Free internet advice and microwaveable popcorn. What a time to be alive.
I have the Hornady LnL AP and Loadmaster currently set up on the bench. Between the two examples I have, the Loadmaster has been the better press. Yeah, I just typed that.
I bought the LnL three or four months ago. Nothing worked on it out of the box. I don't mind setup and adjusting. Most of the time I take apart new machines and study them before using them anyway. Good thing since timing was adjusted way off and powder measure was assembled wrong. Shouldn't have to do much modifying to get something to function, though. The priming system required Dremel time before it would function. Interesting that most posters who use the LnL have the caveat, "I prime off press anyway". Always laugh when I read that. My subplate and three shell plates (ordered all at same time) were warped. Called Hornady CS and it went something like this: me...I think shell plate #45 is warped and #8 is warped and ....CS interrupts: Sir, that's not possible. me: just send me a RMA for press. I'll send it to you and you can send me one back that works. CS: ok then! Got back the same press with new subplate, new hub drive and three new shell plates. I'll give'em credit for finding the other warped parts. New subplate has different priming problems. LOL at LnL on that one. The LnL inserts don't all lock and load either. Two of them don't lock. Dies pop out. I'll fix that since Hornady CS is, what am I looking to say?, not really interested in problems?
The Loadmaster priming has been flawless. Works all the way to last primer. Press Worked out of the box after setting up dies. Bullet seating attachment worked well, but added much more effort to work handle. Miner mods to improve operation: polished all bearing surfaces, penny mod to brass feeder, screw mod to powder measure disk, solid mount to bench, polished head of primer ram, use universal die in station one with sizing die in station two with decapper removed (aligns case to insert primer), put nylon fishing line in threads of tool head knurled knob, continually check shell plate knurled nut. But, it worked out of the box. Have loaded many thousands in last 2-3 years.
With that said I can't recommend one press over the other. The LnL didn't work out of the box and has been a lot of time and trouble to get to work. I don't think this is the usual occurrence with LnL, or the Loadmaster either. I know I would not give full price for the LnL! Mine was $303 delivered to my door. Top that off with 500 free bullets that I was already in the market for and I have $150 in my LnL. Hornady CS is not spectacular but they do get the job done. So even with the possibility of problems you'll eventually get a working press. The major difference for me is that the LnL cams over. On the Loadmaster you push against a wall. Only a problem with 9mm, really. I've developed a bad habit of pushing hard against that wall to get decent OAL. Which the Loadmaster does not perform well at, COL. My arthritic right shoulder prefers the cam over of the LnL, and better COL.
Enough thumbing keyboard on this iPad and rambling along. Pick your poison. They both work. You may need to be a little more mechanically inclined on Loadmaster. More observant on LnL as with it you could easily double powder fill a case. Two different systems you'll have to put in the time to learn.
Think I'll try the XL650 next. :gasp: