Elevate Your Reloading Efficiency with the Hornady Lock-N-Load Rifle Bullet Feeder (22 Cal)

For serious reloaders, competitive shooters, and anyone looking to significantly increase their ammunition production, efficiency is paramount. Handloading custom ammunition is a rewarding pursuit, offering precision and cost savings, but it can also be a time-consuming endeavor. If you've ever found yourself wishing you could streamline the bullet placement stage of your reloading process, especially when churning out hundreds or even thousands of rounds, then the Hornady Lock-N-Load Rifle Bullet Feeder is designed precisely for your needs.

This remarkable piece of equipment, specifically Hornady part number 095340, targets a critical bottleneck in the progressive reloading workflow: the manual feeding of bullets. By automating this step, it transforms your reloading experience, allowing you to achieve unprecedented speeds and consistent results.

Why High-Volume Reloaders Need a Bullet Feeder

Imagine the typical process: you're operating a progressive reloading press, placing a case, then manually picking up each bullet and carefully positioning it onto the case mouth before it moves to the seating die. This repetitive motion, multiplied by hundreds or thousands of rounds, is not only slow but also a source of fatigue and potential inconsistency.

• What's the best way to speed up my reloading? The answer, for many, lies in automation. A bullet feeder is one of the most impactful upgrades for a progressive press. It frees up one hand, allowing you to focus on other tasks like monitoring powder levels, checking primers, or simply maintaining a consistent rhythm, all while the machine does the tedious work of presenting the bullet.
• How can I reload more rifle ammunition in less time? The Hornady Lock-N-Load Rifle Bullet Feeder directly addresses this. By eliminating the manual placement of bullets, it allows your progressive press to operate at its full potential. Coupled with a case feeder, such as the Hornady Lock-N-Load Case Feeder, you can see your reloading speed jump by up to 50% or more. This means less time at the bench and more time at the range.
• Is a bullet feeder worth the investment for a home reloader? If you shoot frequently, engage in competitive shooting where high round counts are common, or simply enjoy having a large stockpile of consistent, handloaded ammunition, the time savings and reduced fatigue offered by this system quickly make it invaluable. It's an investment in your reloading efficiency and enjoyment.

Precision Engineering: The Hornady Lock-N-Load Advantage

The Hornady 095340 Lock-N-Load Rifle Bullet Feeder is a complete unit designed specifically for .22 caliber bullets, making it ideal for popular cartridges like .223 Remington, 5.56 NATO, and other common .22 caliber rifle rounds. Its design is rooted in the practical needs of reloaders, ensuring seamless integration and reliable performance.

At its core, this system operates on a "case activated" principle. This means the bullet will only be fed from the hopper and presented when a case properly contacts the feeder mechanism. This intelligent design prevents misfeeds and ensures that bullets are only dispensed when needed, minimizing waste and potential jams.

Seamless Integration with Your Reloading Press

One of the standout features of the Hornady Lock-N-Load Rifle Bullet Feeder is its broad compatibility. While it's optimally designed to integrate with the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP progressive reloading press, it utilizes the industry-standard 7/8"x14 die threads. This universal threading means that, with appropriate setup and potentially a press-specific adapter, it can be compatible with many other brands of progressive reloading presses on the market. This versatility makes it a highly adaptable addition to almost any serious reloader's bench.

For Hornady Lock-N-Load AP users, the synergy is particularly powerful. The bullet feeder occupies a single station on your press. In a clever design innovation, this one station is responsible for three crucial steps: feeding the bullet, seating the bullet, and crimping the bullet. This consolidation of functions streamlines the die setup and maximizes the efficiency of your progressive press's available stations. Imagine the fluidity of the process: cases are fed, then moved to the bullet feeder station where a bullet is automatically presented, seated, and crimped, all in one smooth press stroke.

Key Operational Benefits

• Increased Speed and Output: The primary benefit. By automating bullet placement, you dramatically reduce the cycle time per round. This is especially noticeable for high-volume rifle cartridges where precise, repetitive motion can lead to fatigue.
• Reduced Hand Fatigue: Eliminating the need to pick up and orient each individual bullet saves your hands and wrists from repetitive strain. This is a significant ergonomic advantage, allowing for longer reloading sessions without discomfort.
• Enhanced Consistency: Automated feeding helps ensure that each bullet is presented and oriented identically, leading to more consistent seating and crimping operations. This contributes directly to the accuracy and reliability of your finished ammunition.
• Improved Safety: With your hands free from directly manipulating individual bullets, you reduce the risk of pinching or injury from moving press components. This allows you to maintain better focus on the overall reloading process.

Understanding the System: What's Included and What to Note

The Hornady 095340 Lock-N-Load Rifle Bullet Feeder for .22 Caliber bullets comes as a complete unit. This includes the bullet hopper, the feeder die assembly, and all necessary components to start feeding .22 caliber rifle bullets. Its distinctive red color makes it easily identifiable as part of the Hornady ecosystem of high-quality reloading tools.

It's important for reloaders to understand a couple of critical distinctions:

• Rifle vs. Pistol Bullet Feeder: The Hornady Rifle Bullet Feeder System (like this 095340 model) must be purchased separately from the Hornady Pistol Bullet Feeder. The hopper systems and die bodies are specifically designed for the different bullet shapes and weights of rifle vs. pistol ammunition and are not cross-compatible. Attempting to use pistol components with rifle bullets, or vice-versa, will lead to malfunctions.
• Bullet Type Limitation: Neither the Hornady Rifle nor Pistol Bullet Feeder systems are designed to work with cast lead bullets. These systems are engineered for jacketed or plated bullets, which have a harder, more consistent exterior that flows smoothly through the feeder mechanism. Cast lead bullets, due to their softer nature and potential for deformation or lead shaving, can cause feeding issues and jams. Always use jacketed or plated bullets with this system for optimal performance.

Setting Up Your Hornady Bullet Feeder

Setting up the Hornady Lock-N-Load Rifle Bullet Feeder is straightforward for anyone familiar with progressive reloading presses.

1. Station Placement: The feeder die, which combines feeding, seating, and crimping for .22 caliber bullets, will occupy one station on your progressive press. On a Hornady Lock-N-Load AP, this usually means dedicating a station after your powder drop and before any dedicated crimp stations (if you choose to separate crimping).
2. Hopper Installation: The large-capacity hopper mounts above the feeder die, holding a substantial quantity of bullets. This reduces the frequency of refilling, further enhancing your continuous reloading cycles.
3. Die Adjustment: Like any reloading die, proper adjustment is crucial. The feeder die needs to be set correctly to ensure reliable bullet feeding, consistent seating depth, and appropriate crimp. Hornady provides clear instructions for this process.
4. Integration with Case Feeder: For maximum efficiency, especially with the Lock-N-Load AP, pairing this bullet feeder with the Hornady Lock-N-Load Case Feeder is highly recommended. The case feeder automates the placement of empty cases onto the shellplate, and with the bullet feeder handling bullet placement, your entire operation becomes incredibly fluid, demanding minimal manual intervention.

Achieving Peak Reloading Performance

For those who aspire to professional-level reloading output from their home bench, the Hornady Lock-N-Load Rifle Bullet Feeder is an indispensable component. It's not just about speed; it's about consistency, comfort, and the ability to produce large batches of high-quality ammunition with reduced effort.

Consider the value proposition:

• Time is Money: The time saved on each reloading session quickly adds up. If you reload hundreds or thousands of rounds annually, the investment in this feeder pays for itself through reclaimed time.
• Reduced Error: The automated process reduces human error associated with repetitive manual tasks, leading to more uniform ammunition.
• Focus on Quality: With bullet feeding automated, you can dedicate more attention to critical variables like powder charge, primer seating, and overall quality checks.
• Long-Term Durability: Hornady is renowned for manufacturing robust, durable reloading equipment designed to withstand years of heavy use. The Lock-N-Load Rifle Bullet Feeder is no exception, built to provide reliable service for countless reloading sessions.

Whether you're preparing for a competitive shooting season, stocking up for extensive range practice, or simply want to maximize the efficiency of your reloading setup, the Hornady 095340 Lock-N-Load Rifle Bullet Feeder for .22 caliber bullets represents a significant upgrade. It streamlines a critical step in the reloading process, transforming your progressive press into a highly efficient ammunition production machine. You can find this and other essential Hornady reloading components to enhance your setup at DEGuns and deguns.com, your trusted source for premium shooting sports equipment. Take the leap to automated bullet feeding and experience a new level of productivity and enjoyment in your reloading journey.

Product Specifications Overview

Feature	Detail
Brand	Hornady
Series	Rifle Bullet Feeder
Model	Lock-N-Load
Caliber	.22 Caliber
Function	Feeds Rifle Bullets (Case Activated)
Thread Size	7/8"x14 Threaded Dies (Standard)
Compatibility	Hornady Lock-N-Load AP, other progressive presses
Color	Red
SKU / Model No.	095340
UPC	090255953404