I was just doing some online research to help a reader with a question about cartridges and Hornady Lock-N-Load equipment, and found the following super-helpful chart (click to enlarge)
If you’ve ever been wondering what shellplate or shellholder you need for your Hornady Lock-N-Load press, this will get you sorted out in no time!
Thanks,
Gavin
If you are a fan of Hornady products, you’ll want to check out the wave of new products that Hornady just announced this month…
There’s a lot of new ammunition and products in this release, and I thought I’d focus on the new reloading products that are a part of this announcement. Here’s a quick summary:
Do you some times feel “in the dark” when you’re trying to see the powder level in your cases while reloading? This light strip will help shed some light on the subject! This product actually works on most reloading presses, plugs into any 110V outlet, and is easy to install because of the adhesive backing.
If you prefer the old-school dead-reliable balance beam type of scale, Hornady now makes a product you’ll want to check out- the Hornady Balance Beam Scale. You don’t even need batteries to use this scale!
Are you a fan of One-Shot products from Hornady? Well now you can use One-Shot to tumble clean cases! This tumbling media is corncob-based, and I find that this type of media is best for cleaning when you want a high luster, or to tumble off lube from cases that have just been sized. Available in a 76oz canister.
It’s always best to use the latest data when you’re reloading. Hornady has just updated their reloading manual, and it’s got new data that is helpful for the die-hard reloader. Here’s some information from the product page on Hornady’s website:
Reloaders will find the 9th Edition Hornady® Handbook of Cartridge Reloading an invaluable resource for their bench. You’ll find over 900 pages representing data of all the newest Hornady® bullets like the NTX®, GMX® and FTX®, plus longtime favorites like the V-MAX™, SST®, InterBond®, InterLock®, A-MAX®, XTP® and more. Each cartridge features applicable Hornady® bullets along with velocity/powder charts for quick and easy reference.
Cartridge additions include the 17 Hornet, 327 Federal, 356 Winchester, 5.56 NATO, 416 Barrett and 505 Gibbs. There is also expanded data on over 20 favorites like the 223 Rem, 300 Whisper, 308 Win, 25-06 and many more. A variety of propellants such as Power Pro Varmint, AR-Comp, CFE-223, among others have been added to many popular cartridges.
Look for these products at your favorite retailer soon! Want to know more about any of these products? Want to share your experiences with these products? Please leave a comment!
Thanks,
Gavin
If you are reloading rifle ammunition on a progressive reloading press, you just may be one of those “attention to detail” kind of guys. Rifle reloaders tend to be a bit obsessive about their reloading supplies, equipment, and processes. But some times we overlook the simple details that can make a difference.
If you’re loading rifle ammunition on the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP 5-station reloading press, you probably appreciate the Lock-N-Load bushing system. It’s quick, easy to use, and provides a bit of “float” which mimics other benchrest style reloading equipment in order to enhance alignment of case and die.
Here’s a quick tip from friend Bruce Gary: to optimize repeatability for things like bullet seating depth, make some marks on the Lock-N-Load bushing and press so that the die indexes in the same splines each time you install it on the press.
Simple die indexing on the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP - Image copyright 2012 Ultimate Reloader
While this won’t be a “game changer” for your loading, it’s an easy thing to do that will help maximize consistency. Isn’t that what accurate reloading and rifle shooting is all about: consistency? 
Got other quick tips that you’d like to share? Please drop a comment!
Thanks,
Gavin
If you’ve been following the “powder check systems” blog series, you may be wondering about how the Hornady Powder Cop die compares with all of the other powder check systems. Well, in this article we’ll take a look at this system, examine its features, and walk through setup with this die.
Closeup of the Hornady Powder Cop Die - Image Copyright 2010 Ultimate Reloader
The Hornady powder cop die (Hornady #: 050063) is a simple powder check system that is easy to setup and use on any reloading press that accepts 7/8″ x 14 threaded dies. The die body acts as a carrier for the detection rod, and based on the load being checked, various heights can be used for placement of the white rubber O-Ring, which is used to indicate the powder level.
Hornady Powder Cop Die Assembly - Image Copyright 2010 Ultimate Reloader
Setup and adjustment is easy and quick with the Hornady Powder Cop Die. Here are the steps for setup and adjustment of the Hornady Powder Cop Die:
That’s all there is to it! Very fast and easy.
Here’s a video that shows the features and setup process for this die:
This system is reliable and easy to use, but you have to be vigilant about watching the level indicator when loading. If you don’t keep an eye on your powder level, you could miss an over or under charge!
So we’ve covered the Dillon Powder Check System, the RCBS Lock-Out Die, and now the Hornady Powder Cop Die. That means there’s only one system left in our powder check systems series- the RCBS Powder Checker. Stay tuned!
I’m sure most of you have heard of or seen the new Hornady Case Prep Center. I now have one in my shop, and have used it a bit.
I’ll have to say, so far I’m really liking this piece of equipment. When you first pull down the main lever, you’ll be surprised at how smooth the stroke is, and how positive the stop is. It feels heavy and substantial.
I’m in the process of trimming and prepping all of my 44 magnum brass (old, used and abused) so getting this machine recently felt like “good timing”.
Here’s a shot I took of my case prep center in the studio:
Stay tuned for more details, videos, tips/tricks, etc. I’ll be showing rifle and pistol brass prep. Should be fun!
