Reviews & Ratings for Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Package — 26 reviews — Page 1

I looked for a new Progressive Press for a few months and found this one on sale at Optics Planet. It is well made and packaged nicely to keep from getting damaged in shipping. I have not set it up completely so I will not do a performance review.

This is a well-built piece of equipment. The setup and operating instructions are well written. One drawback I see so far is the case feeding mechanism is nearly as expensive as the press kit. The powder measure hopper tube was damaged prior to packaging and had to be replaced. The press has a very solid feel when operating it. The primer slide for the small primers would not operate and had to be fitted, the large primer slide operated as intended. I was not able to get consistent powder drops when using the powder through expander for 9 m/m. There was also powder spillage when withdrawing the powder through expander. After changing the powder measure to the standard pistol powder sleeve the issue went away and charges were very consistent, within a tenth of a grain. The plunger/adjusting sleeves for the powder measure change out as intended and repeat for the powder charges. Numerous components of the powder measure had tool marks left after grinding, not a showstopper but a little more grind stock would resolve a cosmetic issue at no added cost. This brings me to the one issue I have with the press; it needs to have a sixth station. When using a separate station to expand the cases, you can't use a powder cop die and a bullet feed die. I also prefer to crimp as a separate operation, not combined with the bullet seating operation. Again, you can't do this due to a lack of a sixth station.

I wanted to like this press, I really did, but I've had nothing but trouble with it. I first set it up with the case feeder but one stinking part (the pivot - that didn't pivot once the shoulder bolt was tightened down) that didn't work as it clearly was supposed to kept the train of parts that is the case feed sub-assembly from functioning. So I de-installed everything that involved case feeding and attempted to use it as just a progressive press. In a two hour reloading session I spent over 30 minutes fiddling with the priming system, fussing with the shell plate (removed and reinstalled the shell plate nearly a dozen times to clear jams and malfunctions) and screwing with the timing pawls which seem to go out of adjustment if I look at them. The PTX expander and the powder measure in general are brilliant ideas that are just a hair short of brilliant, i.e. one out of every dozen or so cases comes out of the powder measure with the case mouth bent over double, rendering the case and the newly-seated primer useless. So out of 120 minutes work I received about 100 loaded cases.

I should be noted that I'm not a novice at progressive reloading. I've been using a pair of Dillon XL650's almost since the 650 was introduced with considerable success and in all honesty I have never had a breakdown or required replacement parts for the Dillons. I decided to try the Hornady when the Dillon xL750 replaced the 650 simply on the basis of the reviews of the Hornady. I should have stuck w...
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This is a mechanical device with moving parts. Parts that need intermittent adjustments. Just like any other device that fits into that category, the user must understand the basics of how it works.

This device really isn't all that complicated. But you have to take the time to understand it. Then use it. Make mistakes. Learn how to adjust your technique. Learn how to fine tune the machine to prevent said mistakes. It's really that simple --- but it takes time. You can't just pull the thing out of the box and start making ammo without fail. Once you learn the machine, and gain the required experience and expertise, then it most definitely will make quality ammo without fail.

Listen, if this is a hobby you love, doing all the above is fun. At some point, everything clicks in your head and you know what exactly should happen with every pull of the handle.

When you start, you don't need to concern yourself with loading progressively. You can simply do one round at a time. Heck, I still do most of my bigger rounds (7mm RM, 300 Win Mag) one at a time. Could I do a bunch faster? Sure, but it's not like doing one round at a time is slow. I can churn one out every 10-15 seconds - and that's taking my time.

If I'm doing anything from 223 to 9mm rounds, it's every pull of the handle per round. To understand how fast that is, I have a case loader sitting in my store room I haven't even decided to use yet - because placing the case and the bullet manually is plenty f...
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Got rid of my Lee . Huge mistake the hornady products in general are junk absolutely nothing works correctly. The press has too many design flaws to list. The digital scale changes constantly as well as their caliper . All in all I’m getting rid of this POS and getting a Dillon!

Sealed carton came missing three parts. Once I got that ironed out, and the press set up, this thing is really spectacular! Loaded 200 rounds of 9 mm in 45 minutes start to finish. More and more these days, my reloading bench is looking more Red than Green! Great prices and fast shipping, but I wish they would use some other method of shipping besides UPS. UPS is constantly changing their delivery dates to the Southwest.

The Hornady Lock N Load AP press is definitely the way to go. I can load rifle or pistol ammo, and the five stages really are a time saver one you have the dies set up. You can accurately and consistently kick out round after round. I am really enjoying my new press from Hornady that I got thru Optics Planet!

Great reloaded. Takes a bit of prep to get everything set up and fine tuned, but once there, it can really crank out consistently loaded rounds.....fast! Set up is easy and straightforward, powder measure is really nice, and seems to give me consistent charges within .01 between charges. One thing that I did think was a little lacking were the instructions for the powder feed. Lacked any detail, but hornady has plenty of information on their web site to overcome that. All in all, very pleased with the lock n load reloaded. Optics planet did a great job with updated order status and package tracking. Will definitely order from them in the future.

I have been reloading for 50 years on a single stage RCBS ROCK CHUCKER and have always wanted a progressive press. After retirement I decided to purchase the Hornady Lock N Load AP.After loading 500 rounds of 9mm I am very pleased with the quality and ease of operation of the press. Hornady's products are always top notch and have never disappointed me.

Was originally going to buy a dillon. Their sales department was so rude I had to hang up thinking that what good is their warranty if their sales were like this now that I have the hornady lock and load AP I couldn't be happier.