Hornady Rifle Bullet Feeder Part 3: Loading .223 on the Lock-N-Load AP

In recent posts, I’ve given an overview of the new Hornady Lock-N-Load Rifle Bullet Feeder, and shown high-level setup details for this new piece of machinery. In this post we’ll get down-to-business and load some .223/5.56 rounds on the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP 5-station progressive reloading press. Be sure to check out the video below showing full progressive operation!

The Hornady Lock-N-Load AP setup with the Lock-N-Load Rifle Bullet Feeder - Image copyright 2014 Ultimate Reloader
The Hornady Lock-N-Load AP setup with the Lock-N-Load Rifle Bullet Feeder – Image copyright 2014 Ultimate Reloader

Here we can see the Lock-N-Load AP setup with the following station utilization:

  1. Size/de-prime
  2. Powder charge
  3. empty (great place for powder check)
  4. Bullet feed/seat/crimp
  5. Empty

And here’s a closeup shellplate view of the action while loading:

Loading .223 with the Lock-N-Load Rife Bullet Feeder - Image copyright 2014 Ultimate Reloader
Loading .223 with the Lock-N-Load Rife Bullet Feeder – Image copyright 2014 Ultimate Reloader

Let’s see the process of progressive reloading with this setup:

If you care about accuracy, you need to care about bullet concentricity. When evaluating a rifle reloading setup, I always use my concentricity gage to check bullet concentricity for the press/dies that are being utilized.

Checking bullet concentricity - Image copyright 2014 Ultimate Reloader
Checking bullet concentricity – Image copyright 2014 Ultimate Reloader

For the cartridges loaded in this session, I saw an average of less than +/- 0.001″ which is really good for a combination bullet feed and seat/crimp die setup. If more precise concentricity was needed, I still have an extra station (#5) which could be used with a traditional sliding collar seating die (Hornady rifle bullet seat die or Redding Competition Seating Die).

Overall, this bullet feed system worked great, and makes the rifle reloading process faster and more convenient. Stay tuned here because I’ve got a lot more planned with this system including showing the conversion kit for 30 caliber, and showing more reloading setups on more presses. Have something you want to see? Please leave a comment!

Thanks,
Gavin

3 thoughts on “Hornady Rifle Bullet Feeder Part 3: Loading .223 on the Lock-N-Load AP”

  1. OK, as always nice and informative videos. Silly question, the setup feeds and seats, but if you wanted to, since you have two empty stations…. Feed at station #3, seat at #4 and crimp at #5? Or would that just be overkill? Waiting to see caliber change over and multi-press use.

  2. Gavin how does this unit work with boatail bullets? I use a lot of Hornady A-Max type bullets, if it doesn’t feed this type it will be a real draw back for me.

  3. How do you get your lnl to run so smooth? my shell plate snaps an spills powder,i gave up on 9mm,currently just doin 223 with minor issues like snapping shell plate,im really trying to love my press, im going to get 30 cal conversion.have control center which is great and bullet feeder and case feeder,i have tinkered with my press but no luck on snaping plate unless I put my finger on it. any input would be much appriecated. ty lee

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