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NEW
DIMENSION
Custom-GradeTM Dies
TM
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BEFORE USING DIES
ADJUSTING THE SIZE DIE
Before using your new dies, disassemble and carefully clean
the inside surface of the sizing and seating dies (and the
expander die if a three-die set.) A rust preventive oil is applied
at the factory to protect the dies during shipping and must be
removed before reloading. Any commercial solvent or cleaner
(like our ONE SHOT Gun Cleaner and Dry Lube) will sufce.
Inspect all cartridge cases and discard those with cracks,
splits and other visible defects. Wipe cases clean with a soft
cloth to remove grit and other foreign matter which may
scratch the die. Before sizing, lubricate the cases with one of
the case lubes available from Hornady (ONE SHOT Case Lube
or UNIQUE, a hard paste.) No matter the method of lubrication,
all rie cases must be lubricated (Hornady’s Titanium Nitride
three-die sets are lube-free.) We don’t recommend the use of
oil-type lubes; they may contaminate the powder inside the case.
Little or no lube on rie cases will result in a stuck case.
Over-lubrication will cause dents in the shoulder, damaging
appearance. (If you do get a case stuck in a die, we can remove
the case without damaging the die and return it to you. Enclose
$4.00 for postage and handling.)
To adjust the expander/decap assembly:
1. Loosen the spindle lock.
2. Adjust the spindle so approximately 3/16"
of the decap pin is below the end of the die
(SEE PHOTO.)
3. Tighten the spindle lock. If not tightened
sufciently, the spindle will back out the top of the
die when deprimed, or it will pull out of the die when
the ram is lowered. If the spindle is adjusted too high, the primer
may not be expelled and a new primer cannot be seated.
Hornady’s Elliptical Expander/Decap Assembly (two-die sets only)
is designed to ease the stress on cases when full-length sizing
because it has less bearing surface than other long, straight,
expanders or short, blunt expanders-reducing the frequency of
trimming cases.
To adjust the full-length size die, follow these steps:
1. Raise the press ram to highest position without camming over.
2. Thread the full-length die into the press until the base touches
the shell holder head.
3. Tighten the lock ring against the press and tighten the set
screw with the allen wrench.
4. Adjust the expander/decap assembly.
(Note: Firearm action types and chamber dimensions vary causing
excess headspace. To eliminate the headspace, adjust the full-length
die upward.)
3/16"
ADJUSTING THE SEATING DIE
Hornady bullet seating dies feature a oating
in-line sleeve designed to minimize bullet
run-out (misalignment caused by tipped
bullet.) The cartridge neck and bullet are
aligned in the oating sleeve prior to
seating the bullet for in-line, precise bullet
seating.
These universal seating dies are manufactured by caliber (.224, .243, .308, .358,
etc...) and not by specic cartridge
(222 Remington, 240 Weatherby Magnum,
30-30 Winchester, 35 Whelen, etc...)
Prior to seating, make sure the steel
seating stem is positioned in the alignment
sleeve (see die parts list.) Also, make sure
the cases are chamfered before seating.
When properly adjusted, Hornady’s seating
die may appear as though it’s not threaded
far enough into the press (they are adjusted
for long or short cases). Don’t be alarmed. As few as
three threads need be screwed into the die for precise
and accurate reloading.
(Note: As with all seating dies, when seating lubricated lead bullets,
lubricant will build-up within the die causing variations in seating.
Clean and inspect as needed.)
SEATING WITHOUT A CRIMP
1 Insert a sized case into the shell holder and lower the handle.
Back out the seater adjustment screw. With the seater screw
adjusted higher to begin with, it enables you to adjust downward until the proper seating depth is reached. (If you have
the seater adjustment screw too low to start,
your bullets might start off being seated too deep).
2 Thread the seating die into the press until you feel resis-
tance. At that point, the crimp ring has come in contact
with the mouth of the case.
3 Back the die out of the press one-half turn to prevent the
case from being crimped — tighten the die body lock ring.
(Note: if the die is threaded too far into the press, the case
shoulder will collapse.) Raise the handle and return the
ram to its starting position.
4 Insert a bullet in the case mouth - lower the handle so
the cartridge and bullet enter the alignment sleeve. Upon
completion of the stroke, the bullet will barely be seated in
the case.
5 Adjust the seater adjustment screw downward in small
increments, each time operating the handle until the bullet
is seated to the desired length. The bullet might stay in the
oating seating stem if there is little or no engagement by
the case mouth. At the completion of each stroke, inspect
the cartridge for the correct overall length.
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SEATING WITH A CRIMP
NECKING UP
To begin, refer to the procedure for SEATING WITHOUT A CRIMP.
Follow the procedure throughout, however, DO NOT TIGHTEN THE
DIE BODY LOCK RING.
1 Once you’ve reached the preferred seating depth for the
bullet, back out the seater adjustment screw a few turns.
2 Raise the ram, with the cartridge, to the top of the stroke.
3 Thread the seater die body into the press until it meets
resistance (again, at that point, the mouth of the case has
met resistance with the crimper.)
4 Thread the seater die body into the press in small increments
(one-sixteenth...one-eighth turns) each time operating the
handle. At the completion of each stroke, inspect the
cartridge for the proper crimp.
5 Once you’ve reached the desired crimp (with the cartridge
still in the die), tighten the die body lock ring. While holding
down the handle, thread the seater adjustment screw
downward until it rmly contacts the bullet.
(NOTE: On presses with a cam-over action, back out the adjusting
screw 1/8 to 1/4 of a turn to allow for cam-over.)
6 At that point, raise the handle and remove the cartridge.
Check the lock ring to make sure it’s still tight. Try another
case with a bullet. If the desired seating depth and crimp are
attained, then you can begin seating and crimping in one
operation. If not, make the needed minor adjustments.
(NOTE: For uniform crimps, cases must be trimmed prior to
seating, to uniform length.)
The elliptical shape of the expander allows the reloader to
expand the mouth of the case as well as “neck up” from one
caliber to a larger caliber without the use of a tapered expander.
The expander is tapered at the top as well as the bottom to
“neck up” in stages. For example, you can use Hornady’s 25
caliber and 30 caliber expanders to neck up from a .223 caliber
to 30 caliber.
ADJUSTING THE EXPANDER DIE
(Three-die sets only)
The expander assembly is designed to put a slight “bell” or are
on the case mouth. For uniform aring, trim all case to their
proper length.
To adjust the expander die body, raise the
press ram to its full height with a case in
the shell holder. Thread the expander die
into the press until the expander touches
the case mouth. Raise the handle and screw
down the die in small increments (each time
inspecting the mouth) until the mouth of the
case has been ared just enough to seat a
bullet. Tighten the die body lock ring and set screw. Keep in
mind that an excessive are can eventually shorten case life,
and may keep the case from properly entering the seating die.
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DIE SET
PARTS LIST
Key Description Part No.
A Large Spindle Lock 396335
Small Spindle Lock 396336
B Size Die Body *
C Spindle/Decap Pin *
(plus Expander on
Bottleneck Dies only) *
D Seater Adjusting Screw 044100
E Seater Lock Nut 044800
F Washer 398067
G Seater Die Body *
*Caliber specic part numbers are assigned to these items.
Key Description Part No.
H Retaining Ring (2)
(3-Die Set only) 396430
I Seating Stem *
J Alignment Sleeve *
K Expander Die Body
(3-Die Set only) *
L Lock Ring Screw 390200
M Sure-Loc Lock Ring 044000
N Allen Wrench 390656
ACCESSORIES
MicroJust
The economical way to achieve optimum bullet seating
depth for benchrest accuracy and consistency. Simply
replace the standard seating depth adjustment stem on
your New Dimension Custom Grade Dies with the MicroJust
Seating stem. Allows you to precisely set bullet seating
depth in .001" increments.
No. 044090
L-N-L Die and Conversion Bushings
Simply insert a Hornady conversion bushing into
your RCBS® Rock Chucker or other reloading
press using a 1-12 thread, and you’re ready
to start using the Lock-N-Load System. It’s the
easiest way to get the most out of your reloading
press. These bushings let you take advantage
of Hornady’s Lock-N-Load technology even if you
own a competitor’s reloading press. The Lock-NLoad Conversion kit includes three die bushings
and one conversion bushing.
L-N-L Press Conversion Bushing No. 044095
(2-pk.) L-N-L Die Bushings No. 044094
(3-pk.) L-N-L Die Bushings No. 044093
(10-pk.) L-N-L Die Bushings No. 044096
L-N-L Conversion Kit No. 044099
™
PRODUCT WARRANTY
WARRANTY: Hornady product warranty extends to the original purchaser of the reloading dies. Hornady product warranty does not apply to
commercial reloaders.
WARRANTY COVERAGE: Hornady reloading dies are warranted against defective materials and workmanship. Hornady NEW DIMENSION dies
are guaranteed not to break or wear out from normal use. THIS WARRANTY IS VOID IF THE PRODUCT (1) has been damaged by accident or
unreasonable use, neglect, improper service or other causes not arising out of defects in material or workmanship, or (2) has been altered or
repairs have been made or attempted by other than authorized factory personnel, or (3) is used commercially or (4) has been altered or
defaced in any way. Reloading dies will be either replaced or reconditioned (at Hornady’s option) when product is returned prepaid, to:
HORNADY WARRANTY REPAIR SERVICE, 3625 OLD POTASH HIGHWAY, GRAND ISLAND, NE 68803. The replacement will continue the warranty of
the original product, or ninety days, whichever is longer.
P.O. Box 1848 • Grand Island, NE 68802-1848
2/04 780140
(308) 382-1390 • 800-338-3220
www.hornady.com
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