Best Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Kit Review in 2023!

Just like steak, any reloader will want something specific in their reloading press. All kits have some unique factors for which they are chosen. And here we have the Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Kit review to answer all those questions you have about the reloading press and the kits with no answer on the internet.

Compare your chosen reloading press with other reloading presses and find out which is the best here.

Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic

Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic is a unique Reloading Press because of its unique design. Some of the major features and a short description are presented here.

Lock-N-Load Bushings

What makes this Single Stage Reloading Press unique is the Lock-N-Load – Quick Change Bushing System. This solves the issue of a long time consuming die-changing process. And with the help of the Sure-Loc Lock-ring, you can set the bushing in position for future use. With one simple twist change the Lock-N-Load Bushing and put another bushing for the next process.

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Angled Frame

The next easily notable change is the angled frame, which is somewhat placed at around 30° – 35° angle from the vertical axis, with an opening of 3.75″ & weight about 8.73 pounds. This greatly enhances the visibility of the cases and eases the case operations for right-handed reloaders. But, This angled frame is a nightmare for the lefties because of the less hand room and you can’t move the ram handle. So if you are a lefty reloader then stay away from this reloading press.

Priming System

Another positive feature of this frame is the priming system, which is included in the kit and the press itself. The Primer aligns itself because it is placed in the ram and works when you push the lever back at the starting position. You can easily remove the primer if you don’t want to use it. While on the point, the black box is the spent primer catcher, that is if you are using the reloading press to deprime. So you can get 3 jobs done with a single stroke of the lever.

• Resize the case,
• Deprime the case,
• And prime the case.

However, for precision reloading, I like to deprime before tumble cleaning the cases.

Power-Pack Linkage and Lever Grip

To make reloading easy on the hands Hornady designed the Power-Pack Linkage to reduce fatigue on the user while using the lever to reload cases. This Power-Pack Linkage in conjunction with the length of the lever grip helps reduce effort than you would expect.

Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic & Deluxe Kit

The Hornady Lock-N-Load Reloading Press comes in two kits, if you are completely new to reloading cases and want to begin reloading I would suggest getting a kit. It will save you some cost and also get you started with most of the required items. But if you have some experience or want to pick every item yourself, then you could choose only the Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic reloading press.

Here is a list of items that you get in the Classic Kit

1. Lock-N-Load Classic Reloading Press
2. Hornady Reloading Handbook (usually the latest available edition)
3. Hornady Lock-N-Load Powder Measure (Rifle Rotor & Metering Assembly)
4. Digital Scale (you might want to upgrade this item)
5. The Lock-N-Load Die Bushings (3 pieces)
6. Positive Priming System
7. Spent Primer Catcher
8. Handheld Priming Tool
9. Universal Priming Block
10. Chamfer & Deburr tool
11. Powder Trickler
12. Powder Funnel
13. One-Shot Case Lube

The 13 items listed are the content of the classic Kit, but there are a few more items that you must have if you want to begin reloading such as Calipers, Sure-Loc lock rings, kinetic bullet puller & Shell Holders.

If you think the Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Kit is not good enough, then check out their Deluxe kit with the same classic reloading press. And in the Delux kit you will receive the 13 listed items and the following; 

1. Hornady Lock-N-Load Straight OAL Gauge
2. Pistol Rotor & Metering Assembly (along with the Rifle Rotor & Metering Assembly)
3. Powder Measure Stand
4. Popular Shell holders (1, 2, 5,16 & 35)
5. Kinetic Bullet Puller
6. Steel Dial Caliper (analog — might want to upgrade this to digital for measuring efficiency)
7. 3 additional Lock-N-Load Die Bushing (total of 6 die bushing)
8. 6 Sure-Loc Lock Rings

So in the Deluxe kit, you will get a total of 21 items. Which is almost all you will need to recycle the cases. But don’t forget about the consumables, such as gun powder, primers, projectile.

If you want to get an easy setup and money is not a big issue I suggest getting the Delux kit, but if you are on a budget classic kit could be a good option for you. Here I have included the instructions for ease.

Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Kit Review Summery.,

The Hornady Lock-N-Load Delux kit contains a lot of essential equipment, and the Delux kit has all the items you will need to begin reloading. But the Classic press by Hornady has some shortcomings such as a left-angled frame, not so effective spent primer catcher, and it is not an ambidextrous handle.

Hornady’s classic kit misses the mark by a little, as we have suggested some upgrades while listing the items presented in the kit. But this Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Kit, be it deluxe or just the normal kit is an acceptable beginner’s kit to get you started with recycling the brass cases.