Hornady Lock N Load in Mark 7 Apex 10

[backlash]

Has anyone considered doing it? Boring and tapping the Apex 10 tool plate (spare) to accept the LNL adapter. I think it's 1 1/4 12 TPI.

Press conversion bushings are $10, 9 needed, die bushings are $7, say 18 needed for 2 calibers, say $216. Plus $250 for the second tool plate, <>$500.

Machining, free, I have a machine shop.

Is it worth it?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Most try to get away from the adapter. Youre trying real hard to get it. With your machine shop it shouldnt be an issue to do

 

[chromatica]

I went that route with my Lee Classic Cast press. I had a machinist counterbore the 1 1/4 threaded hole so that the lip of the adapter would sit flush. This became a moot point when I acquired a CoAx press which allows me to slide in a die with traditional lock ring just as fast as inserting an LNL die. The concentricity of my loaded rounds went from .003 to .001. Price was less than $500 worth of adapters.

 

[mac86951]

Most try to get away from the adapter. Youre trying real hard to get it. With your machine shop it shouldnt be an issue to do

I love and hate the Hornady LnL bushings. I've a few posts on the issue; though in summary, i installed an RCBS RC threaded insert to the sizing die location; and am otherwise happy with LnL in every other spot.

Food for thought when you go modify a Mark 7 tool head.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I love and hate the Hornady LnL bushings. I've a few posts on the issue; though in summary, i installed an RCBS RC threaded insert to the sizing die location; and am otherwise happy with LnL in every other spot.

Food for thought when you go modify a Mark 7 tool head.

Is that RCBS RC threaded insert easy to find?

 

[dgeesaman]

Has anyone considered doing it? Boring and tapping the Apex 10 tool plate (spare) to accept the LNL adapter. I think it's 1 1/4 12 TPI.

Press conversion bushings are $10, 9 needed, die bushings are $7, say 18 needed for 2 calibers, say $216. Plus $250 for the second tool plate, <>$500.

Machining, free, I have a machine shop.

Is it worth it?

The LNL press conversion bushing is made from inferior grade cast iron. The spline shoulders wear out and it’s a sneaky problem because it’s hard to see other than your sizing changes and becomes erratic. Now that I know, I’m replacing mine annually.

If you have a shop and some motivation, please make an alloy steel press conversion bushing and rid us all from this problem. It’s the one thing about the LNL system I really don’t like.

 

[mac86951]

Is that RCBS RC threaded insert easy to find?

Yes, just call RCBS. It's not a widely published catalog item; but their Great customer service has you covered.

Rock Chucker thread insert

Does anyone know where I can source one of these? I've look at all the normal places with no joy. I'd even be happy with a used one in good working condition if anyone has one lying around. Let me know, thanks.

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[backlash]

The LNL press conversion bushing is made from inferior grade cast iron. The spline shoulders wear out and it’s a sneaky problem because it’s hard to see other than your sizing changes and becomes erratic. Now that I know, I’m replacing mine annually.

If you have a shop and some motivation, please make an alloy steel press conversion bushing and rid us all from this problem. It’s the one thing about the LNL system I really don’t like.

How about the Lee Breech Lock System?

 

[dgeesaman]

How about the Lee Breech Lock System?

I have the kit in a box here but haven’t tried them yet.

 

[backlash]

Can you tell anything about the material, steel? If not it would be much easer to make some, from quality material, then the LNL. I may order one set to look at.

 

[backlash]

Has anyone considered doing it? Boring and tapping the Apex 10 tool plate (spare) to accept the LNL adapter. I think it's 1 1/4 12 TPI.

Press conversion bushings are $10, 9 needed, die bushings are $7, say 18 needed for 2 calibers, say $216. Plus $250 for the second tool plate, <>$500.

Machining, free, I have a machine shop.

Is it worth it?

If I have to do it, I'm thinking the Lee Breech Lock System is the way to go. For now I'm going to have two tool heads for the Apex 10 and populate them for whatever caliber I'm working on. One will be case prep, the other loading.

Working on 223 and 300BLK setup. Has anyone seen the Mark 7 Power Trim Express make a 300BLK out of a 223?

Used brass - Short Walnut tumble then prep pass. Wash in rotary with SS pins and then load pass.

Shoot and repeat!

 

[Oso]

I’m confused… the answer Is buy an additional toolhead?

I get that LNL bushing are easy/convenient. The tolerances are good enough for most reloading (plinking, hunting, pistol). However, o-rings probably won’t hold up tight for long if your Mark 7 is automated.

The beauty of progressive presses is ability to dedicate a toolhead to specific task and lock in your dies. Simply swap out toolheads when you want to process a different cartridge. The time savings from not having to setup dies each time is worth the $$ paid for new toolhead.

Case prep for Rifle cartridges has enough steps to require a dedicated toolhead, with a separate toolhead for loading ammo. Whereas, Pistol calibers are pretty basic and can complete case prep and loading on same toolhead.

 

[backlash]

I’m confused… the answer Is buy an additional toolhead?

I get that LNL bushing are easy/convenient. The tolerances are good enough for most reloading (plinking, hunting, pistol). However, o-rings probably won’t hold up tight for long if your Mark 7 is automated.

The beauty of progressive presses is ability to dedicate a toolhead to specific task and lock in your dies. Simply swap out toolheads when you want to process a different cartridge. The time savings from not having to setup dies each time is worth the $$ paid for new toolhead.

Case prep for Rifle cartridges has enough steps to require a dedicated toolhead, with a separate toolhead for loading ammo. Whereas, Pistol calibers are pretty basic and can complete case prep and loading on same toolhead.

You may have missed my response to my own post, just above yours, where I came tp the same conclusion. HOWEVER, there's always a "however" or "but", there's only two or three dies that are caliber specific with the majority being multi-caliber. Thus there will always be dies to move between tool heads. Unless you have multiple copies of everything.

I hate screwing in and out dies so when I want to give reloading because I can't screw anymore I may try the Lee Breech Lock System on a couple of tool head to see if I like it.

"Case prep for Rifle cartridges has enough steps to require a dedicated toolhead, with a separate toolhead for loading ammo. Whereas, Pistol calibers are pretty basic and can complete case prep and loading on same toolhead."

Pistol calibers range brass needs case prep THEN cleaning also.

 

[Oso]

Sorry for overlapping post… typing on iPhone and being interrupted by kids so took a while to finish and post.

I came to conclusion that reloading on a budget doesn’t happen on a progressive press. I decided to fully build out each toolhead, which means buying multiples of common die’s (decapping, hold down, expander/flare, crimp, etc).

At today’s ammo prices, buying a set of FW Arms Depriming Die and Hold Down Die is price of buying store ammo for a range trip. Real easy to justify the cost of reloading gear. So like $500 all in for a dedicated toolhead fully kitted out with dies. No more concern/worry about what goes where and remembering setup depths etc. all you have to do is remember to check primer size, powder volume, and swage rod size/depth.

 

[backlash]

Sorry for overlapping post… typing on cellphone and being interrupted by kids so took a while to finish and post.

I came to conclusion that reloading on a budget doesn’t happen on a progressive press. I decided to fully build out each toolhead, which means buying multiples of common die’s (decapping, hold down, expander/flare, crimp, etc).

At today’s ammo prices, buying a set of FW Arms Depriming Die and Hold Down Die is price of buying store ammo for a range trip. Real easy to justify the cost of reloading gear. So like $500 all in for a dedicated toolhead fully kitted out with dies. No more concern/worry about what goes where and remembering setup depths etc. all you have to do is remember to check primer size, powder volume, and swage rod size/depth.

I am absolutely with you. I was into cars, then computers, then machine shop equipment. I'm lucky I have any money left for reloading which at $20k is like one MAC Pro with accessories. I will have two loaded tool heads for each caliber (prep and load). After I sell some of that shit I collected over the years that has depreciated to 25% of cost.

I'm taking my machine shop and reloading stuff to hell with me. I was told one needs a hobby down there to pass the time. Any ideas on how to store the powder down there?