HornadyLock-N-Load AP Press Loader – Ammunition Reloading Press with Quick Change Lock-N-Load Bushing System, EZ-JECT System and Powder Measure – Enjoy Fast and Reliable Reloading – Item 095100

I am absolutely blown away by the quality of the Hornady Lock N Load AP press, especially at the $400 price it often goes for on Amazon (as of September 2014). Whether you're an experienced reloader looking to "upgrade" to a high quality automatic progressive press, or a new reloader who wants to jump directly into a progressive press for high-volume reloading (instead of starting with a single stage press as most people do), this is hands down the best quality-for-the-money ("bang-for-the-buck") progressive press on the market.WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE?The press comes with five lock-n-load bushings and a powder dispenser, but NOT a die set or shell plate, both of which are caliber specific and must be purchased separately. Add on those two accessories, though, and you will be ready to reload your favorite caliber at a pace of 200-600 rounds per hour for only around $500!WHY DO SOME PEOPLE RATE IT NEGATIVELY?Looking at the negative reviews here on Amazon and elsewhere on the web, I am convinced that those comments stem from users who have not set up the press correctly. It is also quite suspicious that so many of the negative comments end with some variation of the claim that "I finally spent twice as much on a Dillon as I should have done in the first place. Lesson learned: You get what you pay for." Such comments would seem to imply that the (much) lower price on the Hornady Lock N Load AP is much lower in quality than a comparable Dillon press. That's simply not the truth. Dillon presses are indeed excellent, but for nearly twice the price, they offer little noticeable benefit except for a visibly superior COSMETIC finish. Functionally, the Hornady Lock N Load has proven to be just as capable, and some of its features--like the excellent Lock N Load bushing system--actually make it more desirable, in my opinion. Compared side by side with other brands, the Hornady press has more visible casting marks and uneven textures. But the red finish still looks very attractive, and all of the press's MECHANICAL components are precisely machined for smooth, accurate reloading. After seeing the press in action, I can say without reservation that it is NOT substantially inferior to the Dillon in its operational build quality. I can only assume that many of the negative reviewers either work for Dillon or are looking to justify the fact that they spent twice as much for a press that is only 10% "better"--and mostly in a cosmetic way. Properly set up, the Hornady Lock N Load AP is a serious reloading press, a joy to operate and behold.HOW DO I SET IT UP CORRECTLY?It does take some fiddling to get the press set up correctly, but the difficulty of setting up the Hornady doesn't strike me as any worse than any other press. With a little patience to dial in each die station correctly, this press will run like a Swiss watch. Best of all, ONCE you get the die stations dialed in correctly, the fantastic Lock N Load bushing system lets you lock in the setting securely. Thereafter, if you want to change calibers, you can simply twist the bushings to swap out the dies and install a different set. When you reinstall the dies after they've been set once, they HOLD that setting very well to ensure repeatable results again and again. This is one of the most outstanding features of the Hornady press, and one of the main reasons (besides price) that I chose it over the Dillon. Besides the convenience of easily swapping out dies for different calibers, the bushings also make it easy to quickly remove stations to clear them out of the way for better access to one station that, for example, you might need to get a wrench on to tighten or loosen it.Instead of going over the initial cleaning and set up, I'll just recommend that watch the YouTube video series posted by user Bill Morgan. Search for "Hornady LNL AP Press Set Up Hints and Tricks, Part 1" to begin his outstanding, multi-video coverage of virtually everything you need to know to set the press up right. I don't know Bill personally, but his videos about setting up this press are top notch and will spare you a lot of headaches. Also, make sure you clean the press thoroughly when you first get it with a high quality cleaner and dry lube, like Hornady One-Shot, which works great.HOW ACCURATE IS THIS PRESS?After fiddling carefully with each station to get it set up correctly, I was able to produce better-than-factory-accuracy ammo (.223 Remington) on my first try with this press. In addition to this press, I purchased these two add-ons:- Hornady Improve Shell Plate (17 Remington, 17/222, 17/223, 220VT., 20 Tactical, 204 Ruger, 221 Remington, 222 Remington, 222 Remington Mag., 5.6X50 Mag., 223 Remington, 6mm/223, 6X47 Remington, 6mm TCU., 6.5mm TCU., 7mm TCU., 7mm/223 Ingram, 7X47 Helm, 380 Auto)- Hornady 223 Remington Custom Grade Reloading Dies(Series I Two-Die Set)The Hornady resizing/de-priming die works great as long as you snug up the spindle with a wrench and use a generous amount of case lube on the brass (Hornady One-Shot Lube works great). The bullet seating die is also outstanding as long as you hold the bullet into place and guide it up into the die as you stroke the handle. Every bullet seats firmly to a consistent depth (i.e., it holds the depth you set VERY accurately) and appears perfectly centered in the case--an observation that is born out by the impressive accuracy of the resulting shots. You do NOT need an expanding die for .223 cases. The two dies in the Hornady set are all you need in addition to the included powder dispenser that comes with the press.The powder dispenser is also surprisingly accurate. At first, I had a hard time getting it to throw a consistent charge. But then I discovered that the dispenser tube wasn't screwed in entirely, and as soon as I fixed that and made a few adjustments to the depth of the station, I suddenly started getting dead-on-accurate throws EVERY time. I'm using IMR 4320 powder, which is a mostly round, but slightly extruded powder that seems to work very well in the Hornady powder dispenser and is less finnicky about temperature changes than a true ball powder. When I tried measuring the loads by dispensing into the pan on my scale, I got inconsistent results, but when I started running cases up into the dispenser and then dumping the powder from the case onto the pan of my beam scale, I got an EXACT 23.5 grains EVERY time for nine in a row! After that, I checked the powder throw every 30 cases, but I needn't have done so. It was spot on every time! Of course, if you want those kinds of results, you have to make certain you clean your powder station very thoroughly and set it up properly (as I said above, go watch Bill Morgan's videos!).One last accuracy note: Using CCI Small Rifle Primers (#400) with the small primer seating parts properly installed on the press, I had zero troubles with shallow or unevenly seated primers. It just works!PROBLEMS AND SHORTCOMINGSThe Hornady Lock N Load AP press's printed instructions and included video leave a little to be desired. They're not bad, but you really need to consult both to have a good understanding of how to set up and operate the press. There are some things that aren't adequately covered in the print instructions that are much better explained in the video. For instance, it isn't clear how to grease the press unless you watch the video, which is the only place that makes mention of how much grease to use.The only problem I had with my press is that, right out of the box, the plastic/nylon tip (ferrule) to the small primer pick up tube was broken. Instead of two clearly defined prongs, it looked as if it had been melted and cracked. I contacted Hornady using their online contact form, and with no questions asked, within a week they had mailed me a replacement tip/ferrule at no charge, so it seems that their customer service is very good. Of course, it was a very inexpensive part... perhaps if it had been a more significant problem, they would have been less accommodating (?). I can't say, but my sense is that they offer good support for their customers.CONCLUSIONAll in all, this is a phenomenal press. If you have any doubts about it, watch Bill Morgan's videos. Not only will they tell you all the things you need to know to get this press running like a Swiss watch, but also you will see the press in action and feel more confident about its quality. I still don't know why there are so many folks who bash this press or claim that it is vastly inferior to the Dillon. All I can say is they are wrong. It is a fair match for the Dillon, at a MUCH better price, with some features that are even preferable over the Dillon, and you won't be sorry you bought it. And sweetening the deal, if you buy this press, Hornady includes a rebate for 500 free bullets (all you pay is shipping), which is like getting almost an additional $100 off the price of the press!I say buy it, and happy reloading! (Remember to be safe and use your brain, don't get in a hurry.)[UPDATE 12/12/14: Well, I've been reloading on this press for awhile now, so I thought it was time for an update. I love it! So far, I have had zero problems with the completed rounds I've loaded, and only two issues with the reloading process. One issue is that with the lead-tip "Varmint" .223 caliber bullets from Hornady, the lead noses of the bullets are soft enough that if you don't keep the bullet oriented exactly right as you press it up into the seating die, it can turn sideways and get stuck inside the seating die, crushing the brass case in the process. It is very hard to feel that the bullet has shifted until it is too late and the case has been crushed. This only happened three times in the 250 rounds I loaded with those bullets, but I thought I should mention it. It's arguably an issue with those particular bullets, rather than the press.The other issue is more serious: The Lock N Load bushing on the powder station can (and often does) twist and unseat itself after awhile. This never happened on the first 100 - 150 rounds I loaded; however, now it happens at least once every 50 rounds I load. The reason this is dangerous is because it allows the powder station to rise up out of the press, instead of pressing the bullet up inside to activate the powder drop and throw a (proper) charge into the case. If you don't notice it, then when you move to the next station and seat the bullet, you've just created a squib load. Squib loads are dangerous because when you put them in your gun, the primer may have enough force to discharge the bullet into the barrel of your rifle, but without a charge of powder, the bullet usually will stop somewhere in the barrel. Since you hear a "pop," and the round may even eject (or you may rack the bolt to clear it), you might think the round fired fine. But if you fire off the next round without thinking to make sure the barrel is clear (i.e., not realizing you just had a squib load), the pressure of the next shot in a clogged barrel can (almost certainly WILL) blow up your barrel and possibly injure you. So watch out for that! One fix is to buy a thin rubber O-ring from the hardware store and install it just under the lip/rim of the Lock N Load bushing. That way, when you lock it down, it compresses the O-ring and locks in extra-tight, which seems to correct the issue very effectively. Squib loads are always a greater risk on a progressive press, of course, but I just wanted to note that--due to the powder station's tendency to work the LnL bushing loose--they are a much higher risk on the Hornady LnL AP.Those issues aside, I LOVE THIS PRESS. It produces very fine, very accurate, very consistent ammunition--at least in the .223/5.56 caliber I've been loading exclusively so far. Don't reload distracted. Pay attention to the FEEL of the primers going into the case (you can feel when you miss a primer--though, so far, that has only happened when a stray grain of powder jamms the primer loading tray); pay attention to the FEEL of the bullet as you guide it into the bullet seating die; and pay attention to the LOOK and SOUND of the powder station as it is throwing a charge correctly and locked down securely. With an eye on those details, you can avoid most of the frustrating or dangerous issues that can arise with a press, and your ammo will come out great if your components are good. One last tip that has helped me: I leave an open station BETWEEN the powder station and the bullet seating die, which allows me to visibly inspect and confirm the powder level of each case before I seat a bullet. I suppose you could insert a powder check station, but I find it more reassuring to actually see the powder levels for myself (and I'm pleased to see them throwing so consistently!). Hope that update/advice helps you!]

I started my reloading career on a single stage Lee press and made many, many rounds on it. I finally did my research and settled on the Hornady Lock N Load AP.Here's what I love about it: Fit and finish wise, it's perfect. Everything works, it comes pre lubricated, and it comes with very clear setup instructions. What's even better than the instructions are the myriad of videos and how-to documents on the web that go into very good detail on getting it dialed in. After mounting it to my bench I set it up for 9mm. Out of the box it comes with the large primer feeder and the rifle powder drop, but they're both relatively easy to change out.Getting it to index properly took a little bit of time, but next to no effort. You just adjust the two screws for the PAWLS at the bottom, one for the down stroke index, one for the up stroke index. Once the detents are seating correctly, you're ready to rock and roll.After working out my process flow, which I'll detail later, I'm able to pump out about 400-500 rounds an hour (timed myself, got 11 rounds in 1 minute, but when you account for picking up a dropped round or reloading the primer tube, I think 4-500 is reasonable).Here's what I don't love - the bushings aren't great. My lee had two advantages over the hornady. 1 - the bushings had a small detent where they locked in, so you could lock the bushing and then adjust the die. The hornady bushings do not lock in, so some times if you are trying to unscrew a die slightly to be the right length, you instead unscrew the bushing - very frustrating. 2 - the lee bushings have a scalloped / rough perimeter and the hornady bushings are completely smooth. This makes tightening the bushing or releasing it increasingly difficult because you can't get a grip on it. The bushings are also quite a bit larger than the lee bushings, so I can't fit my dies in the original die box with the bushings still on.I've also found that the indexing action of the shell plate, when the ball detents lock in, causes a bit of a shock wave through the plate. In my 9mm and 223 cases, it's been known to kick out a few kernals of powder. Not a huge deal, but frustrating. If the powder gets into the primer feed path, then it becomes a problem as the primers won't index properly.Lastly, there's no easy way to remove the primers in the feed tube if you don't use them all. Every time you run the risk of dumping them all over the floor.I have added a new roller-handle and a primer alarm, both from Inline Fabrication and both awesome additions.I use position 1 for the sizing die (I deprime on my single stage, before cleaning). Position 2 holds the powder drop (which, btw, is relatively easy to swap from rifle to pistol, and is relatively easy to dial in for proper load size and drop). I have purchased a universal powder through expander for pistol cartridges from powderfunnels - a huge time saver. Position 3 holds my powder cop (safety first). 4 is the bullet seating and 5 is the crimp.Swapping between calibers takes a little time, especially getting the powder drop to dispense the right amount of powder while also belling the neck just the right amount, and then setting the powder cop. I wouldn't want to do it for only a few dozen rounds, but it's not so much effort that I lament the process.So now that I've added a few after market parts, tuned it to time right, and got it running - I absolutely love the reloader. I have probably pumped out over a thousand rounds over the past 2 - 3 weeks, just because it's that easy. Not a ton, but learning a new tool takes time. I am very glad I bought this and don't have to single-stage each and every round any more.