New dies new Problem

markg · #1 08-07-2023, 09:54 PM

I just got a new set of hornady custom grade dies. I normally buy redding competition or Forester but these were all I could get for the 22 Creedmoor that were in stock.

I cleaned them as per Hornadys instruction to remove the grease used to keep them from rusting during transport.

I pre set the die in the press as per instructions. I then put a powder charged case with a bullet and turn the seating stem till it engages the bullet. I lower the press handle to see if the bullet is partially seated and measure COAL. Well darned if the bullet stayed stuck in the die and the sleave for the case wont drop. I wonder if the new box of bullets I just purchased are the wrong diameter. Measured them with my micrometer and they are fine. Try to knock the bullet out of die by removing the top cap and seater stem; then hit it with a wooden dowling. Nope.

SO what could I have done wrong? Never used these dies before.
Or is there a manufacturers defect with this set of dies

DLab · #2 08-07-2023, 10:09 PM

Is the guide sleeve stuck? If you remove the keeper wire half ring that holds the bullet guide in the die you should be able to remove.
You may have had the die too far down to start or perhaps the incorrect seating stem?
Did you disassemble the dies completely to clean?

markg · #3 08-07-2023, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DLab

Is the guide sleeve stuck? If you remove the keeper wire half ring that holds the bullet guide in the die you should be able to remove.
You may have had the die too far down to start or perhaps the incorrect seating stem?
Did you disassemble the dies completely to clean?

I did clean them. I used the seating stem they came with. I see that there is a second stem in the box. I didnt put the dies deep at all because there is a crimp function and I dont use that.

I first put a case on the shell holder raised the ram. I screwed the die down till it touched the case, then backed it off a full turn. Then I put a bullet in and turned the seating stem screw part down until it just touched then I wanted to see what the COAL was but then bullet was stuck.

I should add that I reload several thousand rounds a year across a few cartridges and die makes and models. Havent had a die issue for years (since I was a newb reloader) Many thanks to CatntheHat for alot of advice back in those times!

Mind you this is the first experience with this die brand. So maybe this is a newb mistake.

catnthehat · #4 08-07-2023, 11:00 PM

You may have the wrong seating stem in there .
I would disassemble the die, take the bullet out of the stem and compare it with the spare one. Just try a bullet in each one in your hands, the proper one should be readily evident .
Cat

DLab · #5 08-07-2023, 11:18 PM

Not sure if this will help, I screwed seating dies in my press from both a Match and Custom die set and the bullet guide sleeve barely touches the shell holder, lots of clearance from the die body itself.
Seems weird just screwing the seater stem to contact and sticking the bullet that hard.
I know you are an experienced loader Mark.The Custom grade come with an extra seater stem, Match grade come with a VLD type as an extra.
Thought maybe that could be the issue, improper match between bullet and seater stem?
I dunno.
I see Cat beat me to it while I went to check.

6.5 shooter · #6 08-08-2023, 12:37 AM

This may not be related but I had a set of dies (Hornady I believe) and the bullet seater stem had a really rough "cone" for holding the projectile as it seated it in the case. It held the bullet firm enough that it would pull it from the case on the down stroke. I had to pull the bullet with a pair of pliers to "un seat" the bullet from the stem.

I removed the seater stem and lightly polished the "seater cone" with a the smoothest cone shaped stone in my Dremel kit, problem solved. I am not sure if this is your exact problem? but this trick worked for me.

pikergolf · #7 08-08-2023, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6.5 shooter

This may not be related but I had a set of dies (Hornady I believe) and the bullet seater stem had a really rough "cone" for holding the projectile as it seated it in the case. It held the bullet firm enough that it would pull it from the case on the down stroke. I had to pull the bullet with a pair of pliers to "un seat" the bullet from the stem.

I removed the seater stem and lightly polished the "seater cone" with a the smoothest cone shaped stone in my Dremel kit, problem solved. I am not sure if this is your exact problem? but this trick worked for me.

600 grit sand paper wrapped around the sharp end of a pencil will work as well.

32-40win · #8 08-08-2023, 01:19 PM

That is a strange one, saw where someone had a case stuck in the sliding sleeve in the last couple of days, that one was another head scratcher too.

markg · #9 08-08-2023, 08:40 PM

I contacted X Reload the people I bought the die from and they basically said that Its a user error and I quote,

"In 15 years we have never had a defective die"

It could be my fault that is a possibility. However I dont see how a 22 cal bullet could be trapped in a sleeve designed for a 22 cal bullet. Heck I even measured several bullets from the new box to verify they werent out of spec.

I called BS on them never having any defective dies. I just heard from a supplier that they had to recal an entire production run of there 22 Creed dies do to an err in the process. Theses werent cheap dies either (over $400 for a set)

I guess thats why I dont buy the cheap stuff anymore, I should have just waited until my prefered die brand had what I was looking for. I am to old for live and learn but I guess I just learned a $100 lesson.

I am open to critism or instruction if someone can offer up a plausible reason as to what kind of mistake I could have made. I will add that I watched the official video on the set up twice. I dont normally use dies with a crimp so I wanted to be sure that I didnt ruin a piece of ALPHA Munitions brass. (that stuff is as expensive as Lapua)

Anyway rant over sorry

Pathfinder76 · #10 08-08-2023, 08:47 PM

Have you called Hornady?

3blade · #11 08-08-2023, 10:40 PM

Did you stick a 22 cal ELDM bullet (that you posted about recently) into a standard seating die stem?

They sell a different one for those - confusingly called the A-tip seating stem.

https://www.hornady.com/shop/accesso...seating-stems/

markg · #12 08-08-2023, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3blade

Did you stick a 22 cal ELDM bullet (that you posted about recently) into a standard seating die stem?

They sell a different one for those - confusingly called the A-tip seating stem.

https://www.hornady.com/shop/accesso...seating-stems/

It was a 69gr Sierra Match King. I used the seating stem that was included inside the die.

markg · #13 08-08-2023, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pathfinder76

Have you called Hornady?

No I havent, that is a great Idea. Thank you for suggesting that.

markg · #14 08-08-2023, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6.5 shooter

This may not be related but I had a set of dies (Hornady I believe) and the bullet seater stem had a really rough "cone" for holding the projectile as it seated it in the case. It held the bullet firm enough that it would pull it from the case on the down stroke. I had to pull the bullet with a pair of pliers to "un seat" the bullet from the stem.

I removed the seater stem and lightly polished the "seater cone" with a the smoothest cone shaped stone in my Dremel kit, problem solved. I am not sure if this is your exact problem? but this trick worked for me.

I am inclined think this might be the answer to the problem. Thats essentially what happend on the down stroke just the case came out of the sleeve. The bullet remained as per the photo.

bwinchg · #15 08-08-2023, 11:31 PM

You mentioned your bullet is getting stuck.

Sierra might have some additional advice to add their 2016 post;
Seating Concerns with Sierra Tipped MatchKing® (TMK) Bullets:
https://sierrabullets.wordpress.com/...g-tmk-bullets/

Lapping seating stem;
https://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/tag/seating-stem/

Good suggestion to also call Hornady.
A variety of different seating stems are available, if lapping the seating stem doesn't fix your problem. Canadian Tire (Southland location in Calgary) could likely special order stems from Korth.
https://www.hornady.com/reloading/di...ccessories/#!/

markg · #16 08-08-2023, 11:44 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I contacted Hornady tonight and hope to hear back from them tomorrow.

markg · #17 08-09-2023, 12:45 PM

I spoke with a person at Hornady today. They looked at the picture I sent. They asked a few questions. They asked me to remove the seating stem and the the sleeve. I was able to do so. They decided to send me a new sleeve. They suspect that it is a manufacturers defect. I am very pleased with this level of service.

I wanted to share this story with you all because good customer service has to be rewarded. My compliments to Hornady!

catnthehat · #18 08-09-2023, 01:29 PM

Super!
Cat

ruger300 · #19 08-09-2023, 03:32 PM

Best customer service I have ever experienced dealing with reloading products.

DLab · #20 08-09-2023, 04:33 PM

Glad you got it figured out, did the sleeve slide freely in and out of the die?The bullet stuck in the seating stem, i'm wondering how the sleeve caused the bullet to jam?You can see clearance between the sleeve and bullet in your picture.
Just curious.

Either way, very good customer service also from Hornady in my experience dealing with them.

markg · #21 08-09-2023, 06:19 PM

It is jammed in the sleeve, thats what led me to the conclusion that its a manufacturer defect. The sleeve should be alot larger than bullet diameter because the case mouth needs to travel through it. I was able to easliy remove the seating stem and the bullet was no where near it. They are sending a replacement sleeve.

DLab · #22 08-09-2023, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markg

It is jammed in the sleeve, thats what led me to the conclusion that its a manufacturer defect. The sleeve should be alot larger than bullet diameter because the case mouth needs to travel through it. I was able to easliy remove the seating stem and the bullet was no where near it. They are sending a replacement sleeve.

Ahh OK Thanks, just bad luck on this set.
I have or have had most of the die brands including several sets of Hornady dies, never had an issue, chalk it up to mass production I guess, right die wrong sleeve.