Hornady Lock-N-Load AP

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Lock-N-Load

™

Primer Pocket Swage Tool

ASSEMBLY & PREPARATION

Before using your new swage tool,

disassemble and carefully clean the dies,

removing the rust preventative. DO NOT

disassemble the swage punch assembly

(1) as it comes pre-set from the factory.

Any commercial solvent or cleaner, like

Hornady ONE SHOT

Gun Cleaner and

Dry Lube, will sufﬁce. Reassemble the

swage die after cleaning.

Cartridge cases should be de-primed and

inspected. Discard those with cracks,

splits, or other visible defects. Make sure

case necks are round. You may need

to run an expander through them or full

length size the cases before swaging.

Primer pockets should be clean.

IMPORTANT: Sort cases by manufacturer

and lot number, if possible. Different

brands have varying web thicknesses,

which can cause swage variation.

INSTRUCTIONS

Install swage plate assembly (5) onto

your Lock-N-Load

AP™. You will not

need a case retainer spring.

Raise the press ram to the top of its

stroke and thread the swage die (7) into

station 1 (Fig. A) until it makes contact

with the swage plate assembly. Back the

swage die off a half turn and tighten the

Sure-Loc

™

lock ring (3).

Thread the swage stripper die (2) into

station 3 (Fig. A) until it makes contact

with the swage plate. Tighten the

Sure-Loc

™

lock ring.

Thread the swage alignment die (6) into

station 4 (Fig. A) until it makes contact

with the swage plate. Tighten the

Sure-Loc

™

lock ring.

NOTE: The swage stripper die and

swage alignment die must be in contact

with the swage plate assembly while

the press ram is at the top of the stroke

to assure proper function of the swage

die without damaging the press.

8. O-RING

10. SWAGE

ADJUST

SCREW

9. LOCK RING

5. SWAGE

PLATE

ASSEMBLY

6. SWAGE

ALIGNMENT

DIE

7. SWAGE DIE

2. SWAGE

STRIPPER

DIE

3. SURE-LOC

™

LOCK RING

1. SWAGE

PUNCH

ASSEMBLY

PARTS

SWAGE DIE

ASSEMBLY

SWAGE

ALIGNMENT

DIE

SWAGE

STRIPPER

DIE

Figure A

Insert a sorted case into the swage

alignment die mouth ﬁrst. Lower the

press ram. The case will feed onto the

swage plate support stem.

With the swage adjust screw (10)

backed out of the swage die, cycle the

press until the inserted case enters the

swage die.

Thread the swage adjust screw down

until you feel resistance. Lower the

press ram about 1-inch and thread the

swage adjust screw down half a turn.

Raise the press ram. You should start

to feel the resistance when raising

the press ram. At this point, the primer

pocket crimp is starting to be swaged.

Adjustment for the proper amount

of swage is done by trial and error.

(OVER)

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Summary

Tool Installation and Initial Setup

Install Swage Plate Assembly and Dies

Mount the swage plate assembly and thread the swage die, stripper die, and alignment die into the press.

Initial Swage Die Adjustment

Thread the swage adjust screw to feel resistance and make initial adjustments for swaging.

Swaging Process and Adjustment Refinement

Swaging Process and Adjustment

Continue adjusting the swage in increments for desired primer pocket swaging and proper primer seating.

Locking the Swage Adjustment

Thread the swage adjust lock ring onto the o-ring to secure the swage adjust screw position.

Executing the Swaging Cycle

Cycle the press, inserting cases into the alignment die for swaging and ejection.

The Hornady Lock-N-Load® AP™ Primer Pocket Swage Tool is designed to remove the crimp from primer pockets, preparing spent cartridge cases for reloading. This tool is intended for use with the Lock-N-Load® AP™ press, integrating seamlessly into the reloading process to streamline case preparation.

Function Description

The primary function of the swage tool is to remove the crimp from primer pockets of spent cartridge cases. Many factory-loaded ammunition cases, particularly military brass, feature a crimped primer pocket to secure the primer more firmly. This crimp must be removed before a new primer can be seated properly. The swage tool achieves this by deforming the crimp inward, creating a small radius at the edge of the primer pocket, rather than reaming or cutting material away. This method helps maintain the integrity of the primer pocket and ensures a secure fit for the new primer.

The tool operates in a multi-station setup on the Lock-N-Load® AP™ press. Cases are first inserted into an alignment die, then moved to the swage die where the crimp is removed, and finally advanced to a stripper die which facilitates case removal. The process is designed to be progressive, allowing for efficient processing of multiple cases.

Usage Features

The Hornady Lock-N-Load® AP™ Primer Pocket Swage Tool is designed for ease of setup and operation within the Lock-N-Load® AP™ reloading press system.

Progressive Operation: The tool integrates into the progressive reloading workflow of the Lock-N-Load® AP™ press. Cases are processed through multiple stations: an alignment die (station 4), the swage die (station 1), and a stripper die (station 3). This allows for continuous feeding and processing of cases, enhancing efficiency.
Adjustable Swage Depth: The swage adjust screw (10) allows for precise control over the amount of swage applied. Users can thread this screw down until resistance is felt, then make incremental adjustments (e.g., half-turn, then 1/8 turn increments) to achieve the desired swage depth. This adjustability is crucial because different case manufacturers and lot numbers can have varying web thicknesses, which may affect the swaging process. The goal is to achieve sufficient swage to allow a primer to seat properly without over-swaging, which could damage the case or the swage plate support stem.
Visual Confirmation: A properly swaged primer pocket will exhibit a small radius at its edge. This visual cue, along with test-seating a primer, helps users confirm that the correct amount of swage has been applied.
Sure-Loc™ Lock Rings: The swage die, swage stripper die, and swage alignment die are secured in place using Sure-Loc™ lock rings (3). These rings ensure that once the dies are set to the correct height and contact with the swage plate assembly, they remain in position during operation, preventing unwanted movement and maintaining consistent results.
Case Ejection Mechanism: The swage punch assembly (1) is designed to eject the case from the swage punch after the swaging operation. Furthermore, as cases advance through the progressive press, the stripper die (2) lifts the case from the swage plate support anvil, and subsequent cases push the processed cases out of the die for removal, facilitating a smooth workflow.
Compatibility with De-primed Cases: The tool is designed to work with de-primed and inspected cartridge cases. Users are instructed to ensure cases are free of cracks, splits, or other defects, and that case necks are round. Full length sizing or running an expander through the necks may be necessary before swaging. Primer pockets should also be clean for optimal performance.
Sorting Recommendation: For best results and consistent swaging, it is recommended to sort cases by manufacturer and lot number. This practice helps mitigate variations in web thickness between different brands, which can influence the swaging outcome.

Maintenance Features

Proper maintenance is essential to ensure the longevity and optimal performance of the Hornady Lock-N-Load® AP™ Primer Pocket Swage Tool.

Initial Cleaning: Before the first use, the dies must be disassembled and thoroughly cleaned to remove any rust preventative applied during manufacturing. Commercial solvents or cleaners, such as Hornady ONE SHOT® Gun Cleaner and Dry Lube, are recommended for this purpose. It is important to note that the swage punch assembly (1) should NOT be disassembled as it comes pre-set from the factory. After cleaning, the swage die should be reassembled.
Lubrication (Optional): While not strictly required, a small amount of case lube can be applied to the swage punch or the primer pocket if desired. This can help reduce friction during the swaging process. However, a critical note is provided: if lube is used, it must be removed before priming, as many lubes can contaminate primers and affect their performance.
Locking Adjustment: Once the proper swage depth is achieved, the swage adjust lock ring (9) should be threaded down onto the o-ring (8) to securely lock the swage adjust screw position. This prevents the adjustment from shifting during operation, ensuring consistent swaging results over time.
Inspection of Cases: Regular inspection of cartridge cases before swaging is a key maintenance practice. Discarding cases with cracks, splits, or other visible defects prevents potential damage to the swage tool or inconsistent results. Ensuring case necks are round and primer pockets are clean also contributes to the tool's smooth operation and extends its lifespan.
Preventing Over-swaging: The instructions emphasize the importance of avoiding over-swaging. Over-swaging can damage the swage plate support stem or the cartridge case itself. By carefully adjusting the swage depth and performing trial-and-error adjustments, users can prevent undue stress on the tool's components.
Proper Die Contact: The swage stripper die (2) and swage alignment die (6) must be in contact with the swage plate assembly when the press ram is at the top of its stroke. This ensures proper function of the swage die and prevents damage to the press. Regular checks to confirm this contact are part of routine maintenance.