nobs11
12-07-2008, 06:52 PM
I used to reload with a single stage press a long time ago but had stopped reloading because it was too much of a time drain.
Got sick of paying for factory ammo that will never be as accurate as doing it yourself (unless it is super expensive stuff).
Finally got a progressive press: Hornady's Lock n Load AP for $380 shipped with live.com's cashback offer + 1000 free bullets.
Set it up today. The instructions are terse and if you are not familiar with reloading, you might have to fiddle with it for a while to get everything set up properly.
Features that I liked:
-Auto indexing.
-Very easy to change calibers without having to buy tool heads.
-Well made and solid.
-I had read some negative reviews online but Hornady has listened to their customers and fixed issues with the primer feed and shell plates.
-Case activated powder drop. Charges were consistent.
Everything that you want is in the box except shell plates and a scale.
Things that you have fiddle with:
-Gotta make sure that the case retainer springs rides in the shell plate's groove correctly.
-Primer feeding system is sensitive to any debris (like a grain of powder that may have spilled into the groove of the roller/primer hole).
-It would be nice to have some "out of primers" warning. I made an "empty" mark on the stick that fits inside the primer feeder tube and I refill when I am close to this mark.
-Have to make sure that you use a consistent motion when charging the case otherwise weight will vary.
-Have to make sure that your scale is warmed up. This is true generally.
-Have to make sure that you complete your downstroke since it primes on the downstroke or primers will not be fully seated.
I deprime and trim on my single stage press (use the Dillion 1200 case trimmer) and load on the LnL AP. Loaded 350 rounds of 223 and 250 rounds of 45 in one sitting before dinner no problem.
Reloading is no longer a chore. I will be shooting a lot more now.
Overall, very pleased. Would recommend without any reservations. Hornady seems to have fixed any issues with this unit.
Got sick of paying for factory ammo that will never be as accurate as doing it yourself (unless it is super expensive stuff).
Finally got a progressive press: Hornady's Lock n Load AP for $380 shipped with live.com's cashback offer + 1000 free bullets.
Set it up today. The instructions are terse and if you are not familiar with reloading, you might have to fiddle with it for a while to get everything set up properly.
Features that I liked:
-Auto indexing.
-Very easy to change calibers without having to buy tool heads.
-Well made and solid.
-I had read some negative reviews online but Hornady has listened to their customers and fixed issues with the primer feed and shell plates.
-Case activated powder drop. Charges were consistent.
Everything that you want is in the box except shell plates and a scale.
Things that you have fiddle with:
-Gotta make sure that the case retainer springs rides in the shell plate's groove correctly.
-Primer feeding system is sensitive to any debris (like a grain of powder that may have spilled into the groove of the roller/primer hole).
-It would be nice to have some "out of primers" warning. I made an "empty" mark on the stick that fits inside the primer feeder tube and I refill when I am close to this mark.
-Have to make sure that you use a consistent motion when charging the case otherwise weight will vary.
-Have to make sure that your scale is warmed up. This is true generally.
-Have to make sure that you complete your downstroke since it primes on the downstroke or primers will not be fully seated.
I deprime and trim on my single stage press (use the Dillion 1200 case trimmer) and load on the LnL AP. Loaded 350 rounds of 223 and 250 rounds of 45 in one sitting before dinner no problem.
Reloading is no longer a chore. I will be shooting a lot more now.
Overall, very pleased. Would recommend without any reservations. Hornady seems to have fixed any issues with this unit.