Hydraulic forming die review... with pics!

[4xforfun]

You want to rent it out for a week? I have 200 new 6br casses.

 

[queen_stick]

You want to rent it out for a week? I have 200 new 6br casses.

pm sent.

 

[queen_stick]

I have just received an e-mail fom the manufacturer, who informs me their custom department has a 12 wek delay on such production.

Guess I should have ordered one, before I wanted it

Yellow, that stinks

Is it just me or....do i see the O.A.L. getting shorter as the case gets closer to it`s intended shape?

I just measured the cases. They're all within 2 thousandths of one another, and appear to be unrelated to the forming procedure. The 'smiley case' was the longest, and the case marked "III" was the shortest. Basically, there was no trend that showed the cases getting shorter as they reached the desired size. That picture is just an optical illusion that I couldn't replicate if I tried! LOL!

 

[GermanS1]

With many thanks to Walt for his generous permission (not to mention great writing and pictures), the article is now posted here: http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2011/03/reloading-hornady-hydraulic-forming-die.html

 

[Rustystud]

I bought a 6mmBRX Hydraulic forming die from Hornady. I formed up 300 pieces of virgin 6mmBR Lapua brass into 6mmBRX. It all looked very good. I then loaded it with a known 32.5 grains of Varget. I had case head seperations on about a dozen. I had stretch rings in the web on about 80% of the others. It cost me a finish in the 2009 F-Class Nationals. I ended up throwing away all that brass. Maybe it was opperator error on my part. I had great expectations but was quite dissapointed.

I have gone back to fire forming with 29.5 grains Varget of powder and 105s or 107 jammed ino the rifling. They are plenty accurate for use to 600 yards. After fire forming I go to an established full 6mmBRX load

My 6mmBRX Hydraulic forming die is for sale. Check the classified.
Nat Lambeth

 

[4xforfun]

I bought a 6mmBRX Hydraulic forming die from Hornady. I formed up 300 pieces of virgin 6mmBR Lapua brass into 6mmBRX. It all looked very good. I then loaded it with a known 32.5 grains of Varget. I had case head seperations on about a dozen. I had stretch rings in the web on about 80% of the others. It cost me a finish in the 2009 F-Class Nationals. I ended up throwing away all that brass. Maybe it was opperator error on my part. I had great expectations but was quite dissapointed.

I have gone back to fire forming with 29.5 grains Varget of powder and 105s or 107 jammed ino the rifling. They are plenty accurate for use to 600 yards. After fire forming I go to an established full 6mmBRX load

My 6mmBRX Hydraulic forming die is for sale. Check the classified.
Nat Lambeth

Anyone else with a bad report? I was just going to pull the trigger (no pun intended) on a way to get my 200 new 6br brass "hydoformed". Now I am a bit nervous.

 

[bozo699]

4Xforfun,
I have only heard good things about the dies and was going to buy one, but with a accomplished gunsmith and shooter had that much of a problem I am now skeptical as well. Does Hornady have a review section on the subject? might throw the subject out on BR central as well.
Wayne.

 

[queen_stick]

Thanks for sharing your experience Nat.

After speaking with German, I plan on doing a "follow up review," which compares the "hydro-die" formed brass to the traditional "load-and-shoot" formed brass.

Your results are very interesting! It sounds like the clearance between the shell holder and the base of the die (headspace) may have be too much to support the web area? Do you think that might be the cause?

Walt