24 thoughts on “LNL-AP 45 ACP Part II (HD)”

    1. Sure, basically you want to run the powder die down until the micrometer “hits the top” when cycling the press with brass in place. You then incrementally crank it down in about 1/4 turn increments until the proper flare is achieved. Does that answer your question?

      Thanks.

    1. I don’t sell pedestals, so you’ll have to figure out how to make one 🙂

      I used a 4″x4″ steel square tubing (.125″ wall) and a couple of steel plates.

      Perhaps I can post some plans for it on this site at some point.

      Thanks!

  1. I am doing my homework and have come to a final decision point- A dillon 650 or Hornaday LNL progressive. can you elaborate on the pro’s /cons to weither. At this point, I like the 650, but dollar for dollar and value, I see the LNL as a better value. your thoughts? thanks
    Scott

  2. Scott- I’m working my way towards more comprehensive articles and reviews of the individual presses so that these decisions are easier to make, that’s the point of this website- reloading product information and resources.

    In the mean time- each presses has its pros and cons.

    Here are some things to consider specifically when comparing the Lock-N-Load AP with the Dillon XL650:

    Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Progresssive:
    Pros:
    – Quickest caliber changeovers (but with casefeeders on both, the relative advantage is less)
    – Lock-N-Load bushing system is most versatile
    – The Lock-N-Load AP and Lock-N-Load classic single stage are a great “system”
    – Powder measure is best-in-class
    – Free bullets deal
    – Low cost to add new caliber
    – Priming system only feeds when brass is present
    – Grease fittings for lubrication
    Cons:
    – Case feeder setup is not as fast
    – Case feeding is not as reliable in my experience

    Dillon XL650:
    Pros:
    – Best-in-class quality, fit and finish (although the Lock-N-Load is great too)
    – Least stoppages once underway (fully constrained brass feed path)
    – Many accessories available (low primer alarm, tools, etc)
    – Case feeder setup is very quick, 2 speed case feed, quiet operation
    – Powder measure has built-in baffle
    – Adjustable shellplate tension
    Cons:
    – Caliber changeover process takes longer (only an issue if you frequently change calibers)
    – No micrometer for powder measure
    – Caliber chageover kits are expensive

    Anyways, this is not an exhaustive list, but offers some information about the differences between these presses. I like using both presses, and really it comes down to what you plan to load, and how you load (extended sessions -vs- many short sessions, etc). Both Hornady and Dillon have great customer service, and make quality products.

    Good luck!

  3. I’ve enjoyed your series of videos and have settled on the LNL press. You’ve made it easy to decide on Hornady dies for my .45 and .357 work but I’m struggling to compare dies for .30-06 and .223 for an AR-15. Hornady’s free bullet offer on dies is tempting but a year from now I’ll forget that bonus and just want to be happy with the performance of the dies.

    Would you mind suggesting specific die sets for these two calipers?

    Regards

  4. I got fed up with my green progressive press and just purchased a LNL AP. I have to tip my hat to Hornady on this one. The thing just plain works. It took me about 1.5 hours to take it from the box to my first completed 45acp rounds. Last night I loaded up my first 500rds. The press was flawless. No misfed primers at all… not one! The EZject system worked well. The powder measure was extremely consistent. The bushings are not only conveinient, they don’t move around, so OAL is consistent. I opted to wait on the bullet feeder, untill after I had a chance to try the press. It took me 1:10 to make the first 500rds and that included the time to fill the primer tubes. Solid output from a press without case feed. I really like the push button spindle on the powder measure. Will makes change over very fast. I’ll know better after a few thousand rounds, but it looks like Horanady hit a home run with this press. The bullet offer is just icing on the cake.

  5. Thanks for taking the time to put the LNL videos together and publishing them here. The quality of the videos is excellent, and the information provided answered the many questions I had about how to set up the 5 stations and what options are available for doing that. Very nice work, thanks again.

  6. Taper Crimp Die on 45 ACP Video

    I noticed in the 45ACP video you are using a Hornady Taper Crimp die (TCD), but you do not use a taper crimp die in the 9MM reloading video and instead crimp with the Hornady seating and roll crimp die.

    Why do you use the TCD for the 45 ACP and not the 9MM? Do you find you need to use a TCD instead of the roll crimp or not crimp at all using the standard Hornady die set?

    I have an older Titanium Nitride 40 SW Hornady 3 die set and installed them on my new LNL AP. My reloads look fine and are dimensionally correct, but I feel a slight burr on the case mouth edge that I cannot seem to remove with the seating/crimping die now matter the adjustment. The bullets chamber fine and eject fine (have not fired a live round yet) and I don’t know if I should get a taper crimp die and setup my system like you show in your 45ACP video…

    What’s your thoughts?

  7. I’m seriously considering buying the Hornady LNL – AP press. I’m new to reloading and will be loading several calibers, mostly 9mm, .45 ACP and .40 S&W. What are all the components that I will need for the press to get started, in other words what does the press come with and what it doesn’t? From what I’ve read, the instructional booklets are pretty vague and are not much help. Thanks.

    1. Mikey- I’ll be adding more info like this soon to the site!

      You’ll need the press, and for each caliber:
      – The correct shellplate (some span multiple calibers)
      – A die set (3 or 4 die, depending if you want a separate taper crimp die, a “nice to have”)
      – Lock-n-load bushings (press comes with 3 if I recall correctly) – one per die used

      If you buy the case feeder, you’ll need to make sure you have the correct feed plate.

  8. Thanks Gavin. I was looking at the Dillon 550B and you have to get a whole list of accessories just to get started. I’m pretty much sold on the Hornady now. Thanks again and I’ll checking your site for more info.

  9. Mikey…

    You wont be disappointed with the Hornady. There is what I call a break-in period to the LNL AP where you may need to slightly adjust the pals that index the shell plate as the press breaks in. Other than that the press works great.

    The Case Feeder is a nice addition, but I don’t think its as well made as the LNL presses. I have had problems with the drop tube with 40 S&W cases getting stuck. I had to make my own custom drop tube as Hornady customer service has not been able to provide a solution to my issue.

    Also, look at the Lee Die sets. They are cheaper than most other die sets and include a full length sizing and tapper crimp dies.

  10. Gavin,

    Your press runs so smooth. When I run my LNL the brass seems to catch and I have to apply some force to break free on the down stroke. Do I need to lube the brass? I was under the impression that the Hornady dies did not need lube. Is it because I have new brass? Any sugestions would be appreciated.

  11. It depends.
    If you have the carbide dies, then you shouldn’t have to lube the brass. If they are not carbide or titanium then yes you will need to spray them with case lube before you size them, or eventually one WILL stick in the sizing die.
    I am not sure however if ALL of the Hornady pistol dies are “lube free” dies now or not? I own several sets that are not..but they are all older dies. My new .45 ACP dies are carbide or titanium. (Or what ever they use for a sizing insert these days.) that I bought when I picked up my press a year and a half ago.
    If you are loading rifle brass, then yes you definitely need to lube them all.
    Good luck to you.

  12. Gavin,

    I have a LNL and am thoroughly enjoying using it to load 45ACP, but I’m having a terrible problem with primers jamming – the primer slide will get caught under the primer housing, but only when there are primers in the tube. I’m using the same Winchester large pistol primers you show in the video. Any idea what I need to do to fix it? Priming off the press isn’t terrible, but it sure slows things down.

    Thanks!

      1. I have had it jam behind the primer column, in the middle before it gets past the primer column, and up at the priming piston. This last I think I could control easily enough with a shim to bump up the plate a bit. The other two are driving me nuts.

        The only time it hasn’t jammed up was when I had no primers in it.

        One other question: any sure way to tell when there isn’t a primer loaded other than powder leaking all over the place?

  13. Update – found the problem. The race the primer slide runs in was too deep. Sent it back to Hornady and they fixed it. Not exactly sure what they changed, but it came back with a new slide and primer housing and works fine.

    Great service from Hornady – they turned it around in a day and the whole process took a week. I still miss a primer here and there, but other than that it’s working great, and I’m churning out rounds as fast as I can load the brass and bullets.

  14. Does the Baffle for the hornady lock and load powder measure do any goood? I dont see one in used in most of the videos.

    1. Yes, it’s good a helping to keep uniform powder charges from the time you fill the measure to the time the level gets down to the baffle…

  15. Gavin – in the video above, you have a bin holder for your bullets that clamps onto the rail right in between stations #3 and #5 on your Hornady LnL. Could you tell me where you got it from or who I would have to contact to get one of my own?

    Mike

  16. Gavin,

    You said in your video that if you wanted an ergonomic handle or ultimate reloader bullet tray for the LNL AP go to products. I can’t find your products. I am sure it is right under my nose, but can you tell me where exactly I find these products?

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