hornady new dim dies User Guide

NEW

DIMENSION

Custom-GradeTM Dies

TM

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 sufce.

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 rie 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 rie 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
sufciently, 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 specic 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.