opinions on this press? (hornady AP)

T

thunderbyrd

Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2021
Messages
423
Location
kentucky
unless some one can give me a good reason not to, i think i am going to buy this press:

www.youtube.com

How To Operate the Hornady Lock-n-Load AP Reloading Press

Hornady's Lock-N-Load® AP™ is a five-station progressive reloading press that pops out one round of loaded ammo with each pull of the handle. Brownells Gun T...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com


this looks good to me as a way to start. opinions from those who have used it would be helpful! and thank you.
 
thunderbyrd said:
unless some one can give me a good reason not to, i think i am going to buy this press:

www.youtube.com

How To Operate the Hornady Lock-n-Load AP Reloading Press

Hornady's Lock-N-Load® AP™ is a five-station progressive reloading press that pops out one round of loaded ammo with each pull of the handle. Brownells Gun T...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com


this looks good to me as a way to start. opinions from those who have used it would be helpful! and thank you.
Click to expand...
A good way to start is adjusting dies every time you need them... being involved in the process keeps one engaged and not a monkey pulling a handle. Do you understand tolerance and where you are in that range.
 
AJC1 said:
A good way to start is adjusting dies every time you need them... being involved in the process keeps one engaged and not a monkey pulling a handle. Do you understand tolerance and where you are in that range.
Click to expand...
well, the guy in the video looks pretty engaged in the process. so do you mean that this press has loose tolerances, in powder weight and round length?

i don't care if i'm a monkey cranking a handle.
 
I have had one for, jeeze, 10/12-years? I really like mine. I dithered over a Dillion but am glad I went the way I did (yea,yea, Blue Boys, quit groaning). Hey, I like Hornady pistol dies too.

I eventually bought all the bell-and whistles (bullet feed, case feel, through case expanders, etc) but I really don’t mess with them anymore. I mean, if you’re going to load, say, 5/10k of a particular round and want to do it in a day or have cash enough to buy several, one for each caliber, then go for it.

If you haven’t used a progressive before, there is a learning curve. Be prepared to spill some powder and make some goofs. That’s true for all progressives. There are a few tricks like setting the timing pawls, but you can get help on here anytime, Or call Hornady - I like their customer service.

Without the full monte, I can still load an easy 500 pistol in an hour.

I also load 5.56 and .243 and get very good accuracy. Heavier cases go on a single stage.
 
I almost bought that one when I started reloading, seem like a great press. I decided to buy a single stage press instead the Forrester Co-axial. No reason other than when I do reload I do things in stages, like one week I'll deprime brass, another time I will, clean, another day or week later I will measure and trim if necessary and clean. Its a slow process for me that works because I do each stage it is normally by the 5 gal buckets at a time and when it is time to load it is only a couple of hundred rounds at a time. If you like it go for it. My only suggestion will be to keep the process slow and easy and not try to crank out 1000 bullets in 20 minutes , slow and easy is faster. I would also check and see if Hornady has any good deals. Depending on the package you get you may get bullets or brass for free. Good luck.
 
Starting with a progressive is kinda tough. With a single stage at least you get to learn how dies work and what each one does. You can do it with a hornady LNL AP but the learning curve is kinda tough. There's a lot going on that can cause problems and if you don't have a clear understanding of what each thing is doing you will struggle. Can't tell you how many guys think the progressives they buy are pieces of crap simply because they don't know how to address issues that come up. That said, there is nothing wrong with the Hornady. I own like 4 of them. I prefer the Dillons only because they are easier to automate.
 
ms6852 said:
I almost bought that one when I started reloading, seem like a great press. I decided to buy a single stage press instead the Forrester Co-axial. No reason other than when I do reload I do things in stages, like one week I'll deprime brass, another time I will, clean, another day or week later I will measure and trim if necessary and clean. Its a slow process for me that works because I do each stage it is normally by the 5 gal buckets at a time and when it is time to load it is only a couple of hundred rounds at a time. If you like it go for it. My only suggestion will be to keep the process slow and easy and not try to crank out 1000 bullets in 20 minutes , slow and easy is faster. I would also check and see if Hornady has any good deals. Depending on the package you get you may get bullets or brass for free. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Staging is a good point. I clean, size, expand a bag of 1,000 at a time when in the mood.

Ohhh, I like my Co-axial too, ms!
 
What is not to like with the Co-axial
NMexJim said:
Staging is a good point. I clean, size, expand a bag of 1,000 at a time when in the mood.

Ohhh, I like my Co-axial too, ms!
Click to expand...

. I love staging, for me it keeps me from doing mistakes and keeps them at a minimum.
 
If you are new to reloading, I’d start with a good single stage press. You will learn each step of reloading better. The knowledge will be useful when you move to a progressive.

Besides, having a single stage press on hand is useful. It can do some specialized tasks a progressive cannot do.

I like my Hornady progressive press. I prefer to prime off the press as I find the priming system a pain to use.

Priming off the press allows me to resize cases and then clean them before I load them. I resize cases after I shoot them. After they are cleaned, the cases are set aside for a future reloading session.

I also have an RCBS Pro2000, a Dillon BL550, and several Dillon SDB’s. I do most of the resizing on the Hornady but other presses have their own advantages for particular cartridges.

I’ve not had any success getting the primer system on any of the progressive presses I have work to my expectations except my Dillon SL900 shot shell loader.

But lots of folks are happy with the priming systems on their progressive presses.

Finally, I load most of my rifle cartridges on the single stage press. 204 Ruger I load on the Pro2000 as it is my prairie dog round of choice and we go through tons of ammunition on a prairie dog field.

Other rifle cartridges can be adapted to a progressive.
 
Last edited:
NMexJim said:
I have had one for, jeeze, 10/12-years? I really like mine. I dithered over a Dillion but am glad I went the way I did (yea,yea, Blue Boys, quit groaning). Hey, I like Hornady pistol dies too.

I eventually bought all the bell-and whistles (bullet feed, case feel, through case expanders, etc) but I really don’t mess with them anymore. I mean, if you’re going to load, say, 5/10k of a particular round and want to do it in a day or have cash enough to buy several, one for each caliber, then go for it.

If you haven’t used a progressive before, there is a learning curve. Be prepared to spill some powder and make some goofs. That’s true for all progressives. There are a few tricks like setting the timing pawls, but you can get help on here anytime, Or call Hornady - I like their customer service.

Without the full monte, I can still load an easy 500 pistol in an hour.

I also load 5.56 and .243 and get very good accuracy. Heavier cases go on a single stage.
Click to expand...

Oh, by the way but these too. You’ll tank me later.


1693276934360.png
 
How mechanically inclined are you? How familiar are you with the reloading process?

I started with a single stage and very quickly realized I wanted something faster. I got the Hornady LNlL and have loaded many tens of thousands of rounds on it. If it broke tomorrow I’d go buy another. If you understand the basic of reloading, it shouldn’t be too hard to get it up and running. Follow the directions as supplied and read through a reloading manuals relevant sections on the reloading process.

You can start by treating it as a single stage press to make sure you have all the steps down correctly before loading it up with all the dies. If setup correctly you can knock out 300 rounds an hour easily. If setup slightly off you’ll be making 300 defective rounds an hour.
 
I learned to load on a Lee Turret and a Dillon 550 that belonged to friends, but after reseaching the market I chose the LNL over the Dillon 650 or the Lee Loadmaster. I actually won the LNL in a contest and have never regretted starting with a progressive press. I also mostly load handgun calibers...9mm, .38Spl, .45ACP

An advantage is that you can install one die in the LNL toolhead and learn it's function until you are comfortable. Then you can use the LNL bushing system to easily remove that die, install another and learn it's function...repeat until you have a full understanding of each die. There are a multiple fine adjustments on the LNL if you are the kind of person who likes adjusting things until it is perfect. What is really nice is that the shell plate only moves half a turn with each stroke of the handle...makes operation smoother and less likely to powder. To optimally set timing of the shell plate or fine tune your priming system, there are aftermarket tools avialble from Bragging Rights reloading.

I've set up and loaded on the Dillon 650 and even had a 750 on my bench for a while. Adjustments are more coarse to avoid drifting with use. The handle stroke of the Dillons are a bit shorter than on the Hornady.

I currently have Lee Six Pac Pro on my bench which is convenient and a great value...has 6 die stations and comes with a case feeder at a very affordable price. It has the flexibility of the Hornady, with easily movable dies, but moves more abruptly like the Dillon, It's handle stroke is longer than both the Dillon or Hornady
 
thunderbyrd said:
unless some one can give me a good reason not to, i think i am going to buy this press:
Click to expand...
If you think it's the one for you, then pull the trigger....!
You've gotten a couple who have actually answered the question you have asked, sounds like it's a solid press.
Everyone else has either made an assumption you aren't mechanically inclined, or that you need to start with what they started with..........................imagine that :scrutiny:
If it's in your price range, it sounds like you kinda already made your mind up about it...:thumbup:.
From some of your previous posts, you have reloaded before and have some knowledge of the game.................................so just do it......!!!
Happy loading.....!!...:)
 
dannyd said:
I have two LNL's and between them loaded 120,802 rounds.

If your not mechanically inclined and take your time to set it up right you will not like it.

Plus I have over 200 bushings, so I have to like them :)

View attachment 1168854
Click to expand...
I think you win the bushing contest. I have a few extra bushings to cover dies in use but I only have three or four extras on hand
 
thunderbyrd said:
this looks good to me as a way to start.
Click to expand...
What do you mean, "start"? If this is your first progressive press, and you've been loading for a couple years, cool.

If you mean "start" loading, because this will be your first press. . . you're likely going to have a hard learning curve, and waste a lot of component making scrap.

A progressive press requires close concentration, by someone who knows what they're looking for. If you've never done this before, you don't. Maybe if you're an industrialization engineer, coming from a career setting up automation machines, you could overcome that hump, maybe

Otherwise, start with a single stage. I bet, counting wasted time and components, it'll be faster your first couple years.
 
The LNL-AP is a decent press. I have one with the case feeder I've been using for 13 years. I wouldn't be without a case feeder now. There is a learning curve but it doesn't take very long to learn it.
Hornady has really good support, they send you parts under warranty like Dillon does. If you need to send your press in for repair, they send you a label, you box it up and send it to them on their dime. They fix it and send it back on their dime.
It's nice to be able to pop the dies in and out and also pull a case off the shell plate with ease, check powder or whatever, and put it right back with no issues.
Take it slow with it and don't rush the process and you won't have any problems.
If you do let us know and we'll be glad to help.
 
thunderbyrd said:
well, the guy in the video looks pretty engaged in the process. so do you mean that this press has loose tolerances, in powder weight and round length?

i don't care if i'm a monkey cranking a handle.
Click to expand...
I was inferring that getting a bunch of practice setting dies in the beginning helps you.... those lock rings are a big convience, but you should still be checking your first few every time. Prevents piles of ammunition needing to be broke down.
 
One thing I tell everyone is start cheap, just encase reloading is not for you.

I started on a used RCBS A-2, so watch how much you spend.

I just like to chime in on the LNL's, because people that have never pulled the handle on one, will say they are junk and you should buy Blue. Having been on both side of the tracks, the LNL's are good equipment that doesn't bankrupt you and changing dies is a snap.
 
I've had my Hornady L-N-L AP for several years. It's been a good press. It was frustrating at first, and I had been loading on a single stage for many years prior. I won't recommend the AP, or any other progressive press, as a starting point.

Even though I have a progressive, I still use my single stage a good bit. I recommend starting there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

N
  • Locked
Does your Hornady Lock and Load do this?
Replies
14
Views
4K
243winxb
243winxb
J
  • Locked
Hornady LNL AP
2
Replies
29
Views
2K
higgite
higgite
W
  • Locked
I am not trying to start a fight........Dillon vs Hornady
2 3 4
Replies
94
Views
5K
RealGun
RealGun
A
  • Locked
reload presses
2
Replies
42
Views
2K
antarti
A
J
  • Locked
Will Dillon 550 Case Feeder RUN on a HORNADY LNL AP???
Replies
1
Views
487
1911user
1
Back
Top