.45 ACP resizing die (hornady)

[Loudcherokee]

Hey guys,

Finally got my Hornady LnL AP, and I decided to get some Hornady dies to go with it. I got the 3 die carbide set with the seater that has a built in taper crimp.

I'm not familiar with the Hornady dies, as I've used Lee dies all my reloading life. Just curious if my die is set correctly based on the picture below. I followed the instructions, but the case looks like it's not sized for the bottom part of the case. I dont recall seeing this on my Lee dies.

Nevermind the case on the left. Apparently with Hornady you dont screw a seating die down to touch the shell holder.

LC

 

[divingin]

Pretty sure the case on the left is incorrect.

I have the same setup as you (though I went to separate seating and crimp dies.)

I set my sizing die to just kiss the shellplate with a fired but unsized case run into it. That sets it up to size as far down on the case as the die will reach when the press is in use.

If you set it up for touch (or higher) without the force needed for sizing brass, the lack of press stretch and compression of the lower part of the press may cause the die not to size completely (you can check for that by running a piece of unsized brass in and checking for a gap between die base and shellplate.)

 

[Twicepop]

Hey guys,

Finally got my Hornady LnL AP, and I decided to get some Hornady dies to go with it. I got the 3 die carbide set with the seater that has a built in taper crimp.

I'm not familiar with the Hornady dies, as I've used Lee dies all my reloading life. Just curious if my die is set correctly based on the picture below. I followed the instructions, but the case looks like it's not sized for the bottom part of the case. I dont recall seeing this on my Lee dies.

Nevermind the case on the left. Apparently with Hornady you dont screw a seating die down to touch the shell holder.

LC

The case on the right, you have more than enough bell on the case mouth. Back the expander plug out a little, for jacketed bullets only enough bell to keep from crushing the case mouth is sufficient. Even for cast bullets, you can do with a slightly lesser mouth bell, overworking the brass will lead to premature case failure. For the case sizing, especially with carbide dies you don't want the ram/shell holder to contact the bottom of the die when sizing. The carbide inserts are cemented in and could crack or come loose if contact is made when case sizing. If the die is touching the ram at it's upmost position, back it off about 1/16-1/8th of a turn.

 

[Cecil S.]

I am slowly setting up the LNL AP just for my pistols. I am going the route of seat/crimp die in one so I can use a "powder cop" type die. Almost ready to begin pulling the handle and I want to get it right.

 

[Loudcherokee]

I am slowly setting up the LNL AP just for my pistols. I am going the route of seat/crimp die in one so I can use a "powder cop" type die. Almost ready to begin pulling the handle and I want to get it right.

Just from the past two days of messing with it, I can offer the advice of take it slow and pay attention. I'm pretty mechanically inclined and had some difficulty. There's alot going on at once with a progressive. I think I finally have it all setup and ready to go though. Just awaiting delivery of some 230 grain hollow points and I'll be rocking. Also getting the Mini Mr Bullet Feeder which should be here Friday. Hoping setup of that one will go smoothly.

LC

 

[spclark]

Seater's with crimp are a PITA to get set up consistently IMHO. Better to use the proper tool for each task to be accomplished, give yourself a pat on the back for not taking short cuts.

And that right-hand case is sized OK if the resulting loaded round will feed and chamber in your favorite instruments.

 

[Cecil S.]

Just from the past two days of messing with it, I can offer the advice of take it slow and pay attention. I'm pretty mechanically inclined and had some difficulty. There's alot going on at once with a progressive. I think I finally have it all setup and ready to go though. Just awaiting delivery of some 230 grain hollow points and I'll be rocking. Also getting the Mini Mr Bullet Feeder which should be here Friday. Hoping setup of that one will go smoothly.

LC

I read there is quite a difference between plated and lead bullets. I have the Mr Bullet for 10mm and will get another. I am almost there , good luck with your set up. One more thing....get a case gauge to help keep it safe.

 

[Outrider27]

Seater's with crimp are a PITA to get set up consistently IMHO. Better to use the proper tool for each task to be accomplished, give yourself a pat on the back for not taking short cuts.
...........

Definitely concur with seating and crimping in separate steps. Our straight wall pistol 3 die set became a 4 die set in short order (back in 1971 or 72), and all further calibers were ordered as 4 die sets. If you seat and crimp with one die, the bullet is still moving down in the case as the crimping is is causing the case mouth to dig into the bullet. That didn't strike me as optimum, given the resulting bullet deformation.

 

[spclark]

If you seat and crimp with one die, the bullet is still moving down in the case as the crimping is [happening] causing the case mouth to dig into the bullet.

Yep, why it’s to be avoided when loading for accuracy. With cast it’s even more important as the lube that comes off bullets can affect crimp; doing these operations separately gives you a chance to wipe excess lube off between steps, whether you bother to or not’s up to you.

 

[JMA]

Any time I tried to seat and crimp at same time [rifle or pistol] ended up with bulged cases.
Gave it up early in my reloading career.

 

[biggun2869]

Hey guys,

Finally got my Hornady LnL AP, and I decided to get some Hornady dies to go with it. I got the 3 die carbide set with the seater that has a built in taper crimp.

I'm not familiar with the Hornady dies, as I've used Lee dies all my reloading life. Just curious if my die is set correctly based on the picture below. I followed the instructions, but the case looks like it's not sized for the bottom part of the case. I dont recall seeing this on my Lee dies.

Nevermind the case on the left. Apparently with Hornady you dont screw a seating die down to touch the shell holder.

LC

I don't like built in taper crimp seater. In my mind they should be seperate. I use a Dillon SQ Deal B for 45 ACP. My 1st dies for 45 ACP are RCBS with built in taper crimp and could really never get it right even with freshly trimmed cases. That seater die (RCBS) was always "tight" feeling and like you I ruined some cases

 

[Loudcherokee]

Well I appreciate all the replies for sure. I'm going to give it a go with the combo die to see what it can do, and if not I have a separate crimp die on stand by. I can always just crimp on my single stage if I want to keep my bullet feeder and powder cop. It's my first go with a progressive so I kind of want the powder cop on there for insurance.

The hornady seat/crimp die seems to get pretty good reviews from what all I've seen so hopefully it will perform to expectations.

LC

 

[divingin]

The case on the right, you have more than enough bell on the case mouth.

I was going to say a little too much, but that's kind of subjective without seeing the bullet. You need just enough flare to keep from shaving the bullet (if lead) or catching the mouth on the base (if jacketed); any more than that is just hastening case mouth splits.

One thing I do like (especially for long lead bullets, such as 32 or 38 wadcutters) is an M-die expander. Not really needed for squat bullets like 45, but it wouldn't hurt (though you can't get an M-die powder-through expander unless you get one custom made, as far as I know.)

On crimping, unless you're shooting really hot loads with tons of recoil, you just need to roll the flare out, or a slight bit more; try to crimp too hard and you'll bulge the case down lower (possibly loosening up the bullet in the case.)

Setting up, work from case insertion around the press, i.e. set up sizing, decapping, and priming, then move on to the flare, check your powder dump operation, then set up seating/crimping.

On the latter, seat a bullet to your desired depth (don't worry about crimp yet) and set that aside. Take a few sized and flared cases, and set your crimp to wherever you want without a bullet in place. Lock the die in position, reinsert your seated case, and run the seater stem down to touch. It may take a bit more fine tuning to get it set up the way you want. Lock the stem and you're set. Quickest way I've found to set it up.

 

[Loudcherokee]

So just wanted to report that I finally got the seat/crimp die and the bullet feed die setup. I made a few dummy rounds while setting up then confirmed all mymeasurements.

I'm getting a consistent OAL at 1.230 and a crimp at .471. I'm using Berrys hybrid hollow points which are. 452 diameter.

The die was fairly easy to adjust and setup. From my extremely limited experience, it seems like it's going to work ok.

The die has a separate adjustment and lock ring each for the crimp ring and the seating stem. Perhaps this leads to my positive results. Not sure without more testing.

I've still got to set my powder charge, and setup my powder cop then I'm ready to go. Having to do all this in small chunks of time so I havent been able to actually sit and experience "progressive" loading.

LC

 

[Mad_Charlie]

 

[Loudcherokee]

Are those powder funnels?

LC

 

[308 5R]

Resizing die
Lyman M die
Redding micrometer seater die
Redding micrometer taper crimp die

Life is too short to deal with these headaches.

Semper Fi
Ryan

 

[Mad_Charlie]

Are those powder funnels?

LC

Powder through expander, with "M" step.

 

[Loudcherokee]

Powder through expander, with "M" step.

Where are those from? Are they for the Hornady? I got one with my bullet feeder die from Mr Bullet Feeder that has the m step. It works quite nicely.

LC