Hornady Lock-N-Load AP EZ-Ject Loader

I have wanted a Lock n Load AP press for years. I would try them out in the stores and noted the incredibly smooth operation and quality build. Last summer I decided it was time to move from a Lee 4-hole Classic Turret Press to a full progressive press, as I do a lot of pistol shooting and compete some. I am baffled by some of the negative reviews. They are either written by blue press blue juicers or are incompetent and/or impatient. I took a full day to set up the press. It wasn't so much because it will take you that long, but I wanted to UNDERSTAND how it works, not just slap it together. I had a few hickups but nothing that was insurmountable. The large primer slide broke when a primer got stuck under the shell plate and I forced the ram up. Don't do that! If it isn't working smoothly, stop and see what's causing it. I called Hornady for a replacement part under warrantee and they could not have been more accommodating and friendly. The part came promptly so that I could resume reloading. My recommendation is to take time to set it up and get to know how it works before trying to load 500 rounds for the coming match. Now that I've been using it for about a month...I absolutely love it! It just looks so good on my work bench. I've loaded hundreds of 9mm and 45acp. I'm using Tight Group and Badman coated Bullets and the ammo is so quality and my shot groups are so small...very happy with loads. The other reviews have excellent advice on how to set up and use the presss. My primer feeding system works flawlessly after using emory paper lightly on the tip of the primer feed and primer slide. I use Lee dies without a powder cop, as I like to visually inspect each round for proper powder (it takes milliseconds). I'm a senior and it took a few sessions to feel comfortable doing full progressive mode, but you can start with just doing one round at a time and then work up.... 1.) Place brass 2.)Prime brass 3.) Place bullet...repeat...Easy Peasy!!! Before each reloading session take 30 seconds to make sure each die is firmly in place and hasn't backed out slightly, check powder and primer levels, make sure shell plate is clean over and under plate, and make sure shell plate nut is tight (not over tight). Yo can use a lock washer on shell plate flat washer If you want. I don't need to, so I don't. If you are an impatient type or don't want to take time to understand the press, stay away and just buy a Dillon like the sheep with herd mentality do. If however, you appreciate and enjoy fine engineering, smooth machinery and superb, accurate ammo, get the Hornady Lock n Load AP! I love mine and have no intention of replacing it. It just looks so good on my work bench! Happy reloading!

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.

La miglior pressa oggi sul mercato, superiore alla Dillon 650, e sicuramente è più economico il cambio di calibro. Le ho entrambe e posso fare il paragone. Da consigliare.

quality press.

I bought this press as a complete beginner to reloading. I bought my first 9mm handgun, and figured I'd shoot around 5000 rounds of 9mm per year with it. After doing the math I found that if save $100 for every 1000 rounds of 9mm I make instead of buy at a store. This made it look like a pretty quick breakeven for the press, which I paid $450 with free shipping for from a third party seller here on Amazon. Hornady says all you need to start reloading is a shellplate for the caliber you want to reload, and dies. While in theory that's true, you really need a larger list of things which I'll outline below, and explain why you need them, or why they'll benefit you. Obviously you'll need the press, caliber specific dies and a shellplate. You'll also need: 1. Bullet puller. This is an important one. When starting out you'll make mistakes. Not only that, but when you're adjusting your seating/crimp die you'll have to pull the bullet off the shell a few times until you get the right COL. (Cartridge overall length). Hornady makes a great bullet puller. You put it in the press, lower the handle pushing he bullet into the bullet puller, lower the bullet puller handle, lower the press handle, and the bullet is off. Takes 5 seconds. You'll need a bullet puller collet for your caliber too. The whole thing will cost around $40. 2. Digital caliper. Also a critical component. You can't reload without it. This will measure bullets to make sure they're not too long, or too short. 3. Reloading manual. Gives you reloading tips, shows you the max length your bullet can be, and shows you a variety of powders and the recommended grains to use with a variety of bullets. 4. Extra lock n load bushings. If you're going to load different calibers you'll want these. That way you don't have to undo the bushings from your other caliber dies. I bought the 10 pack. 5. Electronic scale. I bought the Hornady scale. This is essential for setting up your Hornady powder measure that comes with the press. The powder measure takes tweaking to get dieled in, and you'll need to check how much powder it's dropping. Also, every time you reload you should measure the first 5 powder drops to make sure they're consistent. 6. Brass tumbler or cleaner. I use the Frankford Arsenal tumbler off of Amazon, and it's great . If you're planning to save your brass You'll need this. Its cheap, and works very well! To do with it you'll want a media separator. 7. Powder graphite. Canadian tire sells it cheap. Use this to lube the press after you clean it. It doesn't gum up, and always stays lubricated. Amazing stuff! Hornady staff will tell you to use it as well. 8. Bullet feeder die. For $30 you can get a pistol bullet feeder die that automatically drops the bullet onto the case instead of you having to do it. This makes it so much easier. 9. Hornday powder cop. Basically measures the powder in each case and gives you a visual check. I can see a difference in .1 grains of powder. IMO this is a must have. Overall I love the press! It takes some tinkering to make everything operate smooth, but the price is great (at $450), and it'll save you a lot of money. The build quality seems awesome, the lock and load bushing system is the best in the industry, and Hornadys customer service is second to none. If you're deciding between this and a Dillon, get the Hornady! I also bought the case feeder for mine, now all I do is pull a handle and it makes bullets!

Me gusta la calidad del acero, la precisión de las recargas y lo funcional que se vuelve al integrarse con los elementos automatizados del casco y la bala. Ya me volví aficionado de Hornady.

Super qualité ! Il faut bien comprendre comment elle fonctionne pour les réglages mais une fois tout réglé elle fonctionne comme une horloge suisse .