Single Stage Die Swaps Made Quick! Converting a Redding Big Boss 2 to Hornady LNL Bushings!

[@ChadKelly7]

Did the same thing to my MEC. First thing I did after mounted to the QC plate for the Inline mount. I didn't even start with threading dies directly to the press. My trick was to thread the bushing in, put in a die, then use the Hornady lock ring wrench to tighten the lock ring to the bushing, and thus the bushing to the press. Been solid since day one for me. Works great. You should be all set from what I see! Well, I think I've wasted enough time today. Stupid hot. Like 98, but "feels like 109" so I'm wanting to get out and some more with my bolt action, but it's so hot I'm waiting for the last few hours of the day. Finally time for me to load up and get out in the sun! Have a great rest of your weekend buddy!!

[@thereloadingcraft]

Yep! Does the press frame insert piece stay in place for you on the MEC or do you have issues with it coming loose? Also same here, very humid the past few days, and didn’t feel like going out more than I had to. Best of luck on the new bolt gun by the way, and congrats! Working on a 20” 223 Wylde Criterion HBAR build for a long range Varmint/target setup, finally got the barrel bedded and upper mostly assembled tonight, hoping to get the scope mounted in the morning and the muzzle device mounted Tuesday when my shims get in. Excited to get loading for it!

[@ChadKelly7]

@thereloadingcraft I have not had an issue with it coming loose. Seems the bushing will unlock before enough force applied to loosen the threaded bushing base. Should be fine. I went with 6 Creedmoor and it's been fun putting it together. Was so miserable today I had to wait till near dark. Right at sundown I get set up at 500 yards on a BOG tripod. Little unstable for 500 on a 12x20 silhouette for my skill level. Got 3 hits out of 4 shots. Pulled 1 off the right side. Knew it missed soon as trigger broke. Tossed in 1 more and ended the day with a hit!! That one you are building should turn out pretty nice!! Look forward to seeing it!! Good luck getting it all finished in the next few days!! Have a great week, man!

[@thereloadingcraft]

@@ChadKelly7 thank ya! Will try to do some videos once I have it up and running!

[@ChadKelly7]

@thereloadingcraft Awesome!! Look forward to seeing it. I put up a build video and then a zeroing and out at 200 yards video so far. Trying to decide what to film today for a video this week. It's so hot tho, I don't wanna be outside lol. Gonna try to think of something to do while I run today's errands. It just hurts to be outside too long this weekend 🤣. Next 3 days show 107 to 112 for highs!! Today is coolest of the week at 99! O well, gotta get something done to try and keep growing. Almost to 500!! Have a great week, man! See ya on the next one!

[@lesliemiller5980]

You can also put a bushing onto a die with the lock ring tightened, then insert the bushing and die setup part way in to engage the lugs inside the conversion insert, then carefully tighten it with a lock ring tool or a wrench.

[@BenRichardson]

Insert the die and die bushing into the bottom of the press bushing - yes upside down. Then you can loosen the lock nut without clamping your die in a vise. Also with it in the normal position you can hold the die with a strap wrench on the top and loosen the lock nut from the die bushing without loosening the press bushing.

[@kuronyan3006Ackley]

✌️👍‼️

[@jimbasler303]

I don't know thought of this but I'd like to shake his hand and buy him a beer.

[@doublea6835]

Will the dies fit in the die boxes with the Lock n load on?

[@BenRichardson]

Some die boxes will fit, some won't. Dillon boxes yes. RCBS No. Lyman yes. Lee no. Hornady yes. Your results may vary because of 3 vs 2 dies or if your die supports are too close to the center of the box... no room around the threaded portion of the dies.

[@jonathanlunger2775]

Who told you to use a wire brush INSIDE threads that need to last a long time?

[@thereloadingcraft]

How else are you going to get the hardened loctite out? Also those threads are not heavy use, once the bushing is in (either the original 7/8-14 or the LNL quick change) the large bushing and frame are locked together. They are unlikely to see usage-caused wear, and my gentle brushing did not harm them in any way.

[@jonathanlunger2775]

@@thereloadingcraft solvents and rags. We need to stop our cavalier attitude toward wire brushes.

[@thereloadingcraft]

Nahh, those threads were not harmed in the least. Also at least I was brushing in line with the threads, not against them

[@lens7859]

@@thereloadingcraftit’s forged hardened steel, a little wire brushing isn’t going to harm anything

[@bobward7489]

You're just trolling, right? It would be literally impossible to damage any threads, especially in hardened steel, by a small amount of wire brushing.

[@wambsganz8]

Dude.....get a real hammer!.....How do you like those Loc-N-Load adapters?

[@Skilpadjie1]

I have used the Hornady system. But found the Lee Breech Lock alot better.

[@thereloadingcraft]

I have also used the breech lock, but wasn’t impressed with the fit and finish, at least on the ones I had. For general use they’d be fine, for precision work they wouldn’t be my choice

[@hercules1073]

Yep, me too... there's too much play in the Hornady system especially as it wears. The LEE system has no play and if it wears it's compensated by the interrupted thread system...if any wear were to occur you simply turn the bushing in further. That's why the military uses interrupted threads as well as takedown guns since takedown guns were invented. But the Hornady system is o.k. unless doing long range precision stuff.