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Fans of the Hornady new dimension dies?
- Thread starter slm9s
- Start date
Re: Fans of the Hornady new dimension dies?
I only have one set of Hornady New Dimensions, and it's for 45-70 Govt, so I've never used them for a botteleneck rifle cartridge. I really feel though that the sliding sleeve is a great thing. My Forster and Redding Competition dies have them, so obviously they think it's a good idea too, but only offer the feature on their top end seaters. My only complaint about the Hornady's, and it's a minor one, is the retaining clip that holds the sleeve in. I find it cheesy, and surely there's a better way than a simple pin in c-clip, but it hasn't affected function of my dies at all. I'm always feeling that it could fall out and get lost for some reason.
To answer your question, no I haven't thought of replacing my dies with Hornady just for the sliding alignment sleeve, as I'm plenty happy with the ammo that my other dies are making. In the future I plan to buy Forster dies for new calibers I acquire only for the fact that I prefer their lock rings for use in my Forster press and I don't want to buy new lock rings at $3+ each for every new die set I buy. If it were not for that I would probably buy Hornady, as they cost less than Redding and Forster in my general observations, and seem to be higher quality than RCBS or Lee.
To be truthful, I didn't care for Hornady much when I got into shooting and handloading. The more I use their stuff lately the more impressed I am, though. Not just with the quality of their equipment, but also the accuracy of their projectiles and factory loaded ammo. It's funny how experience can totally prove first impressions wrong. Now if they would just give up on the RCM's and start producing ammo and brass for the WSM family of cartridges...
I only have one set of Hornady New Dimensions, and it's for 45-70 Govt, so I've never used them for a botteleneck rifle cartridge. I really feel though that the sliding sleeve is a great thing. My Forster and Redding Competition dies have them, so obviously they think it's a good idea too, but only offer the feature on their top end seaters. My only complaint about the Hornady's, and it's a minor one, is the retaining clip that holds the sleeve in. I find it cheesy, and surely there's a better way than a simple pin in c-clip, but it hasn't affected function of my dies at all. I'm always feeling that it could fall out and get lost for some reason.
To answer your question, no I haven't thought of replacing my dies with Hornady just for the sliding alignment sleeve, as I'm plenty happy with the ammo that my other dies are making. In the future I plan to buy Forster dies for new calibers I acquire only for the fact that I prefer their lock rings for use in my Forster press and I don't want to buy new lock rings at $3+ each for every new die set I buy. If it were not for that I would probably buy Hornady, as they cost less than Redding and Forster in my general observations, and seem to be higher quality than RCBS or Lee.
To be truthful, I didn't care for Hornady much when I got into shooting and handloading. The more I use their stuff lately the more impressed I am, though. Not just with the quality of their equipment, but also the accuracy of their projectiles and factory loaded ammo. It's funny how experience can totally prove first impressions wrong. Now if they would just give up on the RCM's and start producing ammo and brass for the WSM family of cartridges...
Re: Fans of the Hornady new dimension dies?
Use them in 357 and 44 mag; they are great. I have Dillon dies in other calibers and prefer the Hornady's.
Use them in 357 and 44 mag; they are great. I have Dillon dies in other calibers and prefer the Hornady's.
Re: Fans of the Hornady new dimension dies?
Almost all my dies are Hornady and all of my seating dies are Hornady. I've been happy with the products as of yet and the customer service has been good. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase more.
Almost all my dies are Hornady and all of my seating dies are Hornady. I've been happy with the products as of yet and the customer service has been good. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase more.
Re: Fans of the Hornady new dimension dies?
I sorta like 'em because Hornady's short sliding bullet sleeve makes it easier for fumble fingered people to put bullets in correctly but it does virtually nothing to reduce runout compared to conventional seaters, they are much too loosey fitted for that. Most runout comes from poor case necks anyway and no seater can correct that.
I sorta like 'em because Hornady's short sliding bullet sleeve makes it easier for fumble fingered people to put bullets in correctly but it does virtually nothing to reduce runout compared to conventional seaters, they are much too loosey fitted for that. Most runout comes from poor case necks anyway and no seater can correct that.
Re: Fans of the Hornady new dimension dies?
All my die sets are Hornady, except the Dillon dies on my progressive. Like the others have said, I love the bullet seating stem as well. I couldn't say they seat any "better" than any other brand, just more convenient.
All my die sets are Hornady, except the Dillon dies on my progressive. Like the others have said, I love the bullet seating stem as well. I couldn't say they seat any "better" than any other brand, just more convenient.
Re: Fans of the Hornady new dimension dies?
I use 'em and like 'em. They really shine when loading flat base bullets. Their $20 micrometer works really well also. I like the fact you can move it from die to die easily.
I use 'em and like 'em. They really shine when loading flat base bullets. Their $20 micrometer works really well also. I like the fact you can move it from die to die easily.
Re: Fans of the Hornady new dimension dies?
I like the seater, but I'm not a big fan of the F/L sizer. I prefer a threaded adjustment for the expander/decapper stem with a locknut over the collet and smooth shaft. I don't see that as an improvement.
I like the seater, but I'm not a big fan of the F/L sizer. I prefer a threaded adjustment for the expander/decapper stem with a locknut over the collet and smooth shaft. I don't see that as an improvement.
Re: Fans of the Hornady new dimension dies?
I use their seater die with the micrometer for my 308, and I'm happy with it.
The FL sizer that came with the set sucks though. No matter what type or amount of lube I use I get stuck cases in it fairly often. Never had a stuck case in the RCBS FL die I normally use.
I use their seater die with the micrometer for my 308, and I'm happy with it.
The FL sizer that came with the set sucks though. No matter what type or amount of lube I use I get stuck cases in it fairly often. Never had a stuck case in the RCBS FL die I normally use.
Re: Fans of the Hornady new dimension dies?
Another guy with the seating die set up with the micrometer, works real well for me and accurate as well. The full legth resizer though is not great in my oppinion. Cases will tend to want to get stuck, no matter how you lube them. For my FL resizing I stick with an RCBS.
Another guy with the seating die set up with the micrometer, works real well for me and accurate as well. The full legth resizer though is not great in my oppinion. Cases will tend to want to get stuck, no matter how you lube them. For my FL resizing I stick with an RCBS.
Re: Fans of the Hornady new dimension dies?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm not a big fan of the F/L sizer. I prefer a threaded adjustment for the expander/decapper stem with a locknut over the collet and smooth shaft. . </div></div>
i agree with that , but my hornady 50 bmg die did a superior job compared to the POS rcbs f/l sizer. The seater was better to. I cant reccomend that RCBS 50 bmg f/l die , ... POS
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm not a big fan of the F/L sizer. I prefer a threaded adjustment for the expander/decapper stem with a locknut over the collet and smooth shaft. . </div></div>
i agree with that , but my hornady 50 bmg die did a superior job compared to the POS rcbs f/l sizer. The seater was better to. I cant reccomend that RCBS 50 bmg f/l die , ... POS
Re: Fans of the Hornady new dimension dies?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: slm9s</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Seems like the way they keep the bullet straight would sure cut down on runout. I've thought about replacing all my RCBS/Redding dies, anyone done this?
thanks. </div></div>
What calibers are you looking to replace? I might swap for Redding if we have a match.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: slm9s</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Seems like the way they keep the bullet straight would sure cut down on runout. I've thought about replacing all my RCBS/Redding dies, anyone done this?
thanks. </div></div>
What calibers are you looking to replace? I might swap for Redding if we have a match.
Re: Fans of the Hornady new dimension dies?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: thespecialist</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
The FL sizer that came with the set sucks though. No matter what type or amount of lube I use I get stuck cases in it fairly often. Never had a stuck case in the RCBS FL die I normally use. </div></div>
Same here. I hate Hornady's FL sizer dies. Replaced all of them with Redding.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: thespecialist</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
The FL sizer that came with the set sucks though. No matter what type or amount of lube I use I get stuck cases in it fairly often. Never had a stuck case in the RCBS FL die I normally use. </div></div>
Same here. I hate Hornady's FL sizer dies. Replaced all of them with Redding.
Re: Fans of the Hornady new dimension dies?
I have them in .223 and .308, love the .223 dies, sizer works great with low effort, sliding sleeve makes flat based bullets a breeze. In .308 though I was disappointed, they come with a seating stem that will deform Hornady match bullets, can't speak to other bullet designs/brands, after screwing up two I refused to try anymore. Contacted Hornady and was told if I wanted to load match bullets I needed to buy the Amax stem, I should've returned them, but I bought one and it works on 150gr soft points, 178gr BTHPs, and numerous other designs in between. My question is why don't they come with this stem? My father's Redding die seats any bullet profile without issue. The .308 FL sizer must not be machined as well as the .223, I haven't stuck a case, but it takes a lot of pressure and I'm generous with the lube.
I have them in .223 and .308, love the .223 dies, sizer works great with low effort, sliding sleeve makes flat based bullets a breeze. In .308 though I was disappointed, they come with a seating stem that will deform Hornady match bullets, can't speak to other bullet designs/brands, after screwing up two I refused to try anymore. Contacted Hornady and was told if I wanted to load match bullets I needed to buy the Amax stem, I should've returned them, but I bought one and it works on 150gr soft points, 178gr BTHPs, and numerous other designs in between. My question is why don't they come with this stem? My father's Redding die seats any bullet profile without issue. The .308 FL sizer must not be machined as well as the .223, I haven't stuck a case, but it takes a lot of pressure and I'm generous with the lube.
Re: Fans of the Hornady new dimension dies?
I'll tell you one other secret about Hornady FL resizer. They are cut to much tighter tolerances than RCBS dies. I have a 7mm mag Browning that wouldn't chamber reloads from RCBS dies. I called RCBS and they told me their resizers weren't cut to minimum spec. I had to pull apart a box of loaded shells to resize with new Hornady New Dimension dies. Ever since that little screw up...I have bought anybody but RCBS dies (but mostly Hornady).
I'll tell you one other secret about Hornady FL resizer. They are cut to much tighter tolerances than RCBS dies. I have a 7mm mag Browning that wouldn't chamber reloads from RCBS dies. I called RCBS and they told me their resizers weren't cut to minimum spec. I had to pull apart a box of loaded shells to resize with new Hornady New Dimension dies. Ever since that little screw up...I have bought anybody but RCBS dies (but mostly Hornady).
