problem with Hornady AP priming

[Jeff Davis]

I have a LNL AP progressive that is giving me some problems. I am just now starting to tinker with it to set it up for 38/357 and am having difficulty with the priming system.

When I run the press from size / deprime to the prime station, the primer slide does not go back far enough to drop another primer into the slot. I have to pull back on the slide bar until it drops.

I have the spring in place, but it almost seems like it is too long and not enough stretch is there to actuate the primer drop.

Any suggestions?

[capreppy]

The primer guide arm can be adjusted. Mine had to be adjusted a teeny bit out of the box.

Take off the Primer Blaster Cover (thick metal cover, not sure what this is really called) and Primer Feed Tube (smaller tube inside Primer Blaster Cover).

Raise Ram all the way up. Take a peak inside the hole where the Primer Feed Tube sits. What you should see is the Primer Sled. If indeed it is not going back far enough to pick up a Primer, you'll need to adjust it. There is a bolt at the top of the Primer Guide Arm. Loosen it and push it back until you see the Primer Sled back far enough that it will pick up a primer. You only want to adjust it so that it is JUST past center. Tighten bolt and then reassemble the Primer Feed Body.

[Baron von Trollwhack]

Go through the set up from the beginning with cases and make minor adjustments as you go. The primer seating depth will likely need adjusted also. Lightly lube contacting areas with Lee sizing Lube as it easily drys and is a micro wax. If a particular thing needs adjusting in the die sequence , do it then, then test, then go to the next. It is a great machine. BvT

[Colorado4wheel]

There is no primer seating depth adjustment on a LnL?

[pmer]

I have a LNL AP progressive that is giving me some problems. I am just now starting to tinker with it to set it up for 38/357 and am having difficulty with the priming system.

When I run the press from size / deprime to the prime station, the primer slide does not go back far enough to drop another primer into the slot. I have to pull back on the slide bar until it drops.

I have the spring in place, but it almost seems like it is too long and not enough stretch is there to actuate the primer drop.

Any suggestions?

I just had to do this on my AP LNL - On top just to the right of the first station, the sizer die for me, is a allen screw that holds down a slotted black plastic peice that adjusts the top of the rod that moves slide out to get another primer from the supply tube.

Loosen screw slide it out some then see if it can pick up the next primer.

Phil

Sorry, I just saw capreppy wrote of the same thing.

[Jeff Davis]

So far I have tried the above mentioned remedy but now it is dropping the primer off center and creating a jam from a tilited primer.

The arm in question (Hornady calls it a cam feed primer) is loose at the bottom of the machine. But, due to the curvature of the arm, you can't screw it in or out of the base as the curve contacts the side of the press.

Is there a way to tighten this up? Even with the nut at the base of the arm screwed down to the base of the press, the arm is still loose. I think this is what is causing the jamming, but I can't get it adjusted.

Thanks to all who replied, keep 'em coming!

[Colorado4wheel]

Call Hornady.

[emorris]

I also had issues with the primer feed. Mine was as yours and the slide did not go back far enough. I adjusted the black bracket all it could but still was not enough. I had to enlarge the slot in it to get it to drop a primer. Also the primer drop tube has to be centered with the hole in the slide. I believe that you push it toward the press body before you tighten the alen screw

[Jeff Davis]

That did it. Thank you all for responding. After playing with it a while, I just don't think the progressive route is for me. It is hard to get and keep a rhythm when feeding cases and bullets into it. My job and 3 kids keep me from sitting down and working out the learning curve.

[Dan Cash]

Call Hornady.

At the risk of a flaming, Call Dillon, place order, be happy.

[be603]

@ DC,
Seriously? /facepalm
Some folks make friends and influence people everywhere they go.
I reckon Dillon's never had any issues. Can't imagine why they still have a customer service number at all.
/sarcasm: just another service I offer.

From watching the many Red/Blue debates over the years it's pretty clear to me which camp has the <ahem> issues and is mostly likely to throw the next verbal grenade or start the next red/blue wrasslin' match. I can only imagine why. Perhaps it's because they wonder if maybe they spent more than they really need to. Perhaps there's deeper issues.

@ JD,
Peace Bro'. Take a few breaths. You spent your money. You have a fine press. Get a powder cop and relax a bit with that failsafe when working with the kiddies around (I remember those distracting days).

If you seriously want to bail out of your AP I'm sure you'll find many happy takers here. Don't be hasty. Just take another breath and let your nerves settle. I understand the gut check. An AP is a big spend and it's natural to get a knot in your stomach while wondering if you made the right decision.

Primer feeding is a bit of an artform no matter your setup. There's no <ahem> silver bullet. From handloaders, to shotshells to APs, to variations in brass and primer manufacturer you've got itt'eh bitt'eh parts to manipulate and that can be tricky.

[Floydster]

Dan Cash has it right, get the Dillon, priming on the LNL will make you lose all your sanity.

[Colorado4wheel]

I have never had a primer feed issue with my LnL. I had issues with High Primers and other issues with Hornady has addressed for me. I recently sent my press back and they replaced some parts damaged duing my Priming Issue Period. I only have two issues left with my LnL. Difficulty primeing (they feed perfectly) and cases tipping with the case feeder. I think Hornady has fixed both with my recent trip back.

Feed issues can sometimes be resolved by loosening the primer blast sheild just a little. Vibration seems to be the issue. Might want to make sure you bench is nice and sturdy.

[dannyd]

I have loaded 5416 on AP from 1/27/2011 and have very little problem. Most of those on my part because of learning curve. I have had a 550 and SD and they both have there own problems. The best thing about the AP is the dies can be changed one at a time. (79207 total about 25000 on the blue products)

[Baron von Trollwhack]

The primer seating depth is adjustable om my LNL AP machine. Seems to need a bit of adjustment when changing from small rifle to small pistol and with large primers also. I do it as part of the set up changing calibers.

BvT

[Waldog]

(Careful, sarcasm following) What's the matter with you people!!! Don't you know if you use a Blue press, you can load while listening to angels AND stand on WATER. OK, a little thick, I apologize. But, GEE WHIZ, Dillon has issues too. I know, I own a SDB as well.

I had a little trouble getting primers to feed when I first got my LNL. HOWEVER, after I got it adjusted properly, I've loaded about 35,000 primer-trouble-free rounds. I never have primer trouble unless you count S&B and Amerc and, surplus WCC brass. And, that's a brass problem not a primer feed problem.