I reload for several calibers, and I spend a lot of time removing, replacing, and adjusting dies. I was considering buying a small Lee press to seat bullets, so I could leave the sizing die in my RCBS press, but now I'm thinking the Lock and Load system might work better. How well does this system work? Can you set dies and swap them back and forth without having to readjust them? Has anyone used the Hornady lock and load conversion kit with an RCBS press? Is it worth the money?

check out the handloading section of thehighroad.org

they have at least 2 threads per day re: hornady LnL vs dillon 550 vs RCBS

It's a pain, but I'd prefer a second press to "quick-change" dies.

That new Lee "cast classic" press costs about what a set of good dies costs anyway. I think midway has them for about $60.00.

My votes for another press.

I have a pre LNL Hornady Projector and am very pleased with it.
I thought I was missing something so I purchased a blue one.
I still have the Hornady. It is a very good press for the money and less complicated than the blue ones

quote:

Has anyone used the Hornady lock and load conversion kit with an RCBS press? Is it worth the money?

when used with Hornady's split rings or lock rings for the dies this is a good system.....

I do not think that the LNL conversion kit will fit an rcbs, wrong thread pitch (at least it will not fit my rcbs A2).

However, I DO use the LNL conversion kit and bushings on my main press (Redding Big Boss), and I absolutely love them. Setup is easy and done once, then swapping out is a piece of cake. Only one VERY minor drawback is my redding dies do not fit back in their die boxes with the LNL bushings on them. Oh yeah, they don't work so hot with the screw-type bullet pullers either, cam-loks work fine.

Check to see if the kit will work with your press first. If it does, I think you will like them. I have them on all of my dies now.

Ah, the advantages of a turret press!

Here is an article which describes Hornady's Lock n' Load system in a RCBS Rock Chucker:

w w w.realguns.com/Commentary/comar37.htm


Some time later, the author obviously got second thoughts about the Hornady's LnL system:

w w w.realguns.com/archives/103.htm


"Lock-N-Load and Snap In-Out Die changing and similar features are mostly solutions in search of a problem. When equipment remains essentially unchanged in function for a number a decades companies will dig for differentiation in a competitive market place. I personally own a thousand or so Lock-N-Load bushings I keep in a box under my handloading bench. Once wrapped around all of my dies for competing in the quick draw die change events, I came to the realization it actually took longer to install and setup L-N-L bushed dies then standard dies so I stopped using them. There are too many variations in brass and bullet types to be able to pop in a bushed die and start working. If there is a net time savings in the use of quick change die schemes, it would be measures as an exception and in a few brief seconds."

utk

Something funny with these links...You'll have to copy and paste into addressfield (and remove spaces in w w w ...

utk
My feelings exactly. It probably takes 10 OR 15
Secs longer to screw in a die than with the LNL system. Besides the cost to outfit 50 or more sets of dies (many 3 die sets some 4 die sets)
I rarely set up for less than 50 cases in a batch so i'm not changing that often. BTW i just started using the Vickermsn seaters, I realy like them.
Lyle

The LNL bushing adaptor fits the RCBS Rockchucker just fine. The original 7/8-14 bushing needs to be removed and the adaptor screwed in.

Dedicate a sizing die to each individual chamber, and adjust for the brass you use ( do this after a few firings as the brass will tend to size less when old ).

Works slick !
I can take my Rockchucker to the range and reload a single case repeatedly at a fairly rapid pace.


Travis F.

I've got one of the Lee turret presses and absolutely love it, however consider it a manual index press, the auto indexing rod failed in mine after about 50 cases. Had it replaced and the dealer made sure it was set up right and the new one failed in about 30 cases. There is a bit of plastic at the bottom that is simply not up to the job.

I usually only load 12-20 cases each of 3-4 different cartridges at one time. The ability to change out the complete die set and not have to readjust is a real time saver in this case.

I use the LNL on my Rock Chucker and am pleased with the results. Since I no longer have to worry about the lock ring being moved from screwing down tightly, or from unscrewing, the dies keep their adjustment longer. At least it seems so to me. There is a small gain in time but it's probably not that significant. Since I reload the .416 Rigby I can't use my progressive press as the case is too long.