Looking for opinions on the Hornady Lock-n-Load Classic Press...

[Andy_C]

Dave's sticky post of info for the new reloader mentions The RCBS Rock Chucker, the Lee Classic Cast Press, Redding Boss and Forester Coax as good choices, doesn't mention the Hornady Press. The post does talk about using the Lock-n-Load bushings with the presses he mentions. Is there a reason the Hornady press wasn't included in the bunch? The Hornady dies, powder measure, scale, etc all are mentioned as good candidates for those functions.

The reason I'm asking is because I'm interested in the Lock-n-Load Classic Kit at Cabela's, on sale for $299, with Hornady offering 500 free bullets with purchase of the kit. One bullet choice is 30 CAL .308 150 GR FMJ-BT that they show as being worth $150, seems to make the kit a good value as it includes the Lock-n-Load Classic press, Lock-n-Load powder measure, 1500 electronic scale, chamfering tool, primer turning plate, as well as a few other items with a net cost under $200.

Reviews on their site are very favorable, wanted to get some opinions here as well if possible.

Thanks!

 

[Tank45]

Im new to reloading so my word is not really spoken with much experience, but that's what I use. I've only had the press for about a year and only loaded about 1000 rounds with. All that being said I have absolutely no complaints with the press.

 

[rfwobbly]

Welcome....

Andy -
Welcome aboard !!

There are numerous great presses available these days. The Hornady LNL is certainly in that group. Choice of a press really depends on what you want to reload, how many, and how fast. Presses are sort of like airplanes, you wouldn't buy a crop duster just becasue it was a good deal to do fighter duty or passenger service. In the same way it helps to focus in on what you want and expect before buying, or you'll be very sad.

Personally I think the LNL is a beauty, however the quick detach die system seems to be an answer in search of a question. And it's marketed sort of like HP giving you the printer at cost so you'll be forced to buy their expensive ink. However, lots of users here swear by them. Quality wise, everything Hornady does is first rate.

Another truth I find is that no "beginner's kit" comes with everything. Whatever you end up with you'll need some more equipment right away! So don't be like the guy who spends every last penny on a Harley only to find out he also needs a helmet!

 

[Andy_C]

Thanks!

I realize this is a starting point with more still to come, but figure it gets some of the main items in hand at a reasonable price. I expect to be loading .223. .243 and .30-06 rifle and .40 S&W pistol ammo, not in huge volumes, but as many here have indicated the goal is to shoot more for the same money! Thanks for the feedback so far, I look forward to learning a lot more as we go.
Best regards, Andy

 

[rfwobbly]

The LNL is going to do an 'OK' to 'good' job on the rifle cartridges, and excel at the 40 pistol. Are you going to shoot practical pistol (200 rounds a week) with the 40 or just plink?

 

[Andy_C]

My pistol shooting is probably more plinking than practical pistol at the outset. The pistol (Glock 22) was a bequest from my brother who died in December - I've had little pistol experience before this, did buy a Ruger 22/45 so I can get more practice in without spending a fortune, but would like to get proficient with the Glock, figure that reloading would help keep the cost in line. I'm fortunate to live on some good acreage out in the country, can walk out my door and shoot to my hearts content (which will be easier once the temperature climbs back above freezing more than once in a great while - Wisconsin is a bit chilly at the moment). Thanks for the interest and insights, I know I've got a lot to learn, am enjoying poking around all over this board.

 

[Otto]

The reason I'm asking is because I'm interested in the Lock-n-Load Classic Kit at Cabela's, on sale for $299,

This kit comes in two versions if I'm not mistaken.
The latest version has the 7th edition manual and a mechanical powder scale.
The previous version has the 5th edition manual and the electronic GS 1500 scale.

I'm not sure what Cabela's is actually shipping now. Either way, they're out of stock.

Seems there was a thread about this in early January. Some guy ordered the kit and got sent the one without the electronic scale. He called Hornady customer service but I can't remember how it was resolved. In fact, it may have been posted on another board other than THR.

Edit: Ok, here's the link to the thread http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=218699

 

[Andy_C]

The product page does show the 5th edition and the electronic scale. I live near a Cabelas and would go down in person to look at it before purchasing, would you think it makes a significant difference one way or the other? Seems interesting that the newer one would have a mechanical scale.

 

[roc1]

I bought the same kit a few years ago and it works great.I also have Hornady Ap machine.Hornady makes great equipment their service is second to none and their bullets are great as well.I use Hornady hunting bullets in most of my loads.I have the Dillon also so I can say fairly that Honady CS is as good as Dillon.The lock and load bushings are handy saving time to screw dies in and out plus you can put your powder measure on the press and dispense poder quickly.i love the powder inserts for their measure just set them and change in a instance to another that is set to a different powder and weight without messing with settings on your measure.The PM is very accurate yhe press is solid and Hornady manuals are as good as anyones.Whats not to like.
roc1

 

[lgbloader]

The reason I'm asking is because I'm interested in the Lock-n-Load Classic Kit at Cabela's, on sale for $299,

Looks like a great single stage kit to me. This and the RCBS Kit would be good a good start to any bench.

LGB

 

[dmproske]

I wound up buying the Classic Cast. Figgerd I would try it and sell it if i did not like it. I need not worry.

Fit and finish is great. There is ZERO play in the ram or linkage, much less than the Hornady. Lee used some sort of black lube on the ram. Ram stroke was not as slick as the Hornady(because of less tolerances than the Hornady). I wiped the black crap off and lubed the ram and linkage with synthetic engine oil. Ram stroke is smooth and slick now. Nice fire engine red finish.

Ram to die allignment is perfect.

Only thing I do not like is the hollow steel handle. I am sure it will work just fine though. If I get carried away and bend it I will make one out of solid bar stock.

Fit and finish are just as good as the more spensive ones. The Classic Cast single stage will get er done fer sure. I do not see how the other presses could load any better ammo, just lighten my wallet more.

Anyone reading this that is deciding on what single stage press to buy, I recomend this one 100 percent.

 

[floydster]

Yes, the Lee Classic cast single stage is a very good press, as good as any. Get the LNL bushings and you are set.
Floydster

 

[rfwobbly]

My Bad

The LNL is going to do an 'OK' to 'good' job on the rifle cartridges, and excel at the 40 pistol.

Jez, I blew that answer. I apologize for the error. I confused the LNL AP with the LNL Classic.

The LNL Classic is a single die position, therefore it is the reverse of what I told you. It's going to do the rifle very well and be 'OK' on the pistol. The reason for this is that 1) people generally shoot more pistol than rifle, and therefore generally focus more on 'speed', and 2) rifle takes a lot more fiddling between steps, negating the need for 'speed'. But at your present need for 40, 'speed' is certainly not an issue. The LNL Classic is still a great press for your needs.

Equivalent presses to the LNL Classic are going to be the RCBS Rock Chucker and the Lyman T-Mag, both of which come in "starter kits".

The Lyman kit to me offers 3 distinct advantages over the Hornady and RCBS single die position presses: 1) it comes with a much better reloading manual, probably the best there is, 2) it comes with a case trimmer, which all rifle reloads will almost require, and 3) the swivel turret design lets you keep up to 8 dies in place, thereby almost completely negating the need to buy additional LNL fast change inserts. However, this comparison is based solely on equipment supplied, not the sales price. Your needs may be price-based.

Sorry for the misleading info.