Need Help with Lock N Load

[skylar957]

Hi Everyone...I am brand new to reloading and was wondering if some of you could help me with some basic questions. First, Let me say I recently was Given the gift of a brand new Hornady Lock n Load AP Press. I Have a few dies already and am in the process of looking for a good scale.(If anyone has an extra they would like to sell) Per Graybeards advice I purchased a few different Reloading Manuals but don't have Hornady's yet. I need to know what else i am going to need so I can start Reloading. Do I need Shell Holders as well as shell Plates? Do I need Bushings for every Die? I know I will eventually need a case trimmer , Do I need to invest in a tumbler right away? If Anyone has Some time on there hands and wouldn't mind answering a few of my questions I really would appreciate it. Steve

[Czech_too]

Steve,
There's no immediate need to purchase a tumbler, unless it's a case of 'you gotta have one'.  I went for years, decades actually, without one.  If you pick up and use range brass, just a visual inspection as to it's 'cleanliness' is all that's needed.  If you have to have the brass SHINE, a Scotch-Brite pad will do for now.

Brian, in Ohio

[skylar957]

Thanks For the heads up Bri, All of my brass is once fired by me in it's respected weapon. Thanks for your 2 cents. Streve

[Hairtrigger]

Hornady LNL AP as a gift!!!
Does she have a sister?
Check out you tube, there are some great videos that explain the setup and use of your press

[Davemuzz]

skylar,

Your not going to need "shellholders" in addition to "shellplates". A shellholder is what you would use for a single stage press. That's not the kind of press you have. The shellplate is what attaches to the press, and this hold's up to 5 pieces of brass at one time. There are different sizes of shellplates (and shellholders) depending upon the cartridge you are loading.

You don't necessarily need different LNL bushings for each die that you have. However, you will need a minimum of 5. If you are loading more than one caliber, you can "swap" dies out from one bushing to the next.....but the purpose of the bushings is to make your reloading easier. So, once you have the die adjusted correctly in the bushing, you just swap the die in and out of the press in a few seconds.

If your loading rifle (bottleneck) brass, you will need a brass trimmer ASAP. I would suggest the LEE case trimmers. They are cheap and do a very good job...and easy to use....and last almost forever.

I hope this helps

Dave

[PA-Joe]

Do you have the LNL progress press or the single stage? Was it a kit or just the press? Did it come with both a large and small primer arm, and a powder measure? You will need a caliper to measure COL. What are you planning on loading. If you are doing rifle, you will need to get some spray lub for the resizing step.

[skylar957]

Dave....Thanks For Clearing That up For Me. I am Working on the case trimmer as we speak. Thank You
PA-Joe....It Is the Progressive and it came with Powder measure and primer arms. I do have a Dial Caliper (English) But what Is COL?...Thanks...Steve

[huntswithdogs]

COL= Cartridge Overall Length


HWD

[PA-Joe]

You have to seat the bullet in the case deep enough so that it does not touch the rifling lands in the barrel. The books will give you standard COLs.

[Davemuzz]

Slylar,

Check out some of these videos on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAG6OTe7ekw

There are several different video clips on setting up and using the lock 'n load press. Check 'em out. They will answer a lot of questions you may have.

I hope this helps.

Dave