Hornady Lock N Load Auto-Progressive Reloading Press

[JO JO]

well I am thinking of buying this press, so my question is to those who have one or had one did you have many issues with it, and how does it do with 9mm being a small short case any issues with powder spilling ?
anything to caution about going into this press ?
with the sale price on this press and bullet rebate I have leaned toward the hornady over the dillon 550,
thanks again for any and all input, I had a poll listed last week or so on 3 press choices so I am down to this and leaning toward the Hornady ,

 

[Blue68f100]

Once you have the index set properly there is very little issues. If priming on the LNL-AP which I do, you just got to get in a habit of pushing forward in a firm matter till its solid. When in dought push forward again does not cause any problems. During your setup take all the time it takes to get the primer feed aligned properly. If correct it will feed them with no issues at all. If off just a tad, you may get primers to hang and not fully drop into place. You not going to cause any problem if you over do it. The main issue is to set the primer till it bottoms out. After a while you will get a feel for this. I'm assuming you will use a ball powder or a powder that meters will in a rotary type dispenser. What I have learned to do is rest my little finger on the shell plate while placing the bullet. This dampens all the snapping action by the detents. If the index is off a little it will cause powder spillage.

 

[jmorris]

Jump on in, they can load ammunition just fine. If you are not happy with it's idiosyncrasies you can try the others on your list down the road. If you are happy with it, you saved money.

 

[Walkalong]

What I have learned to do is rest my little finger on the shell plate while placing the bullet. This dampens all the snapping action by the detents.

Yep, easy to do.

I like my LNL because it fits the way I load. I like the seating operation being in front where I can see the powder I seat a bullet over. Either press will/would serve you well.

 

[reddog81]

I like mine and would recommend it. I bought it used from someone who had problem after problem while loading 5.56 ammo on it.

I mostly do handgun loading on mine but have done some .30-06 on it recently.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I like mine and would recommend it. I bought it used from someone who had problem after problem while loading 5.56 ammo on it.

I mostly do handgun loading on mine but have done some .30-06 on it recently.

what problems did they have and what did you do to make it reliable?

With the exception of Dillion presses I hear mixed reviews on all of the progressives. It seems that getting them setup right then taking care of them is the key. Not having one and not needing one yet, I'm just trying to learn for when I get to the point of having to get one.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I have had my LnL 8 years and have used it a lot. I haven't had any problems real problems. Sure, I have had to make an adjustment or two every now and then, but that can be expected.

 

[TheDomFather]

well I am thinking of buying this press, so my question is to those who have one or had one did you have many issues with it, and how does it do with 9mm being a small short case any issues with powder spilling ?
anything to caution about going into this press ?
with the sale price on this press and bullet rebate I have leaned toward the hornady over the dillon 550,
thanks again for any and all input, I had a poll listed last week or so on 3 press choices so I am down to this and leaning toward the Hornady ,

Yes there are issues with powder spilling on 9mm cases but its not terrible. The dillon seems to have the same issue there are even aftermarket replacement parts for the dillon to prevent this. Its not terrible and is manageable. The horandy is a good machine buts its not perfect and none of the progressives are. I have stopped using the priming system on the Hornady and switched to this:

 

[sbwaters]

"any issues with powder spilling"

Slow and steady wins. Sprinkles a little sometimes. Clean the dies. Clean the powder tubes inside with graphite and outside with One Shot.

I prime online with no problems.

 

[cfullgraf]

I like my Hornady L-N-L and use it more than my Dillon SDBs, BL550 and RCBS Pro2000.

I find the half index on the Hornady prevents some powder spilling. The shell plate does not move as far or stops as abruptly as the presses that do a full index. I have greater issues with powder spilling on the SDBs and Pro2000 because of the full index. Powder spilling, in general, is reduced by moving the handle slower. This does not seem to affect my rate as my free hand is picking up the next component at the same time.

One thing I like about the Hornady, with the dies installed in individual bushings, they can be installed in the press in various locations to suit your needs at the time. There are times I will make a small run of ammunition, prime and charge off the press, and install the seating die in station one so that the powder charged case does not have to rotate all the way around the press with the case mouth being open.

As I side note, I do resize and clean cases at one time, shortly after shooting them, and reload the cases at a later date. Sometimes a much later date. One of my idiosyncrasies. The Hornady makes setting that up easy as I leave out the dies that are not necessary for the task at hand. Except for 460 S&W Mag, all my resizing is done on the Hornady (handgun) or a single stage press (rifle). Hornady does not make, or did not make, a shell plate that works well for the 460 so it gets processed on the Pro2000.

My L-N-L has been trouble and adjustment free since I bought it 8 years ago except for the priming system. I'm even using the original shell containment spring on the shell plate. I've never touched the indexing pawls on mine

I could never get the priming system to be reliable enough for my tastes so I do not use it. I don't prime on the other presses either for similar reasons. I'm happy and that is all that matters.

Lots of folks do get the priming system to work to their satisfaction. More power to them.

Hope this helps.

 

[thomas15]

As of this hour on this day I have my LNL progressive press running like a clock. I'm going out to the garage in about 30 minutes and about 2 hours later will have 800 rounds of 9mm ready to go.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

The LNL is and excellent press.
Once properly adjusted you will have few if any problems as long as you keep it clean.
If using slower case filling powders you just have to go a little slower.
I load a dozen different handgun rounds and 223's on mine.
On average I can load 100 rounds in under 15 minutes.
I think I could nearly double that with a case feeder, waiting for the next good sale.
One caution, stop loading if you are distracted by something. You don't want to pinch your finger when placing a bullet in a case.

 

[JO JO]

When you all say powder spills will happen with either press are we talking a few flakes / kernels here and there or spill that make you dump out the powder in the cases on the press and re do it due to uncertainty of remaining powder in cases being loaded

 

[JO JO]

One caution, stop loading if you are distracted by something. You don't want to pinch your finger when placing a bullet in a case.[/QUOTE]

Been there done that and it smarts pretty good

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

The case actuates the powder drop so it can't spill when no case is present.
If you try to go too fast with case filling powders you can shake a little out of the cases.
It isn't difficult to go quit fast and also smooth.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

One caution, stop loading if you are distracted by something. You don't want to pinch your finger when placing a bullet in a case.

Been there done that and it smarts pretty good[/QUOTE]
I try to do it every two or three years just to keep myself humble.

 

[rjbmjb]

I faced the same decision 5 years ago. I decided on the LnL because of the price and the fact that it has 5 stations. Since then, I have loaded over 10,000 rounds (mostly 9mm, 38 special, 44 mag and 45 ACP) with only a few minor issues. Like any progressive press, it is important to keep it clean if you want it to run smoothly. I don't have any problems with powder spilling- as some others have noted, if you try to go too fast you may get some shake out with short cases like 9mm. I don't load rifle on the LnL because I don't load enough of any rifle caliber to justify the expense of the shell plates or the time to set up the press.

 

[cfullgraf]

When you all say powder spills will happen with either press are we talking a few flakes / kernels here and there or spill that make you dump out the powder in the cases on the press and re do it due to uncertainty of remaining powder in cases being loaded

Spill might be too harsh a word here. On indexing, some powder gets flung out of the case. Usually, you cannot see the powder leaving the case but after a while, you will see a build up powder around the work surface of the press.

I've never noticed the charge weight varying anymore than normal and apparently the powder measure can be adjusted to account for the powder loss during the rest of the operation.

Interestingly, I was using one of my Dillon SDBs a few days ago and had to disassemble the press to make some repairs. In reading the instruction manual researching the repair, I found Dillon recommends removing the shell plate every 500 rounds to clean powder from under the shell plate.

 

[egd]

Ditto to all the positive things said above. I really like mine and have had no problems. After you get it watch all of the Highboy76 videos on youtube about how to set it up. Especially the one on adjusting the primer feed. Once I followed his directions mine works great.

 

[Dudedog]

I like my LN L and the powder measure works well.
I think you will be happy with one.
(hint take the most expensive " free" bullets you use, which might not be the ones you are buying the press to load)
The LNL auto indexes a Dillion 550 does not.
You also have 5 stations on the LN one more than a 550.
(not saying there is anything wrong with 550s)

I like to deprime/resize and flair my pistol brass then clean it.
I prime off press with a Lee hand primer. (usually while watching the TV) so I have primed brass ready to load.
When loading 9mm my typical press setup is (with primed brass)
Station
1- Powder drop
2-RCBS Lockout die
3-Hornady tube type bullet feeder.
4-Seat bullet and crimp
5 Lee FCD
Side note: I prefer my Lee decap/resize die over the Hornady as it sizes tighter.
You may want to order extra LNL bushings when you order the press. I would also order some extra case retainer springs (I seem to mangle them every now and then)
I had no issues priming on press but just prefer not to.
I haven't really had any issues with powder spilling when loading 9mm, but then I am not filling the case to the top (or very close to the top)with powder.

 

[Reeferman]

JO JO if you do get the LNL one of the best things you can add to it depending on how many calibers you are loading is one or more lower powder dies especially if you plan on using PTX for case expanding. I didn't think I would need them but it makes change over so much easier.
And also if you do go LNL make sure to phone Hornady with any issues or if you do break something as they will help you and warranty is no issue.

 

[springer99]

Been using the LnL press for about 2 years ago and honestly can't say anything bad about it. I don't use a case or bullet feeder attachment with mine, but the basic press has worked well for me. The quick-turn die collets are very helpful in switching calibers. I've found the Hornady powder drop measure to be very consistent and accurate. Prior to that I was using the Lee LCT press. If this is your first progressive press, just go slow for a start, as there's a lot going on with each pull, but you'll quickly learn what to keep an eye on.
Priming on the press hasn't been a problem for me; the most time-consuming part of that is keeping the primer tubes filled. Get a good primer flipper tray and that solves much of that problem. Also, get yourself some aux. lighting for the press so you can more easily see what's going on. I just use the Hornady strip light, but there's many other solutions.

Other that that, have fun.

 

[jmorris]

Yes there are issues with powder spilling on 9mm cases but its not terrible. The dillon seems to have the same issue there are even aftermarket replacement parts for the dillon to prevent this.

Never had much of an issue with my minor loads but my major 9 loads age 10 grains of powder in the little case and would drop a few flakes from time to time. On the Dillon I installed a $2 thrust washer between the bolt and shell plate. It allows a little preload that eliminates any "snapping" of the ball into the detent.



The "trick" won't work on the LNL but I never loaded major 9 on either of mine and never had powder spill issues with any load I used in them.

 

[Guitarmike]

I bought the LNL 2 weeks ago and just started using it. In my opinion the instructions are lacking however there are many good videos on YouTube that walk you through set up and how to get started. So far I've loaded 300 9mm and have had no problems. If you do not have newer dies I'd recommend buying some. I have older Lee carbide dies and they barely fit in the bushings, they are too short. I had to remove the rubber O ring and turn the locking nuts upside down in order to use then.

 

[Crunchy Frog]

I went thought the same shopping exercise several years ago. I wanted a five station press with automatic indexing so my "finalists" were the Dillon 650 and the LNL-AP. Some random thoughts:

The LNL-AP has its fans and detractors. Just about everyone I know who has a Dillon loves it.

The Hornady press is less expensive than the Dillon but if you price the presses along with their matching case feeders (an accessory that I recommend for pistol ammo), the price gap closes.

One factor in favor of the LNL-AP is that the cost of caliber changeovers is less. I am set up to load eight different cartridges. The more cartridges you load the more you save.

I have little problem with powder getting slung out of cases. There are ways to mitigate the problem.

If you buy the LNL-AP, order an RCBS Lockout Die (accept no substitutes) for loading pistol ammo.