From: scot@hpfcla.fc.hp.com (Scot Heath)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Hornady APEX-91 evaluation
Date: 2 Jan 93 23:31:51 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Fort Collins Site

After having loaded for years on a Hornady DL-366, I have purchased and
set-up a new APEX-91 automatic shot shell reloader.  Since I have advised
all readers that this is a great loader, I figured I had better find out
for myself. :)

My overall impression is that is is a very good loader.  It is definitely
faster and (now) smoother than my 366 with less lever force needed for
operation.

My biggest problem was with the auto shot drop system.  As supplied, shot
would wedge between the bushing and the hopper housing approximately 5% of
the time.  This resulted in shot escaping all over my bench from under the
shot measure plate as it as sprung upward by the charge bar rod.  I was
ready to pack the whole thing up and send it back when I thought up the
following solution.

I added a hold down screw to the shot measure plate in the center of the
support pad at the rear of the plate, right hand side of the loader.  This
helped with the escaping shot but did nothing to reduce the binding.  I
then machined a new shot seal out of Delrin, a very tough slippery plastic
to replace the rubber seal included with the loader.  This has made the
loader a joy to load with!  It funcions incredibly smoothly and I am
extremely pleased with its operatoin.

I have notified Hornady of this problem/solution so perhaps...

Features I have found particularly good are:

1) Powder, shot and primer shell detection.  The loader only drops these
components when it needs to.  This is GREAT!!!  If you have never loaded on
a progressive loader, you probably won't appreciate you great this is.  It
allows you to remove shells at will, skip shells, load one at a time or
whatever you want without the bother of shutting of the shot/powder/primer
feeds.

2) Cam operated crimp.  This system give a superiour quality crimp with
less lever effort than any loader I have loaded with, including a
Posness/Warren.

3) Ease of setup.  This was definitely the easiest loader I have ever set
up.  I am fairly picky about my shells and was very pleased with the speed
at which I reached a quality reload.

4) Powder and shot bushing change.  You just reach in and change them!  No
disassembly or emptying the hoppers.  Another great feature.

5) Large ball on handle.  This may seem like a small thing but it is very
ergonomic and along with the low handle force, this makes the loader
exceptionally easy to use.

6) Low maintenance.  Most wear points are bushed with nylon and only 2
places to put a little grease.

7) Upgradable.  If you purchase the manual model, you can save all your
investment by adding the auto parts later.  The bushings are all compatible
with the 366 and my loader dropped within .1 grains the same amount of
powder as the 366 withe the same bushings.

8) Hornady is interested in your success.  I had a defective part and a
phone call was all it took to have one delivered in 3 days.


Small disapointments:

1) As mentioned previously, the powder charge bar was deffective as
delivered.  This made the loader sticky and difficult to operate smoothly.
I called and the technician I talked to sent me a new bar pronto and the
problem was solved.

2) Some once fired hulls stick in the resizing collet.  I believe this is
due to plastic in the hull interfering with the de-priming punch.  This almost 
never happens with hulls that have been reloaded before.

3) The shot an powder hoppers were somewhat difficult to assemble to the
top casting due to tight tollerences and improperly deburred parts.  This
does not affect the operation of the loader but should be corrected.

4) A hole to allow powder to drain through the bottom casting if a primer
is missing at the powder drop station would be nice.  The 366 had this and
on the rare occasion that a primer mis-feeds, the earlier you know about it
the better.

5) The primer feed mechanism includes a small bar to join the primer tray
to the actuating mechanism in the loader.  This bar falls out each time the
tray is removed for filling.  This could be corrected by design but a
rubber band over the top of the sleve in the loader after the small bar is
inserted serves the purpose quite well.

6) No shot or powder baffles available.  I think they are needed and have
fabricated my own.


I have loaded on Hornady's, MEC's and Posness/Warren's but this loader is
the smoothest most tollerent loader I have seen, regardless of price.

-Scot