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Hornady Powder Measure - please explain

Loudcherokee

Hi guys,

I'm getting a little tired of my Lee "perfect" powder measures leaking powder all over the top of my turrets and dies in my classic turret press. It leaks like this with 296, 231, and 748.

I have a Hornady powder measure I use for rifle in a stand. I really like it, and want to get another one. What confuses me is what all do I need to make it "case activated" in my turret press. I would like it to also flare the cases for pistol, and if I understand correctly I can use the same measure and just swap out the rotor insert for different loads. But what do I need to do the following:

Have the measure on my .45 turret set to flare and fill.
Move the measure to my .357 turret and have it set to flare and fill
Move the measure to my .223 turret and have it fill

I'm used to my lee expander die that is a powder thru die. I dont think Hornadys expander is a powder thru. Do I need a brand new die for each cartridge?

What all does it take to change the measure from turret to turret? Does it just pop off and back on?

Very confused how it works coming from an all Lee setup.

LC
 
You will need three different dies to do what you want. The flare and charge is caliber specific. The charge only can be done with a universal charging die.

Hornady case activation is possible: https://www.hornady.com/reloading/p...e-activated-powder-drop-powder-accessories#!/

I use a lee auto drum to do exactly as you are trying to do. Installed in a 9mm powder through expander, it measures pistol powder. Installed in a tall charging die, it will charge any rifle case.

The Lees are cheap and work well enough.
 
My current setup has a lee perfect measure on each turret. I dont have to swap anything. They are all set and ready to go. This would be very expensive to do with the Hornady measures.

I keep reading about "lower linkage" being all you need to swap out the measure for different calibers. How are people doing it on the Hornady LnL AP when they change calibers? Ideally if I understand how it works, I could have a metering insert set to 5.3g for my .45 with 231, another insert set for 16g for my .357 with 296, and a rifle rotor and insert set for 25.4g for my .223 with w748. That part is easy enough to figure out. It's how to move it from turret to turret that I cant figure out.

LC
 
Yes that’s what you need. For the .223 you shouldn’t need anything but the case itself.
Wayne
 
So what about the PTX Powder measure stop? The bar with two screws on each end. If I understand how this works it sets the amount of flare for the cases. Would it be beneficial to have one of these pre-set for each caliber as well? Would I need one for .223?

Ideally I would like to have everything set to where I just undo the thumbscrew on the linkage, pull the top part of the powder measure off one turret, and move it to the next without having to make more adjustments. I'm not sure if this is possible, but it looks like it might be if I get all the correct parts.

LC
 
My thought is that the company who made the powder measure would know best. The Hornady LNL - AP Manual has excellent set-up instruction (see page 10 and 11).

My curiosity on the Lee Perfect powder measure, did you tighten the drum screw?

I can't say enough good things about the Hornady powder measure, I like that I have several drums and metering plugs all pre-set for my common powders and charges and can swap quickly.

https://press.hornady.com/assets/pc...Load---AP----Press-Instructions1515698795.pdf
 
mac86951 said:
My thought is that the company who made the powder measure would know best. The Hornady LNL - AP Manual has excellent set-up instruction (see page 10 and 11).

My curiosity on the Lee Perfect powder measure, did you tighten the drum screw?

I can't say enough good things about the Hornady powder measure, I like that I have several drums and metering plugs all pre-set for my common powders and charges and can swap quickly.

https://press.hornady.com/assets/pc...Load---AP----Press-Instructions1515698795.pdf
Click to expand...

Yeah I've made all the adjustments I can on the lee. This one doesnt have the drum, it's the auto-disk version. I currently have the micrometer adapter in it instead of a disk. I may swap in a disk to see if it still has issues. I have three of them, and they each do the same thing. I've attached a picture of the leaking.

LC
 

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The auto powder drop system works great on my Hornady LNL AP. Make sure there's enough room on your Lee to prevent interference with the adjacent dies. I'm not familiar with the Lee classic turret. The piece at the top of the powder die can be rotated to keep it from hitting other dies.
Yes, the intems in your Amazon links will allow you to setup multiple calibers and swap quickly. I have 5 of the Quick Change Powder Dies to cover the calibers I load for.
Set the locking ring height on each die to get full powder measure drum rotation for its caliber, makes caliber changes quick. Of course, validate your metering insert is still dropping the correct charge.
The Powder Thru Expanders of course, will expand, then drop powder using one station.
For .223 you'll simply use one of the Powder Sleeves -- the press manual linked above, page 11, items 17, 18, 19. Use the length that works for the case length. (hopefully these come with the Case Activated Powder Drop kit)
 
Loudcherokee said:
I think I may have figured it out. Aside from the powder measure itself,

I need just ONE of these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PCZZU8/?tag=accuratescom-20

Three of these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OPNH0U/?tag=accuratescom-20

And one each of these in 45acp and 357mag
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004EXPJ2I/?tag=accuratescom-20

What part would I need to .223? Rifle cases dont get expanded or flared so it just needs to be case activated, but I'm not sure what part to get.
LC
Click to expand...

I use a separate flare (but I only load pistol on my AP.) If you want powder through, you'll need different funnels for each caliber. For 223 where you don't flare, the stock funnel should work (as long as the hole is 22 or smaller - the stock funnel does not flare, it just pushes the measure up to drop the charge.)

Assuming you use separate flare before charging, the lower assembly you linked has that funnel inside; you need to change that for each different length case you load (or readjust the upper limit of travel for each case by changing the measure height - either one will work.) I use 2 separate lower ends - one for 45ACP and 32SWL, and another for 38Spl. 45 and 32 are the same case length, so no need to change anything.

If you flare and charge (powder through) you'll need at least separate powder through inserts (and reset the measure height for each caliber), or get dedicated lower ends pre-set for height with different flare/charge inserts in each. Changing the lower end is pretty simple: remove the retraction spring at the bottom, undo the thumbscrew, swap lowers, and reverse the process.
 
divingin said:
I use a separate flare (but I only load pistol on my AP.) If you want powder through, you'll need different funnels for each caliber. For 223 where you don't flare, the stock funnel should work (as long as the hole is 22 or smaller - the stock funnel does not flare, it just pushes the measure up to drop the charge.)

Assuming you use separate flare before charging, the lower assembly you linked has that funnel inside; you need to change that for each different length case you load (or readjust the upper limit of travel for each case by changing the measure height - either one will work.) I use 2 separate lower ends - one for 45ACP and 32SWL, and another for 38Spl. 45 and 32 are the same case length, so no need to change anything.

If you flare and charge (powder through) you'll need at least separate powder through inserts (and reset the measure height for each caliber), or get dedicated lower ends pre-set for height with different flare/charge inserts in each. Changing the lower end is pretty simple: remove the retraction spring at the bottom, undo the thumbscrew, swap lowers, and reverse the process.
Click to expand...

Good to know this will work. That is the plan, to have a separate lower die for each caliber, and the PTX expander for the pistol calibers installed in their respective lower assembly. I'm hoping this will allow me to just move the upper linkage and measure from turret to turret without having to readjust anything, only tighten the thumbscrew, install the spring, and install the PTX stop, which I guess I will need two of those for the two pistol calibers.

For pistol i will expand/drop in one station. I plan to try out the Hornady bullet feeding die with tube for my .45 and .357 and those dies come with their associated PTX plug.

So with 4 stations on the turret, it will be:

1. Resize/deprime and prime on the downstroke
2. Expand/powder charge
3. Bullet feed
4. Seat/crimp

I'm hoping it won't be too much weight for the turret to index with the heavier hornady measure and a tube full of 230g .45s. I eventually plan on getting a LnL AP, but it's not in the budget at this point but at least I will have some of the stuff I'll need once I get it.

LC
 
Loudcherokee said:
Good to know this will work. That is the plan, to have a separate lower die for each caliber, and the PTX expander for the pistol calibers installed in their respective lower assembly. I'm hoping this will allow me to just move the upper linkage and measure from turret to turret without having to readjust anything, only tighten the thumbscrew, install the spring, and install the PTX stop, which I guess I will need two of those for the two pistol calibers.
Click to expand...

It looks to me that the stop is needed if the unit doesn't have enough weight to perform your flare. I suspect you could simply replace the positive return spring with a heavier pull and get the same results. Then again, at $9, it's not too dear to have one for each caliber.

In my last post, I should have added that I also have a dedicated powder rotor for each cartridge. Those are kept with the dies and get swapped out when dies and shellplate (and primer stuff, if needed) are changed. I use the same powder for all 3, so no hassle there.
 
divingin said:
It looks to me that the stop is needed if the unit doesn't have enough weight to perform your flare. I suspect you could simply replace the positive return spring with a heavier pull and get the same results. Then again, at $9, it's not too dear to have one for each caliber.

In my last post, I should have added that I also have a dedicated powder rotor for each cartridge. Those are kept with the dies and get swapped out when dies and shellplate (and primer stuff, if needed) are changed. I use the same powder for all 3, so no hassle there.
Click to expand...

If they are all pistol rotors, could you not just swipe the metering insert with one specified for each cartridge and get the same results? Just curious if I need to get multiple rotors or just multiple inserts.

LC
 
LC, if the Hornady powder measure is the Lock N Load version, yes, you can buy extra inserts and swap them out for various charges. My LNL AP powder measure has the micrometer adjuster and I record the micrometer setting for specific loads (the LNL powder measure came out after I got mine).
Of course, always validate the charge with a scale after swapping inserts.
My concern is since you plan to upgrade to a LNL AP in the future, after you've put the LNL powder measure on your Lee, you'll have purchased things that will be part of the new press (and raising your total costs). Natches currently has the LNL AP press for $399.99 (no shell plate included -- they're $30). Buying the measure, case activated system, powder die has you in the $175--200 range for one caliber. For $400, you can have all of that, and a press.
Now, its easy for me to spend other people's money. But crunch your numbers, and see if your budget can handle the $399.99 + $30 press and shell plate right now.
 
I have definitely thought about that, and still not sure which way I want to go. I'm not sure how long it will be before I can get the LnL or if I even need it soon. The LnL is more of a "want" than a need. I honestly dont shoot enough to justify it but I've wanted one for some time. I already have the turret, and feel I can make it better with the new powder drop for the time being. That and the bullet feeder may stave off my desire for the LnL for awhile.

LC
 
Loudcherokee said:
If they are all pistol rotors, could you not just swipe the metering insert with one specified for each cartridge and get the same results? Just curious if I need to get multiple rotors or just multiple inserts.

LC
Click to expand...

Sorry, at work so I get limited time to post. The metering insert is what I change.
 
LC, I can appreciate the need vs want. Happens to us all. In that respect, sounds like you're on a logical path.
Another idea is change to a powder that doesn't leak, but I don't know how much ball powder you have on hand.
Or hold out for a bit, and place a Wanted ad here for a LNL AP and see what happens. A couple have sold recently.
Of course, your Hornady powder measure solution would work well until/if you upgrade the press.
 
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