New version of the Hornady LnL AP coming out

[SteveW-II]

I was just browsing Hornadys web site and noticed a new manual available.. The Lock 'n Load AP with (drum roll) EZject system..

https://www.hornady.com/display.php?t=21

So I downloaded the manual and read through it. Hornady have replaced the case ejector that was a large piece of wire that pushed the loaded round out of the shell plate from the top, with a new system that pushes the round out from under the shell plate.

The new press is different, as is the shell plate.

IMHO this is a great improvement, as it means that you can use ANY die in station 5. Previously, you had to make all kinds of modifications to get, say, a Lee FCD to work in station 5.

This makes the press so much more usable (again, IMHO).

What this does mean, however, is that presses in current retail inventory are out of date. Maybe that is why there are so many good deals going on right now. It MAY also mean that old shell plates won't work on the new press because of the new ejection system. Again, if that is true, I would expect to see the old shell plates drop in price. Maybe Hornady will run a 'trade in' program, but I don't know.

 

[charby]

I wonder if they will have 1000 free bullets with it? I'm seriously considering purchasing a LNL AP with my tax return.

 

[Walkalong]

Well that's a pisser. Do you know how much it would cost to replace my dozen or so shellplates? Maybe they will do some kind of deal on them, maybe.

 

[SteveW-II]

$27.50 x 12 or so, I guess....

 

[Otto]

The shellplates and sub plate are redesigned. I'm assuming that by replacing the sub plate one could convert the wire ejection system to the new EZject system.
My LNL ejects just fine so I won't be upgrading but it would be nice to use any manufacturers taper crimp die in the fifth station.

 

[RPCVYemen]

I wonder if they will have 1000 free bullets with it?

When I look at the forms, it looks like it's not any 1000 Hornady bullets - but only a specific subset. Am I reading that correctly? For example as a 45 Colt reloader, I didn't see any usable bullets.

Mike

 

[charby]

When I look at the forms, it looks like it's not any 1000 Hornady bullets - but only a specific subset. Am I reading that correctly? For example as a 45 Colt reloader, I didn't see any usable bullets.

That is correct, I just see that the XTP they are offering in 45 don't have a canule.

 

[mrwilson]

The new shell plates now come in a plastic case. That's a nice change. Wonder if we can buy empty ones.

 

[Idano]

I like it, I like it a lot! Looks like Idano' press is getting an upgrade for Christmas.

 

[pinkymingeo]

I was checking the parts list. Looks like all that's required is a subplate and, of course, shellplates. The 223 shellplate I just got is the new design. I see, comparing, that old shellplates could be modified on a lathe in a heartbeat. Maybe they'll have a trade-in program for existing users. Otherwise, it's way too expensive to replace all my shellplates.

 

[Dizzy810]

I think I'm gonna have to call them about this Monday morning. I just bought my LnL AP about 3 weeks ago. I'm gonna be pissed if they make me buy the new subplate. I just looked at my shell plates and they are the new style. This explains why my 9mm havn't had any ejection issues though

 

[Dizzy810]

Well I talked to Hornady this morning. The guy said that EZJect isn't coming out until next month. Also told me I would have to purchase the upgrade, but he didn't know the price. Pretty loosy to have to purchase something to make a brand new press work properly.

 

[DickM]

I contacted Hornady via email and just received the following response:

We do have a new ejection system and it can be retro fitted to your press if you are having problems with it. The press would need to be sent to Hornady and we will convert it along with any warranty work that needs completed. The upgrade also covers exchanging two shell plates out. The current price is $100.00 and $10.00 per shell plate after the first two.

 

[Papakeith]

I was pretty much ready to purchase a new LNL. Guess I'll be waiting a couple more weeks. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Dizzy810]

$100 for an upgrade a few weeks after purchasing the press. That pisses me off. I had heard Hornady stands by their product, but it sure doesn't seem like it now.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

We haven't seen the new price of the press with EZject yet. Wonder if it will be ~$80 more... Or if they will continue the 1000 free bullets offer.

Andy

 

[mscott]

Good, now I'll have to watch out for a good deal on another used LNL. The ejection problems haven't really been much of an issue for me, but the new design does look pretty good.

 

[Walkalong]

The new eject system has not proven itsself. The LNL wire eject system seems to work just fine by all reports except some dies interfere with the wire. That can be easily fixed. They should sell the upgrade for around cost at least for a while.

 

[NJ-Tom]

BigJake J1s (Andy) - I spoke with Cathy at Hornadys customer service last week about availability and the 1000 free bullet offer, she stated not to worry about the expiration date of the program. additionally she stated they wereprobably going to continue the program into 2009.

 

[robctwo]

I just recently went over 100,000 on my LnL. I took the ejection wire off after about 5,000 rounds, use the Lee FCD on most of my calibers and tried but didn't like the automatic case feeder. I get about 2-300 per hour hand setting and removing the cases.

I had some trouble with my sub plate working loose. The set screws in the ram would not stay tight. I sent it in to Hornady and got a complete rebuild for the price of freight one way, about $19.

I didn't get the new through expander powder drop when it came out. I'll wait and see if the new ejection system is working well, it looks like a great innovation. Not sure that it would be worth the $ to retrofit.

I'm not sure how I'd feel about getting a new one that needs upgraded immediately. I do that with computers about every three years for some reason.

I do know that the LnL is a great press. If the new system is that much better I might just buy another one complete and use it for the pistol rounds. Dedicate the older one to rifle reloads where I rarely make more than 2-300 at a time. I would only need to upgrade the 9mm and .45. Of course I could get free shell plates with the retrofit. I doubt I'll do anything different for a few months after the new ones are in use.

 

[DickM]

One small additional piece of information - Tech Support at Hornady tells me that they won't be ready to do any retrofits until late February.

 

[Idano]

I don't see any reason to send in the press in for the upgrade. I have reviewed the users manual and parts lists and I am planning on just replacing the sub-plate. Changing the sub-plate is no big deal; when the casefeeder first came out it came with the sub-plate that is now standard on the press. The sub-plate on the the first version AP presses did not have the ramp. The part number for the new EZ-eject sub plate is 398309T where as the current sub plate part number is 398309S.

 

[Borg]

I had the chance to play with the new press up at Perry this year,,, it works great, all ammo just softly kicks out of the shell plate into the bin.

 

[DickM]

I don't see any reason to send in the press in for the upgrade. I have reviewed the users manual and parts lists and I am planning on just replacing the sub-plate. Changing the sub-plate is no big deal; when the casefeeder first came out it came with the sub-plate that is now standard on the press. The sub-plate on the the first version AP presses did not have the ramp. The part number for the new EZ-eject sub plate is 398309T where as the current sub plate part number is 398309S.

I was wondering why that wouldn't be possible, but had no experience changing out subplates, so figured there must be a reason. I'll send an email back to the tech that I've been corresponding with and see why he's only talking about sending the press back to Hornady.

 

[DickM]

I was wondering why that wouldn't be possible, but had no experience changing out subplates, so figured there must be a reason. I'll send an email back to the tech that I've been corresponding with and see why he's only talking about sending the press back to Hornady.

Received this response back from Hornady (I must say, they're really good about responding to emails quickly!):

At this time they are requesting the loaders to be returned to us. They will not send parts out.