Hornady Universal Blank Dies User Manual

Universal

Blank Dies

InstructIons

These dies are designed to allow shooters
the oppor tunity to manufacture/load blank
rounds for use in activities centered around
this type of sport; i.e. Cowboy Action
Shooting, Honor Guard, Reenactments, dog
training, etc.

See drawing on opposite side for reference.

1.

Start with approximately 2" of the
adjusting screw showing above the
adjusting screw lock ring of the Crimp
Start Die.

2.

Place cartridge case into shell holder
and run the ram to the top of the stroke
of the press.

3.

With the ram at the top of the stroke,
thread the Crimp Start Die into the
press until one of the following
happens:

A.

The Crimp Start Die makes contact
with the cartridge case (some rifle
cases).

B.

The Crimp Start Die contacts the
shell holder, in which case, un-thread
die one-half to one full turn (most
pistol cases) .

4.

At this point, the crimp die lock ring
can be threaded against the press and
locked.

5.

If the crimp start sleeve has not
made contact with the cartridge case
(instance 3B), thread the adjusting
screw into the die until contact is made.

6.

Obtain a “star shaped” crimp by
lowering the ram of the press and
threading the adjusting screw into
the die. Raise the ram to the top of the
stroke again. Continue this step until
the serrations in the cartridge case
come nearly to a point or the mouth of
the cartridge case is closed.

The Crimp Start Die is now set. In
some instances, the crimp start die will
sufficiently close the cartridge case to
form the blank round and no finish crimp
will be necessary.

7.

If a finish crimp is necessary to close
the case mouth, remove Crimp Start Die
from the press continue with step 8.

8.

Repeat steps 1-6 using the crimped
cartridge case with the Finish Crimp
Die until cartridge case mouth is closed
enough for the desired blank round.

Please Note: Adjustments can be made
to the amount of crimp start and finish to
obtain the ideal round. For example, if too
much of either start or finish crimp force is
applied to the cartridge case, it may bulge
and not chamber properly.

CRIMP START DIE

2"

CRIMP FINISH DIE

ADJUST ING
SCREW

ADJUST ING
SCRE W LOCK
RING

SURE LOC K
LOCK RING

CRIMP
START SEEVE

CRIMP FINI SH SEEVE

P.O. Box 1848 • Grand Island, NE 68802-1848

[phone] • www.hornady.com