Hornady Lock n Load AP press

Gonna upgrade to a progressive press for xmas present, have been looking at a Dillon 550RL but seeing as the Hornady AP is only a little more expensive and from the reviews I've read it gets rated as good or even better than a Dillon 650, am looking at getting the Hornady for loading bulk 9mm and 223

Does anyone have any experience with one, I hear the powder measure may be more accurate than the Dillon and the addition of auto index is a bonus over the 500 for bulk 9mm

Any good places to get one from? With the current exchange rate $800 from Workshop innovation stacks up fairly well against importing from Amazon $450USD + $120NZD shipping + duty, unless I can get away without a customs bill or large shipping cost

I went through the same process about six months ago. Priced them locally at Reloaders and Workshop innovations. Also looked at importing from Oz and U.S. Which were a lot cheaper but freight killed that option!

Eventually got mine thru workshop innovations, great service and reasonable price.

Very happy with the press too.

Great press. Only gripe with mine is that when using the pellet type powders it only takes one tiny grain of powder to stop the primer slide tray thingy from sliding foward if it gets in there. It takes a blast of air or a tooth pick to flick it out. Its a non issue with flake powders. Other than that its sweet.

Its not worth importing IMHO, Ive looked a few times and the savings are pathetic. Workshop Innovations are probably going to be the more aggressive on price.

Also I found the operation of the press works really well with the Lee Collet die, as no case lube needed with this die.
Initially when I used a standard die with case lube the powder blocked up in the case mouth due to sticking to lube.

I'm quite keen on one of these too

I have had one for a year. I do not have much experience with a Dillon but I was talked into buying the Hornady AP press by a Dillon owner. It is really built like a tank. Comes with a great spares kit.
Changing to any caliber takes 2 mins including setting charge throw.
I have had a few minor stuff-ups with it that I have caused. Nothing has broken and it works flawlessly. I do not use Lube for anything but .223.
I can load 4-500 9mm or .40 cal rounds an hour and that includes setup and refilling the primer tube. I also hand feed the cases and projectiles.
A great bit of kit imo.:thumbsup:

If you buy a Hornady LnL AP press get an RCBS lock out die. The powder thrower is extremely accurate with powders I have used, but sometimes teething issues with the linkages etc can under or over throw a charge. Even if you're vigilant, a couple bad loads will get past you due to distractions.

It is the best thing I have bought for reloading with the press, thanks to ebf's wife's advice.
If you under or over throw a charge the die locks the arm and you can sort whats wrong without it getting past undetected.
I can do a run of 500 9mm or .40 and the throws are within .1 at the beginning and end of the run. Accurate enough for good rifle ammo. Set the indexing (only done once from new), keep the shell plate and primer slide clean of powder, grease her up and pump out the ammo.

Cheers for the advice, am watching a 9ft jetboat on trademe tonight so if I miss that will order a LnL tomorrow

Alloy Jet Boat 9ft | Trade Me

Boat went over my budget so looking forward to my new press, is there anything I need to buy with it? like the Dillons needing a calibre conversion kit.
Have Carbide dies already and will get a lock out die as suggested

Just extra of these if you plan to load other cals.http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11...6e25df7b23.jpg

Mine setup for .40 S&W
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11...ebc7e6e0e0.jpg

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Originally Posted by specweapon

Alloy Jet Boat 9ft | Trade Me

Boat went over my budget so looking forward to my new press, is there anything I need to buy with it? like the Dillons needing a calibre conversion kit.
Have Carbide dies already and will get a lock out die as suggested

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yeah a Dillon, I'll bet you end up with one eventually :)

To change caliber with the hornady you just need the shell plate and dies. Extra collars make it simpler by way of leaving dies set. Just lock them in, set your charge and your away.

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Out of curiosity to someone that doesn't reload and little to no knowledge, after buying this AP press. How much more money to start basic reloading? No details (will do my homework on this) needed just a price. I see the kits start at $250 to $900. Cheers T


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A bit overkill to start reloading, the Lee classic press and a die set will get you going for under $300 roughly

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Originally Posted by HOWA308

I went through the same process about six months ago. Priced them locally at Reloaders and Workshop innovations. Also looked at importing from Oz and U.S. Which were a lot cheaper but freight killed that option!

Eventually got mine thru workshop innovations, great service and reasonable price.

Very happy with the press too.

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That's if you use the 'Cabela's postal raping' method. Using Youshop will still save you 30% (including gst) but that has to offset the loss of usable warranty and the month it takes to get here. This is when the dollar is strong though I suppose. The 30% could get gobbled up at a time like now when the dollar is so crappy.

Specweapon - So just a die set to add to the kit then the consumables, brass, powder and projectiles then?

Yes I understand it will be overkill but if I do decide then I don't mind saving and spending it, it's a long term hobby and will cost money, the plus with good gear is that you can always sell it off without too much of a loss if it isn't my thing.


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Well it depends one what calibre you intend to load, I will still use my Lee classic for 300blk, 260AI, 308 and others. The progressive only for bulk 9mm and 223.

The basic lee is probably better to learn handloading on, and will never lose its value

I see, will have a look at that. Would only reload 308 and maybe when I get it re-barrelled one of the 6.5 rounds

You do not need a progressive press if you're only 1 or 2 rifle cals.
Single stage is the way to go unless needing high volume.

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I started with a single stage Lee press, loading 308 & 300wsm. Took my time to learn the fundamentals and get my loads sorted.
A couple of years on and having recently purchased the Hornady Lock n Load AP press and really like it, I wouldn't be keen to start from scratch with it.
Starting reloading and learn with a single stage press was best for me.....
The need to correctly set up each die station and powder measure and getting them all working simultaneously does take some reasonable reloading knowledge. JMHO

Hey Howa, since you have experience in the hornady AP. What do you think about using it with only 1 stage at a time to deal with the learning curve and get it right?

I like the hornady gear for some reason, the classic deluxe kit and AP is about the same price, add up to 300 to ap for other parts (my understanding). Either way I will start building the cash, in my case I think it is the case of NEED vs WANT, i just started shooting and I wouldn't even justify the amount I shoot to reload. Looks like an interesting hobby.

I looked at long term use, and I wanted volume. So I brought a Dillon 650 for 9mm first up. Easy to learn on for this caliber and certainly has paid off in the longer term. Dillon or hornady doesn't matter, as long as you do the research and maybe have someone to give advice etc... Precision rifle is a different story, and single is the way to go imo. Oh and use the 650 for 223 as well.

horse's for courses.

I watched some videos and did some research last night. I am starting to see the light with the single stage press and how both have a place on the bench. My thinking was to skip a stage going straight to AP but I see both have different application. Thanks for the advice people.


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Originally Posted by trader312014

I watched some videos and did some research last night. I am starting to see the light with the single stage press and how both have a place on the bench. My thinking was to skip a stage going straight to AP but I see both have different application. Thanks for the advice people.


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Let me know if you need to sell the AP, been second hand and all

Could swap you a just run in single stage Lee(around 5,000 rounds) for the AP? :)

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Originally Posted by trader31

Hey Howa, since you have experience in the hornady AP. What do you think about using it with only 1 stage at a time to deal with the learning curve and get it right?

I like the hornady gear for some reason, the classic deluxe kit and AP is about the same price, add up to 300 to ap for other parts (my understanding). Either way I will start building the cash, in my case I think it is the case of NEED vs WANT, i just started shooting and I wouldn't even justify the amount I shoot to reload. Looks like an interesting hobby.

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Where do you live Trader? If your close to Tauranga I will loan you my single stage for 6 months to get the hang of loading before you jump into an auto press.

You will just need to buy Dies and consumables that can also be used in your next press.

Very generous offer Howa but I live in chch, thanks anyways.

I will hold off for now and look into the details some more. I read last night that single stage produces more accurate rifle ammo.
New plan will be to start buying gear middle of next year.