Question regarding Hornady power plant press

[stanford]

I am really interested in getting one of these presses, I do have a couple questions for the folks that already own this piece of equipment. When you purchase this item it comes with pretty much everything except for the dies etc (already have dies). When doing caliber changes, lets say from 45 ACP to .380 what do you have to change on the press?

I could be wrong but I am thinking that all you will have to change are the

shellplate
case feeder plate
bullet feeder die

I was looking at this through their catalogue and they are very vague on what you need for caliber conversions. Actually they don't mention anything at all like some of the other manufacturers do on their websites. Right now I am trying to make a list of the things I would need for changing one caliber to another. I didn't see anything about a bullet feeder plate, bullets come in various lengths and sizes.

Appreciate any help folks...

[dilly]

I have just the press, not the whole ammo plant.

You forgot to mention changing from large to small primer tubes and shuttles. Not necessary for every caliber obviously.

If you get the press, don't forget to buy Lock-N-Load bushings. A lot of them. Count out how many you think you need, then order 1.5-2x that amount. There is a conversion kit you can use to convert a Lee Classic Cast or an RCBS Rock Chucker to the same type of bushing if that would interest you.

If you're using the Hornady powder measure, you don't have to do this but you can get different metering assemblies for each caliber and leave them on a setting. They quick detach for an easy change, and they're about $11 a piece.


Standard and Pistol:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/631849/hornady-lock-n-load-powder-measure-handgun-metering-assembly?cm_vc=ProductFinding

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/469686/hornady-lock-n-load-powder-measure-standard-metering-assembly?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Some people get extras of the quick change powder die. This is basically the piece that sets how far your case goes up before actuating the powder measure and PTX (powder through expander). Longer cases obviously go up higher into the press than shorter cases.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/231522/hornady-quick-change-powder-die

You may also want to look into getting powder through expander dies for your calibers, a universal PTX die, an RCBS Lockout die, powder check die, powder cop, etc.

Those are some of the things you may want to read about.

[stanford]

Thanks Dilly, this is very helpful. I will have to make a note of all of this.

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Right off the midwayusa website:

Wondering what extra parts to purchase? Well, the ammo plant ships complete with the following:


Lock-N-Load AP Progressive Press
Lock-N-Load AP Pistol Bullet Feeder
Lock-N-Load AP Case Feeder
10 - Die bushings
6 - Case retainer springs
3 - Large cartridge catchers
Large Primer Tube
Small Primer Tube
3- Large Primer Pickup Tubes
3- Small Primer Pickup Tubes
2 - Primer Slide Springs
Pistol Powder Metering Insert
Rifle Powder Metering Insert
Powder Cop Die
Die Wrench
Vintage Tin Sign
Case Activated Lower Assembly

The only things left to purchase are the shellplates (caliber specific, some work for more than one caliber), reloading dies, appropriate case feeder plate (there are a total of four), bullet feeder die (3 pistol and 2 rifle available), and any additional die bushings you'll need (figure one for each die, the case activated powder drop and any other things you wish to mount in the die locations, typically, pistol calibers take 4-5 and rifle calibers take 2-4).

[dilly]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?290936-Hornady-LnL-caboodle

Thought you might be interested in that thread.

[stanford]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?290936-Hornady-LnL-caboodle

Thought you might be interested in that thread.

I saw it the other day and have been looking at it.