Hornady lock n load auto progressive press

[modls7]

I LOVE my LNL AP. I started reloading on a progressive, but only as a single stage configuration. I had a couple of weeks off and did one stage at a time for a couple of days each and gradually worked my way up to full progressive reloading. Kind of a crash course with my father's guidance.

I mounted a low wattage fluorescent bulb similar to this that shines light directly down the case after the powder drop, and I can see the powder effortlessly.


Changing dies and shell plates are pretty easy with this machine too, the only involved setup is changing from large to small primers but that comes with the reliability of their new primer feed system. The EZ-ject kicks the bullet out every time. I was turned off by the dillon by needing to buy caliber conversion kits, but they do offer quite a extensive line of accessories. Plus Hornady might still be giving out 1000 FREE bullets with their press, saving quite a bit of money.

I will say I was leaning pro-dillon after dealing with the Hornady Projector, and bought the LNL AP to mash bullets out until I could get a nice dillon setup. I'm not sure I'll ever buy that setup now.

[ejor]

good but 2 things

I like my lock and load ,but had a couple of issues, I had to make a primer rod, as the last primer would turn sideways jam the feed up,so I soldered a empty primer cup to a brass welding rod as a weight and now it works well, [interesting they include one now] and also marked the empty spot on the rod with a piece of tape so I know when to refill. the other issue I've had was after about 2000 rounds the the lock and load bushing on the powder measure loosen up and allowed the powder measure to rotate so that the measure would rise up and not fill the case with powder, not good. It has an o-ring to add friction to retain the bushing, that I could have replaced, but I attached a spring to the measure to keep it from twisting loose[ hooked it to another die]. Those bushings are nice in that the dies stay adjusted but watch that powder measure one. about 4000 rds now no more problems.

[Agustav]

I recommend the dillon 650 because of the option to run the powder check die.
It visually shows you the powder level as you are loading and rings a buzzer if the charge is out of range.

If the powder check die can detect a variation of +- 0.4 gr of powder, I might be sold on a Dillon! My problem with my Hornady is that the powder drop is not very consistent even after I clean the inside of it with de-greaser. This is especially true with stick powders like Varget. Can some one tell me how does the powder check die work? Thank you!

[fairfaxjim]

I like my lock and load ,but had a couple of issues, I had to make a primer rod, as the last primer would turn sideways jam the feed up,so I soldered a empty primer cup to a brass welding rod as a weight and now it works well, [interesting they include one now] and also marked the empty spot on the rod with a piece of tape so I know when to refill.

Mine didn't come with a primer rod either. I called Hornady and they mailed me one no charge.

The other issue I've had was after about 2000 rounds the the lock and load bushing on the powder measure loosen up and allowed the powder measure to rotate so that the measure would rise up and not fill the case with powder, not good. It has an o-ring to add friction to retain the bushing, that I could have replaced, but I attached a spring to the measure to keep it from twisting loose[ hooked it to another die]. Those bushings are nice in that the dies stay adjusted but watch that powder measure one. about 4000 rds now no more problems.

I have found that the LNL bushings can loosen up on any station, and use a wrench on the die lock nut to tighten them up against the rubber O-ring. That seems to solve the problem, but I still watch them for looseness, although I have never had the powder measure get loose enough to fail to fill. I have questions about how long the O-rings will last before becoming a maintenance item that will require changing. It certainly is nice to be able to pull a single die out and later replace it without having to do any adjustment.

[ar15barrels]

If the powder check die can detect a variation of +- 0.4 gr of powder, I might be sold on a Dillon! My problem with my Hornady is that the powder drop is not very consistent even after I clean the inside of it with de-greaser. This is especially true with stick powders like Varget. Can some one tell me how does the powder check die work? Thank you!

There is a rod that drops down into the case.
On top of the rod is a groove and a pin switch that fits into the groove.
If there's too much powder or not enough powder, the rod does not drop into the case the right amount.
In this case, a buzzer rings because the groove goes out of alignment with the pin switch.

There's NO powder measure that does a good job with stick type powders like varget.

[eaglemike]

If the powder check die can detect a variation of +- 0.4 gr of powder, I might be sold on a Dillon! My problem with my Hornady is that the powder drop is not very consistent even after I clean the inside of it with de-greaser. This is especially true with stick powders like Varget. Can some one tell me how does the powder check die work? Thank you!

Static electricity can have a huge effect on powder. Some of the manuals suggest washing the powder system parts with soapy water and then air drying. This has worked for me.

As Randall noted the older Dillon could have been a 450, I'd think maybe a 500. Things have changed since then, although it's possible to have issues even with a current Dillon. For most people I suggest a 550 if they've never reloaded before. It's also kind of like owning a gun, there's a chance one is not enough.

all the best,
Mike

[emilio]

i gotta address something wayyyyy back: handgun brass DOES stretch. all brass does. it takes time, or it takes magnum loads.

moving on, i can't stress enough how useful a single-stage press is. aside from greater control and accuracy for match loads, it is MUCH better for developing new loads and experimenting with new calibers. it is more expensive to set up a progressive for a particular caliber versus buying a universal set of shell holders for the single stage. adjusting a single stage is also easier than a progressive (powder, primer depth, crimp, OAL) so you don't pay a big time penalty when doing load development. there are also some cartridges that require a lot of force to size, and you can do that on a single stage with much more control and confidence.

- emilio

[ejor]

I tried tightening the bushings with a wrench on the die nut amd it makes them tight but they eventually loosen. Just the size die and the powder measure. the sizing die doesn't come loose enough to come out but the powder measure did. I havent contacted hornady about this yet. I emailed them about the primer problem and never got an answer.

As to the powder measure accuracy I found it's better to keep it near full, within a couple of inches of the top and tap it to settle it before setting the charge weight, and throw a few before weighing the first one. Anybody have any other powder measure hints?

I agree with emilio about single stages very useful , wouldn't be without one, doing most of my large rifle cartridges on a rcbs press. I think midway has a lee for under $30 right now.

[LGB Loader]

My opinion is that the Hornady is leaps and bounds better than the Dillons I have had the opportunity to toy around with.

I have owned both the Hornady LNL AP and Dillons and I have to say I completely disagree with this statement. I own the 550B, 2 x XL650's and am now waiting for my Super 1050 to get here.

I do not want to start a color war because I think the LNL AP is a cool press, but lets be honest, without the case feeder, it is a pain in the "asprin" to use. the ergonomics of it suck. you have your left hand loading brass and bullets. plus the bushing were always getting loose and then I had to polish all the shell plates to get them to work better. Not too big of a deal, it was what it was, but once I opened the box of the Dillons I own, I have never had to modify or adjust or polish or grind anything. They worked flawlessly right out of the box.

Lets talk cost.

Caliber changes go for the cost of the dies plus: Caliber changes for the Hornady are about $30.00. Caliber changes for the Dillon 550 are $40.00 bucks. True, caliber changes for the XL650 ($70.00) are twice the cost of the LNL AP. no arguement. but you don't need to buy a new powder measure, tool head, tool head stand, tool head cover, etc... etc... just a simple caliber change will do.

Cost of the press:
By the time you buy the press and the case feeder, they are almost the same price but you do get 1000 bullets with the Hornady.
Guess what, if you ever need to sell that press, get ready to sell it for 1000 bullets worth of money cheaper. $200.00 or so cheaper...
If you bought a new press, would you pay $350 for used press when you could spend $25.00 - $50.00 more and get a brand new one with 1000 Free bullets? I never see Dillons 650's selling for $350.00 by the way.

I am a little sick of all these Hornady users trying to justify their purchase by bashing Dillons. If your happy with the Hornady, good, you should be happy with your purchase but you don't need to end it with "Its better than the Dillon or It's cheaper than the Dillon". Remember, they are tools, not girlfriends.

I hope I don't offend anyone, not my goal here. Just trying to add a fair insight since I have owned both Hornady and Dillon.

Sorry but my 2 cents worth.


My advise to the OP of course is to start with a good single stage press and learn the craft. I could get by without all my presses except one - my single stage.

LGB

[namancio]

I'm surprised how sensitive Dillon owners are. Try searching for Dillon in this forum and you not run out of people smitten over their press. I still don;t understand why so many Dillon owners have multiple XL650 though, I guess one for each caliber they load or maybe they like it so much 1 is not enough? This makes me think why that is the case. My Hornady will load all the calibers I shoot and have never even once thought of buying a second one to make it efficient switching calibers and I haven't seen any other Hornady owner do the same. People need 2 presses because . . . ? Something to think about if you are still deciding which one to buy. Just a thought.

[LGB Loader]

I still don;t understand why so many Dillon owners have multiple XL650 though,

cause I can, Mate. Just like I have more than one gun, one car, one guitar, one house, Etc... the list goes on...

Sorry to everyone, I don't mean to sound like I am bragging, but he did ask.

I'm surprised how sensitive Dillon owners are.

Look who's talking...

I have owned the Hornady and it is a cool press, Dude. Have fun with it. But don't put down what you can't have yourself.

I'll allow you the last word.

LGB

[fairfaxjim]

I tried tightening the bushings with a wrench on the die nut amd it makes them tight but they eventually loosen. Just the size die and the powder measure. the sizing die doesn't come loose enough to come out but the powder measure did. I havent contacted hornady about this yet. I emailed them about the primer problem and never got an answer.

Ditto, except I haven't had the powder measure loosen all the way up, yet - maybe I watch it or haven't run a big enough batch through yet - mostly do smaller batches. Have you tried calling Hornady? They seem to be pretty acommodating when I have called. Also, some companies seem to be very email oriented, and some not hardly at all. The automated phone attendant message is worth a call there all by itself.

As to the powder measure accuracy I found it's better to keep it near full, within a couple of inches of the top and tap it to settle it before setting the charge weight, and throw a few before weighing the first one. Anybody have any other powder measure hints?

I've found all powder measures that I've used seem to like to be more on the full side than the empty side for consistancy.

I agree with emilio about single stages very useful , wouldn't be without one, doing most of my large rifle cartridges on a rcbs press. I think midway has a lee for under $30 right now.

I don't have a single stage. I find that the Hornady LNL is so easy to pull and replace dies, etc. on stations that I can do a lot of the same stuff on it by just leaving the extra holes empty.

[modls7]

I do not want to start a color war because I think the LNL AP is a cool press, but lets be honest, without the case feeder, it is a pain in the "asprin" to use. the ergonomics of it suck. you have your left hand loading brass and bullets. plus the bushing were always getting loose and then I had to polish all the shell plates to get them to work better.
Lets talk cost.

Just out of curiosity, around what round count did you need to start these "tweaks"?

[LGB Loader]

Sorry

I still don;t understand why so many Dillon owners have multiple XL650 though,

cause I can, Mate. Just like I have more than one gun, one car, one guitar, one house, Etc... the list goes on...

Sorry to everyone, I don't mean to sound like I am bragging, but he did ask.


Quote:
I'm surprised how sensitive Dillon owners are.

Look who's talking...

I have owned the Hornady and it is a cool press, Dude. Have fun with it. But don't put down what you can't have yourself.

I'll allow you the last word.

LGB

namancio,

After reading your other post by you in another thread, and trying to think from your shoes and understand, I apologize for my previous thread to you. I sounded like a FN D*ck and that is not my style. I am sorry.

I should have said this:
You must understand that I have been at this a very long time (since Summer of '83) and have picked up many tools along the way. Me and my wife used to burn through anywhere from 500 1000 rounds of pistol a week - each. (Me 45ACP, her 9mm). Due to work, and our son we didn't have alot of spare time. trying to loading over 1k - 2K a week just in pistol is alot of work plus having to change the machines over. That's not including the High power rifles, plus the 410 and 12 ga.

I could go on and on but the bottom line is at one point, I had the Hornady LNL AP and the Dillon XL650 at the same time and I preferred the XL650 so I sold the Hornady and bought the 2nd XL650.

Now at the moment, I am not burning anywhere near the amount of ammo that I used to shoot since my wife only goes out with me a couple of times a month but my tool collection is what it is.

If you need any help with anything handloading related, feel free to PM me and I'll try to help.

Sorry about that again.

LGB

[LGB Loader]

Just out of curiosity, around what round count did you need to start these "tweaks"?

with 9mm shell plate, pretty much day one. the shell plate for 223 also gave me trouble. 44 mag and 357 plates were okay. Once I polished the shell plates, they worked fine. Took a bit of time to fine tune though. that's all i loaded with it. 45acp's were done on my Dillon and all other rifle were done on single stage. I never cared for the lnl bushing either. some folks love them, I preferred locking the dies in place with a die lug. I think the Hornady is a cool press but just preferred the XL650.

LGB