The Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Press Primer Pocket Swage Tool for 7.62x51/.308 reloading is a purpose-built case prep accessory designed to work with your Lock-N-Load AP press. If you're loading precision rifle ammunition for .308 Winchester or 7.62x51 NATO, you know that military-grade brass often comes with crimped primer pockets that must be addressed before you can seat a new primer. This swage tool handles that job cleanly and efficiently by compressing the crimp rather than cutting it away — a method that eliminates the trimmings, dust, and mess that come with grinding or cutting approaches.
Built on the proven Lock-N-Load AP platform, this tool integrates directly into your existing press setup. The kit includes the swage tool itself, a matched shell holder for your caliber, feed and eject dies, so you have everything needed to add primer pocket prep to your reloading sequence without separate purchases. Because case geometry and crimp depth vary among manufacturers, the swage tool's adjustable depth lets you dial in the perfect setting for whatever brass you're working with — whether it's once-fired military surplus, commercial match-grade, or range pickup.
For anyone who works with .308 brass in volume — whether you're building loads for long-range hunting, precision rifle matches, or patrol/duty applications — removing primer crimps is non-negotiable. The Hornady swage approach is faster and cleaner than traditional cutting methods, and it keeps brass preparation consistent and controlled. If you already have the AP press, adding this caliber-specific tool gets you one step closer to ammunition that feeds, seats, and performs as designed.
| Caliber | 7.62x51 NATO / .308 Winchester |
| Compatibility | Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Press |
| Tool Type | Primer Pocket Swage Tool |
| Included Components | Swage tool, shell holder, feed die, eject die |
| Depth Adjustment | Yes, adjustable |
Yes — this primer pocket swage tool is designed specifically for the Lock-N-Load AP press platform and mounts directly into it using the standard mounting system.
Swaging compresses the crimp down instead of grinding or cutting it away. This method eliminates trimmings and dust, produces less mess, and is generally faster in a reloading sequence.
Yes, the tool features adjustable swage depth so you can accommodate variations in case geometry and crimp depth among different brass manufacturers.
The kit includes the swage tool, shell holder, feed die, and eject die — all the components needed to run the tool on your Lock-N-Load AP press.
Hornady
