Setting up Hornady resizing die

[Rmitch223]

I'm fairly new to reloading. I'm getting ready to start reloading .243 for my Rem. 700 SPS V.

My question is that I see a lot of people setting up there sizing die by raising the ram and turning in the sizing die until it touches the shell holder then lowering the ram and turning in the sizing die another 1/8 to 1/4 turn. I recently took a local NRA certified reloading class and the instructor suggested this method but does not have experience with the Hornady dies I will be using.

In the instructions that come with the Hornady dies it says to screw the die down until it touches the shell holder when the ram is at its highest position without camming over them lower the ram and tighten the lock ring and its set.

Which way do I need to setup my die for proper resizing to insure a safe and accurate headspace?

Thanks,

Ryan

[76Highboy]

Originally Posted by Rmitch223

I'm fairly new to reloading. I'm getting ready to start reloading .243 for my Rem. 700 SPS V.

My question is that I see a lot of people setting up there sizing die by raising the ram and turning in the sizing die until it touches the shell holder then lowering the ram and turning in the sizing die another 1/8 to 1/4 turn. I recently took a local NRA certified reloading class and the instructor suggested this method but does not have experience with the Hornady dies I will be using.

In the instructions that come with the Hornady dies it says to screw the die down until it touches the shell holder when the ram is at its highest position without camming over them lower the ram and tighten the lock ring and its set.

Which way do I need to setup my die for proper resizing to insure a safe and accurate headspace?

Thanks,

Ryan

I have the exact same setup as you with the same dies. I set it up to where you could put a piece of paper between the die and the shell plate (Hornady progressive press)/ shell holder (Hornady single stage). I don't "Literally" put a piece up paper into it, but I get it close. I personally don't allow the die to touch the shell plate/holder, but it's darn close.

That will work for you on everything you are loading. Hope that helps.

[76Highboy]

Also, rmitch223, welcome to the forum.

[Bindernut]

Follow the directions that came with the dies. That will get you set up to fully resize your brass.
The die has a "chamber" cut in it just like your rifle's barrel. With the shellholder touching the base of the die it acts just like the chamber in your rifle with the bolt closed and locked...it is a fixed size and can't size the brass any smaller to cause headspace problems unless your rifle has an oversize chamber.

Hornady rifle dies adjust the same as every other brand of "standard" rifle dies. RCBS, Lee, Lyman, etc... the basic concept is the same across the board until you get into some specialized sizing dies like neck sizers, collet sizers, etc.


To adjust the decapping stem on the Hornady dies, loosen the locking nut and press/turn the stem up or down as needed. You want the decapping pin sticking out the bottom of the die but you don't want the expander portion of the stem to protrude beyond the base of the die.


If you have any more questions, feel free to post them up. And welcome to TFF!

[CBirnley]

Ryan,

How was the class? I have been looking for one in NE, but nothing is available. I was thinking of traveling to a course, but was concerned about the value.

[243winxb]

Set the FL die to touch the shell holder & lock the ring while in contact. This squares the die with the shell holder. If the sized brass will chamber, no extra 1/8 turn down of the die is needed. This will give a safe working headspace.