Hydraulic Case-Forming with Hornady Die
- Thread starter kj
- Start date
Jay Christopherson
Not An Admin
I'd like to, but I haven't been able to get a response from anyone at Hornady (i.e., Lonnie Hummel) about it.
yes i had a set built by Hornady.. Ben Stylin did mine Lonnie was on vacation at the time...
if your thinking of getting a hydraulic die made you should consider making a Fl die as well
you'll need 3 or 4 fired cases from said chamber an a detailed measured drawing of the reamer...
Edit: thats.. Syring
if your thinking of getting a hydraulic die made you should consider making a Fl die as well
you'll need 3 or 4 fired cases from said chamber an a detailed measured drawing of the reamer...
Edit: thats.. Syring
I've had one in 6mm Dasher for a few years. I've only formed 210 pieces, my first set of brass.
Here's what I found:
Use a lead dead blow hammer. I used an iron blacksmith hammer and bent the ram stem pretty early in my process. Luckily I had a replacement from Lonnie in a few days. After bending the first stem, I put an oak board on top of the stem to absorb the hard shock. I've got a 3 lb deadblow now for the next use.
Buy an old used press to form cases. I have no desire beating on my Redding Big Boss.
Set up the headspace a few thou too long, then bump them back before final loading--helps form the shoulder better. But don't get too carried away. I think I made them .003" too long w/ the form die.
Blow the cases dry with an air compressor after forming them (I believe Lonnie told me that).
Lonnie made the form die and my sizing die from my PTG reamer drawing--I didn't have any fired brass since it was a new project.
You'll dent a few shoulders, so plan on forming more than you need. I think I ruined about 5 out of 210 pieces.
Its time consuming, and your arm gets tired. I think I did 20-30 at a time. But other methods take time too.
I'll need more brass in the next year or 2, and will be using the die again.
Here's what I found:
Use a lead dead blow hammer. I used an iron blacksmith hammer and bent the ram stem pretty early in my process. Luckily I had a replacement from Lonnie in a few days. After bending the first stem, I put an oak board on top of the stem to absorb the hard shock. I've got a 3 lb deadblow now for the next use.
Buy an old used press to form cases. I have no desire beating on my Redding Big Boss.
Set up the headspace a few thou too long, then bump them back before final loading--helps form the shoulder better. But don't get too carried away. I think I made them .003" too long w/ the form die.
Blow the cases dry with an air compressor after forming them (I believe Lonnie told me that).
Lonnie made the form die and my sizing die from my PTG reamer drawing--I didn't have any fired brass since it was a new project.
You'll dent a few shoulders, so plan on forming more than you need. I think I ruined about 5 out of 210 pieces.
Its time consuming, and your arm gets tired. I think I did 20-30 at a time. But other methods take time too.
I'll need more brass in the next year or 2, and will be using the die again.
couple of hints...
a lead hammer is a must- both drano an i found that out
make sure your spent primer is in tight
the case should be Filled with water going up into the die Before you drop the pin
after each case is made 'i use the pin' run a patch up in the die to dry... it keeps those little wrinkels off the shoulder.. [like to much greese when resizing]
i then run that case up in the Fl sizer to finish
a lead hammer is a must- both drano an i found that out
make sure your spent primer is in tight
the case should be Filled with water going up into the die Before you drop the pin
after each case is made 'i use the pin' run a patch up in the die to dry... it keeps those little wrinkels off the shoulder.. [like to much greese when resizing]
i then run that case up in the Fl sizer to finish
SongdogHunter
Gold $$ Contributor
my 20 Killer Bee Hydro die was written up here a while back. Everything 25AI260 said is right but i didn't use a lead hammer.
SDH
SDH
Jay Christopherson
Not An Admin
I got through to Hornady regarding forming dies- apparently, Lonnie Hummel has moved positions and the guy I spoke to said I could post his contact info. So, for custom die work, you can contact:
Ben Syring
Custom Reloading Die Designer
Hornady Mfg. Co.
3625 W. Old Potash Hwy
Grand Island, NE 68803
bsynring@hornady.com
1-800-338-3220
Ben Syring
Custom Reloading Die Designer
Hornady Mfg. Co.
3625 W. Old Potash Hwy
Grand Island, NE 68803
bsynring@hornady.com
1-800-338-3220
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