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jbailey did you have do do anything special to use the Lee Pro Auto-Disk measure on the LNL?
Sorry, I should have commented on that. If you use the Lee Deluxe
4-die pistol set, it comes with the powder through expander die. The Pro Auto Disk measure mounts directly to it, and is activated when a shell casing is raised into the die, simultaneously belling the case and delivering the powder charge, a remarkably simple and economical solution. If you like/use other brands of dies, you may need the Lee extension for mounting the measure higher, so it will clear taller dies. Regardless whose dies you use, you will need the powder through expander die from Lee. Just FYI, Dillon pays/paid a royalty to Lee because Dillon's powder measure uses the same basic design.
I've heard you can't use the Lee Factory Crimp dies on the LNL, is that true? What other items (other than the case feeder) does the LNL need to run at its best?
Oh yes, I have a Lee FCD for every pistol cal. and .223 as well. It will repair an otherwise 'out of spec' round so that it will cycle and chamber. The problem comes when you want to use it in the 5th station. Used there, the bottom of the die hits the ejection wire. You can bend/file the wire to fix this, but I don't even use the 5th station, so I don't have this issue. I may be a bit anal, but I gauge every round after it is loaded; and even tho' I am careful, there are a small percentage of rounds that won't gauge. At the end of the reloading session, I replace the taper crimp die with the FCD (crimping is done in the 4th sta.). This is just a simple turn of the LnL bushing to remove the taper crimp die and replace it with the FCD, run the offending rounds through it and done. I don't have a case feeder, so I can't comment - but I can keep up with my ammo consumption without it, including USPSA match once in a while.
As far a cost per caliber change, all you really need is the bushings to mount the dies in, and the proper shell plate. I load mostly 9mm, .38/.357, and .45Auto with my LnL. For those 3 cal., I need:
15 bushings @ 3 for $12.50 = $62.50
3 die sets @ $33.00 ea = $99.00
3 shell plates @ $26.00 ea = $78.00
2 taper crimp dies @ 22.00 ea =$44.00
Total =$271.00/3= $90.33 per cal.
Of course the plates are good for many more than one cal. I can also load .308, .30/06, .223 and others with the 3 plates I have.
One last question for any progressive owners:
Why is the warranty comments so important? I know it's important when something breaks or you need service help, but do progressives wear parts, or breakdown that much? I don't hear this from the single stage or turret press owners, I just don't want to spend $$$ and regret it.
Customer service becomes very important way down the road and you try to get a small part only to find that the item you bought has been redesigned and parts are no longer available. My Hornady is an old one, and I can still get anything I need - for instance, Hornady had upgraded and redesigned the primer feed mechanism. Would it fit my old press?? "Why, yes sir", replied the voice on the other end of the line. Thinking about a customer's future needs is REAL customer service. Both Dillon and Hornady are known for this.
Hope this helps,
Jim
Thanks for all the great feedback.[/quote]
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