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glock45 · June 17th, 2009, 11:53 PM

Fellow DCers,

I am in the process of purchasing (or trying to purchase) my reloading equipment. I wanted your feedback on the setup of a Hornady Lock N Load AP to load .45 ACP and maybe some .38 special and .357 magnum.

This is the list that I have assembled, any suggestions or observations are very welcome since I am counting on the expertise of this forum to make the right choices.

1- Hornady Lock-N-Load Auto Progressive Press (EZ ject) $ 399.99 at Cabela’s
2- Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Progressive Press Shellplate #45 (For EZ Ject 45 ACP, 45 Winchester Magnum) $ 28
3- Hornady Lock-N-Load Die Bushings Package of 10 $ 36
4- Hornady powder cop $33.32
5- Hornady Series II Three Die Set 45ACP $ 37
6- Taper Crimp Die Hornady Taper Crimp Die 45 ACP, 45 Auto Rim, 45 Winchester Magnum (Taper crimp for .38?) $ 20
7- Powder Through Expander (PTX) (which one?)
8- Frankford Arsenal Quick N Easy Case Tumbler Kit $ 64
9- Calipers $ 20
10- Scale $ 15?
11- Bullet Puller? $ 13
12- Powder (which?)

As you can see from the list above I want to put a Powder cop in one station which means I should bell and powder charge in the same station using a PTX die.
I would like to know if I am good to go with the above mentioned items or you guys have suggestions about improving this setup. I would like to load a medium amount of ammo per week (around 500 -750) and will not have a lot of time to do it, that is why I have chosen to go progressive (Yeah, and the 1000 bullets also contributed to the decision).
I would also like to load some .38 and .357 Magnum but since I just have two snubbies, I don’t think I will be shooting more than 200 rounds a month. Is it worth it to buy the shell plates and dies for this amount of .38 and .357? I am inclining towards Yes since .38 has become equally expensive to .45 and .357 is even more expensive… I have been saving my brass for several months and probably have around 2,000 cases of .45, 200 cases of .38 and 200 cases of .357.
I have read the ABCs of Reloading and I think my next step is a reloading manual for these calibers. I have no experience whatsoever reloading but I know it will be part of my life from now on, so I want to start with the right foot.

Sorry for the rant and I look forward to receiving your input….

June 17th, 2009, 11:53 PM	#1
glock45 Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: florida Posts: 246	Need input on Hornady LNL setup... Fellow DCers, I am in the process of purchasing (or trying to purchase) my reloading equipment. I wanted your feedback on the setup of a Hornady Lock N Load AP to load .45 ACP and maybe some .38 special and .357 magnum. This is the list that I have assembled, any suggestions or observations are very welcome since I am counting on the expertise of this forum to make the right choices. 1- Hornady Lock-N-Load Auto Progressive Press (EZ ject) $ 399.99 at Cabela’s 2- Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Progressive Press Shellplate #45 (For EZ Ject 45 ACP, 45 Winchester Magnum) $ 28 3- Hornady Lock-N-Load Die Bushings Package of 10 $ 36 4- Hornady powder cop $33.32 5- Hornady Series II Three Die Set 45ACP $ 37 6- Taper Crimp Die Hornady Taper Crimp Die 45 ACP, 45 Auto Rim, 45 Winchester Magnum (Taper crimp for .38?) $ 20 7- Powder Through Expander (PTX) (which one?) 8- Frankford Arsenal Quick N Easy Case Tumbler Kit $ 64 9- Calipers $ 20 10- Scale $ 15? 11- Bullet Puller? $ 13 12- Powder (which?) As you can see from the list above I want to put a Powder cop in one station which means I should bell and powder charge in the same station using a PTX die. I would like to know if I am good to go with the above mentioned items or you guys have suggestions about improving this setup. I would like to load a medium amount of ammo per week (around 500 -750) and will not have a lot of time to do it, that is why I have chosen to go progressive (Yeah, and the 1000 bullets also contributed to the decision). I would also like to load some .38 and .357 Magnum but since I just have two snubbies, I don’t think I will be shooting more than 200 rounds a month. Is it worth it to buy the shell plates and dies for this amount of .38 and .357? I am inclining towards Yes since .38 has become equally expensive to .45 and .357 is even more expensive… I have been saving my brass for several months and probably have around 2,000 cases of .45, 200 cases of .38 and 200 cases of .357. I have read the ABCs of Reloading and I think my next step is a reloading manual for these calibers. I have no experience whatsoever reloading but I know it will be part of my life from now on, so I want to start with the right foot. Sorry for the rant and I look forward to receiving your input…. __________________ G30 .45 ACP G21SF .45 ACP Ruger SP101 DAO .357 Mag. S&W 642 .38 +P