Hornady lock and load bushings

[CKshooter]

So, I just acquired an RCBS rock chucker and was wondering if its a good or bad idea to convert it to Hornady bushings? I've done some reviews and have gotten mixed results, so its time to ask the experts on Accurate shooter! Some say they are not for precision reloading as there is a little play in the insert bushing. Anyone notice this problem?

 

[basshusker]

I have noticed problems. Now I just use it for pistol, 223, and neck mandrel before turning necks.

Some dies won't bump shoulder back. Sent several dies back to Hornady and they sent new ones after they said in spec. They sent me the new bushing holder that is the press part. Same thing. Got a coax and never had a problem since.

 

[Demi-human]

I took the red pill when I bought mine. Some times I curse them as another way to sell me an accessory with every die set. Other times I love the convenience of cleaning up random press jobs one morning. I have never noticed any play or other inconsistent tolerance stacking using bushings as compared to my friends rcbs press. Mine always shoot better than factory. Although I'm not a competitive shooter, I am quite particular about my reloading. Any weakness at the range opens you to ridicule around the bonfire out back at 'the eighty'.

 

[spclark]

I have two 'Chuckers, one ~ 14 years old the other's older.

Converted both, like the flexibility.

Only take-away is dies - and the Hornady bushings they're fitted to - are numbered according to which 'Chucker they're to be used with.

Same with shell-holders.

And I use a Harrell's 4-position for seating, nothing else. And o-rings under ALL my lock rings.

 

[hoz53]

So, I just acquired an RCBS rock chucker and was wondering if its a good or bad idea to convert it to Hornady bushings? I've done some reviews and have gotten mixed results, so its time to ask the experts on Accurate shooter! Some say they are not for precision reloading as there is a little play in the insert bushing. Anyone notice this problem?

I thought of trying those but heard about the issues like you so I never tried them I just got a coax. Eliminates one more thing to go wrong and being able to just slide my dies in and out sure has spoiled me

 

[snakepit]

I have had the Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Loader Press for about 4 years and have had no problems with it. I have used it with Whidden, Redding, RCBS, Forster and Harrells dies with no problems. I feel it has simplified and made so much easier the constant changing of dies during the loading process without encountering any inconsistencies. My bushings came as part of the Hornady Press so I have no experience with installing the Hornady bushings on the RCBS press.

 

[Jeff A]

RCBS Rock Crusher. Converted to Hornady Bushings years ago. Love the convenience. It saves a lot of time during caliber changes. Would never go back.

 

[Fast14riot]

I loaded on a standard RCBS for years at my dad's before getting my garage set up for my own load bench. I went red, never noticed an issue going from standard threaded to bayonet mount bushings, even when bumping shoulders. Only issue with the system is when using some Lee dies, they sometimes do not have enough threads on them from the lock ring and bushing. I only use the collet die, decapping die and a couple FCD by Lee, but my other brand dies all work just fine.

 

[msinc]

I have used them and none of mine have any "play". They are convenient to get dies all set and just leave them that way. They work better for seating or other operations besides resizing rifle cases though. If you are trying to hit an exact headspace length it will seem like something is moving...what causes this for me is the cases needing to be annealed. If the hardness/softness varies from one lot of brass to another there is a different amount of springback. This can make it seem like something is moving or not staying adjusted right.
Once upon a time, I had this dream that I could get one of those big turret presses and some extra tops...just set my size dies up once and have them stay dead on....needless to say, I got over it.

 

[rardoin]

I have a Rockchucker with the L n' L bushing and all non-sizing operation dies set up with the corresponding attachment. This makes it very easy to swap a decapping die, collet bullet pulling die, expander mandrel die etc.. I did use the same set-up for a Redding neck bushing die and had repeatable results on the shoulder movement on resize. I have since been using a Warner Tool Co. die for my competition loads so it is on a dedicated press. I find the Lock n' Load system is very useful to me.

 

[LHSmith]

Reloading for accuracy is not a race. It takes 10 seconds to screw a die into the press. Tolerance stack-up's are an accuracy killer, those inserts are adding a potential variable. #1 tenet in Benchrest = reduce as many variables as possible.

 

[CKshooter]

Reloading for accuracy is not a race. It takes 10 seconds to screw a die into the press. Tolerance stack-up's are an accuracy killer, those inserts are adding a potential variable. #1 tenet in Benchrest = reduce as many variables as possible.

 

[CKshooter]

Thanks everyone for your input. I guess what I've decided to do is use the bushings for pistol reloading because the tolerances aren't nearly as tight as they are for my rifles. When you bump your shoulders back .003 any movement could cause issues. I wish Lee would make their bushing system universal because they lock tight if you turn them just past where the lock button stops the bushing. Just push the spring loaded button down and you can turn the bushing down tight.

 

[MrBottleneck]

I hated the LNL bushing. The owner of a nice machine shop made me and custom hardened steel bushing (the goldish colored piece thats on the thread insert) so, I could use a standard threaded insert that accept the standard dies. There is a shoulder on the inside as you can see by the photo with caliper that had to be taken up by the bushing. You cannot just screw the insert in without the custom made bushing or you will only be gripping the very corners of the insert on the press body.
Once it was installed it was perfect. I now call it the Red Rock Chucker. LOL
Could not be be happier that that LNL bushing is history.