Best Reloading Presses · head-to-head
Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Progressive Reloading Press vs Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press is cheaper at $99.95. Every spec and price links to its source.
Hornady
—
vs No photo yet
Lyman
$99.95
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Progressive Reloading Press | Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press |
| US price | — | $99.95 |
| Brand | Hornady | Lyman |
| Released | — | — |
| Press type | progressive, auto-indexing | single stage |
| Number of stations | 5 | 1 |
| RAM diameter (in) | — | 1 |
| Rounds per hour | up to 500 | — |
| Priming system | on-press, automatic case-activated Positive Priming System | off-press, separate priming tool required |
| Frame material | cast iron | cast iron frame, other components steel |
| Shellplate turret compatibility | 5-station Lock-N-Load quick-change die bushing system, accepts standard 7/8-14 dies via LNL bushings; caliber changeover in under 5 minutes | standard 7/8-14 threaded dies and standard shell holders; 3-7/8 in. press opening accommodates cartridges up to 3.700 in. loaded length |
| Mounting footprint | bench-mount, 4-bolt pattern | compact bench-mount, central ambidextrous handle position |
Sources — Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Progressive Reloading Press: hornady.com (verified 2026-08-11).
Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press: lymanproducts.com (verified 2026-08-11).
What's the difference between the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Progressive Reloading Press and Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Press type: Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Progressive Reloading Press progressive, auto-indexing vs Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press single stage
- Number of stations: Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Progressive Reloading Press 5 vs Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press 1
- Priming system: Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Progressive Reloading Press on-press, automatic case-activated Positive Priming System vs Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press off-press, separate priming tool required
- Frame material: Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Progressive Reloading Press cast iron vs Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press cast iron frame, other components steel
- Shellplate turret compatibility: Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Progressive Reloading Press 5-station Lock-N-Load quick-change die bushing system, accepts standard 7/8-14 dies via LNL bushings; caliber changeover in under 5 minutes vs Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press standard 7/8-14 threaded dies and standard shell holders; 3-7/8 in. press opening accommodates cartridges up to 3.700 in. loaded length
- Mounting footprint: Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Progressive Reloading Press bench-mount, 4-bolt pattern vs Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal C-Frame Single Stage Reloading Press compact bench-mount, central ambidextrous handle position