Lock-N-Load AP or other progressive presses?

[Alexander-M]

I have had a Hornady Lock-N-Load AP reloading press for over 11 years, which I still use for reloading 45 ACP, but that’s about it. I used to use it for rifle, 223 and 308, but stopped using it 10 years ago when I had to stop shooting altogether. When I started shooting again late in 2013, F-Class (and got hooked), I did not bother with the LNL AP, but started using a single station press, etc.

I did not use the LNL-AP for F-Class rifle primarily because of the powder measure; it did not throw charges accurately enough. Now for F-Class, I use a (separate) LNL Powder Measure for the initial, rough charge, and finish with an A&D FX-120i and Adam’s Auto Trickler. I have the LNL measure set to dispense charges about a grain under the desired charge, and let Adam’s trickler do the rest.

Doing this, I have noticed that the LNL measure is actually not too bad most of the time, but it can vary as much as 1/2 grain occasionally. For loading the 45 ACP on the LNL AP, I have a different metering plunger for the powder measure, which is smaller in diameter than the one for rifle, and is much better to throw the smaller pistol charges.

My question is:

Does anyone use a progressive press, whether the LNL AP or others, to load .223 for Across the Course matches? How about for F-Class, dare I ask? As I said earlier, I used to use my LNL AP for 223 XC, and wonder if I could have done better if I had used the much more accurate reloading method as I use now. BTW, back then I used a Rock River Arms AR15 National match, which I still have.

Thx!
Alex

 

[dttheliman]

LnL only pistol and (junk 223/556 for when my boys want to just go blasting) everything else on a single stage so no..

 

[spclark]

Got one too, bought used a few years ago. Bought for pistol reloading (45ACP mostly, also 40S&W but infrequently) I tried it for reloading ‘course rounds for my 6HAGAR-chambered spacegun. Worked really well, certainly as accurate on-paper out to 300 yards & a heckofalot faster than one at a time. 600-yard gets single-staged.

In all honesty though, after adding an Adam’s Machine (augmented fX120i & auto-thrower/trickler) to my bench I haven’t done a side-by-side loading test... yet don’t think there’d be much time saved running a multi-stage press for ‘course loads.

Good friend & superb LR competitor loads his Palma rounds on a Dillon but I believe he weighs & charges cases first, then does seating on his Blue Press.

 

[ranger3]

There are some discussions on this forum which state that people are making match ammo on rl 550 Dillon presses, granted they make some modifications to them but are definitely are Making match ammo. I just purchased a lock n load AP but haven't used it yet. I also have a Rl550B, a Forster COAX, RCBS ammo master among others. I have sanded the bottom of my shell plates and that seems to help with priming consistency. The weakness is powder measuring. Several comments, use a FL die that has been reamed to get the proper neck tension. Seating wont be as exaCT as your COAX, so I usually do second pass through my Coax with a match seater.

 

[swehrman]

I use my L-N-L AP for my 200 and 300 yard XTC ammo. You can make ammo that is equally as good as BlackHills or IMI Razorcore on a progressive press. Both of those are capable of cleaning 300 yard RF, and so are your reloads.

-- Scott

 

[Doug Beach]

I used a Dillon 650 for years to load XC .308 ammo. It would shoot cleans at 600, never gave me a reason to distrust it. I just shoot prone, these days, 300-1000, and single stage / weigh everything.

 

[Papa Charlie]

I use my LNL AP for 500 yard F-Class. I don't use it as a progressive though. Instead I decap with a Lee decapping die in position 1. I then mount the FL Redding die in position 2 and the Redding Competition S-Type Neck die in position 4 for sizing. These positions are next to a post and the most stable. After I have completed all my case prep, I use the LNL AP for seating the Primers. For seating after I have loaded powder off the LNL AP, I put my Redding seater die in position 2.
Don't trust the LNL for measuring powder, that is done separately to ensure precision measurement.

 

[Zero333]

Dillon XL-650... I love mine

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2018/02/load-winning-ammo-with-progressive-whidden-shows-how/

Mr Whidden can load on a xl-650 and win matches. He does however weigh the powder separately.

 

[retired]

you can load for large targets on a progressive.
pick your powder carefully or use a separate step for powder.

 

[DBailey]

I use a LNL AP for depriming and sizing large quantities of match brass. It is two separate operations with a couple of steps in between. Works great, saves a lot of time on three hundred or more cases. After finishing the resize on the LNL AP I trim with a Giraud case trimmer, hand prime then weigh each powder charge. Seating is done on a Rock Chucker.