Batching reloading steps

locknloader,

I don't do batch steps with my LNL (other than de-priming before case cleaning). I can understand the temptation to re-size in a separate step since it greatly reduces the handle effort on the LNL. But I bought my LNL to save time by not doing things in batches.

As far as the increased effort you experienced with the LNL, that should flag you to look at what's going on at each of the stages, checking for loose parts like dies, powder drop, shellplate, etc. That increased effort is telling you something is wrong and needs attention. Same thing with unusual sounds.

As far as the dies themselves, I've used Hornady, RCBS, and Lee on the LNL. I prefer Hornady or RCBS. I have found the Lee dies sometimes need to be adjusted close to their thread limit, but they do work.

Edit: I use a carbide sizer without lube FWIW.
 
locknloader,

Remove the split washer as it can cause the loosening if it it not tightened flat and that would lock down the shellplate. The drop of blue lock tight will keep the center bolt in place. If you change calibers often it will eventually wear down to where another drop is required.

Like BBarn, I prefer Hornady and RCBS over Lee dies. To me Lee dies will work but they are like the Chevrolet of the reloading world. Hornady, Reading, RCBS and others are like the Buick and Cadillac's.
 
Progressive presses Dillon 550 and Hornady LNL I do everything at once.
That is the point of a progressive press 6 operations with one pull of the handle, 1 complete round for each pull.
Single stage press RC IV I do things in batches.
I dry tumble and decap and prime after tumbling.
Wet cleaning brass is unnecessary and introduces expense and extra steps without any improvement in function or accuracy.
If you want shinier brass tumble longer with a bit of mineral spirits and polish in your corncob.
 
"...do all my loading in batches and do not own a..." Ditto. Been using a single stage for 40 years. It's part of the speed technique with one to do one step to all your cases then change dies. You can take all your cases(any case) to where they need powder and bullet and store 'em until you feel like finishing or need ammo.
"...fighting the press handle..." If that's happening, you're doing something incorrectly. Isn't the handle though. It's the sizing die that's fighting. Check your lubing. Might be the bench isn't solid enough though.
 
I use a Lee Classic Turret. It goes semi progressive. All of my .223 Rem brass is range pick up. (Love the guys that show up with a case of ammo, and leave the brass.) I batch all new to me brass. I dry tumble it to get any dirt, or grit off. I resize all of them, and then trim chamfer, and deburr. As well as ream the crimps out of the primer pockets. I then tumble it to remove the case lube. After it gets primed, charged, and then seat the bullets.

All of my 9mm I tumble in walnut shell media for an hour or so. Then load like normal. The only reloader I know that uses a progressive swears by the lanolin mix for loading pistol rounds. He says things go much more smoothly, and require less force. He dry tumbles in corn cob media for an hour or so when they are done.
 
Ok so i am convinced it was the lee dies. I bit the bullet and got the hornady 9mm taper crimp die set. Ran 200 rounds through today and the machine was like a swiss watch. Also free's up a spot by seating and crimping in the same die so i can run my powder cop die now.

My tolerances are also way tighter on seating/crimping now, i was getting big swings with the lee dies before.
 
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