From: scot@hpfcla.fc.hp.com (Scot Heath)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Hornady APEX-91 loader
Date: 28 Sep 92 21:56:26 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Fort Collins Site

Happen to stumble into a guns shop that had the new Hornady APEX-91 shot
shell loader set up and got a chance to load a few shells with it.  For
those of you considering a shot shell loader purchase, this is one is worth
considering.

I currently have a DL-366 and have loaded around 50,000 shells on it.  I
like it and was a little skeptical of this new press.  Here are some of the
features of the APEX-91 I really like:

1) Customer configurable.  You can start at the retail price of around
   $150.00 and get yourself a studily built, well thought out loader that will
   crank out a shell every time you pull the handle.  You have to index the
   shells around the turret by hand a drop shot and powder each stroke by hand.
   From this, you can add auto advance, auto shot/powder drop, various
   crimp and re-size options etc.  If you want the full blown loader, it
   will run you around $325.00 to purchase already configured with all the
   goodies.

2) Big shot hopper.  This is a major gripe about my 366.  The shot hopper
   on the APEX-91 is much larger and looks like it will hold a full bag.

3) Powder and shot drain.  By loostening a knurled thumb screw, the shot
   and powder drop mechanisms can be swung to the side and the shot and
   powder drained through a side tube.  This along with the removeable
   charge portion eliminates the need to remove the shot and powder hoppers
   from the loader to change bushings, shot, or powder.  Anyone who has
   ever spilled a full shot hopper worth of shot will appreciate this.

4) Shot drop is at wad seating station.  The 366 seats the wad on one pull
   of the handle and drops shot on the next.  This is a problem if the wads
   you use have any deformation of the petals.  Sometimes, a petal will
   curl inward and shot will be caught between the wad and the hull,
   sometimes spilling shot, sometimes creating a visually ok shell that
   won't pattern like its box mates.

5) Low handle force.  The handle on the APEX-91 pivots a rod running
   through nylon bushed guides on the top of the loader.  This rod has arms
   afixed to either end which are attached to the shell platten via another
   set of arms attached to the first whith pivots.  This arrangement along
   with a large center support/guide post results in very smooth operation
   and small (I would estimate less than half) force required to work the
   lever.

6) Small footprint.  The bench area taken up by the APEX-91 is much smaller
   than the 366.  Additionally, since the handle is mounted high, the
   placement of the loader on the bench is not a critical as the 366.
   Hornady even offers a set of risers for the 366 to permit it to be
   operated with the loader mounted anywhere but right on the edge of the
   bench.  This is normally a problem due to handle/bench interference.


Here are some of the features of the APEX-91 I dis-like:

1) Extensive use of plastic components.  This in and of itself is not bad,
   I am just suspicious of the shell index plate and the shot/powder drop
   mechanism.  Both of these have the potential to break/wear and could be
   a problem in the future.  Rumor has it that one reason the loader is just
   out now instead of 91 is in fact problems encountered with the shell index 
   plate.

2) Shell eject appears to be to the front.  If you already have a hole cut
   in your loading bench for loaded shells to drop through, it probably will
   be incompatible with the new loader.

My overall impression is that this is a very good loader.  I will probably
buy one and give it a try.  If I like it, I might convert my 366 to do
28ga. and get rid of that *#&^&$(# MEC 650 jr.

-Scot