Elevate Your Ammunition Production: The Hornady Lock-N-Load Pistol Bullet Feeder
Are you a dedicated reloader producing thousands of rounds, finding yourself bogged down by the repetitive, manual task of individually placing bullets on cases? Do you wish you could maintain focus on critical steps like powder verification or primer seating depth without distraction? Perhaps you're simply searching for the ultimate upgrade to transform your progressive press into a high-efficiency ammunition factory. If these questions resonate with your reloading journey, the Hornady Lock-N-Load Pistol Bullet Feeder is the transformative solution you've been seeking. This cutting-edge accessory is engineered to automate one of the most time-consuming aspects of pistol ammunition production, allowing you to achieve unprecedented speed, consistency, and safety.
Manual bullet seating, while precise, can be a monotonous and demanding process, especially when churning out large volumes of pistol ammunition. It requires constant attention, often diverting your focus from other vital checks on your reloading press. Errors can creep in, leading to inconsistencies in overall cartridge length (OAL) or even potential safety hazards. The Hornady Lock-N-Load Pistol Bullet Feeder directly addresses these challenges by taking over the intricate task of bullet orientation and placement. It automatically aligns and feeds pistol bullets into a feeder tube, delivering them one at a time to your feeder die. This revolutionary system ensures that a bullet is perfectly presented for every primed and charged case, freeing your hands and mind to concentrate on the finer details that lead to superior, reliable ammunition.
Transform Your Reloading Bench into an Ammunition Production Hub
The advent of automated reloading accessories has fundamentally reshaped what's possible for the modern reloader. The Hornady Lock-N-Load Pistol Bullet Feeder represents a pinnacle in this evolution, meticulously designed as a premier accessory for the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP reloading press. For those already invested in the Hornady ecosystem, this bullet feeder integrates seamlessly, unlocking the full potential of your progressive setup. Imagine the dramatic increase in your per-hour output, where the rhythmic hum of your press signals a steady stream of precisely crafted cartridges, rather than the start-and-stop cadence of manual intervention.
However, the versatility of the Hornady Lock-N-Load Pistol Bullet Feeder extends beyond a single brand. Its intelligent design means it can be readily utilized with virtually any other progressive reloading press equipped with standard 7/8"-14 die threads. This broad compatibility ensures that reloaders across various platforms can benefit from Hornady's innovative approach to automation. When paired with the Hornady Lock-N-Load Case Feeder – another cornerstone of high-volume reloading – the synergy is truly remarkable. This combination creates a semi-automated system that dramatically increases both efficiency and overall reloading speed, pushing your production capabilities to professional levels right from your home bench.
Unpacking the Engineering Excellence: Key Features and How They Benefit You
The effectiveness of any reloading accessory lies in its design and the quality of its components. The Hornady Lock-N-Load Pistol Bullet Feeder stands out with several meticulously engineered features aimed at delivering unmatched performance and durability:
- Case-Activated Bullet Feeding: This is a cornerstone of safe and efficient operation. The bullet feeder die is activated only upon contact with a case. This intelligent mechanism prevents double-feeds and ensures that a bullet is only dropped when a primed and charged case is correctly positioned, eliminating waste and potential jams. This focus on precision reduces human error, contributing to more consistent ammunition.
- Robust Solid Steel Collets: Durability is paramount in reloading equipment that experiences continuous motion and contact. The collets within the feeder die are crafted from solid steel, ensuring they can withstand years of rigorous use without wear or deformation. This robust construction guarantees reliable bullet alignment and feeding, maintaining optimal performance session after session.
- Rapid Setup and Caliber Changeovers: Time spent on setup is time not spent reloading. Hornady understands this, and the Pistol Bullet Feeder is designed for remarkable ease of use. Setup and caliber changeovers are quick and intuitive, requiring no special tools for adjustments. This means less downtime between different cartridge runs, maximizing your productive hours.
- Generous Easy-Feed Bullet Hopper: The integrated hopper is designed to hold a substantial quantity of pistol bullets – up to 200 rounds, depending on caliber. This high capacity significantly reduces the frequency of refilling, allowing for longer, uninterrupted reloading sessions. The hopper also features an adjustable center plate and bullet feed-wipers. These critical components work in tandem to ensure smooth, consistent feeding of various bullet types and sizes, preventing jams and maintaining a steady flow.
- Comprehensive Inclusion: The system comes complete with everything you need to get started:
- 110V Bullet Feed Hopper: The heart of the system, providing automated bullet orientation and delivery.
- Bullet Feed Tubes: These guide the bullets from the hopper to the feeder die, ready for placement.
- Adjustable Center Plates: Allow for customization to accommodate different bullet profiles and calibers for optimal feeding.
- Vertical Support Strut: Provides stable mounting for the hopper, ensuring reliable operation on your press.
Why Invest in a Hornady Pistol Bullet Feeder? Real-World Advantages
For the serious reloader, the benefits of automating bullet feeding extend far beyond mere convenience. This system fundamentally enhances your reloading experience and the quality of your output:
- Dramatic Speed Increase: This is perhaps the most immediate and impactful benefit. By eliminating the manual step of placing each bullet, you can significantly boost your output. Many users report increasing their reloading speed by 50% or more, transforming an hour-long session into a truly high-yield production run. For competition shooters or those who train extensively, this translates directly into more affordable, high-quality ammunition.
- Enhanced Consistency: Automated feeding reduces the variability introduced by human hands. Each bullet is presented to the die in a consistent manner, promoting more uniform seating and overall cartridge length. This meticulous consistency is crucial for accuracy and reliable firearm function.
- Improved Safety: Keeping your hands clear of the moving parts of a progressive press is a paramount safety consideration. By automating bullet placement, the Hornady feeder minimizes the need to position your fingers near the dies, significantly reducing the risk of pinching or injury during high-speed operation.
- Reduced Fatigue and Strain: Reloading high volumes manually can be physically demanding. The repetitive motion of picking up and placing bullets contributes to hand and wrist fatigue. The bullet feeder mitigates this, allowing for longer, more comfortable reloading sessions with less physical strain.
- Optimized Focus: With one less manual task to worry about, your mental focus can be entirely directed toward critical checks: powder charge verification, primer seating, and case inspection. This undivided attention to detail ultimately leads to safer, higher-quality ammunition.
Who is the Hornady Lock-N-Load Pistol Bullet Feeder For?
This advanced accessory is an ideal upgrade for several types of reloaders:
- High-Volume Shooters: If you're a competitive shooter, a frequent range goer, or someone who simply burns through a lot of pistol ammunition, this feeder is a game-changer for maintaining a plentiful supply of self-loaded rounds.
- Efficiency Seekers: For those who value their time and want to make their reloading sessions as productive as possible, the automation provided by this unit is invaluable.
- Precision-Minded Reloaders: While increasing speed, this system also contributes to greater consistency, making it attractive for reloaders who prioritize meticulous detail in their ammunition.
- Those Upgrading Their Progressive Press: If you have a Hornady Lock-N-Load AP or another compatible progressive press and are looking to unlock its full potential, this feeder is a logical next step.
Simplified Setup and Operation for Maximum Efficiency
Getting started with the Hornady Lock-N-Load Pistol Bullet Feeder is designed to be straightforward, allowing you to quickly integrate it into your existing setup:
- Mounting the Support Strut: The vertical support strut securely attaches to your reloading bench or press stand, providing a stable foundation for the bullet hopper.
- Attaching the Hopper: The 110V bullet feed hopper mounts to the top of the support strut. Ensure it's level and secure.
- Installing the Feeder Die: Thread the appropriate bullet feeder die into one of your press stations (typically after the powder measure and powder cop station).
- Connecting the Tubes: Place the bullet feed tubes from the hopper into the top of the feeder die. These tubes will guide the bullets down to the die.
- Adjusting for Caliber: Load your chosen pistol bullets into the hopper. Make any necessary adjustments to the hopper's center plate and bullet feed wipers to ensure smooth, consistent bullet flow for your specific caliber and bullet type. The die itself can be adjusted to properly seat the bullets onto the cases.
- Power On: Plug in the hopper, and you're ready to begin your high-speed reloading session!
Hornady's intuitive Lock-N-Load system makes caliber changeovers quick. Once you've set up a particular caliber, future changeovers are often as simple as swapping out the appropriate die and making minor adjustments, minimizing downtime and maximizing your reloading throughput.
Maintaining Your Investment for Years of Performance
Like any precision equipment, proper care and maintenance will ensure the longevity and reliable performance of your Hornady Lock-N-Load Pistol Bullet Feeder.
- Keep it Clean: Periodically inspect the hopper, feed tubes, and collets for any buildup of bullet lube, brass shavings, or dust. A soft brush or compressed air can help keep components free from debris, ensuring smooth operation.
- Regular Inspection: Before each use, quickly check all connections and ensure the support strut is secure. Verify that the hopper's adjustable center plate and feed wipers are functioning correctly.
- Troubleshooting Common Issues: If you experience a stoppage or misfeed, first check the bullet hopper's fill level. Ensure the bullet feed tubes are clear and that bullets aren't jamming. Verify the bullet type and size are compatible with the current settings. Most issues are easily resolved with minor adjustments.
Why Choose Hornady? A Legacy of Quality and Innovation
Hornady has been a trusted name in the shooting sports and reloading industry for decades, known for its commitment to innovation, precision, and quality. When you choose the Hornady Lock-N-Load Pistol Bullet Feeder, you're not just buying an accessory; you're investing in a system backed by a legacy of excellence. Hornady's Lock-N-Load technology, exemplified in this feeder, is designed to be user-friendly while delivering uncompromising performance. Their comprehensive ecosystem of reloading components and equipment ensures seamless compatibility and a holistic approach to efficient, accurate ammunition production.
This powerful automation tool, designed for both dedicated Hornady users and reloaders with other 7/8"-14 threaded presses, promises to revolutionize your reloading process. Say goodbye to manual bullet placement and hello to faster, more consistent, and ultimately more enjoyable reloading sessions. Take the step towards transforming your reloading bench into the efficient, high-volume operation you've always envisioned.
All Hornady products, including the Lock-N-Load Pistol Bullet Feeder, are available for purchase at DEGuns. Expand your reloading capabilities and experience the difference that true automation can make.
Product Specifications & Components
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Hornady Lock-N-Load Pistol Bullet Feeder |
| SKU | 095320 |
| UPC | 090255953206 |
| Compatibility | Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Press, Other Presses with 7/8"-14 Die Threads |
| Hopper Capacity | Up to 200 pistol bullets (caliber dependent) |
| Die Construction | Solid Steel Collets |
| Activation Type | Case-Activated |
| Adjustments | Tool-free, adjustable center plate, bullet feed-wipers |
| Included Components | 110V Bullet Feed Hopper, Bullet Feed Tubes, Adjustable Center Plates, Vertical Support Strut |
| Benefits | Increased Speed, Enhanced Consistency, Improved Safety, Reduced Fatigue |
