Learning to use a progressive press

[Pokinfun]

So, I have been reloading for the last few years on a single stage RCBS Rock Chucker press. Just before deer season I trade it for a Lock-N-Load AP Auto Progressive Press. The guy I got it from had replaced the pawls, but did not get them adjusted correctly.
I decided to reload some 380acp for my wife's Glock 43. I got up and watched a few videos, figured out the stations, figured out the primer system, got the shell plate on and started adjusting dies. Around 1 PM I installed a light strip on the inside of the press and tried to adjust the powder measure.
Back to you tube and watching videos, it seemed pretty straight forward. However, it took me a couple of hours to figure out I needed to stack a couple of the bushings to get enough adjustment, with a short 380 case.
I forgot the part when I was adjusting the amount of powder it was dropping and pulled the plastic tube off the measure and spilled a few table spoons of powder all over the floor.
So, around 3 I figured out the pawls were out of adjustment, because the case was not lining up with the powder measure every time, and crushing a couple of cases. around 4 pm I got the pawls adjusted. then I could not get the primer feeder to work. Took everything a part, some how a large pistol primer was jammed in the housing, and the small pistol primer slide would not pick it up.
Finally at about 5, I cranked out about 5 bullets. I need to check the adjust for the amount of powder it is dropping, which I will do tomorrow.
Sunday night is family dinner night, so I grilled some 2 inch thick rib eyes and baked some potatoes.
Now the cowboys are on. So maybe tomorrow I can get 1000K 380 rounds reloaded.

 

[dennishoddy]

I have the Hornady LNL AP. My primary loads with it are 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45acp. I shoot the .40, and occasionally the .45 in pistol competitions.
My records indicate I've loaded aprox 6200 rounds of .40 this year, and a couple thousand each of the 9 and .45, along with a few hundred .44 mag, .45LC, 30-06, .243WSSM, and a literal bucket load of .223.
My rejects total is 40-50 rounds maybe. 90% being the primer didn't load. I find a flake of powder or dust occasionally gets between the primer slide and the tray it slides in causing it to not pick up a primer. When it comes around to the powder station, I'll see a few flakes come out the primer hole, so I pull it out, set it in the reject container, and check the action of the primer slide.
A can of the compressed air spray like one gets at Staples is invaluable around a loader of any kind, especially a progressive. Its dry air. A garage compressor sometimes spits a little water. I don't use mine.
The pawls seem to be an issue getting set correctly from what I've read online, but once set correctly, I've not touched mine in 6 or so years of loading from that machine. Keep them lubed, and clean.
I love it. Takes about 2 minutes to change pistol calibers, another 5 getting the powder measure set, and its off to the races. Changing to rifle calibers, I bought another powder measure and keep it set up for rifle. Prevents having to take it apart and change internal bushings for case length.
Previously loaded with a single stage RCBS Special kit. Its still mounted right next to the LnL for test loads and short runs.

 

[Pokinfun]

I have the Hornady LNL AP. My primary loads with it are 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45acp. I shoot the .40, and occasionally the .45 in pistol competitions.
My records indicate I've loaded aprox 6200 rounds of .40 this year, and a couple thousand each of the 9 and .45, along with a few hundred .44 mag, .45LC, 30-06, .243WSSM, and a literal bucket load of .223.
My rejects total is 40-50 rounds maybe. 90% being the primer didn't load. I find a flake of powder or dust occasionally gets between the primer slide and the tray it slides in causing it to not pick up a primer. When it comes around to the powder station, I'll see a few flakes come out the primer hole, so I pull it out, set it in the reject container, and check the action of the primer slide.
A can of the compressed air spray like one gets at Staples is invaluable around a loader of any kind, especially a progressive. Its dry air. A garage compressor sometimes spits a little water. I don't use mine.
The pawls seem to be an issue getting set correctly from what I've read online, but once set correctly, I've not touched mine in 6 or so years of loading from that machine. Keep them lubed, and clean.
I love it. Takes about 2 minutes to change pistol calibers, another 5 getting the powder measure set, and its off to the races. Changing to rifle calibers, I bought another powder measure and keep it set up for rifle. Prevents having to take it apart and change internal bushings for case length.
Previously loaded with a single stage RCBS Special kit. Its still mounted right next to the LnL for test loads and short runs.

I got an rcbs summit press to reload 308, 7mm, and 243 on. the progressive will be for 380, 9mm, and 45acp.
will I got about 100 round loaded in 30 minutes. once I get a little muscle memory going, this will be fast.

 

[dennishoddy]

Did you get the pistol and/or case feeder?

I don't have room for them, so its a manual case/bullet feed for me.

 

[beastep]

Man you're going to eventually love it. It can be a little intimidating at first figuring everything out but once you get it set and learn everything its great. Change plate, pop in dies, pop in preset metering insert, double check your drop and youre ready to rock and roll. I've had mine for probably 15 years and it was used when I bought it. What part of the state are you in?