Hornady LnL progressive question

[tranders]

I have been looking at the Hornady LnL progressive press. My question, is it possible to use dies without the quick change bushings or are you stuck with buying bushings for all your dies?

Thanks!

[rancher1913]

You need the bushings, but you can leave the bushing in place and change your dies like any other press

[earlmck]

You can just unscrew your die from the bushing and put in another die. No problem. You do have to have the press holes filled with the bushings of course, but don't really have to use multiple bushings.

Ooops -- I guess the Rancher and I were typing at the same time with the same answer.

[ReloaderFred]

You need the bushings, but they're really handy and easy to use. A caliber change takes about two minutes, including changing the shellplate. I buy the bushings in the 12 pack, and they aren't that expensive, but I load 32 different calibers, but only about half of them on the LnL. The others are loaded on my other presses.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[tranders]

Ok great. Thank you for the info

[Drew P]

If they really bug you you can use a pair of channel locks to really jam them down in the press effectively making them permanent installed. I've even heard of people using glue to mount them.

[tranders]

My only concern was the cost of extra bushings,but if I can leave the bushings mounted in the press it's a moot point. Overall I am reading good reviews on the press. Any input or suggestions?

[dannyd]

If your not going to use the bushing buy a Dillon 650 or 550. The bushings are the best part of the press to me. I have two LNL's and about 40 bushing.

[DerekP Houston]

My only concern was the cost of extra bushings,but if I can leave the bushings mounted in the press it's a moot point. Overall I am reading good reviews on the press. Any input or suggestions?

I really enjoy mine, I reuse the bushings between caliber changes as I'm still transitioning from my lee turret and the depths are different

[308Jeff]

For bushings, keep your eye on both Amazon and Midwayusa.

I recently picked up a few 3 packs that come with the conversion kit for $9.99 each.

[DerekP Houston]

For bushings, keep your eye on both Amazon and Midwayusa.

I recently picked up a few 3 packs that come with the conversion kit for $9.99 each.

well, I also like to keep my dies in the boxes and with the bushings attached they don't fit ;). Good tip though thanks!

[tranders]

I really enjoy mine, I reuse the bushings between caliber changes as I'm still transitioning from my lee turret and the depths are different

Good to hear, thanks for the input.

[tranders]

If your not going to use the bushing buy a Dillon 650 or 550. The bushings are the best part of the press to me. I have two LNL's and about 40 bushing.

I have looked at the Dillons,but there is quite a price difference compared to the Hornady.

[dannyd]

They are, but I owned a 550 and SDB and for one caliber there great. I have 12 seating dies for 38 and 357 so the bushing work great for me. There is more of a leaning curve on a LNL than the Dillion equipment.

[308Jeff]

I have looked at the Dillons,but there is quite a price difference compared to the Hornady.

I haven't priced them in while, but when combined with a case feeder they're pretty close.

[308Jeff]

well, I also like to keep my dies in the boxes and with the bushings attached they don't fit ;). Good tip though thanks!

Yeah even Hornady doesn't make the boxes big enough. :lol:

[osteodoc08]

I've had a Hornady LnL for several years. It does have a few shortcomings but is a serviceable press. I've since been making the switch to Dillon.

In regards to the bushings. It comes with the 5 bushings to get everything going. You do not have to buy extra bushings if you don't want. You'll just have to readjust the dies every time they are switxhed. If you have the bushings you get the die adjusted and it's set pretty much permanently. Just swap out the bushings that hold the dies you want to use.

[tranders]

They are, but I owned a 550 and SDB and for one caliber there great. I have 12 seating dies for 38 and 357 so the bushing work great for me. There is more of a leaning curve on a LNL than the Dillion equipment.

That's good to know. Thank you

[ReloaderFred]

One of the advantages to the LnL press is the bushings. They go in with a simple twist, and lock in place. Once the die is set in the bushing, you don't have to adjust it anymore.

I've had two 550B's, and sold them both. They're 4 position presses and manually indexed, whereas the LnL is a 5 position press and auto-indexing. With the LnL, you operate the handle with the right hand, and do everything else with your left hand, and never have to take your right hand off the handle during the process. With the 550B, you have to use both hands to rotate, put a bullet on the plate and add another case. It was cumbersome for me, so I sold the presses and kept the LnL. It all depends on what works for you, and for me, the LnL works better, but that's just me.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[tranders]

One of the advantages to the LnL press is the bushings. They go in with a simple twist, and lock in place. Once the die is set in the bushing, you don't have to adjust it anymore.

I've had two 550B's, and sold them both. They're 4 position presses and manually indexed, whereas the LnL is a 5 position press and auto-indexing. With the LnL, you operate the handle with the right hand, and do everything else with your left hand, and never have to take your right hand off the handle during the process. With the 550B, you have to use both hands to rotate, put a bullet on the plate and add another case. It was cumbersome for me, so I sold the presses and kept the LnL. It all depends on what works for you, and for me, the LnL works better, but that's just me.

Hope this helps.

Fred

Thank you Fred for the input. I like the idea of 5 stations,which I think the Dillon 650 has also. I'm not wanting case or bullet feeders just a good robust progressive press.

[DerekP Houston]

It is plenty fast, I don't run a case feeder or bullet feeder on mine either. The price for fully automating those parts was 1300+ either way. If I was competitive shooting I'd consider it but right now it isn't in my budget.

[Dan Cash]

5 holes up top would be nice but not necessary. Buy the Dillon (I run 2 550s) and you will never look back. Using one hand to add a case while the other hand adds a bullet is fairly simple, kind of like eating a hot dog and drinking a coke. If you have trouble with that, well.... When I was shooting IPSC, there was no problem in loading 1000 rounds with a 550 on a Friday after noon for the weekend match and further practice during the coming week.

[tranders]

I know the Dillon warranty is fantastic,but how is Hornady's ?

[ReloaderFred]

I wore out a Hornady Pro-Jector after about 400,000 rounds loaded on it. I called Hornady and they said to send it in and they would look at it and decide if it could be rebuilt or not. They told me when I called that it would probably be "time and materials" for a rebuild. About a month after I sent it in, it showed up back at my door, completely rebuilt, with a two page list of the things they had done to it. And there was no charge for it, not even the shipping back to me.

Considering that I had owned the press for the better part of 20 years, and it had seen considerable use, I was pleased as punch with their service. I gave the rebuilt Pro-Jector to a good friend, and bought a new LnL for myself, which I'm still using.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[tranders]

I wore out a Hornady Pro-Jector after about 400,000 rounds loaded on it. I called Hornady and they said to send it in and they would look at it and decide if it could be rebuilt or not. They told me when I called that it would probably be "time and materials" for a rebuild. About a month after I sent it in, it showed up back at my door, completely rebuilt, with a two page list of the things they had done to it. And there was no charge for it, not even the shipping back to me.

Considering that I had owned the press for the better part of 20 years, and it had seen considerable use, I was pleased as punch with their service. I gave the rebuilt Pro-Jector to a good friend, and bought a new LnL for myself, which I'm still using.

Hope this helps.

Fred

Sound like Hornady stands behind their product also. This is going to be a tough decision.

[DerekP Houston]

Sound like Hornady stands behind their product also. This is going to be a tough decision.

If you have access to a store that sells both just go get a feel for them in person. I couldn't find a dillon dealer but plenty places had the LNL AP setup for testing. I'm pretty used to doing right hand lever, left hand bullet/brass from so much time on the lee turret so I didn't want to change my method. They are both quality reloading gear.

[dannyd]

I know the Dillon warranty is fantastic,but how is Hornady's ?

Both have lifetime warranties and anything I asked have gotten for free. RCBS has the best warranty makes Dillon and Hornady both look bad.

[Carrier]

This should be good!

[osteodoc08]

When I wore out the base plate on my LnL And it quit ejecting and was hanging up, I called Hornady. They said it was a normal wear item and that I "sure have called to get a lot of things replaced lately"

I ended up purchasing another base plate as they refused to send me one free of charge saying it was a normal wear item and needs to be periodically replaced.

RCBS has always done right by me. Same with Dillon.

[dannyd]

I dropped my RCBS case trimmer damaged the base. All my fault RCBS sent me a new for free. I believe in paying for things under normal wear and tear. If my truck had as many miles as my reloading equipment the truck would be falling apart. Hornady as sent me every part I have asked for free.

[jcourson]

Yeah even Hornady doesn't make the boxes big enough. :lol:

That is strange. Mine fit in the hornady boxes just fine with the bushings on.

[Carrier]

When I wore out the base plate on my LnL And it quit ejecting and was hanging up, I called Hornady. They said it was a normal wear item and that I "sure have called to get a lot of things replaced lately"

I ended up purchasing another base plate as they refused to send me one free of charge saying it was a normal wear item and needs to be periodically replaced.

RCBS has always done right by me. Same with Dillon.

So how many rounds did you load on it when this happened? So far Hornady has sent me everything that I have broke on my LNL for free. I've only have about 10,000 rounds loaded on it but probably close to double that amount as I use it for decapping before wet cleaning my brass.

[cheese1566]

I found the best deal on bushings was a conversion pack sold through Cabelas. At the time, I couldn't find another vendor selling the same package even though it was a Hornady item. I slowly bought enough to convert all my dies used for that press.

I see Cabelas still lists them, 6 bushings and adapter for $19.95. Otherwise they show a 3 pack for $15.99.

[tranders]

I found the best deal on bushings was a conversion pack sold through Cabelas. At the time, I couldn't find another vendor selling the same package even though it was a Hornady item. I slowly bought enough to convert all my dies used for that press.

I see Cabelas still lists them, 6 bushings and adapter for $19.95. Otherwise they show a 3 pack for $15.99.

That's a great deal. Thank you!

[2011redrider]

Just got my kit from Cabela's and it doesn't seem its available from anyone but Cabela's. I have several Hornady boxes I bought as empty replacements. the dies fit fine in those boxes with the bushings attached. Part # for the boxes is 544600. Part nuber for the bushing kit is 44098, but, it doesnt even show up on Hornady's site.
Universal Die Storage boxes https://www.midwayusa.com/product/154430/hornady-die-box-large

https://i.imgur.com/KAUXl3jh.jpg

[Drew P]

Hornady warranty is on par with Dillon. No sweat there. The bushings are a great feature you can use or not use, your choice. The only downside on the machine imo is the primer system is a little vague and not super reliable, although it works well enough.
The machine is cheap enough to buy for a dedicated caliber if you wanted, rendering bushings moot. If Hornady upgraded them to 6 stations or somehow made a powder check system built in they wouldn’t be able to make em fast enough.

One thing that people don’t discuss a lot is the “handed ness” of a presses design. The LNL ap is designed for the operators right arm to pull the lever, and all other tasks loading etc are done with left hand. This is a big contrast to the Dillon 550 which is much more clumsy to me being that you must load the machine from the right side. Ergo win for Hornady. But, I also have 550 and love it for different reasons. I do not load pistol on it ot prime on it though, and I treat it more like a turret press instead. The Hornady cost 1/2 as much as other 5 station prog machines and it’s worth every penny!

[Drew P]

Oh ya, one thing that’s nice to do is the “arbor shim mod” it tightens the press up considerably.

[LittleLebowski]

Sound like Hornady stands behind their product also. This is going to be a tough decision.

I would look more at design and popularity if I were you. I was not a year ago, looking at the LnL versus the Dillon. The LnL just cannot stay problem free for the reloading runs that a Dillon can. The LnL requires more tinkering, period. It is a decent press, but or 650.

[osteodoc08]

So how many rounds did you load on it when this happened? So far Hornady has sent me everything that I have broke on my LNL for free. I've only have about 10,000 rounds loaded on it but probably close to double that amount as I use it for decapping before wet cleaning my brass.

Just now coming back around. I'd probably have to guess around 20k or so. I just didn't feel it is a wear item. If I break something, I don't mind replacing or repairing on my dime. The base plate, well, nah, it should hold up better than that.

[Drew P]

I would look more at design and popularity if I were you. I was not a year ago, looking at the LnL versus the Dillon. The LnL just cannot stay problem free for the reloading runs that a Dillon can. The LnL requires more tinkering, period. It is a decent press, but or 650. But you can buy two Hornady for the price of one 650. If price is a factor.

[roysha]

I have been looking at the Hornady LnL progressive press. My question, is it possible to use dies without the quick change bushings or are you stuck with buying bushings for all your dies?

Thanks!

This is the original post.

Where in the post does it ask for advice about, or suggestions for purchasing, a dillon. It is because of people like the dillon nuts that I won't own dillon anything and badmouth them when asked about them even though they are probably somewhat acceptable. Yes I have experience with them and I'll take my Hornady presses every time without another thought.

As has been stated, yes, you can just leave the bushings in place and thread the dies in as though it were not a L-N-L press.

[LittleLebowski]

This is the original post.

Where in the post does it ask for advice about, or suggestions for purchasing, a dillon. It is because of people like the dillon nuts that I won't own dillon anything and badmouth them when asked about them even though they are probably somewhat acceptable. Yes I have experience with them and I'll take my Hornady presses every time without another thought.

As has been stated, yes, you can just leave the bushings in place and thread the dies in as though it were not a L-N-L press.

Yes, that is the original post. Do you need references to the other questions the guy that started the thread asked?

[DerekP Houston]

Yes, that is the original post. Do you need references to the other questions the guy that started the thread asked?

I'm curious what tinkering is needed after setting up the dies? With a locknut in place the plate doesn't come loose, at most I blast it with a bit of canned air every time I refill the primer tube just to clean any debris off. There was some initial smoothing out of the parts I did per the recommended youtube video but it's been running great for months now. I've been loading the same 45 acp 200gr HP lead bullets over WST without a hiccup.

[roysha]

Yes, that is the original post. Do you need references to the other questions the guy that started the thread asked?

No I do not.

Do you need references as who brought up the dillon brand in the first place?

[308Jeff]

I have two LNL AP's. One purchased as the raw unit which I added a case feeder to, and one that I purchased as an Ammo Plant. The raw unit performed nearly flawlessly from the get go, the Ammo Plant took some pawl adjustments to get the timing perfect.

For me, the biggest selling point was the bushings. They make it a snap (literally) to make a caliber change, and the dies never need readjustment once they're set if you leave them in the bushings.

I bought two small 6 drawer plastic organizers (one for rifle, one for pistol). I store the dies in their bushings inside zip-loc bags and then store the dies, along with their shellplate and case gauge in their own drawer. Drawers are labeled with Dymo tape for easy identification.

There is only one aspect of the presses that give me grief, and that is the case feeders. Sometimes the case drop "window" has to be set exactly right to prevent cases from feeding backwards or not falling fast enough to prevent the feed plate from binding due to a case that didn't make it into the funnel fast enough. Once that's dialed in, it's 99%. The other issue with the case feeder, and this will be an easy fix once I think about it a little more, is sometimes the case drops onto the base plate too close to the edge and will fall off of the base plate. I've seen at least two fixes for this on youtube, I just haven't implemented anything yet.

One more thing I like about the LNL AP press - in my experience, the powder measure will measure EVERYTHING pretty darn close to dead on. This includes all rifle and pistol ball powders, Unique and Longshot which are flake, and most extruded rifle powders. The only powder I've tried that gave me any trouble was VARGET, and while that was generally +/- .1gr, I didn't care for the force/binding that occasionally occurred when it needed to cut grains to throw the charge.

One more issue that I did have on one of the two presses, now that I think about it... After 15,000 rounds or so, I was having an issue with rounds not wanting to eject. They would ride over the ejector boss and bind the shellplate. I fixed this by carefully taking a file and resquaring the edge of the ejector which had smoothed over and was acting like a ramp for the cases.

I have no experience with Dillon presses, but I would have no qualms about owning one. A Super 1050 with a trimmer would be a dream come true for me considering how much military 308 and 203 brass I process. It would be sweeter than sweet to fully process the brass on once machine.

[ReloaderFred]

Keep this thread on track. The question was about the Hornady LnL, so let's keep it confined to that press.

Fred

[LittleLebowski]

Edit: saw the moderator’s comment.

[tranders]

Keep this thread on track. The question was about the Hornady LnL, so let's keep it confined to that press.

Fred

Thank you Fred.

[xrayfk05]

Once you have used those bushing once you will never want anything else. I have also converted my Rock Chucker to use the bushings, the conversion set is about $20,0 including some bushings if I remember correctly.
You do need to tighten the bushings in the press firmly, especially on the powder measure or they may work loose.

First thing I would check when you get a new LnL is to check the timing, does the shellplate advance properly on every movement of the handle.
Adjusting it is no big deal, just read the manual carefully and go slowly on the adjustment screw. (1/16 of a turn does a lot)

Fwiw. both colors of my progressives have their own quirks, and both are good.

[roysha]

Keep this thread on track. The question was about the Hornady LnL, so let's keep it confined to that press.

Fred

I apologize for my snarky retort, both to LittleLewboski and the forum.

[ReloaderFred]

Thanks, guys.

Fred

[Carrier]

I have two LNL AP's. One purchased as the raw unit which I added a case feeder to, and one that I purchased as an Ammo Plant. The raw unit performed nearly flawlessly from the get go, the Ammo Plant took some pawl adjustments to get the timing perfect.

For me, the biggest selling point was the bushings. They make it a snap (literally) to make a caliber change, and the dies never need readjustment once they're set if you leave them in the bushings.

I bought two small 6 drawer plastic organizers (one for rifle, one for pistol). I store the dies in their bushings inside zip-loc bags and then store the dies, along with their shellplate and case gauge in their own drawer. Drawers are labeled with Dymo tape for easy identification.

There is only one aspect of the presses that give me grief, and that is the case feeders. Sometimes the case drop "window" has to be set exactly right to prevent cases from feeding backwards or not falling fast enough to prevent the feed plate from binding due to a case that didn't make it into the funnel fast enough. Once that's dialed in, it's 99%. The other issue with the case feeder, and this will be an easy fix once I think about it a little more, is sometimes the case drops onto the base plate too close to the edge and will fall off of the base plate. I've seen at least two fixes for this on youtube, I just haven't implemented anything yet.

One more thing I like about the LNL AP press - in my experience, the powder measure will measure EVERYTHING pretty darn close to dead on. This includes all rifle and pistol ball powders, Unique and Longshot which are flake, and most extruded rifle powders. The only powder I've tried that gave me any trouble was VARGET, and while that was generally +/- .1gr, I didn't care for the force/binding that occasionally occurred when it needed to cut grains to throw the charge.

One more issue that I did have on one of the two presses, now that I think about it... After 15,000 rounds or so, I was having an issue with rounds not wanting to eject. They would ride over the ejector boss and bind the shellplate. I fixed this by carefully taking a file and resquaring the edge of the ejector which had smoothed over and was acting like a ramp for the cases.

I have no experience with Dillon presses, but I would have no qualms about owning one. A Super 1050 with a trimmer would be a dream come true for me considering how much military 308 and 203 brass I process. It would be sweeter than sweet to fully process the brass on once machine.

If you phone Hornady they will send you the fix for that free or like others have down cut a 12 gauge shotgun hull to fit. I prefer the one from Hornady.
Can you post a picture on exactly where you filed the ejector as I sometimes have that same issue. Was going to phone Hornady and see what they say about it.
The guy I have always dealt with is Seth and he has been awesome.

[Three44s]

Speaking of the Lnl bushings I have some issues with them working loose.

Maybe a fatter O ring?

Many of my dies are Lee and they are short bodied. Between the bushing and the thick aluminum head of the press it makes for an interesting set up.

I take my Lee lock rings turn them over to get more threads on to the die body to lock them up better. A fellow member told me that you can run the lock ring on the underside of the press head and bottom of the die. I have not tried this yet however.

Three44s

[ReloaderFred]

If you call Hornady, they'll send you the shims for free. The only bushing I had a problem with working loose was the one that holds the powder measure. Once I received the shim from Hornady, that cured the problem.

Most of my dies for use on the LnL are RCBS or Lyman, and they work perfectly.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[Carrier]

Speaking of the Lnl bushings I have some issues with them working loose.

Maybe a fatter O ring?

Many of my dies are Lee and they are short bodied. Between the bushing and the thick aluminum head of the press it makes for an interesting set up.

I take my Lee lock rings turn them over to get more threads on to the die body to lock them up better. A fellow member told me that you can run the lock ring on the underside of the press head and bottom of the die. I have not tried this yet however.

Three44s

Only one that I had that may of started to come loose is the powder measure. Though it didn't the interweb naysayers said it would so contacted Hornady and they sent me some shims for free that stops that. You could try a larger o-ring which many say works.
Only Lee dies I have are a set of 44special/mag ones and I have no issue with using the lock nuts but they are only a year old and I've been told the older Lee dies are shorter.

[Three44s]

Thanks guys!

I think I only have one that works loose as well.

I have been gravitating to die brands with longer bodies as well as I add calibers just to allieviate the issue. Most of my Lee dies are from the ‘90’s

Three44’s

[Elkins45]

I could live without the bushings. I'm not in such a hurry to change dies that I can't just screw them in. However you could always just reuse the same ones over and over so it's not a big deal.

I bought my LnL two years ago and just love it. I wanted auto indexing and five die stations so I could run a 40 S&W sizing die before the 357 sizer when loading 357 Sig.

[Drew P]

206340

For those that don't need or don't want to use the bushings you need to purchase this special "hornady lnl bushing setting tool". Hornady will probably send you one for free because they are that great but otherwise most hardware stores sell them.
People really want to make the bushings more complicated than they are.