Big Red H making messes!

[-Mischief]

I purchased a Hornady LNL AP press and am getting a little discouraged. Any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated...

#1 - POWDER EVERYWHERE! When loading 5.0gns of power pistol in 9mm brass, everytime the shell plate rotates at the bottom of the cycle and then again at the top, it "clicks" into place and bounces powder right up and out of the case. Not a lot each time but after 50 rounds or so, it's a lot! I've relubed the detents 4 times in 700-800 rounds...does it ever get better? Less messy'r?
#2 - BULLET FEEDER...I also have a Hornady auto bullet feeder that doesn't seem too consistent. It intermitantly will not drop a bullet. I've called Hornady and set it up to their specs and have done exactly what they stated in order to adjust...to no avail.

Again, any help would be greatly appreciated.

[44Vaquero]

#1 - Try incremental adjustment of the pawls until they bring the shell plate all the way to the detent. Slow working of the press will tell you if the pawls are adjusted properly, it shouldn't snap the rest of the way into place.

You might also try a phillips screwdriver and slightly push the bearings on the bottom of the plates in. Once done, it may stop the jerking motion that threw powder all over. Some times they stick.

#2 - Silly question, are you using cast or jacketed bullets? The bullet feed die as shipped from Hornady will only feed jacketed.

[-Mischief]

Jacketed bullets only

[44Vaquero]

Disassemble the bullet feed die and clean it out, checking for burrs/manufacturing junk or ill fitting components. Pay special attention to the fit of the wedge and collet fingers they may need to be polished.

[noylj]

1) Put your left index finger on the case mouth.
2) Tighten the bolt until there is a slight drag on the shell plate
3) Use some really thick marine (prop lube) grease on the shell plate
4) Adjust the timing
A) The bullet feed die seems to be VERY dimension sensitive and the collets may need polishing/opening very slightly. Just going from 0.355 to 0.356" can cause problems.

[-Mischief]

The Timing seems to be right on. I'll try some thinker lube. The bullet feeder die was cleaned before installation with some Hornady cleaner and everything looked good.