Video, hydraulic forming dasher brass.

[Alex Wheeler]

Well, I am in the middle of the dreaded brass prep session. I always get a lot of questions about the hydraulic die. I figured I'd make a quick video. I hope it helps any one who mat be interested in the die.
Alex
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcUTbYzmVRY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WurfzX6ARLc

 

[FroggyOne2]

Thank you sir for the vids, very nice.

 

[firearmdoc1]

Nice job on the video. How tight does your rod have to fit the die and case? Is it stepped? Asking because I had thought of making my own.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Very tight, I'd say .001 or less. I could mic it out for you if you want. Unless you are going to send it out to get hardened I doubt it would last long.

 

[firearmdoc1]

Ok, thanks, I was thinking it should be pretty tight. I figured I could try making one just to settle my curiosity.

 

[Bamban]

Is there a remote possibility of igniting the primer?

 

[benjamin199]

Thanks for the video, that even looks easier than setting up a false shoulder and fire forming. Can you just load and shoot your regular match load after using the hydraulic die and then full length sizing?
What type of motor are you using for turning the necks, I have been looking to find one.
Ben

 

[Alex Wheeler]

No there is no way of igniting the primer. Especially if you use fired primers.
I have loaded my normal match load, amd it shoots good. If you match load is very hot you may want to back off a bit. The motor is from sinclair. You could easily make something, I was not in the mood when I bought that. Sometimes you just dont want to mess with it. It works well, but over priced.

 

[CaptainMal]

Thanks.

Never saw that done before. Good information.

 

[jlow]

Interesting and informative - thanks for the videos!

 

[bozo699]

Very well made video, thank you for sharing it, I always f.f because I like putting about a hundred rounds through my rifle before competing with it anyway but if you shoot a disipline that takes more then a 100 rounds or a varmint shooter I can see how this could be very nice indeed.
Wayne.

 

[LRPV]

Zfast, how do you keep from bending your stem? I used to pound nails for a living and I couldn't keep from bending the stem when hitting it with a hammer. I rigged up a pile driver of sorts so I could just drop it straight down on the stem. Then I was good to go but the hammer and I just didn't get along.
Jason

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I have never have an issue with bending the rod. I have even lent it to friends. I would think you would have to really hit the thing sideways to bend it. I use a dead blow, the rod is hardened, thats all I can say...?

 

[johara1]

Alex, I know some that use this set up on a press with two guide rods attached to the press. They have a weight that slides and attached to the guide rods and they mark the height to get a perfect case every time and no bent rods any more...... jim

 

[LRPV]

Zfast, I only made it through 3 cases before I bent that rod enough to notice and then after about 10 cases I couldn't get it straightened good enough to keep it from getting stuck in the die. Ben from Hornady sent me a new stem and I used the pile driver after that. Like Jim mentioned, I have it marked so that I am dropping the weight from the same distances everytime, not sure if it's necessary or not but it gives me a warm fuzzy.
Jason

 

[bozo699]

Zfast, I only made it through 3 cases before I bent that rod enough to notice and then after about 10 cases I couldn't get it straightened good enough to keep it from getting stuck in the die. Ben from Hornady sent me a new stem and I used the pile driver after that. Like Jim mentioned, I have it marked so that I am dropping the weight from the same distances everytime, not sure if it's necessary or not but it gives me a warm fuzzy.
Jason

Bwahahahaha!!!! I love it!!! someones loading bench that is almost as messy as mine! Jason that is why you bent your rod,.......you couldn't get close enough to the press to hit the ram straight and true, they were glancing blows Bwahahaha!!!! just kidding I couldn't resist!!! nice pile driver setup.
Wayne.

 

[fguffey]

In the old days, there was an advantage to having different shell holders, some did not have holes for punching and installing primers, some shell holder looking devises were used for swage bullets. If bending the mandrel was a problem different length mandrels could be used.

When using alcohol I suggest caution, as we all know alcohol is flammable. Then there is viscosity, my opinion, alcohol is the worst choice because it is thin and pours faster than water, a heavy weight oil would be better but would create a whole new set of problems when cleaning-up. One day someone will build a case forming booth/stall with a sump for recycling fluid.

F. Guffey

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I should clarify that I am using rubbing alchohol not denatured alchohol, it works great. Oil would be a horrible mess.

 

[johara1]

Wayne, That bench looks better than mine, I have trouble finding my gun once in a while....... LOL..... jim

 

[LRPV]

It's normally not that bad. LOL. That was while the pile driver was a work in progress. Plus that's only one side of the room. I have benches on 2 sides and a desk on the other. It wouldn't be too bad if I could get the shotgun stuff out of there as well as a couple of friends' stuff. If I would have been starting with a new barrel, I think I would have just fireformed them but I don't know.