Hornday Hydraulic Form Die???

[demarpaint]

Any Wildcat shooters using a Hornady Hydraulic Form Die? I heard about it the other day, and gave Hornady a call to get some information. It sounds like a good idea for forming brass for a Widlcat w/o, using cornmeal, or actually fire forming. Sounds like a good way to save wear on a barrel, but I have my doubts, and would like opinions from people who have used them. If anyone has used one let me know what you think.

Thanks,
Frank D

 

[SongdogHunter]

Frank i have used one to form .20 Killer Bee cases. Forms they out well probably 90+ %. One issue I had was the plunger rod was not tight enough and it allowed water to seep by without forming the case. Hornady really should make these from SS as when you get a bunch of water inside a die they tend to rust fairly quick.

SDH

 

[demarpaint]

Thanks for the reply and pictures. I called them yesterday and thought it was a good idea, at least in theory. I am looking into forming 30-338 Lapua brass to save wear on a barrel, and don't want to use the COW method. Do you think it will work with a case that big? I was trying to visualize how exactly it works, and was a little concerned with setting the die up in my press with water in the case, caming it over, and hitting that,plunger?) with a lead hammer?

 

[reloader243]

Never heard of Hyd Form dies from Hornady, sounds interesting. Where can I find info on available dies? Hornady site shows no info in die section.I'd like to preform 243 AI before the 1st fireforming,if it is possible.

 

[demarpaint]

You would have to call them and ask to speak with Lonnie, or Bill,I think). They are not a cataloged item, and that's why not too many people are aware they even exist. The die can be made from a reamer drawing, or a fire-formed case.

HTH,
Frank D

 

[40XBR]

Frank,

One of my shooting buddies uses the Hornady Hydraulic former.

His is in 280 Hummel-Kiff, an improved 280 Rem variant. Judging by what I've seen I'd agree that they are at least 90% formed. They look pretty crisp at the shoulder out of the die and are ready to go after the first firing.

I beleive my buddy said the die was in the $100 range.

Hope to have been helpful

 

[drano38]

I'm might be ordering one of these too in 6 Dasher

Songdoghunter and 40XBR:
Do the cases form well enough to headspace well in the chamber? I'd have Hornady make a sizing die and a hydraulic forming die. If cases form well enough so that the shoulder is on the chamber shoulder to hold headspace, that would be great. If not, I'd have to bullet jamb into the rifling to hold the case against the bolt face, sorta defeating the hydraulic forming.

Catshooter, oil sounds logical for better forming, but how would the oil be removed from the case? I don't have an ultrasonic, and don't think corn cob would clean up the inside. Any suggestions?

Thanks
Drano

 

[demarpaint]

Thanks for the info.

dmoran: They price the dies based on the size of the parent case brass. They quoted me $151 + shipping, which I felt was reasonable if it does its job. A buddy emailed me when he saw this post and said he remembers that the die works great for the smaller wildcats, and wasn't as good for bigger cases. I was looking to form 338 Lapua brass for my 30-338 Lapua. I am having my doubts now.

Frank D

 

[Stonewall]

A good description complete with drawings of the Gibbs hydraulic case former can be found on page 27 -29 in "Gibbs Cartridges and Front Ignition Loading Technique " ISBN 0-935632-99-9.

You could make one with a 7/8-14 nut and bolt for a lot less than what that Hornady die costs .

Glenn

 

[SongdogHunter]

I paid $100.00 fro my die set and formed a few hundred rounds for it earlier this year. I finally get to shoot it this weekend. Oil would work too and could be easily cleaned out the case with lacquer thinner or acetone. It worked very well in fact Lonnie told me the larger cases work better than the smaller cases. I wouldn't wast the time on a .243AI as they shoot well enough in the factory config.
FWIW: they do headspace fine.


SDH