Is the Hornady progressive press right for you?

Progressive reloading that’s smooth, precise and fast.

With a single pull of the handle, you’ll feel the difference between this high-performance machine and ordinary reloading presses. You’ll feel the smooth responsiveness, the rugged construction, and most of all, the power! The Power-Pac Linkage System literally multiplies and accelerates the leverage you apply to the handle. And since the AP features automatic indexing, priming and ejection, every pull of the handle gives you a precisely loaded round.

Case activated powder drop will dispense a powder charge only when a cartridge case is present.

The Lock-N-Load® AP™ System can be changed from large to small primers as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Change the primer seater punch.
2. Change the primer shuttle.
3. Change the primer feed tube.

The ingenious case retainer spring allows you to quickly and easily remove or insert a case at any point in the loading process.

Pros of the Hornady lnl ap press:

• The press has a 5 station quick change bushing system that allows caliber changes in less than 5 minutes
• automatic indexing is easy to calibrate
• priming is reliable and consistent
• powder measure is case activated so it only drops powder if there is a case in position
• case retainer works well yet allows easy case removal at any station
• produces ammunition with similar runout and accuracy of my single stage press
• built like a tank and is the press that will last a lifetime

Cons of the Hornady lnl ap press:

• more complicated than a single stage press
• takes time to set up and calibrate press
• to use the quick caliber change you need bushings for each die and a caliber plate for each caliber

Personal Experience

Is the Hornady lnl ap right for you?

It is for me I have been using this press for about nine years and have loaded many rounds with the Hornady.  The directions for setting up the press are excellent. There are also many YouTube videos showing the proper setup if you are a visual learner.  The only thing out of the normal when setting up the press was timing the automatic indexer. It was a very simple process that took less than 2 minutes to get correct.

Quality of the ammo produced with this setup has been excellent. My total runout measured by my concentricity gauge has been consistently .001. I am very happy with the press.  I would definitely purchase this press again.

Is the Value there?

The value of the press is excellent when considering the quality of ammo produced, the ease of use and the reasonable price of the Hornady lnl AP. Currently priced at 579.99 at Optics Planet all you need to purchase to complete the setup are caliber plate 41.99 and dies. What I consider to be the main competitor would be the Dillon XL750 769.00 and would need a caliber conversion 130.00 and dies. So for the Hornady setup 621.98 with your choice of caliber plate and 899.00 for the Dillon with choice of caliber conversion.

Also as an incentive Hornady has a special promotion of getting 500 free bullets from Hornady when purchasing the Hornady lnl ap press which is a value up to 234.33 retail. So factor the bonus in and your at 378.65. I consider the Hornady a great value with its price of more than 500 less than a similarly set up Dillon.

Is the price difference between the Hornady and Dillon a motivating factor? The Hornady is less expensive which means more money for components. Is the warranty a consideration? They both have lifetime warranties. Is the aftermarket product support important? The Dillon would be the choice.  Overall winner for me when picking my press is the Hornady lnl AP. I purchased this press 9 years ago and would do it again.  I was not paid by Hornady or anyone else to write this review.

Reviews