Author Topic: Lock N Load frustration (Read 927 times)

v-man · « **on:** January 24, 2008, 05:22:22 PM »

OK now I am really miffed ! ! ! Why do my .45ACP dies not allow the brass to go far enough into the die to flair or crimp in my new Lock N Load AP. They are Lee dies. Are Hornady or others longer or what? My other calibers have to be screwed in almost as far as they will go into the bushing but at least they will still work but not the .45's. Am I the only person in the world that has experienced this? After 4 days Hornady doesn't seem to want to respond to my E-mail.

myronman3 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2008, 04:05:35 AM »

hate to say it buddy, you wouldnt have that customer service problem with dillon. i know that doesnt help you now, but this is the reason i promote dillon above all others. NOBODY BEATS DILLONS CUSTOMER SERVICE.

my advise is to return the lock and load and get you a dillon.

Questor · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2008, 06:27:07 AM »

I hate to be a knife-twister but I second myronman's comment. I had a taste of Hornady customer "service" and have since sworn them permanently off my list of vendors.

gary0529 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2008, 11:15:51 AM »

OK, We got the Blue Kool Aid drinkers out of the way.
Here is the answer- If you are having a problem flaring the mouth of the case and are using the powder drop through case expander you simply adjust the whole powder assy. down a bit until you have the proper amount of flare-best done without powder in the hopper while you are setting up the machine.

The crimp is a different matter, due to spring interference you can best use a Hornady-contrary to popular(Dillon user) experience, I called Hornady customer service and they sent me a crimp die FREE and said sorry for the trouble.
I have read where you can turn the die that is a bit too long in a lathe and shorten it enough to make it work but a Hornady crimp die works great- have one for both 45 and 9 mm and it works great.

Hope this helps.

Gary

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2008, 12:47:46 PM »

Quote from: gary0529 on January 25, 2008, 11:15:51 AM

OK, We got the Blue Kool Aid drinkers out of the way.

We all knew it was coming.

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2008, 12:58:41 PM »

v-man

Send Lee an e-mail , they will help no matter whos press you are using , it may be a case of a short die and they will make it right or it may be a case of you needing to set up the die diffrently with the L&L . either way Lee will be a lot more helpful than Hornadys CS . just what i have found in the past .

stimpy

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2008, 01:50:04 PM »

I have always received great CS from Hornady, but then again I have always spoke with the same person. It has been more than 10 years since my first call and the guy was so nice I have automatically asked to speak with him every time no matter if it is help with load data or setting up my press or repair parts

Luckyducker · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2008, 04:30:39 PM »

I have had excellent customer service from Hornady. I load 45ACP in my L-N-L AP but use RCBS dies for this caliber. I have some Lee dies that I use in this press without problems, but I won't purchase any more Lee dies. The Lee dies load good ammo but they are cheaply made and their lock rings are a joke. I like Redding rifle dies and Hornady, Redding, and RCBS pistol dies. I can't figure out why your dies won't screw into the bushing far enough to flair and crimp but you can turn the Lee lock ring over and can screw the die down a little further and this may give you enough to get the job done.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #8 on:** January 26, 2008, 12:55:49 AM »

im one of the blue koolaid guys but have enough hornady stuff to have experienced there customer service dept and its allways been great to me. I would consider contacting rcbs (another company with great customer service) and seeing what they have to say.

adirondacker · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2008, 08:26:52 AM »

i had the same problem with 44 lee dies.once turned down far enough the locking ring runs out of threads.i thought about lock-titeing or epoxy'ing the die into the l-n-l bushing.i bought a bunch of extras.if you haven't heard anything back from hornady i would follow up with another message.i have never had any problem wit them.
by the way do other dies eliminate the problem?i need to get some 45 acp,i let my buddy take his dillon back,have to set my l-n-l up soon,thanks adker

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2008, 10:00:10 AM »

Calling them is well worth the time.. even though their message is goofy

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #11 on:** January 27, 2008, 02:48:42 AM »

I am pretty sure the person I speak with USED to do CS and has since moved to a different position within the company. He answers my questions just to be polite... I could be wrong. I just don't want to see him swamped with questions if that is no longer his job, Trust me, I used to do Tech support and have moved over, not up, in the company but I still get calls from great customers that have been with us forever and prefer to talk to someone that has given them an answer before

bulzaye · « **Reply #12 on:** January 27, 2008, 04:02:19 AM »

I guess my post was removed. Can anyone tell me why

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 27, 2008, 04:04:23 AM »

I did - PM coming

stimpy

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #14 on:** January 27, 2008, 04:07:15 AM »

Quote from: myronman3 on January 25, 2008, 04:05:35 AM

. NOBODY BEATS DILLONS CUSTOMER SERVICE.

But Hornady, Redding and RCBS equals it. Probably others as well

bulzaye · « **Reply #15 on:** January 27, 2008, 04:08:23 AM »

ok fine

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 27, 2008, 04:19:57 AM »

This is not going to turn into a pissing match over who has the best , we all have our favorites and loyalties so keep the info to the subject at hand NOT you should have gotten this or that .

I'm about tempted to dump the whole thread .

Stimpylu32

v-man · « **Reply #17 on:** January 27, 2008, 05:20:13 PM »

Stimpy,
That sounds like a good idea to me. I think there were 2 or 3 useful responses out of 16. I did get a little help but I was also reminded why I end up abandoning these sites for months after eachtime I decide to inquire or contribute. Too many people just can't get through the day without trying to belittle someone else or prove them someway inferior. What a pathetic way for someone to feel good about themself.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #18 on:** January 28, 2008, 04:43:21 AM »

Forget the email and give 'em a call. They have great customer service and will help ya. I have my own issues with this machine, but customer service is tops.

I did like that comment about the blue Kool Aid drinkers though.

myronman3 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 28, 2008, 08:16:38 AM »

Quote from: v-man on January 27, 2008, 05:20:13 PM

Stimpy,
That sounds like a good idea to me. I think there were 2 or 3 useful responses out of 16. I did get a little help but I was also reminded why I end up abandoning these sites for months after eachtime I decide to inquire or contribute. Too many people just can't get through the day without trying to belittle someone else or prove them someway inferior. What a pathetic way for someone to feel good about themself.

i hope you got help with your problem.

just to clarify my above post... my point was (and is) that customer sercive is a very important thing; especially with these complex gadgets. you expressed dismay about trying to contact hornady. i personally have never had anything but good experiences with them. you said differently. there are few things as frustrating as spending that much money and then not getting help when you need it.
that was my point. hopefully you resolved your issue successfully and are cranking out the ammo. best wishes from a blue kool aid drinker.

Reed1911 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 28, 2008, 09:21:02 AM »

Okay,

I drink the Kool-Aid, but here may be a solution that I have found to work great. I'm not familiar with the Hdy press so it may not work well enough, it does work with the Dillon just fine. Take the lock ring off the top and run it on the bottom, you should have a good inch to inch & a half of die there that will allow the ring to be well above the shellplate. Works fine with some of the odd ball dies I've made from existing calibers.

John R. · « **Reply #21 on:** January 28, 2008, 10:00:06 AM »

I would call Hornady first and see if I could get their opinion on the problem. If that's not satisfactory, then call Dillon and get some some of that great blue kool-aid. You won't be disappointed.

Waldog · « **Reply #22 on:** February 02, 2008, 04:54:52 AM »

I have the LNL and think it is an outstanding press. HOWEVER, the hardest part in learning to use my press was the adjustment of the Powder-Thru-expanders. The instructions are not very clear on the subject. In order to get proper "belling" on your cases AND consistent powder drops, you have to loosen the clamp on the powder die to screw your powder measure deeper into the die. To get consistent powder drops and belling, the linkage on the powder measure has to cycle to "top out, over center" on each stroke of the press. As far as sizing/bullet seating/crimp die go; any manufacturers dies will work EXCEPT, many taper crimp dies are a little too long and will hit the case ejection wire. Especially the LEE crimp dies. The easiest solution is too order Hornady taper crimp dies. They are a little shorter and do not hit the ejector wire. OR, take your existing crimp die and a Dremel tool and grind a small flat on the side of the die where it hits the ejection wire. Looks rough but, works great. Don't let anyone tell you the LNL is not a great press with great customer service. It's just that it has it's quirks, just like the Blue presses. Both are excellent!!