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LOCK-N-LOAD AUTO PROGRESSIVE PRESS

LOCK-N-LOAD AUTO PROGRESSIVE PRESS Reviews & Ratings

HORNADY LOCK-N-LOAD AUTO PROGRESSIVE PRESS

With a single pull of the handle, you’ll feel the difference between this high-performance machine and ordinary reloading presses. You’ll feel the smooth responsiveness, the rugged construction, and most of all, the power! The Power-Pac Linkage System literally multiplies and accelerates the leverage you apply to the handle. And since the AP features automatic indexing, priming and ejection, every pull of the handle give you a precisely loaded round.


PRODUCT FEATURES
  • All you need are dies and shell plates to start loading with your AP™!
  • QUICK CHANGE LOCK-N-LOAD® BUSHING SYSTEM: Lock-N-Load® AP™ has a 5-station quick change bushing system that allows quick and easy change overs from 223 to 45 in less than 5 minutes.
  • QUICK CHANGE METERING INSERTS: The Lock-N-Load® powder measure uses quick change metering inserts that allow you to switch from one powder to another with the push of a button. Add one to each die set for the ultimate in quick change overs.
  • RELIABLE EZJECT™ SYSTEM: The EZject™ feature delivers 100% reliable ejection of every cartridge, every time, without any adjustments.
  • UNIVERSAL CASE RETAINER SPRING: The ingenious case retainer spring allows you to quickly and easily remove or insert a case at any point in the loading process.
  • PRIMING SYSTEM: The Lock-N-Load® AP™ System can be changed from large to small primers as easy as 1-2-3:
1. Change the primer seater punch.
2. Change the primer shuttle.
3. Change the primer feed tube.
  • CASE ACTIVATED POWDER DROP: Case activated powder drop will dispense a powder charge only when a cartridge case is present.
  • AUTOMATIC INDEXING: Each station moves half a stage on the down stroke and half on the up stroke, making for ultra smooth functioning. This process is much smoother than presses that do all their indexing on the down stroke.
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Reviews Summary
The Hornady Lock-N-Load Auto Progressive Press garners mixed reviews. Many praise its build quality, ease of setup, and effectiveness in producing ammunition quickly after initial adjustments. However, several users report significant issues with the priming system and indexing, leading to frustration and returns. Customer support receives commendation, aiding users with problems.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Build Quality
35%
Many reviewers appreciate the solid construction of the Lock-N-Load Auto Progressive Press, noting it feels durable and well-made. Users find the technological advancements over older models to be impressive, facilitating a smoother reloading process once properly set up.
Ease of Use
30%
Several users highlight the user-friendly design and instructional resources available for setting up the press, making it accessible for beginners. Many feel that they can quickly transition from single-stage to progressive reloading, appreciating how efficient it becomes once they grasp the mechanics.
Performance Issues
40%
A significant number of reviews express dissatisfaction with the press's performance, particularly with indexing problems and the reliability of the priming system. Frustrated users report multiple adjustments and repairs needed, indicating inconsistencies in functionality that can hinder the reloading process.
Customer Service
45%
The customer service provided by Hornady receives a number of positive comments. Many users report helpful support when dealing with issues, often receiving replacement parts quickly and without hassle, contributing positively to their overall experience despite product defects.
Learning Curve
25%
Reviewers note that while the press can produce ammunition rapidly, there is a learning curve associated with its setup and operation. Users advise following guidelines and seeking advice from experienced reloaders to effectively troubleshoot and maximize the press's functionality.
5
Awesome press!
In my retirement years I decided to get back into reloading. I haven’t done it for decades, but still have my RCBS JR3! The Hornady is a technological wonder compared to that. While I’m still learning, I’ve been impressed so far with the build quality and function. The LNL die bushing approach is great, and will be a boon to cartridge changes. Brownell’s is terrific, I got a great coupon deal, received the order less than 24 hours, and just got 500 rebate bullets. Highly recommended!
Would you recommend this? Yes, I would recommend to a friend
5
Hornady Lock and Load AP reloading press
Best value dollar for dollar on the market. I also run the Dillion XL 750 and its great but buck for buck it no contest Hornady AP. Issue with Dillion is be ready to pour lots of dollars into it before your done. Between conversions , tool heads, and powder measure holy crap. I have mine and have dumped lots of jing into it and its a great press but for a guy that wants to just get it done with more bang for the buck even Dillion people would admit Hornady is a great press for the money.
5
First time with progressive system.
This was a replacement from an RCBS single stage setup lost in the 2017 Fire. I was a bit apprehensive in getting this unit due to mixed reviews . I have set it up according to You-Tube user recommendations (as the instructions are not well pictured or written). I just processed 100 rounds of 40S&W once I got it set up. I would never go back to single stage for Pistol loading. This is a breeze. Brownells gave a good overview video on how to set it up. Then I followed user posts on what little adjustments need to be payed attention too. Looking at what to do and look for made this an error free start up. I plan on setting up for 308 and 270 once I receive the die adapters I ordered. I will be doing Hand powder weighting for these, and the system allows you to create your own steps for each caliber process. Keep it clean and pay attention to setup advice and you will love it.
5
Good choice
Great press, I am glad I went with the hornady. This is my first time loading ammo, and It took me a couple days to get it all set up with several hornady die sets for different calibers, and boy does this press work nice. I would definitely recommend this press even for a beginner like myself, it doesn't take to long before you start pumping out ammo fast. Keep it lubed.
5
Replaced an old reliable
I bought this to replace my old Hornady Projector after 25 years and thousands of rounds. The LnL AP was a quick easy set up, the online videos made it simple. Within a half hour I was reloading. The LnL bushings make set up for multiple cartridges quick and easy.
5
Well worth the money
I bought this last Christmas with the black Friday 10 percent discount. The first thing I loaded was 500 rounds of 300 AAC Blackout. I later received 500 more 30 cal projectiles through hornady's get loaded rebate. Today I just finished loading a little over 500 rounds of 45 ACP for the upcoming holiday weekend. This press has more than paid for itself in ammunition and time savings. I started reloading with a Lee hand press and while it got the job done this gets it done a lot quicker. I have nothing negative to say about this press. If you pay attention to what's going on and take your time at first until you get to know the press you will quickly realize it's worth more than the little bit of green paper you traded for it. Will be adding a mini Mr. Bulletfeeder to it soon then the next upgrade will be a light kit.
5
Fast, dependable, easy
I am the original purchaser of this press and have owned it for 3 years. I have loaded over 10,000 rounds of .40, .45, and .223. I initially had to do a slight timing adjustment because one of the shell plates was not consistently rotating completely into position. Hornady Customer Service was very helpful in getting that taken care of. Since then, the indexing has worked without a problem. I have never had any parts break or fail. The priming system works very well with either large or small primers. One time I had debris get under the primer seat plunger and had to disassemble it for cleaning. Caliber changes take less than 5 minutes, although adjusting the Case Activated Powder Drop for different case lengths takes a few minutes more unless you have additional powder drop dies for each case size. The LnL bushing system is a great idea because they are inexpensive and you can store your dies in the original boxes with the bushings on them. Once they're set up, you don't have to fiddle with them any more. I do not have a case feeder or a bullet feeder and find that once I get a rhythm going I can easily load 500 rounds in an hour. Shell and bullet placement are made from the left side of the press, so your right hand always stays on the handle. The press operation is very smooth. Once I am up and running with all stations holding shells, I typically place an empty shell in the empty slot, operate the handle until the shell that just cleared the powder check die is directly under the bullet seat die, place a bullet, and finish pulling the handle down and back up. The Ezject system drops a loaded round into the catcher tray. The entire operation takes less than two seconds. The only thing that slows me down is filling primer tubes or refilling the casing and bullet trays. I keep a can of compressed air handy and use it every time I add primers to blow off any powder spills or debris around and below the shell plate. I bought a 3 pack of shell retainer springs when I got the press but have yet to need to replace one. I just added the Ergo Roller Handle from In-Line Fab (purchased here) and I really like it! There is a wealth of information and videos on operation of this press as well as comparisons to other competitive presses on the Internet. Remember that it is a mechanical device and like all such devices, things may break and go wrong. Overall, however, it is very well designed and manufactured and if something does go wrong, Hornady will stand behind it and make it right.
5
You can not wear it out!
I am replacing a Lock-N-Load Progressive press that I bought way back in 1980. Best investment I ever made in reloading equipment. I am replacing it not because there was anything wrong with it, but because some thief stole it! I have never had a problem with that original press...not once that I can recall. I loaded more than 500,000 rounds of .45 ACP and about the same in .223 with it, plus unknown quantities of .243, 25-06, .270, .308, 30-06, .300 Win Mag, .300 WBY, .300 RUM, .416 Rem, .45LC, .454 Casull, 45-70, and a few others. The folks at Hornady tell me that it has been much improved since I bought that first one more than 33 years ago. I can't wait to get the new one!
5
Excellent quality, fun & easy to use.
Excellent quality, good instructional vidios. Simple even for a begginer. I am very glad that I skipped the single stage press and bought the AP. Simplifies the process and pumps out the rounds once setup. Can go as slow or as fast as you want. Works with most other manufacturers dies and has plenty of stations.
5
Very good press
VERY NICE PRESS, WIHT AN EXCELENT POWDER MEASURE. Come with two powder rotors and allen wrenches and it comes assambled! very easy to change calibers. Buy a pack or two of case retainer springs.