Hornady Pro-Jector

[Ken in Iowa]

I inherited one from my Dad and use it to load pistol ammo, priming and powdering in separate operations.

The priming, powder dump and ejector parts have been removed. Oh and it has 2 each large and small primer tubes and a 9mm shellplate that we don't need.

Are these parts of any value?

[thegatman]

I use the same press. Once it is adjusted it works very well. I prime on a different press but it reloads great.

[rda72927]

It's the progressive I use, but I did remove the priming system and added the case active powder drop. Works great for me, I load 38spc,357,40SW,9mm,300BLK,223Rem, 45ACP on this press...

[Rockzilla]

Have 2 Pro-7's been scrounging shell plates for them, been looking for a no.8, great presses
and still keep working. Selling? just got to ask..

-Rock

[Hardcast416taylor]

After I had my Pro-7 upgraded to a Projector I started removing some of the `Bells & Whistles` that didn`t always work right. I removed the priming station as I couldn`t always get it to locate the primer correct side up. Next was the auto powder drop. Sometimes it worked great, other times it would jam up. I removed the case kicker as it would sometimes THROW a loaded round across the loading room or jam on a round on the shell plate. Now I prime off press, still manually drop powder and remove the finished rounds. I have a dozen shell plates and use them all sometime during a year. I`ve sold the priming, powder drop and case kicker assemblies to other site readers for their presses. The biggest improvement I have done to the press is to install a 16" piece of 3/8" I.D. PVC tube over the existing spent primer tube and installed a larger `POP-TOP` pill bottle to catch more spent primers.Robert

[Moleman-]

Been happily using a projector press since I got it in the early 90's. Didn't like the auto powder drop as it isn't case activated. Had some trouble with the primer tube holder until I made a little brace for it shortly after buying it. Don't think I've had to adjust it since then, but I did have the little primer retainer spring break once. Got a replacement and it was back in business. The case ejector can be a little sticky with some surplus 9mm and 5.56 cases, especially if they've been shot out of a MG. Other than that no big issues. I got another set of primer tubes so I don't have to stop as often to load them up and have adjusted the ram pawls twice. Once about two years buying it and once again about 2010. I know I've loaded over 100k rounds of 45ACP alone with it, but have no real idea what the total number of rounds is.

[HangFireW8]

The Pro-Jector priming system is a pain to adjust, but not too bad... if you follow the instruction EXACTLY. The only time it "fails" for me is on the lats 2 primers, it may flip or hold back. Knowing that, I have zero problems priming.

The case ejector requires a little Oomph through that part of the lever swing. Knowing that, I have zero problems with ejection.

I'm very demanding on my finished product, so I use every station, and crimp separately from seating.

Supposedly Hornady will buy-back your Pro-Jector and put the money against their latest version. There is an extra cost to converting early shellplates. I like mine, have many, many shellplates that would also need upgrading... I have no plans to trade-in.

[MarkP]

I have had one since the about 1993. Mainly load 30 Carbine and 38 SPL on it now, but have loaded 22-6mm & 223 in quantity for prairie dogs . Also use it to form rifle brass for wildcats and use it to size / de-prime and flare rifle brass to load on my single stage presses. I love the 36 deg index per handle stroke.

A small amount of synthetic gear lube 140 wt on the actuator plate of the shell kicker works for several cycles. You need to be careful of the aluminum primer blast shield tube holder, the open section can easily bend and create a hole wallowing effect. Also some 140 wt gear lube on the angled surface of the swing-out primer arm actuator really helps. If dry the arm gets a vertical force which will begin to bend the arm.
In addition I put a bamboo skewer in the brass primer tube to add weight to the primer column and to give me an idea of primer count.

I really dislike the Lock and Load bushings purely a marketing gimmick and would not trade my press in for the new style of press.

[Moleman-]

Here's the primer tube holder brace I put on mine the first week I had it. It supports the rather easily bent lollypop shaped hole and can add support the tube better which keeps everything aligned better. You can actually tighten the bracket up enough it will lock the tube in place, but I have it set so that it is just a little stiff installing/removing the primer tube.

[Ken in Iowa]

Have 2 Pro-7's been scrounging shell plates for them, been looking for a no.8, great presses
and still keep working. Selling? just got to ask..

-Rock

Sent you a PM Rock.

Yes, I am willing to sell the surplus parts. I'm quite happy with my current method of loading with it, hand priming and powder charging.

[jmorris]

If you send the old pro jector to Hornady and $200 they will send you an LNL. If you have shell plates for it, for $10 ea they will machine them so they will work on your new LNL.

[Rockzilla]

Sent you a PM Rock.

Yes, I am willing to sell the surplus parts. I'm quite happy with my current method of loading with it, hand priming and powder charging.


Got it and responded...
Thanks Rock

[LittleLebowski]

If you send the old pro jector to Hornady and $200 they will send you an LNL. If you have shell plates for it, for $10 ea they will machine them so they will work on your new LNL.

That seems like a no brainer.

[Hardcast416taylor]

If you send the old pro jector to Hornady and $200 they will send you an LNL. If you have shell plates for it, for $10 ea they will machine them so they will work on your new LNL.

I don`t think they still have this offer. I called about it and was told I had to return EVERYTHING that came on the press. For lack of anything they cheerfully charged you more. With so much missing from mine I opted out of any deal.Robert

[Ken in Iowa]

After I had my Pro-7 upgraded to a Projector I started removing some of the `Bells & Whistles` that didn`t always work right. I removed the priming station as I couldn`t always get it to locate the primer correct side up. Next was the auto powder drop. Sometimes it worked great, other times it would jam up. I removed the case kicker as it would sometimes THROW a loaded round across the loading room or jam on a round on the shell plate. Now I prime off press, still manually drop powder and remove the finished rounds. I have a dozen shell plates and use them all sometime during a year. I`ve sold the priming, powder drop and case kicker assemblies to other site readers for their presses. The biggest improvement I have done to the press is to install a 16" piece of 3/8" I.D. PVC tube over the existing spent primer tube and installed a larger `POP-TOP` pill bottle to catch more spent primers.Robert

That sounds familiar. I use a long plastic tube on mine and direct the spent primers to a coffee can under the bench.

[Moleman-]

If you send the old pro jector to Hornady and $200 they will send you an LNL. If you have shell plates for it, for $10 ea they will machine them so they will work on your new LNL.
I looked on the Hornady site today and didn't see that offer, but I'll send them a email. It would still be neat to do, trade in a 25+ year old press and get a new one for $200 that can take case/bullet feeders. I have at least 8 of the shell plates that would need converted, and for $10 it's not worth my time to do it myself. Not so keen on the LNL bushings, so I'd rather just have the new ram head and primer set up if it's better. Too bad they just didn't make them use die heads.

[MarkP]

When the press was sold it had a lifetime warranty I would think they will work with you. Hornady was exchanging Apex loaders that were pretty old for brand new 366's.

[jmorris]

I looked on the Hornady site today and didn't see that offer, but I'll send them a email.

I guess it's your machine but if it were mine I would call and talk with a person that made the deal happen with an "Attn ___/RMA #" to put on the box. If I didn't get the answer I wanted I'd call back later and talk to someone else.

The only people that put out "free stuff" signs work for the Government.

[Rockzilla]

I had emailed & called about a year ago on this. It has to be complete anything missing and you get less towards a LNL-AP I went and ordered the LNL's from Jet, shell plates, etc. instead of gathering all the parts up, kept the presses anyway, just rounding up shell plates, they still work, and look almost brand new.

-Rock

[Moleman-]

I've got all the parts including the box. Don't have the bag and desiccant pack that the press was wrapped in or the brown vapor barrier paper that was on the bare steel handle though. Which brings up an interesting question. How much better is the LNL-AP over the projector and is it worth upgrading. Doubt I'd ever get the bullet feeder, but a case feeder seems like it would be helpful. I'm already getting 400-500rnds per hour if I hustle while loading pistol caliber rounds. What does the LNL-AP do and does it do it better/easier/faster?

[cheese1566]

I would keep the parts just in case, but that's me. I found when I had my two and a Pro-7, the ejector system wa the big pain. Never had an issue over many years with the priming system. I traded up for two new LNL's a couple yards back. If it wasn't for the trade in deal, I would probably still be using them.

My my opinion is the primer tubes are worth gold since they were the weak link in being discontinued and hard to find. Guys with running units may want more. At least I did.

i do have Projector shell plates in #16 (223) and #22 (30 carb) if anyone is interested.

[cheese1566]

. What does the LNL-AP do and does it do it better/easier/faster?

For me, it was the ability to get parts if needed. At least for a few years until they make a new model...
and I like the case activated powder drop system and updated priming mechanism.

I could give a hoot on the bushing system. It doesn't take that long to thread 3 or 4 dies in and out.

I did buy a bullet feeder but didn't care for the time it took to change over and the adjusting, plus it was finicky with my cast. It's sitting a shelf in storage. I suppose if I dedicated to one caliber and did mega reloading with jacketed it would be cool. I'm the slow guy who only does 100-150 rounds in a sitting a leisure pace.