NEW DIES BY HORNADY

Huntsalotey · 03-13-2004, 03:38 PM

I stuck one of my Lee dies so I had to get another set. in the stores around me the only thing I could find was Hornady Custom Grade Full Length Dies. I bought them. I have used them for 2 days so far and seem to love them. What is your all's opinion on these Hornady Dies??
thanks
Whitey

oldelkhunter · 03-15-2004, 12:18 PM

I have 2 of their full length die sets one in 7-08 and the other in 7 WSM...a gunsmith friend of mine really likes them over most everything . The internal polishing is a mirror finish on both sizer and seater. I have pretty much always used RCBS and lately Redding so when I get more bullets built I ll let you know meanwhile they appear to be extremely well built dies.

Vapodog · 03-15-2004, 12:25 PM

until Hornady goes back to using a threaded spindle like the original Pacific dies had I'll not give a dime for a truckload of their dies.

oldelkhunter · 03-15-2004, 01:51 PM

So what are you saying that the unthreaded spindle causes problems?

270BBR · 03-15-2004, 03:15 PM

I bought a set of Hornady neck sizing dies; I used them on some nickel cases and the expander ball wore down so far that I could not seat the bullet, yes I used sizing lube on the cases.

Vapodog · 03-15-2004, 04:24 PM

Quote:

So what are you saying that the unthreaded spindle causes problems?

Yes!!!!!

When I need a pipewrench and a box-end wrench to tighten down a die set I look to another mfr.

It's why there is several dozen RCBS dies on my reloading bench and only one set of Hornady dies.

westbronco · 03-15-2004, 05:17 PM

Vapodog makes a very good point. Why Hornady uses a collet with a smooth shaft is beyond me. If you don't really tighten the holding nut, the shaft slips and you can't get the expander out of the case. Their expanders are nicely shaped, but they should be on a threaded shaft like RCBS.

Huntsalotey · 03-15-2004, 06:47 PM

how about putting to locking nuts or holding nuts on the shaft together and tightening them against one another. Do you think that would hold much better?

handloader1 · 03-15-2004, 10:55 PM

I purchased a set of Lee RGB Full Length Sized Dies which also use a non-threated spindle and button (decapper) system. The first time I used them the decapper stayed in the case mouth. I then tightend the decapper clamp, but it still did not hold the decapper. I eventually over tightened the decapper clamp, and it stripped out the die. I sent the die back to Lee, and they replaced it, but it was a very aggrivating and time consuming experence. Good luck.

oldelkhunter · 03-16-2004, 08:09 AM

I'll have to check out that "feature' Vapo...I haven't run into it yet but if it happens I'll let you know. If they screw up I go back to Redding's which are a far step up the ladder then RCBS...