Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Demonstration

A demonstration of the operation of my Hornady Lock-N-Load AP press.

We'll follow a case around the different stations and see how the press does its magic. I'll skip the boring dies like sizing, neck expansion, and seating.

This press works really well for me. I've gotten as high as 500 rounds per hour loading .45ACP. Here I'm loading 7.62x25.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Hornday
• Lock-N-Load
• AP
• progressive
• reloading
• press

[snappydoodad]

My local Cabelas is offering the hornady lock-n-load ammo plant for $1,149. In your opinion, is it worth it to get this kit, rather than buy the pieces individually?

With my whole family shooting now, our diet of .38sp, .357 mag, and .45 acp is hard to keep up with using a single stage press. Would you recommend jumping straight up to the AP?

[aaronmj]

@snappydoodad Hard to say. I've not used the bullet feed, although I've wished for one on several occasions.

With just the case feeder I can easily do 400 rounds an hour, and I've hit 500 once or twice. Loading the primer tube is the most time-consuming part of the operation; if you had a helper you could really fly. So consider how long it takes you to load now, figure the difference, and ask how much your time is worth.

[smttysmth02gt]

What brand dies are you using? Can you run through the costs of everything you bought, not including the extra stuff like the case feeder? I've been eye'ing these for a while and I am thinking it's about time to save up for one and take the plunge. I know the press itself runs about $400 give or take but I don't know what else you had to buy to actually start loading.

[aaronmj]

@smttysmth02gt

I'm uncertain from your post whether or not you reload already. If you're considering this as your first press I would suggest you reconsider. Start with a single stage press. They're slower, but more flexible and easier to learn on. There is a lot to learn in each stage of the process and a multi-stage throws it all at you at once. It will be very difficult to develop a feel for the process. They're also a lot harder to configure.

[smttysmth02gt]

@aaronmj I have several friends who have been doing it for a long time and I've been researching it for a long time. I've decided that the Hornady LNL AP is the press that I want but I just wanted to find out how much extra I'm going to have to fork out for extra stuff that doesn't come with it (dies, shell plate, scale). I'm just uncertain what the press actually comes with upon purchase. I'm aware of the process, just the cost is what I'm unfamiliar with, as far as components (and brands).

[aaronmj]

@smttysmth02gt OK, at a minimum you'll need a scale to calibrate your powder drop and a micrometer to check overall length. The Powder Cop die is optional, but very handy.

For each caliber you'll need a shell plate and dies. I've used Lee, RCBS and Hornady dies with my press. All work. The Lees are the cheapest, but the Hornady have great lock rings and a TiN coating that really reduces effort, making it easier to tell when there is a problem.

[romansten9]

@smttysmth02gt Not only are Lee dies the cheapest, but a lot of people like them best (at any cost) They have more features than most other dies and are very easy to use. Many are carbide, so there is no need to lube cases. I do like this Hornady press, and it will probably be my first progressive. I was going to buy a Dillon, but the Hornady is built way stronger and has great features and for less money.

[rekenhavoc1]

Looks like your powder drop die is loose. You may try a thicker o ring to keep it from loosening. Nice video.

[smttysmth02gt]

@aaronmj Mainly I was wondering price difference on brands for components. I know Lee is pretty good and generally the cheapest cost wise but if people have different experiences with different brands it may be worth it for me to opt for Hornady or RCBS. How much extra are the locks (or whatever you call them) to put the dies in the press? I like the idea of the powder cop die.