38 Special cases in Hornady AP press

Is there a way to stabilize 38 Special cases in the shell plate so I don't have to hand guide them into the crimp die? They lean just enough so they don't go straight in.

Thanks!

Val

Try playing with diferent springs. Mine runs good with a wore out one for 38SPCLs.

shoot308 wrote:Try playing with diferent springs. Mine runs good with a wore out one for 38SPCLs.

I'm not sure what springs you're referring to. The case retainer spring? I thought they were a standard size...

Val

Yes the spring that goes around the shell plate.

I glued a couple of spacers on the area where the spring rides against the case rim. The spacers hold the spring out far enough to prevent causing the 38 case to tip.

You for sure have the right shell plate? I've been loading a good bit of 38WC on my LNL AP lately with no issues. What kind of dies do you have?

I never had luck with 38 on my lnl. Always tipped on station five. The internet is full of people complaining about it, yet Hornady told me they had never heard of the issue. That was like 10 years ago.

Jwhelan939 wrote:I never had luck with 38 on my lnl. Always tipped on station five. The internet is full of people complaining about it, yet Hornady told me they had never heard of the issue. That was like 10 years ago.

Hornady has always stood by they're equipment. Sometimes you have to be a little assertive. I had been having the same problem but with 9mm brass. I'd say at least one third of my cases would tip. Hard to get a rhythm going with that going on. I saw multiple issues with 9mm tipping on YouTube. When they gave me the "never heard of that before" line I directed them over to a video where they had replaced a shell plate for a customer on YouTube. I had to send them some 9mm brass that I was using and they sent me a new shell plate. End of problem. Squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Bill

LNL's work good for me; I have 103,673 rounds between two LNL's and have had very little problem's.

zanemoseley wrote:You for sure have the right shell plate? I've been loading a good bit of 38WC on my LNL AP lately with no issues. What kind of dies do you have?

I have shell plate #6....

Lee dies - not sure why that would impact tipping cases in the shell plate though.

Val

messenger wrote:

Jwhelan939 wrote:I never had luck with 38 on my lnl. Always tipped on station five. The internet is full of people complaining about it, yet Hornady told me they had never heard of the issue. That was like 10 years ago.

Hornady has always stood by they're equipment. Sometimes you have to be a little assertive..

Seems contradictory.

Maybe the lack of a round nosed bullet to guide the round into the die and the FCD not having a wide mouth for the same reason?

take your retaining spring and try to stretch it a little also some people use a rubber oring instead of a spring.