This is one of the most common "which progressive?" questions, and for good reason. Both presses are proven, both have big owner communities, and both can load a lot of ammunition in an evening. This guide sticks to the equipment. It doesn't include load data, and you should take every charge and component choice from a current published manual.
Side-by-side overview
| Feature | Hornady Lock-N-Load AP | Dillon XL 750 |
|---|---|---|
| Stations | 5 | 5 |
| Indexing | Automatic | Automatic |
| Die change system | Lock-N-Load die bushings | Removable toolheads |
| Case feeder | Optional Hornady case feeder | Optional Dillon case feeder |
| Case ejection | Hornady's EZject system | Ejector wire and chute |
| Where to buy | Widely sold through retailers | Mostly direct from Dillon and dealers |
| Warranty reputation | Hornady warranty and customer support; check current terms | Dillon's "No-B.S." lifetime warranty |
Both companies update their designs from time to time. Check the current product pages for the exact version and package contents before you buy.
Bushings vs toolheads: how dies change
This is the heart of the comparison.
On the Lock-N-Load AP, each die screws into its own Lock-N-Load bushing. The bushing then twists into the press with a short turn. You can pull one die out without disturbing the others. That makes it easy to swap a single die, like changing from a seating die to a different one, and the same bushings fit Hornady's single-stage Lock-N-Load Classic press too.
On the XL 750, all your dies for one cartridge sit in a toolhead. You remove the whole toolhead, with dies still adjusted, and drop in another. That's fast for a full caliber change, but you'll want one toolhead per cartridge, and each one is an extra cost.
Neither system is wrong. Bushings suit people who like to swap individual dies and who might share dies with a single-stage press. Toolheads suit people who want a whole cartridge setup ready to go in one piece. Our guide to die bushings and quick-change systems goes deeper on this.
Priming and case ejection
Both presses prime on the press using a primer feed system. Owners of both models will tell you the same thing: keep the priming system clean, use the correct size parts, wear eye protection, and never force anything that binds. Read and follow each manufacturer's manual for priming setup and safety.
Hornady's EZject system pushes finished rounds off the shell plate without a separate ejector wire. Dillon uses an ejector wire and chute that drops loaded rounds into a bin. Both work. Some owners find one easier to tune than the other, and that often comes down to which one they learned on.
Case feeding and volume
Both presses offer optional case feeders, and both become much faster with one installed. For the AP, Hornady sells its own case feeder. For the XL 750, Dillon sells its own. With a feeder, your hands mainly place bullets and work the handle.
If you're planning to load in high volume, factor the case feeder into your budget from the start. You may also need caliber-specific feeder parts for different case sizes. Both companies sell these separately.
Caliber change cost over time
A caliber change on either press usually involves a shell plate (Hornady) or a caliber conversion kit (Dillon), plus dies and possibly case feeder parts.
- Hornady AP: Many owners find caliber changes relatively affordable because the shell plates and bushings are not expensive. If you already own bushings from a single-stage Lock-N-Load press, you're partway there.
- Dillon XL 750: Caliber conversion kits and spare toolheads add up, especially if you load many cartridges. In return, a full cartridge swap is quick and repeatable.
Make a list of every cartridge you plan to load in the next couple of years. Then price out the conversion parts for each on both systems. That's usually more useful than comparing the press price alone. Our progressive press buying guide has a simple way to do this.
Support, warranty and parts
Dillon is famous for its "No-B.S." warranty and for sending replacement parts. That reputation is a big part of why Dillon presses hold their value on the used market.
Hornady also backs its presses with a warranty, customer support and spare parts sold through retailers. Read the current warranty terms from each company before you buy, since policies can be updated and the wording matters.
A practical tip for either press: keep a small kit of common wear parts and springs on hand, especially for priming systems. Our spare-parts plan explains how to build one without overbuying.
Useful accessories for either press
A few accessories make either press easier to run. None of them are required, but they're worth considering.
Which press is right for you?
Lean toward the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP if…
- You already use Hornady Lock-N-Load bushings on a single-stage press.
- You like swapping individual dies without moving the rest.
- You want a press that's easy to find at many retailers.
Lean toward the Dillon XL 750 if…
- You want a whole cartridge setup ready to drop in as one toolhead.
- You value Dillon's long track record on parts and warranty.
- Resale value matters to you.
Whichever you choose, start slowly. Run one round at a time through all five stations until you understand what each one is doing, and check powder in every case before you seat a bullet.
If you're still torn, write down every cartridge you load and roughly how many rounds of each you load per month. Then price the press, case feeder and every conversion you'd need on both systems. The answer is usually clearer on paper than in a forum thread.
Frequently asked questions
Are both presses five-station?
Yes. Both the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP and the Dillon XL 750 have five die stations, which leaves room for a powder check die in a typical setup.
Can I use my existing dies?
Most standard 7/8-14 threaded dies work in both presses. Your powder measure and powder-through expander setup is press-specific, so check what each manufacturer recommends.
Which is easier for a first progressive press?
Neither is simple. Both are fine first progressives if you take it slow, read the full manual and learn one station at a time. Many reloaders still recommend learning on a single-stage or turret press first.
Do I need a case feeder?
Not to start. A case feeder speeds up high-volume sessions, but you can load by hand-placing cases and add a feeder later.
Where should my load data come from?
A current published reloading manual or the component maker's published data, followed exactly. This site never publishes load data.
Can I share bushings between a Hornady single-stage and the AP?
Yes. Lock-N-Load bushings are used on both Hornady's Lock-N-Load Classic single-stage press and the Lock-N-Load AP, which is one reason some reloaders pair the two. Dies set up on one can move to the other, but confirm the setting with a test case after any swap.
Editorial note: This article is based on manufacturer information, retailer listings and published references. We haven't tested these presses hands-on for this comparison. Specs, warranty terms and prices change, so confirm current details with Hornady and Dillon. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases through links on this page.
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