Some folks were asking about progressive presses the other day. I started telling about my luck with the Hornady LNL Auto-Progressive, and by the time I was done, I realized I should probably let you guys in on it.

In 2017, I decided to buy a progressive reloading press. I was not looking for industrial-strength volumes. I just wanted to make my weekend reloading sessions a bit more productive.

I picked the Hornady LNL AP. It was half the cost of a comparable Dillon. It had 5 stations– the Dillon only had 4. Doing multiple chamberings was cheaper and easier with the Hornady. The big problem with Hornady seemed to be that Dillon adherents didn’t like it.

I have had the Hornady LNL AP for 5 years now. I use it. I have not used it much lately, but that is because of the current shortage in components. I thought it might be worth.

First off, let me reference the entries I have made on the subject previously:

Previous Reviews of the Hornady LNL Auto-Progressive

I noticed at the time that a lot of fellows were down on the Hornady press, because they tried to get it to work and failed. If you read deeper, the main problem ended up being the Hornady LNL AP’s manual is sometimes a bit opaque in the way it explains things. I admit that I had trouble with it as well, particularly in regards to adjusting the powder measure when using a PTX expander, and advancing the auto-advance mechanism. The information is there. The trick is understanding exactly what’s being said.

Last year, I had to send the press back to Hornady. I started having serious trouble with the Auto-Advance going out of adjustment, and I finally called Hornady. I wish I’d done that sooner. They said it was a warranted issue. They paid for the unit to be shipped to them, and I had it back in under 2 weeks, fully rebuilt. Hornady’s support is superb. Just as a gauge: if you find yourself adjusting the Auto-Advance pawls more than once a session, you probably need to call Hornady. The Auto-Advance needs to be tweaked as part of the changeover process; each shellplate indexes a bit differently. That was one of the mysteries I did not pick up on my first reading of the manual.

Another mystery that I solved was this: The press can get very wonky very quickly and the main source is that the big bolt holding the shellplate on is coming loose. The bolt needs to be tightened just so– like it says in the manual– no more. If you over-tighten the bolt, you risk boogering the press. When something goes amiss, check that bolt first. After maybe a hundred rounds or so, I tweak the bolt. That’s usually enough.

Another thing I’d recommend is looking up the various Youtube videos that Hornady and some other folks have done on the press. Many of these are great. One word of warning: do not go making modifications to the press. I’ve seen a bunch of Youtubes that have you doing all sorts of minor mods to the press. The press works as is. Trust me. Trust the docs. If you feel you need to modify the unit, call the support number.

One last hint: Hornady One Shot Gun Cleaner and Lube
I thought the Hornady One Shot Gun Cleaner and Lube was over-priced and went with another spray lubricant. Don’t make my mistake. Buy the Hornady One Shot Gun Cleaner and Lube and use it exclusively on the unit as suggested. Whatever I picked caused all kinds of problems before I ditched it.

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