizing because you put a lot of force on the press. I didn't get the die bushing completely seated once and cracked it. The die bushings make setup really fast with minimal adjustments.

[Pablo]

What is an ""O" frame press"?

[Bill_in_Utah]

Pablo,

Check out the Lee Classic Cast series. Their Turret is a simple well designed with a excellent price.

Videos here

Check out the top two videos. I don't use the auto prime (for the primers) I just select a single primer and put it in the primer cup. The NICE thing about this press is that you can take out the index rod and use it as a single stage for load development / tasks.

Built very well and mine has loaded tens of thousands with no problems.

[Tom]

What is an ""O" frame press"?

any of the presses that look like an "O"

There are some other shapes that have benefits

I use a hand primer. It's fast enough but you do have to pay attention to it.