The Hornady Lock-N-Load AP 5 station progressive reloading press is a popular tool for loading both pistol and rifle ammunition. I’ve published a lot of content related to this press, but one thing I have not yet covered is unboxing- so here you go! Time to take a look up close at the very latest (2016) version of this reloading press so that you can see exactly what you will get if you buy one.
Compared to other similar presses, the Hornady box is quite “cube-like”. It’s not as long and thin as other boxes you’ll see for other progressive reloading presses. The box is heavy, and features a very nice shiny finish on the outside (plastic wrap that covers box not shown here).
Here’s a video I put together that shows the entire unboxing process, a walk-through of the various parts included with the press, and assembly/mounting:
In case you missed anything in the video, here’s the complete collection of parts and pieces that you get with the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP:
In the picture you see:
- Owner’s manuals (one for press, one for powder measure)
- Tools (the three Allen keys you’ll need to assemble and use the press)
- Spare parts: Primer positioning bar upper bracket, indexing pawl, case retention springs (2)
- Handle
- Lock-N-Load bushings (5)
- Priming system parts: Small primer slider and punch (large primer slider and punch are assembled on press), primer weighted rod, small and large drop tubes, small and large pickup tubes
- Completed cartridge bin
- Completed cartridge bin bracket
- Powder measure (case activated, setup for rifle), drop funnels, powder die, PTX flare adjustment bracket, return spring, baffle, pistol rotor and metering insert
- Press assembly
- Spent primer tube and case retention spring
With this setup, you’ll have everything you’ll need to load most pistol and rifle cartridges, minus per-cartridge/caliber parts. Here’s what you’ll need for the press for each cartridge you load (some parts like shellplates can load multiple cartridges):
- Dies
- Lock-N-Load bushings (one set supplied with press)
- Shellplate
In addition to these press setup parts, you should also ensure you have a case gage and ammo boxes (new or re-used) for each cartridge you load for, and the other “common” reloading supplies for the type of reloading you’ll be doing. For the complete collection of Hornady Lock-N-Load AP videos/posts, see the Hornady Page here on Ultimate Reloader.
Here are some resources I’ve put together that can help the new reloader determine what’s needed to get started:
Now that I have my Lock-N-Load AP setup, I’m off to to get it ready to load some 6.5 Creedmoor!
Thanks,
Gavin
Where did you get that base plate your mounting the press on.
second mr. pate. how does press get mounted if don’t have your special type of bench ?
Another LNL AP press? I’ll take your old one if you want to get rid of it! (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). I’m with Richard, I like the aluminium plate for your bench. I’m assuming that the wooden plates didn’t have enough rigidity for the forces generated by the various presses. It nice to see that Hornady supplies some extra parts, definitely ore than were supplied when I got mine four years ago.
Thanks for the new video, looking forward to viewing the 6.5 Creedmore reloading series.
I recently bought a Hornady LNL AP press, and mounted it on an old floor drill press stand/table. The drill press motor died years ago but I kept the stand and it works perfectly. It’s tall and thin, doesn’t take up much space and my workbench remains free. I can easily move it around and it’s height is adjustable so I can either sit or stand and run the press. I’ve seen a lot of interesting ideas. Just throwing this one out there.
I am interested in the sliding rails and mounting plate you have in your bench.
can you tell me where I can find this item?
thank you
Which is the better value, the 550B or Lock n Load AP? Which is easier to use?
Hornady Lock-N-Load AP since it’s a 5 stage press, is basicly compared to the Dillon 650. You’ll find that the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP is a much better value. Google the question it’ll always come up Hornady!
Ive been a Dillon fanatic for over 25 years,and they use to have a No B.S. warranty and it didn’t.matter what the issue was they would send you a new part,now however,the no B.S. warranty is a bunch of B.S.Now anytime you contact customer service,they try to say,you must have did something to it,and were not gonna warranty it. The Customer service is not what Mike Dillon and the family based their integrity on.They have such a huge sales ,i guess a few thousand people that has 20 plus years wih then,just doesn’t matter.So i am now searching for alternative reliading equipment such as Hornady AP Plant.One is just as good as the other,what use to them apart was Dillons no B.S. warranty which no longer exists,so now everything’s made equal.Dillons customer Service will eventuaĺy ruin their company.It may take years,but its coming,and you can look forwRd to me posting on other venues as well.