Review: Hornady Lock N Load Case Prep Center

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Hey guy’s I decided to spend a little money to simplify my life. I recently purchased the Hornady lock N Load Case Prep center from a local store. At first glace it appeared to fill all of needs without to much overcomplication and space..

Here’s how Hornady puts it..
The Hornady Lock-N-Load Power Case Prep Center is the first tool on the market to combine all the necessary case prep tools and a power trimmer into one convenient unit, saving valuable real estate on any reloading bench, as well as precious time during the case prep process. The Lock-N-Load Power Case Prep Center includes a power trimmer, chamfer and deburring tools, primer pocket cleaner and five neck brushes.

This is how I put it..

Power case trimmer (yeah me!) Haaa

• Drill press / Horizontal design ensures that no brass shavings get into the case’s
• Micro adjustable to 1/1000” or .001
• Trims casing from ¾” to 3 ¼” long
• (7) Pilots included in the following calibers (22, 6mm, .270, .30, .38 and .45) All other pilots will need to be purchased separately.

Basically it provides you with everything you’ll need to properly trim your brass with the exception the of (Shell Holder)!.. NOTE: I was told it uses only (Hornady) shell holders.. IDK but whatever..


The Second thing this tool does is provides you with is a complete (power) case Prep center / all in one brass prep station. That’s right no more turning anything by hand, and lets face it guys, at 45 yrs old my hands, fingers and writs are not what they used to be, Hahahaa.

Prep Center functions Includes:

• Chamfer / Deburing bits
• Primer pocket cleaner / brushes (Large and Small) included
• Neck brushes (5) included

Optional items that are available for purchase:

• Primer pocket uniformer
• Primer pocket reamer
• Flash hole deburing tool

This is what I got for it..

The BAD / Things I didn’t like about it.

• It came BROKE!. OMFG.. Hornady!!.. what the hell.. I was shocked! This new toy / tool just cost me $400+ and it’s was never put together right in the first place!.. (please) see pics for WTH?? Total embarrassment / NO QC and I will be calling them Monday Morning.. I was truly expecting something that is Dillon quality.. I’ll let you be the judge for yourself..
• There are NO.. Reference marks to accurately let you see how you are adjusting your cut on the case length.. I don't like this!.. Maybe I’m missing something here? It’s new, it’s late, I’m a little pissed it came broke and yes at this point I’ve been drinking little. But I just don't see it, it’s all trail and error until you get it set. IDK it hard to tell if I’m just *****ing / being picky at this point so I’ll stop here.
• The shell holder plate or the upper part does not match perfectly with the cutter.. Hahahaa.. IDK.. I again maybe I’m just being picky? Maybe I was expecting a little more quality out of it.. Again it off a small bit, and yes the pilots will guide the brass mouth on the cutters, but again shouldn’t it be press quality here?
• Well at this point.. I’m just not impressed / it’s not Dillon quality, it just above “Harbor Freight” quality..

The IDK / Things I’m still out to lunch on.

• I don't know how long this machine is going to last with Plastic gears? Again WTH Hornady… Are you’re designing things to brake?? I wish they would have used Metal gears.. See pics of what I’m talking about..
• I’m a big guy (6” 2’ – 210 lbs) with big hands and I’m having issues with space.. I need to figure out how to place all of the prep dies and still have room for my hands to fit.. Again I think it’s just late and the booze, but again IDK? I might end up losing the chip catcher tray to gain extra working room.. It’s TBD..

The Good / Things I liked.

• It’s all power and it’s really easy on the hands, well that is until you get your knuckles scraped up from touching one of the other moving bits.. Hahaa
• It’s easy to switch between calibers
• It’s relatively quite.. I was expecting it to be much, much louder, late night prepping sessions will / should not be a concern..
• Small footprint. It does not take up a lot of room
• I like the large T trimmer handle

On to the pics..

New toy..

New toy is broken and loose..

Well I’ve got to fix it now.. What… Plastic gears… Booo.. Booooo..

Everything is tight now but it’s still loose due to the design.. IDK what they were or weren’t thinking here..

Ok.. Now this is how I should have gotten it..

Here’s everything it came with

Here is what it looks like with all the prep station area used.. See not a lot of room…

Anyway.. That’s what I got.. I’m going to be putting it thought it paces all day tomorrow to see how it runs and performs in the real world.. ie my garage.. Hahaha..

Link..



Ok team.. Here’s where we’re at..
I’m putting everything (old issues) aside, as today is a new day and a new opportunity for Hornady to step up to the plate and perform..


I started out with my 300 win mag brass as this is my precision caliber and I’m trying to produce the best round I can (as we all are)..

I read all of instructions (yes I know real men don't do this) and used one piece of brass as my test piece, practiced / worked on the trimming length which is 2.610”. Min / recommended.

Once the depth was found it was easy to look it up and forget about it. I was happy at this point Hornady got it right!.. Once you set the depth it good to go..

It is a little slow.. But that’s ok.. Just know that it’s a little slow..

I’m sorry but my worst fears came true as I soon realized that Hornady did not design this machine for the benchrest / precision shooter’s. It kill me to say it, but somebody has to say it..

Rant over on to the pics..

Every piece of brass I worked (10 pieces) looked like this, once it was tight in the color.. The DAM things don't line up!... WTF…. Hornady.. How many of these have machines did you put out ?? You do know we don't want these right!.. hell, just save us the trouble and we’ll lower our expectations and rename yourself (harbor freight tools).. I’m sorry but this is not acceptable.. I’m sorry.. Second rant over.. I’m sorry I’ll let it go.. Hahahaa.

All of my (twice fired / new – just worked) brass’s (10 pieces) very in length, the same piece of brass now / anyone of them measures from 2.610 – 2.613 in total length.

Again Hornady.. (Were is the QC??) I’m guessing that this machine was made in China and you just slapped your name on it right? Will I also find out the paint used on it also contains lead?? Woo.. Another rant.... sorry guys I was expecting so much more from Hornady.. Huge let down..

“In Reality”.. Since I’m using the pilots to guide down the brass on the top of the cutter, it never meet the cutter evenly.. This is extremely frustrating.. and yes.. even if I lower the handle and cover the bass top on the pilot and then tighten it down, which you would think at this point, that I’m good to go write?? WRONG.. Once I lift up the handle, it the shell casing still flexes back to the right..


But I’m trying to keep an open mind and I want to hear what you guys think? Am I being to picky here?. The brass is off and will always be off by .002-.003 off, is this something that you can / would live with? Wouldn’t you have expected more from Hornady?


As for the prepping stations.. Everything functioned as one would expect, it was / is a little tight for the person with large hands, so just note that..

Anyway team, that’s all I got, I’ll be calling CS in the am hours to see what they have to say, if I don't like it then I’m going to be cleaning it up and I’ll be taking it back tomorrow looking for a full refund.. As this machine does not meet my requirements for precision reloading ..

Thank you all for your time and I help you found this information helpful on at least one level. Hahahaaa

Link

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Original thread here: https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...oad_case_prep_center_review_lots_of_pics.html
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