Shop now and get Free Value Shipping on most orders over $49 to the
contiguous 48 states, DC, and to all U.S. Military APO/FPO/DPO addresses.
Enjoy our FREE RETURNS
We want to ensure that making a return is as easy and hassle-free as possible! If for any
reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, simply return the item within 30 days of
receipt, and we'll cover the cost of return shipping. Learn more about our Return Policy.
Please Enable Your Browser's Cookies Functionality
Cookies are not currently enabled in your browser, and due to this the functionality of our site will be severely restricted.
Web browser based cookies allow us to customize our site for you, save items in your cart,
and provide you with a great experience when shopping OpticsPlanet.
Your privacy is important to us, and any personal information you supply to us is kept strictly confidential.
If you cannot enable cookies in your browser, please contact us — we are always here to help!
JavaScript is blocked by AdBlocker or ScriptBlocker
We're sorry - it looks like some elements of OpticsPlanet are being disabled by your AdBlocker.
Unfortunately we are unable to offer our excellent shopping experience without JavaScript.
Please add "opticsplanet.com" and "https://opl.0ps.us/assets-be0390d3f30/" to whitelist,
or disable AdBlocker for this site (please note that we do NOT feature any annoying ads on this website).
Thanks!
Your Browser is Outdated
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an excellent shopping experience on your browser because it lacks modern functionality needed for us
to provide a fast, secure, and enjoyable experience. If you cannot upgrade your browser or use an alternative device to visit us,
please contact us at +1-800-504-5897 and we'll be happy to assist you over the phone!
May have been a better product back in the day... - Hornady Lock-N-Load Power Case Prep Center 050012
by
Stu O,
Verified Owner
from AZ, United States
Written on September 2, 2021
Stu O's Review of Hornady Lock-N-Load Power Case Prep Center 050012
Just for some background, I'm an old buzzard. Been reloading since the mid '70s. Having recently processed 600 5.56 military cases by hand, I had to admit my time hand-twisting case prep tools was over. The Hornady Lock-N-Load Power Prep Center is the most expensive tool of its type I've found, but the price would be a non-issue if the tool performed as shown by Gavin of Ultimate Reloader. It may have once, but my specific example is truly awful. For starters, the case trimming cutter is rather dull, relative to my 30-year old RCBS hand-operated unit. The RCBS unit will cut as little as .001", even showing an ultra thin sliver shaved off. The Hornady shows a few slivers but doesn't really shave off the brass; more like pushing it aside. If only removing one or two thou, the result looks pretty normal - ready for deburring. But if removing more than say, .005", the cutter spits out a few small chunks, then heaps the rest of the brass into a ledge on the outside of the case mouth. Following up with the chamfer and outside deburring tool is a bit frustrating, as the 4-bladed, rather dull, de-burr tool breaks off the swarf, replacing it with its very own ridge - a ridge I then removed by hand with my old L.E.Wilson de-burr tool. Time saving?" Not so much. One good feature - the inside chamfer tool is very sharp and efficient.
Back to the case trimmer. Setting the depth of cut isn't too difficult, though learning the drill takes some practice. Even so, finished cases can be expected to be within .002" of each other, at best. As for the claim that the small serrations on the depth handle equal .001" change, I'll have to take their word for it. My experience is sometimes yes, often not. But here's the deal-breaker - the spindle holding the shell holder is spring-loaded and operated using a T-shaped lever, which bears down on a ball bearing held by a hand-wheel/nut. Sometimes, something inside the spindle bore snags in the full down position, then breaks loose as the lever is raised and flies upward to its stop with a loud snap sound. A few of these episodes mangled the spindle stop pin.
So - trimmed cases need to be checked for length, as each one seems to differ from the previous. Time consuming.
De-burred case mouths must be checked for a machine-induced burr and corrected. Time consuming.
Installing/removing a case in the shell holder takes more time than with a hand-operated unit...unless you don't mind using your fingers in close proximity to a spinning cutter blade.
Frankly, carpal tunnel aside, I find hand-processing using sharp, high quality tools to be faster and more accurate than using this case prep center. Instructions in carton state to not return unit to store - must call Hornady for assistance (but not a return). Otherwise, this Case Prep Center would be on its way back to the seller. Caveat Emptor
Pros:
Impressively large
Horizontal plastic pans catch shavings
Trim blade is isolated from other case tools - safety feature
Cons:
Impressively large
less-than-sharp cutters
Pilot set screw loosens frequently
Imprecise results
self-damaging
Best Used for:
Something other than case prep
Would Recommend:
No
3 of 3 found the following review helpful.
Was it helpful to you? Yes|No
You said this review was not helpful.
Would you like to change your vote?