7 Best Hornady Reloading Kits (Complete & For Beginners)

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Best Hornady Reloading Kits.Hornady Reloading Kit Reviews.

There are many reloading kits manufacturers and Hornady is one of the manufacturers who make excellent products.

For years, the driving force that has been behind the Hornady name has always been reloading. Hornady continues to put more effort into reloading from the single-stage classic up to the progressive Lock- N- Load AP and other innovations to come.

Reloading is a rewarding and fun hobby. It is also one of the best ways to feed your shooting addiction with a stable supply of ammunition.

With the numerous reloading kit manufacturers, you need to select which manufacturer you love and afterward begin searching at press types that they offer and Hornady is definitely one of the best.

What are the Best Hornady Reloading Kits on the Market?

 

 Product  Image  Price
1) Hornady 3-in-1 Lock-N-Load Ammo Plant Reloading Press
Hornady 3-in-1 Lock-N-Load Ammo Plant Reloading Press w/ Free S&H   Best Price

 

2) Lock-N-Load Classic Kit Lock-N-Load Classic Kit    Best Price
3) Hornady 095100 Lock-N-Load Auto-Progressive Reloading Press Hornady 095100 Lock-N-Load Auto-Progressive Reloading Press  

Best Price
4)Hornady 095150 Lock-N-Load Precision Reloaders Accessory Kit Hornady 095150 Lock-N-Load Precision Reloaders Accessory Kit   Best Price
 5) Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Deluxe Reloading Kit 085010   Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Deluxe Reloading Kit 085010     Best Price
 6)Hornady 085005 50 Bmg Press, Kit Hornady 085005 50 Bmg Press, Kit   Best Price
7) Hornady 9th Edition Handbook of Cartridge Reloading Hornady 9th Edition Handbook of Cartridge Reloading   Best Price
 8) Hornady Lock N Load Sonic Cleaner   Hornady Lock N Load Sonic Cleaner   Best Price
 9) Hornady Universal Shell Holder   Hornady Universal Shell Holder   Best Price

 

 

1) Hornady 3-in-1 Lock-N-Load Ammo Plant Reloading Press

Hornady 3-in-1 Lock-N-Load Ammo Plant Reloading Press w/ Free S&H

 

 

 

This Hornady Lock-N-Load 3-in-1 Ammo Plant Progressive Press Reloading Kit is made and designed to pump out cartridges with ease and quickly. This 5-station, Progressive Press features the patented Lock-N-Load bushing system for a more intuitive and better-equipped for all your reloading needs.

With this reloading kit, you get an easy-feed bullet hopper that can hold up to 200 pistol bullets, it also features an adjustable center plate and bullet feed-wipers for smooth feeding. Loads over 500 rounds of high-quality ammunition per hour.

Features

  • Quick Change Lock-N-Load bushing system
  • Loads over 500 rounds per hour
  • Quick Change Metering Inserts
  • The feeder has the highest torque motor in the industry
  • Case Activated Powder Drop
  • Reliable EZject System
  • Automatic Indexing
  • Universal Case Retainer Spring
  • Features an extra-large case bowl
  • Easy setup and caliber changeovers
  • Bullet hopper holds up to 200 pistol bullets
  • Adjustable center plate and bullet feed-wipers

 

2) Hornady 095100 Lock-N-Load Auto-Progressive Reloading Press

 

Hornady 095100 Lock-N-Load Auto-Progressive Reloading Press

 

 

 

 

This Hornady 095100 Lock-N-Load Auto-Progressive Reloading Press as one of the best Hornady Reloading kits comes with a wide range of features that make it one of the best Ammo reloading kits. This is an Auto-progressive reloading press offering quick switching of dies and loading of calibers. The kit has a 5-station bushing system which makes it possible to change  223 to 45 in  5 minutes or less. The EZject system is very effective and reliable in the ejection of cartridges, every time with no need for adjustments. Other great features include the Automatic Indexing system, Quick-change metering inserts, and universal case retainer spring.

Features

  • Built-in priming system
  • Reliable EZject System
  • Quick Change Lock-N-Load Bushing System
  • Quick Change Metering Inserts
  • Universal Case Retainer Spring
  • Case-activated powder drop
  • Automatic Indexing
  • Large-capacity hopper
  • Case Activated Powder Drop

How Lock-N-Load Works

How Lock-N-Load Works

 

The patented Hornady Lock-N-Load System works effectively in three stages

First, have the Lock-N-Load die bushing inserted into the press bushing and twist it to lock. Once twisted the 6 locking lugs on the die and press bushings will securely hold into position. Secondly, Insert the standard die with 7/8″-14 threads into the Lock-N-Load bushing and finally have the die adjusted to the proper position and lock your setting into place with Hornady’s unique Sure-Loc lock ring.

 

 

3) Hornady 085520 Lock-N-Load Iron Press Ammo Loader with Manual Prime

Hornady 085520 Lock-N-Load Iron Press Ammo Loader with Manual Prime

 

 

This Hornady 085520 Lock-N-Load Iron Press Ammo Loader with Manual Prime as one of the best Hornady reloading kits comes with a
cast-iron frame and construction for the heaviest, most rigid press on its category and class. The kit is known for its precision and consistency in delivering accurate ammunition.

Features

  • Great Strenght
  • Ambidextrous Design
  • Shell Holder Platform
  • Single Stage Press Technology
  • Lock-N-Load Bushing System
  • Patented Shell Holder Platform
  • Has the Same mounting pattern as Hornady AP/ RCBS rock Chucker
  • Patented lock-n-load bushing System

 

Related

 

Factors to Consider when Selecting the Best Hornady Reloading Kits

Choosing the best Hornady reloading kits can be quite challenging, especially for reloading beginners. With the different types available, selecting the best one that will fit your needs can be daunting.

There are many factors you need to take into consideration before you settle on a specific one. We have compiled a number of the most crucial factors, therefore you will be confident in your buying decision.

  1. Budget

How much are you willing to spend?  This is one major factor that influences the Hornady reloading kit to go with. The cost factor is important because the most expensive Hornady reloading kits are normally the best ones.

You might however have a tight budget and be searching for a low-cost reloading kit. If so, you should go for a single-stage press. Even if these presses load one cartridge at a time, they are precise and economical.

The turret and progressive presses are in most cases much more expensive compared with the single-stage reloading kits. This is a result of the complexity that comes with such presses.

  1. Number of rounds used per week

Normally, you can find the dedicated shooters at the shooting range most of the time which means that the number of ammunition they end up consuming at the end of every week is high.

Such shooters will require to use a high output model such as the progressive press. A progressive press is capable of loading more than 800 rounds per hour as most of them are designed for mass production.

They are suitable for hunters as well as professional shooters. On the other hand, if you are looking for a reloading kit with small output, a turret press is ideal for you. It has the benefit of being faster than the single-stage press.

  1. How precise you want to be

Reloading rifle ammunition requires one to be precise and methodical. You have no place for mistakes or even miscalculations. At the same time, when loading for pistols or AR rifles, you should prefer quantity, not quality. There usually is a specific reloading press for each of these cases. If you would rather have quantity over quality, a progressive press is ideal for you.

They are capable of reloading 800 rounds per hour and since most of the process is automated, you can hardly pay much attention to details. However, if you prefer precision over quantity, the press ideal for you is the single stage. Loading one cartridge at a time enables the reloader to pay more attention to the details.

The single-stage press is ideal only if you are searching for accuracy not speed.

  1. Quality

The best Hornady reloading kits aren’t cheap products, therefore purchasing one that is able to stand the test of time is important. The repetitive mechanical nature of any reloading kit including Hornady should be able to resist user error as well as the bad materials being pushed through it.

It is difficult to guarantee high-quality materials from the users when they manufacture their own ammo, therefore, it is important to further check at a Hornady reloading kit built to take punishment.

Check closely at the warranties which come with the various Hornady reloading kits as well as overall customer reviews.

The quality of ammunition which comes out of your reloading kit isn’t just tied to the quality of materials you use, but to the provided instructions.

Hornady brand is known to provide a digital or physical copy of their instructions book. With a well-thought-out and clear instruction book, any user will produce better quality bullets, which is the ultimate goal of any reloading kit.

  1. Reloading Speed

The other thing to look out for when selecting the best Hornady reloading kits is your reloading speed.

Whether you are a casual shooter who only requires to load in a few bullets for your monthly range trip or you are a high volume competition shooter who requires more than a thousand rounds a month to keep up in practice, this will influence the reloading kit which you should select.

If you are a shooting beginner, you should go for a single-stage press reloading kit. It should be able to handle what they require. A single-stage press kit enables those new to the art of reloading to learn how to focus on each step, which ensures a better understanding of the reloading process which results in the production of a quality finished product.

They are also quite affordable. On the other hand, a progressive press is ideal for experienced reloaders or for those who would want to produce a high number of ammunition. With adequate experience and practice, one can be able to produce a thousand rounds every hour.

  1. Compatibility

All ammo loading kits including Hornady are not universal bullet makers, therefore there will be calibers that just can’t be manufactured. A highly compatible device is important because it not only saves you money but also space.

If the reloading kit has low compatibility from the beginning, the manufacturer tends to provide a conversion that improves the usefulness of the equipment. Such conversion kits are capable of transforming a 22 caliber reloading kit to be able to take on 30 caliber bullets.

Conversion kits are not only affordable, but they also fall in line with the rest of the optional accessories provided by manufacturers. The best Hornady reloading kits are versatile.

  1. Included accessories

The other factor to consider when buying the best Hornady reloading kits is the included accessories that come with it. Every kit comes with different accessories and you will find some that come with a few extra handy accessories made to make your reloading work much simpler.

Such accessories include powder measures, primer feeds, powder measures, mounting hardware, case prep tools among others. You will be required to match your wants to a number of accessories included in your reloading kit.

Best Hornady Reloading Kits FAQs

  • Will other brands of die sets and shell holders, for example, RCBS work on the Hornady reloading kit?

Yes, they will. You can use different standards of dies from different brands on the Hornady reloading kit. The Hornady lock and load classic reloading press kit, for instance, is capable of using different standard die available in the market.

  • Can I use the same primer with all rounds?

It is very dangerous to mix primers. Each round has its specific primer, it is not universal. If you change rounds, you can check the manual on specific primer details for that specific round.

  • What kind of Hornady reloading press kit should I get?

This will depend on the amount of ammunition you would want to produce. If you need to reload more than 250 rounds a week, a progressive press will be ideal.

On the other hand, if you would want to reload fewer rounds, depending on your experience as well as budget, a single-stage model would fit in. if you are a shooting beginner, start with a single-stage press.

It will teach you about how each component works. After gaining the relevant experience and know-how, you can comfortably consider moving from the single-stage press to the progressive press.

  • How do I know which components to use with the different press available?

There must be a manual with each and every Hornady reloading kit that you purchase. In the manual, you will find the specific items which you require for reloading. The manual also has a guide on safety measures you should exercise when reloading. If by any chance you happen to misplace the manual, you can always find one online.

  • Do Hornady reloading kits work with all types of bullets?

No, they don’t. It is therefore important to check properly the types of bullets that the reloading kit is rated to be used with. You will find a Hornady reloading kit designed to use a variety of bullets, while others are made to only reload one type of bullet.

Normally, the type of bullet the reloading kit uses is normally outlined clearly on it, but still, always ensure that the type of kit you select is rated to be used with the type of bullets you mostly use and reload.

  • Are all the accessories I will ever require to be included in the starter kit?

Not really. Different types of Hornady reloading starter kits come with different accessories and some come with added goodies. Nevertheless, even the most well-equipped Hornady starter kit might not have an accessory or two which you might find yourself needing later on.

Hornady reloading starter kits normally come with everything you will require to begin, but later on, you find yourself running to the market to get a certain accessory at some point in the future.

Advantages of Hornady reloading kits

  1. Ease of use

The ease of use from Hornady reloading kits comes from exclusive features such as the spring assist 1 1/8” solid steel ram and the patented hell holders.

In addition, the metallic reloading presses and the iron press comes with the patented Lock-N-Load bushing system which allows for one of the fastest caliber changes than other reloading press in the market nowadays.

  1. Performance

Hornady reloading press kits are built with heavy-duty, fully ambidextrous, cast iron frames that are rigid. The tight tolerances when being manufactured and assembled provide consistency and precision which enables the reloading kits to deliver accurate ammunition, round after round, and from one year to another.

  1. Excellent customer service

Hornady brand has friendly customer service, therefore if you encounter any problem regarding your reloading kit that you purchased from them, they will take care of it immediately.

Their excellent customer service is one of the things which distinguishes them from their rival competitors. They also offer online tutorials to help those people who encounter difficulty when reloading.

  1. Efficiency

The Lock-N-Load gravity fed Automatic Priming system which might be bought separately or may come with the reloading kit, combined with the accessory mounting deck, enhances reloading efficiency by allowing more processes to happen at the same time.

It has the ability to deprime, pause and remove the case to chamfer and deburr, then replace and prime. In addition, the accessory mounting deck provides the hand loader with numerous choices for faster access to items such as chamfer and deburr tools, case neck brushes, a tray for cases, and bullets among others.

Disadvantages of Hornady Reloading Kits

  1. Expensive

Compared to other reloading kits from other brands, Hornady reloading kits seem to be a bit expensive.

  1. Prone to malfunctions.

Hornady reloading kits that load more rounds per hour are prone to malfunctions.

Conclusion

In order to get yourself the best Hornady reloading kits that will be able to meet your needs, you should check out the benefits and downsides of the various Hornady reloading kits.

Every Hornady reloading kit has its unique features different from the rest. Make sure that you have talked enough with professionals and vendors before you conclude on the best equipment.

Also, check on customer reviews on the various products. Lastly, purchase quality Hornady reloading equipment so that you don’t have to worry about anything in the near future.

See Also: Rcbs Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit Review