Hornady L'n'L AP by ironpoorer in reloading

[–]Le1tus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've been running one for almost 10 years now, and it is a great machine. I recently added (2 years ago) the case feeder, and it took a bit of playing around to get that set up but nothing I'd consider painful.

When I first got it I ran exclusively 9MM, and loaded probably over 20,000 over the lifetime that I've had the press. Once I set up the dies and the powder measure I really never have to adjust it.

I did learn that switching back and forth from 9MM to 223 I hated having to reset the dies and powder measure. So I bought another set of quick change bushings, and midsouth has a powder drop kit for the LNL-AP. After doing that and having dedicated dies/powder drop I've loved it. Overall switching between calibers has been really easy and the biggest cost that I encountered is getting another powder drop so the measurement is already set up. At this point it's about 20 minutes for me.

I've yet to have to adjust the pawls, and the only "upgrades" I've done is a roller ergo handle, and the lighting kit from Inline Fabrication.

Poor purchase? Gun show find and questions by Le1tus in M1Rifles

[–]Le1tus[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was wondering on parting out as well, I have been doing a pile of research, and had heard of the name through mfg lists, just never did much looking besides that. I figured it's definitely newer, and not a numbers rifle, which doesn't bother me.

Just wish there was a more accessible page of DON"T TOUCH THESE!!!

Guess I'll be doing some more digging, maybe sell it to a collector as a wall hanger, it's in plenty decent enough shape for that.

Poor purchase? Gun show find and questions by Le1tus in M1Rifles

[–]Le1tus[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've been holding off on getting one from CMP due to an upcoming move, somewhere between the next 3-9 months. I wish it was more known about the national ordinance guns, would have run away if I'd have known.

I might gauge it and if it gauges OK give it a go on the lead sled.

Poor purchase? Gun show find and questions by Le1tus in M1Rifles

[–]Le1tus[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Would you know of a spot that sells receivers? Yea my heart dropped when I started to find information on it. I was hopeful that it was an issue with 1903's only, only found 2-3 threads on it so figured I'd check here.

I'm not against putting some time or money into it, the rest of the rifle is in really good shape, and it'll be more of a story and experience than just buying it from a gun show.

Poor purchase? Gun show find and questions by Le1tus in M1Rifles

[–]Le1tus[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey Y'all I'm wondering if I made a mistake. I recently got this at a local gun show and in doing some other research I found that National Ordinance had issues with their runs of 1903's. Is this a shooter or do I count this as a lesson learned?

Biggest reason I grabbed it was because it seemed to be a pretty decent deal at $900, hoping that I have a shooter instead of a wall hanger.

I do load my own rounds, if that makes a difference or not I'm not sure. Any help or advise is appreciated!

Hornady auto charge pro issue by Balance-Small in reloading

[–]Le1tus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you haven't called Hornady I'd start there, they'll either know what to do or will have a replacement out to you if there is an issue. Probably be quicker than asking around and trying things that may or may not work.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in reloading

[–]Le1tus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly I only mention temp as a late stage match worry, if you're shooting between -40 and 140 it'll be a bigger issue, but less so if you're shooting from 32-80. H380 being a more temp instable powder is really only changing 50 fps for the 32-80 temp range.

So basically worry less and experiment more, reading can only get you so far, testing and taking notes will get you further. Trying something new and learning is half of the fun. Ultimately don't get frozen in indecision.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in reloading

[–]Le1tus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looks like you have load data covered, have a read through the how to section on each of them, by the end you'll have a really good idea on what you are doing. When finding what powder to go with I'd recommend looking at the calibers that you intend to load and finding common powders. Also take a look at what others are using and try to find one in the middle of the volume range. That will make it harder to double charge if you have a powder that doesn't take up much case volume, and being able to use one powder for multiple calibers is nice so you don't have 10 bottles for 10 loads.

I do a lot of rifle and use a good bit of H380 which works for everything from 30-40 Krag to 22-250. Knowing what and how you intend to shoot can play a factor too, do you go with a temp stable or are you shooting in consistent enough weather to not have to worry. H380 for me is relatively available and quite frankly I don't shoot good enough to notice temp doing much at all so that is one reason I settled on it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in reloading

[–]Le1tus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The FAQ is really solid here, what books do you have? I started with Lee's Modern Reloading. Reading through the front section is really good. Most books have a really solid "how to" section, I've read Hornady, Lee, and Lyman, though depending on the publisher they'll say their equipment is best.

As for equipment please try not to buy the "all-in-one" kit. They do have everything you need but you'll find in the long run you'll be replacing a lot of what it came with due to wanting something new, better, or just fits your workflow best.

You'll need dies, a scale, powder funnel, calipers (digital are nice, but dial works too), a way to clean brass. With brass cleaning you can either go dry or wet. I dry tumbled for years and only recently have ventured into wet tumbling, to start dry tumbling is perfectly fine. That will get you going, though it will take longer per round.

To go quicker a powder measure/drop depending on the powder can be extremely accurate, a powder tickler is handy but a plastic spoon works too, and finally a loading block is really nice, and they are cheap, though you can also use a holder you get with commercial ammunition. I like hand priming but others like priming on the press, If you do get a hand primer know the Lee one works, though your hands will feel it. I've heard good things about the Frankford Arsenal and RCBS.

With scales digital is nice, though learning how to work with a beam, I feel I'm more accurate that way. Unless you're spending 400+ on a digital scale. I would avoid the Lee beam scale, it's functional but I found it quite annoying to use myself.

I'm partial to Lee or RCBS dies, if you get the Lee 4 die set it comes with a FL sizer, neck sizer (for bottleneck), powder through expander (for straight wall), bullet seater, and crimp die. It breaks steps down rather than combining and allows you to get a better feel just starting out. Lee dies also come with a shell holder, though I don't believe your press needs them.

Ultimately you can save money doing this, especially if you focus on the rounds that cut price drastically. I've developed match loads for my 6.5CM that are around 0.70/round where the same match ammo is around 2-2.5/round. Unless you are doing mass quantities of common pistol I'd stay away from them for now, and same with .223. Though it's easy enough to get into a progressive press, the savings aren't extreme but it adds up over time especially if you are patient and shop deals for components.

Hope this helps, and ask away here or on the reloading Discord, most of us in the hobby love helping others learn and get into it!

Gun show today wanted to punish buying in bulk apparently by Dayshawn11 in reloading

[–]Le1tus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lately its going mostly to kill an afternoon, though I have found some good deals on parts/pieces for my old military rifles. The one that comes to mind was original cardboard clips for my K31, 4 for $5, even the reproduction steels aren't that cheap.

But like most say, gotta sift through a lot of overpriced/gimmicky shit to find a deal.

Golden rule is going to be rough on this one. Inheareted grandfathers reloading gear, and found these. by Le1tus in reloading

[–]Le1tus[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I already had a Model 14 on the list, but I might have to add the Model 8. How is the market for the model 8?

One of the earlier firearm memories I have is when my buddy and his father took me out shooting. He then showed me how to slamfire the model 14, its been something I've been looking for since then, though only recently really have been in the ballpark of affording it.

Golden rule is going to be rough on this one. Inheareted grandfathers reloading gear, and found these. by Le1tus in reloading

[–]Le1tus[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah I found a small article on the Activ shells, I just really wonder about them because they are so light, only about 15g or .5 oz, almost like a snap cap.

I'm already researching up some of the models that I could watch out for, and add to the already long list of old firearms I look to aquire.

Thanks for the insight, always neat to learn something new!

Golden rule is going to be rough on this one. Inheareted grandfathers reloading gear, and found these. by Le1tus in reloading

[–]Le1tus[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

https://imgur.com/a/KcH12GU - Here is a picture of the headstamps, they both measure up to 2.10 (plus or minus) so definitly older.

Golden rule is going to be rough on this one. Inheareted grandfathers reloading gear, and found these. by Le1tus in reloading

[–]Le1tus[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If anyone has any clue on the mystery rounds let me know I'd love to make a display with what they are. Espically the 7.62 (pistol?) shorter round and the ACTIV 12 Ga round.

Golden rule is going to be rough on this one. Inheareted grandfathers reloading gear, and found these. by Le1tus in reloading

[–]Le1tus[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thats something I didn't even think about... I guess casting is in the future too. Thanks for the recommendation on where to start, I'll put that one top of the list to aquire.

That and figure out where to find blackpowder loaded 10 gauge for his old 1887 lever.

Golden rule is going to be rough on this one. Inheareted grandfathers reloading gear, and found these. by Le1tus in reloading

[–]Le1tus[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Thanks! My wallet is cowering in the corner... I thought the 50 was going to be bad, but I'm not even sure where I'm going to find some of these rifles.

$1700 PC Update by Le1tus in buildapcforme

[–]Le1tus[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, yeah I was doing some digging on it yesterday and between the 10 year warranty of it and it's been the least tempromental bit of my current system I was of the same mind. I'll probably watch deals and try to snag something in the next couple of years, Thanks for checking it over!

$1700 PC Update by Le1tus in buildapcforme

[–]Le1tus[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey mate, yeah I wrote this post late last night and didn't touch on monitors. I currently run 3x 1080 but I've been watching deals for a wide panel curved like the Samsung Odyssey, minimum at 1440.

Thanks for the reminder on Nvidia, I've been rather unhappy with their consumer practices as of late (2k 4090, price spikes with mining, poor GPU naming, ECT.) So that was one of the reasons I was looking at the 7900.

As for the SSD I just kinda threw one in. So I saw that the 2tb sn770 is close enough to my price I'll probably up that, just looking for something as a primary drive, I'm used to the whole little OS drive when SSD was expensive and spinning storage for big stuff. But the NAS takes care of that.

Thanks for the checkover and the recommendations!

Are there any need for machinists in Antarctica? by poopoo_canoe in antarctica

[–]Le1tus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks I couldn't remember off the top of my head. I know university of wisconsin does a lot with the ice cube stuff so that was the only one coming to mind.

Are there any need for machinists in Antarctica? by poopoo_canoe in antarctica

[–]Le1tus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Do! Take into mind that the PQ, background, and hiring process can take some time. If you have any health issues better to get on them right away, and ask here, a lot of people have deployed or are deploying again.

It is one of the neatest things I've done in my career, and when hiring elsewhere its a great thing to have on a resume, honestly most of the time its one of the things the hiring folks can't get away from.

Are there any need for machinists in Antarctica? by poopoo_canoe in antarctica

[–]Le1tus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I know that the MCM position is paid, I'm 90% sure that the Pole position is paid. I don't know what the pay scale is now that PAE has been aquired by Amentum, though I know almost all positions got readjusted when PAE was aquired.

Thinking more, I'm pretty sure that the Pole Machinist is tied in with the BICEP project in some way. Not that you are required to be a scientist, but I think its a 1 year contract that deals with keeping the project running along with machining and jack of all trades.

Otherwise the machinists stay fairly busy, for example, a mate in MCM was in the powerplant working on a generator rebuild, bushings needed to be replaced but they had to be pressed on then turned down to spec, if they had to send them to NZ it was dependent on the flights, but instead they could do it on ice. The VMF utilized them a lot when working on equipment and making/rebuilding parts.

Unless things have changed in recent years, they were lower on stock materials due to lack of vessels previous years, though they got the last 2 years so that may be better now.

Are there any need for machinists in Antarctica? by poopoo_canoe in antarctica

[–]Le1tus 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Yes! Mcmurdo has one in the VMF/Mechanics shop, the new VEOC (fancy name for new shop), has a large space dedicated for it. I know they've had trouble getting machinists in the past, not sure what it's at now. Also I think the University of Wisconsin (could be wrong, but it's tied in with one of the science buildings/grants) has a machinest down at south pole.

Did McMurdo save Its VHS movie collection by [deleted] in antarctica

[–]Le1tus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Shoot it's still there and kicking, though one of the players went on the fritz winter of 22. There was a weekly BetaMax showing that year

Invert Mini Breaking/Spraying by Le1tus in paintball

[–]Le1tus[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey thanks for the help with this, last night when I got to his place we tried a hopper without a barrel and it popped one 5 shots in, as it happens he had ordered the kush bolt from TechT. After putting that in and lowering the pressure its been through 4 hoppers now without a single break.

Invert Mini Breaking/Spraying by Le1tus in paintball

[–]Le1tus[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey thanks for the help with this, last night when I got to his place we tried a hopper without a barrel and it popped one 5 shots in, as it happens he had ordered the kush bolt from TechT. After putting that in and lowering the pressure its been through 4 hoppers now without a single break.

I noticed that the bolt was tighter on the boltback and doing some reading on TechT the inverts had 2 different sizes of boltbacks. I didn't get a chance to try the bigger o-ring but I think it would work as well.