Got set up to reload .40S&W. I've loaded about 6,000 9mm since getting the press. The case feeder isn't working out with the .40. The tube for 9mm is too small. The cases get stuck. Tried the bigger tube and drop tube. Way too big. Lots of binding, etc. Gave up. Just hand fed the cases. I've already given up on the automatic ejector. I want to use Lee Factory Crimp Die, and the ejector doesn't work. I also ate three of the case retaining springs. Weird. It was like the new shell plate just sheared them off. I actually tied the last one back together. I ordered a bunch more.

I got the Hornady custom grade new dimension 3 die set. I really like the bullets it makes with the lee factory crimp die to finish.

I loaded 1,200 rounds this weekend. Kind of rainy, stayed at home. I did go to the range Sat. a.m. to try the loads. 165 gr Berry's FN over 8 gr AA#5, OAL 1.125. Very nice target load out of my new CZ 75 Standard IPSC. Did I say it has a REALLY nice trigger?

RobCTwo

Call Hornaday. I was having trouble with my new LNL case feeder and was destroying springs. They sent me 4 for free.
They are very helpful and are reloaders themselves.

Lou

For the case feeder, use the larger drop tube, the large aluminum tube in which the drop tube fits, but size small everything else (small pivot block insert, small lower tube, etc.). This is what Hornady recommends for .38 Special, and what I do for 10mm and .40 S&W. The only caliber I've found that flat-out won't work with the casefeeder is .32 S&W (too short: shorter than the pivot block -- this is probably the only case for which this is a problem, though). .30 Carbine is also problematic -- it can be made to work, but will sometimes jam in the feeder plate or fall over on the sub-plate due to the case's high center of gravity coupled with its exceptionally small head size.

The ejector bar is a problem. Lee pistol FC dies will never work on Station 5 since they require contact with the shellplate.

Regarding the case retainers, I used to mangle them a lot, too. Whenever they broke, however, I found that the ends could be threaded back together and the retainer would continue to work indefinitely. I broke down and ordered a dozen retainer springs from Midway some time ago and, naturally, haven't broken any since.

I also ordered a couple extra ejector bars to see if one could be bent so that it was completely routed around station five but would still work. Haven't gotten around to it yet :rolleyes:

Thanks for the info. I'll give it a try. I have already loaded 2,000 .40 with the hand load/hand unload technique. It's not bad, but I've been spoiled with the 9mm feeding so well.

I'm just over 9,000 rounds loaded since late March. I really need to spend some additional time shooting with the nice weather.

My next project is to get some rifle rounds loaded as well. i'll load for the .308 and .243 at first.

Is it possible to use station 5 for anything, besides just ejecting the loaded cartridges? What dies work there? Without removing the ejector spring and ejecting the loaded catridges by hand, I mean.

That seems like a pretty serious fault with the press...

Well, It's been a couple of years since my last post here. Took a year off to have a house built and move twice. Don't ask.

I'm using station 5 for the Lee Factory Crimp Die. I took off the case ejector and remove the loaded cases by hand. I've even loaded cases by hand since I'm there anyway. Works out good. I've got over 23,000 rounds through this press at this time. I've kept pretty good records on an excel spred sheet to keep the rounds count, then discovered that I didn't document a few hundred .380s. Oh well.

I've loaded a bunch of rifle last summer/fall in .243, .308 and 300WSM. Currently loading mostly .45 to feed my new 1911s and Sig 220. I love this machine.