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Reloading Pistol with Lee Equipment. Kickasseses!

EricCartmann

Hobbyist among Operators
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Feb 21, 2010
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Mom's Basement
Actually this is Lee Equipment with the Hornady LNL.

The only complaint I had about my old Hornady LNL Press set up was I could not not reload .45 the way I wanted to.

1) I could not run all 5 die stations because the ejector wire got in the way on the last die when loading for .45 ACP
2) I only had one powder dispenser, the one that came with the press, and it's a PITA to adjust each time I swap caliber
3) I had to expand (the case mouth) and charge in 2 separate steps. Now I can do it in one.

#1 above was fixed by ordering the Hornady EZ-eject conversion kit ($30 + $10 for each plate to be modded)
#2 was fixed by buying an additional powder dispenser
#3 above was fixed by using the Lee-Auto-Disk with Lee Expander

Big prop again to Lee Dies! They do not disappoint. The Lee .45 ACP die kit comes with 4 dies. Best part is the whole kit is only $35. In addition to the 4 dies, you also get excellent instructions, a shell holder, and a powder cup.

Another big Prop to Lee for the Lee Auto-Disk Powder dispenser! This thing is super consistent, I believe even more consistent than the Hornady LBL powder dispenser. It was +/- .1 grain with Titegroup Powder.

The Lee Auto Disk is only $40, while the Hornady is $80.00. The Auto-Disk works perfect with the Lee expander/powder-through die. In addition, it also works great with the Hornady LNL press! I am thinking of picking up 2 more of these dispenser and have them preset for other calibers.

Here are the 5 dies in action with 6 stations.
1) Station #1 is the Resizing + Decapper station
2) #2 is the Priming Station (no dies here)
3) #3 is the Case-Mouth-Expander + charging station
4) #4 is the Powder Check die. This station is not really important for rifles, but extremely important for Pistols, as it will prevent you from accidentally double charging. It also warns you when your cases are not charging... because as we all know, there is nothing like loading 100 rounds and finding out later that none of them have charges in them!
5) #5 is the Bullet Seating Die
6) #6 is the Bullet Crimp Die

The Black Die is the RCBS powder check die. Works way better than the Hornady, which stuck way to much (the rod would not come back down). The RCBS unit is just sturdier, it also comes with 2 heads to fix small and large cases to give you more consistent readings.
IMG_1391-vi.jpg


IMG_1390-vi.jpg



Another addition awhile back. Brass rod with flag on top for "out of primer indicator". When Primer runs out the flag will be at the bottom, but in addition, the primer feeder will not return to it's natural position because the rod will jam in the primer feeding hole.
IMG_1392-vi.jpg



Here is a rare glimpse of CAWIC (Cartmann Ammunition Work Industrial Center),and what I look like reloading in the morning before showering or brushing my teeth.
IMG_13891-vi.jpg
 
Re: Reloading Pistol with Lee Equipment. Kickasseses!

Nice setup!

I have not been able to get the powder dispenser to "behave properly". Powder drops are very uneven and, sometimes, even overflow the cartridge. I cleaned the dispenser inside out ... tried wiping the inside with dryer sheet ... pull handle bar slowly ... but nothing works. Any tips to get it to work???
 
Re: Reloading Pistol with Lee Equipment. Kickasseses!

If you can swing it, get the Hornady automatic case feeder. It is fairly simple to set up and will really speed up your reloading process. I just added one recently and wish I would have done it from the beginning. Amazing how much it speeds up the reloading process.
 
Re: Reloading Pistol with Lee Equipment. Kickasseses!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1kOrBust</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nice setup!

I have not been able to get the powder dispenser to "behave properly". Powder drops are very uneven and, sometimes, even overflow the cartridge. I cleaned the dispenser inside out ... tried wiping the inside with dryer sheet ... pull handle bar slowly ... but nothing works. Any tips to get it to work??? </div></div>

are you using the LNL dispenser? and with what powder?
 
Re: Reloading Pistol with Lee Equipment. Kickasseses!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Flintlock Shooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you can swing it, get the Hornady automatic case feeder. It is fairly simple to set up and will really speed up your reloading process. I just added one recently and wish I would have done it from the beginning. Amazing how much it speeds up the reloading process. </div></div>

Have not found a need for one yet. Reloading rifle, the time is insignificant on the press, it's the case prep that is brutal. For pistol I can easily do 250 in half hour, which for me is more than plenty. Most important thing for me when reloading is my TV and Cable has to work.
 
Re: Reloading Pistol with Lee Equipment. Kickasseses!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EricCartmann</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

are you using the LNL dispenser? and with what powder? </div></div>

Yes, the LnL powder dispenser that comes with the AP. I was trying with Titegroup.
 
Re: Reloading Pistol with Lee Equipment. Kickasseses!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1kOrBust</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EricCartmann</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

are you using the LNL dispenser? and with what powder? </div></div>

Yes, the LnL powder dispenser that comes with the AP. I was trying with Titegroup. </div></div>


The LnL dispenser comes with this anti-rust gunk on it that has to be removed. You have to remove this gunk before using it. In order to remove the gunk, you have to take the dispenser apart. I learned that the hard way too, I called Hornady, and they were the ones that told me this. Here is the video on cleaning the dispenser.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqYalPCf3AU