Originally Posted by olstyn
I really like my Lock-n-Load AP as well, although I have only loaded a few thousand rounds on it so far. I was able to trade in my old (and long disused) Hornady Pro-Jector + $200 to get it, since the primer tube on the Pro-Jector became unusable and Hornady hasn't made them in a looooong time (and to be honest, it was never exactly a trouble-free press). But, like you, I've never had a Dillon machine so I don't know what I might be missing. I did look very hard at the Dillon before finding out about the Hornady trade-in program and they certainly looked well built. I would probably own one now based on my experience with the Pro-Jector had I not found out about the trade-in program.
Thus far the priming system on the LnL has worked flawlessly for me. However, like yours, my press was out of time from the factory and needed a little tweaking to get it just right. Fortunately, this is pretty straight forward on the LnL. Shortly after setting it up, I discovered Inline Fabrication. Boy, that was an expensive discovery! But the quality of their products and the improvements they make to the basic press are impressive.
As to the hassle of switching powder charges for different calibers, have you considered just buying a dedicated metering insert for each caliber you load? Since they just pop out of the powder measure drum with the press of a button, you could have one set up for your favorite charge for a given caliber (mark the powder and charge setting right on the insert) and keep the dedicated metering insert with the dies for that caliber. If you are using the same powder for both calibers, you don't even need to empty the hopper to change the inserts. Just don't pull the insert and let the drum rotate to the downward position or you are going to empty the entire hopper onto the floor! In fact, Hornady makes a powder measure draining insert that works on exactly that principal, but I haven't bought one.
So far I am just loading 9mm (have other dies and shell plates from the Projector for other calibers which I had converted to work on the LnL, but haven't reloaded anything else yet), but my plan is once I start loading other calibers I will just buy a dedicated metering insert for each caliber and keep that insert with the dies. I've been very impressed with the consistency of the charges thrown by the LnL powder measure, but they are fiddly to get dialed in initially. I would hate the thought of having to re-calibrate one every time I changed calibers.
ETA: Almost as soon as I hit post, I realized the problem with my suggestion. The difference in case lengths is probably enough to require re-setting the powder measure die-depth to fully actuate the measure with the shorter .380 cartridge. And if you are using a PTX expander, that would definitely not just transfer right over without adjusting the die seating depth. So, eh, I guess my suggestion on the metering insert may not be much help. It all hinges on whether or not the .380 case still actuates the measure far enough to drop a consistent charge at the same height as the 9mm setting and you are not using a PTX expander.
Reply With Quote
