Feedback: Hornady Lock n Load single stage

[Nate C.]

Newbie here. Been pondering reloading for quite a while, and finally getting serious about jumping in.

Any feedback (good or bad) regarding the Hornady Lock n Load single stage press?

[cheese1566]

I have an old Hornady ProJector press, tumbler, two powder measures, scale, and trimmer. They always seem to have made good stuff and their customer service is pretty good too.

I don't have the single press or anything current to know about current quality standards.

IMHO I don't comprehend the need for the Lock'N'Load quick change feature on the presses. I doesn't really take that long to screw a die in or out- even on a five station progressive. I consider itto be something else to buy parts for and try to scrounge years down the road; if you don't have the bushing, the press is useless. If I had one, I would leave one of the bushings in the press permanently. But that is my two cents!!

[462]

Nate C.

I agree with cheese1566, the bushing is one more part to have to buy or, worse yet, lose. Lee has the same set up, and neither excite me. Great marketing ideas, though.

I use only single-stage presses, a Lee that goes back to when I first started reloading, and a 35-year-old RCBS JR3 that I bought used. No fancy gizmos and they'll last forever.

[BCall]

I have the Hornady LNL single stage press. I like the bushings. If you didn't like it, or they were hard to find later on, you could always lock-tite a bushing in place and leave it there. I have a set of bushings for every die set I have. Some people down play them and don't feel the need for them. That is fine. I, however, like being able to change out dies in a moments notice. It is not absolutely necessary, but it makes reloading more enjoyable for me, which I consider important.

My press is well made. Runs smoothly. I've reloaded maybe 5-6k rounds on it now without any issues. Two things I don't like about it. First, spent primer catching. You have to have the priming arm in or use a straw to cover the slot in the ram, or it spits spent primers out of the front of the press. It was designed to use the priming arm to deflect spent primers back in to the primer catcher.

Second, if you would happen to want to use a set of larger dies, you cannot. If you buy a Lee classic cast or a Rockchucker, if you ever need to use dies larger than standard, you simply remove the bushing and screw them in. The Hornady has no bushing like that, so only standard dies will work. Not an issue for most reloaders, but a consideration if you ever reload larger stuff. I have a set of RCBS shotgun shell dies here that I cannot use with the press. Wish I had thought of it earlier.

If I had to do it over again, I would buy a Lee Classic Cast and install the Hornady LNL conversion in it. I think the Lee spent primer collection is superior, and it would allow me to use the larger dies. I know lots of other presses work as well, but these are the only ones I have current experience with. Billy

[doulos]

I outfitted my RCBS rockchucker single with the Lock n Load bushing from Hornady and couldnt be happier with them so far. I think they are quite useful on single stage presses. They arent hard to find or expensive , and ive outfitted 3 different sets of dies with them. As far as losing them I dont get that reasoning. You put them on your dies adjust them and leave them on. If you dont like em you can always go back to the original bushing.

[Lloyd Smale]

i bought a new one after the fire. I really like it. Its as strong and smooth as my rock chucker and the lock and load feature is great. I can leave all my dies in them set up and just pop them in it or my lock and load progressives. I dont really load ammo on it but use it for specialty stuff like sizing a few cases ect. What else i use it for is my dillon brass trimmer and i can leave the 223 and 308 dies for it adjusted so its just pop them in and go. Nice thing to is they were giving away a free box of bullets and thats at least 20 bucks off so it put it cheaper then the rcbs or lyman and after using it a while id have to say its just as good or even a better press.

[BCall]

Lloyd, out of curiosity, are you saying that you can switch dies back and forth from the LNL single stage and the AP progressive without readjusting the dies? I have been wanting a progressive press, and that would make the LNL AP that much more appealing. Thanks, Billy

[kir_kenix]

I have the LNL single stage press and it's a pretty good press. I use it mainly for specialty stuff that I don't want to run on a progressive, turret, or co-ax (45-70 & 22 hornet both won't fit in the standard forster jaws, so they get run exclusively on the LNL). It seems just as stong as any rockchucker I've used, and was made about 30 miles down the road from where I grew up.

Hornady customer service is top notch as well. The LNL bushing are kind of a silly idea, but I lucked into about 30 of them my friend was getting rid of (he hated the system) and they do work. I've radically resized alot of cases on it, and it doesn't flex or cam over enough to make a difference.

In all I'd say its one of the better single stage presses on the market, and I'd certainly buy another if i could go back and do it all over again.

[Lloyd Smale]

nope they need some adjusting when switching back and forth but its just takes a second as there allready pretty close. i dont understand whats not to like about them. It definately is a time saver. I can swap all three dies on one of my presses as fast as i can swap a tool head on my dillon.
Lloyd, out of curiosity, are you saying that you can switch dies back and forth from the LNL single stage and the AP progressive without readjusting the dies? I have been wanting a progressive press, and that would make the LNL AP that much more appealing. Thanks, Billy

[TAWILDCATT]

I will stay with Lee turret,and his quick change system.I have a 4 hole and three hole.I do have a RCBS green machine for 38 special.which I just put a lee disc powder measure on to stop the measure from dropping a charge when no shell in place. but the GM was $600 30 yrs ago.

[Heavy lead]

I've got two LNL's, I should get at least one more set up for small primers, like them much.

[wallenba]

I considered this one too, but a few of the customer reviews on the Midway site state that Lee dies are too short. Is that true of all Lee dies or just a few?

[BCall]

I have a number of Lee dies, and have not had any problem as of yet. It is close, but a thinner lock ring would work if you were to have a problem I think. Billy

[Lloyd Smale]

i have 3 lnl progressives and use lee dies on all of them without trouble.