Bullet feed dies?

[kmw1954]

The other day I was wandering the internet casually looking at powder check dies to put in one position on my new Breech Lock Pro press because with the 9mm dies I have I can load reliably with using just the combination seat/crimp die in the 3 die set. It was then I came across the Hornady Bullet Feed die and it struck my fancy so I looked more into it and even watched a few videos. During this time I was made aware that this die does not work with cast or coated bullets but didn't see any mention of using plated bullets. Unless I conveniently skipped over it. So I bought one.

After getting it and setting it up in the press I ran into all sorts of problems. Sometimes it would work and other times not at all. It wasn't until I actually went to Hornadys website did I see the disclaimer that this only works with Jacketed Bullets!

So now I'm stuck with this die as I use plated bullets in all my 9mm. But I will save it as I may start with the RMR bullets for my next order.

The thing that drew me to it was it's simplicity in design, set up and use. So now before I make another mistake does anyone here use the RCBS bullet feed die with just the tubes? Or do I just say the heck with it and go back to looking at a powder check die.

 

[CKweigand]

I’ve put over 5k of Berry’s plated in my bullet feeder die with no problems. Are you sure the die is set correctly? Did you back it off an 1/8th of a turn?

CK

 

[DRAINSMITH]

I run plated bullets threw mine all day long. When you set it up make sure that the bullet will slide threw collet "B" and not threw collet "A". Now you have to have the brass belled about .002 for the bullet to drop into. After you have the die set up rase your brass and slowly turn the die down until the bullet drops. Lower the brass and turn the die down another 1/16 turn. It should now drop the bullet every time.

 

[kmw1954]

Yes I am sure about the setup. Just not sure there isn't something wrong with the die. The bullets I am trying to use are all Xtreme @.355" and yea I've measured them and no they do not fall threw the "B" collet.

I emailed Hornady last Friday and received an email back today with just a message the die is not recommended for "plated' bullets. That was it, along with a nice Thank You.

 

[Allen One1]

I run Extreme plated bullets all the time. You may need to adjust the collet fingers a little bit in or out to get it to flow just right. I run about 60 bullets on top of the die and switch to another 60 when the bullet level drops into the die body. Every once in a while one will stick and I have to push something up through the bottom of the die to get it to move through. Every time you stroke the handle check the top of the press for the powder check and check the bottom to make sure it dropped a bullet on top of the case.

 

[kmw1954]

I run Extreme plated bullets all the time. You may need to adjust the collet fingers a little bit in or out to get it to flow just right. .

What do you do to adjust the collet fingers?

 

[tightgroup tiger]

After adjusting the die per the instructions, when you put it in the press did you raise the ram completely, screw the die down till it touches the case, then screw it down another half turn?
The case has to activate it, like it does a powder measure, by case pushing the collets together.
The problem your having sounds like sometimes the case isn't pushing the collets together far enough to release the bullet so it can drop.
Screw the die down another 1/4 of a turn and see if it doesn't drop 100% of them. You may have set it up on a long case and some of the shorter cases aren't pushing the collets together far enough.
They load plated bullets just fine.

 

[Allen One1]

What do you do to adjust the collet fingers?

To adjust the collet fingers just bend them in or out a little bit. You can squeeze them with pliers to close them down if the bullets are coming through too easy or run a dowel through them to open them up if the bullets are not feeding through. It takes just a little bit but when you get right it will feed perfect. Trial and error, very tiny movements. In the end you will swear you are right back where you started except everything works.

 

[kmw1954]

The die is set correctly on both adjustments. This has been put in and taken out , disassembled, reassembled more times than was necessary. At first it was dropping some but not consistently now it is not dropping at all. Yes I have adjusted the die body down. Five full turns an 1/8 of a turn at a time and is not dropping. So I don't know if I crushed in the collet fingers or what. Collet "B" will not pass a bullet.

 

[Dudedog]

Ran 1000s of the old RMR Plated FNs thru mine. They were .355-356 dia.
No issues once it was adjusted.
I don't remember having any issues getting it working other than I had to play with it a bit

 

[kmw1954]

Just went up to the bench to see if I could figure it out with what you all have suggested. So I pulled the die apart again and verified that it would not pass a bullet in B. I then took a 45 RN and placed the round nose into the die at the fingers and took a Channel Locks and used the nose of the bullet to spread the fingers. "B" will now pass bullets so I put it back together and reset the die body.

It's now dropping bullets the way it should but still not consistently. I may try running it and keeping a supply of lose bullets to cover the ones it misses so I don't end up double charging some cases trying to get a bullet to drop.. Really hope I can get this thing to work.

 

[AR-Bossman]

I abandoned mine and bought the Mr. Bulletfeeder dies. So So so so so so much better designed. You can run pretty much anything through them.

 

[Tilos]

Sorry to read you are having trouble getting the bullet feeder die dialed in.
I understand the frustration, having tried everything over and over.
You may need to walk away from it for awhile, and comeback from a different direction, because I know it's going to work for you.

In your other thread on this subject I suggested some fluff and buff/deburring of the collets
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/pistol-bullet-feeder-die.843783/#post-10970889
The cone angle on the finger ends of collet A was rough on both feeders I have, and the brass did not slide easily into it to open the collet.
That was the main area that needed polishing, for me, as well as the cone angle at the upper end of collet A.
The taper angle on the fingers ends on collet B also got some polishing, as well as de-burring the collet slots and holes at the end of the slots on the inside of both collets.

What I remember doing after the fluff and buff:
Contrary to the instructions I had the adjustment screw turned in until it touched the collets, when adjusting the die body into the press.
With a flared case in the shell plate under the bullet feeding die, raise the ram up to the top of the stroke, and screw in the bullet die until A collet touches the case.
Lower the ram to the bottom of the stroke, screw the die body in an additional 1/2 turn and lock down the die body lock ring.
Now back off (unscrew) the Adjustment Screw 1/2 turn and lock down the adjustment screw lock ring.
Load some bullets (as many as you can get into the die) and try feeding a bullet.

Remember the case has to lift both collets and bullets up enough to touch the end of the adjustment screw.
Once that happens, further upward movement will push the case into the tapered cone of the collet A, and the upper end of the collet A over the upper collet fingers which closes collet B and pinches a bullet so the bullet column doesn't drop, the single bullet drops into the case.
As the case is lowered collet B is opened allowing the bullet column to drop, and collet A is closed catching the next bullet in the column.

Here's where I adjust the "ADJUSTING SCREW " down, not the die body, to get a bullet to drop.
I hope this will work for you, as it did for me, if not post back what you are experiencing and we'll ALL try and figure it out.

Edit: I'm using both these dies in RCBS Piggyback presses that have a much thinner die plate compared to the Hornady LNL, the press these dies are made to work in.
For that reason I'll confess to some machining on the adjustment screw and adding some bushings to get one of them to work

 

[9mmepiphany]

The thing that drew me to it was it's simplicity in design, set up and use. So now before I make another mistake does anyone here use the RCBS bullet feed die with just the tubes?

The Hornady is not even close to as simple as the Mr Bulletfeeder die.

If you decide to give up on the Hornady...mine has run fine from Day 1...don't go to the RCBS; it's worst

 

[DRAINSMITH]

I don't know how familiar you are with Hornady products but the first thing you need to do is clean the die. I am not talking wipe it down but to really clean it. When you are at your bench and working on the die and you feel the next tool you need is a hammer. Get up and walk away. Go play with the dog, pet your cat, or tell your wife those jeans do make your ass look fat. Whatever makes you smile.

Now, this is how I have done all of mine. First I took the die apart and first worked on collet "B" I made sure that the bullet slid through each and every time. I took a knife and placed it in the opening between the fingers and spread the fingers just enough to let the bullet slide through every time. Now let's move on to the collet "A". The fingers should just be tight enough to hold the bullet place a bullet in the collet, now, drop another bullet down on top of it. The fingers should just be tight enough that it does not knock the bullet out. But not tight enough that when it is full you can not push a bullet out with your finger when you push a bullet on the top of the die.

Now to get the die adjusted remove all bullets from the collets and put collet "A" in first then collet "B". They are marked. Now put the adjustment screw in and turn it in until it just touches collet "B" Now back the adjustment off about 1/2 turn now shake the die by your ear you should be able to hear it rattle. Once you hear the rattle tighten the lock ring down and shake it again just to make sure you still hear the rattle. Once this is done no further adjustments are needed.

Now, let's get the die adjusted to drop a bullet. First, fill the die with bullets and screw it into the press. Now with a piece of brass that has a .002 bell raise it all the way up and screw the die down until the bullet drops. Now, lower the ram down and adjust the die down another 1/16 of a turn and lock it down. Now, test it about 10 times, it should drop it every time, if it doesn't adjust it down another 1/16 of a turn.

If you continue to have problems just ask we will try and help you.

 

[jmorris]

I use this one with Berry’s plated bullets.



I took it out of the box and installed it per instructions. Never having to mess with the collets. Not sure pliers are the right tool for the job though, a tapered punch would have better odds at keeping things round and that’s pretty critical for the task at hand.

 

[Tilos]

I abandoned mine and bought the Mr. Bulletfeeder dies. So So so so so so much better designed. You can run pretty much anything through them.

All Mr. Bullet feeder die bodies appear to be the same with different size bearings for different size bullets.
So changing the bearing size, changes the caliber.

I have no experience with this, just something I read on the internet

 

[kmw1954]

Thank you all for the many responses! Guess I start backwards to answers.

After looking at it the Mr. Bullet is out. For as much as I would use this at $130.00+ for the Mini Feeder I'd place bullets by hand. The cost of this die and feed tubes is equal to what I paid for the press. As again I am not looking to increase production rates, just to make it a bit more ergo friendly.

jmorris I agree that the Channel Locks may not have been the proper tool but it seems to have worked. BTW these were very large Channel's and both jaws stayed parallel and very little force was applied.

I cannot tell you folks how many times I have watched this video;

I have a few chores to do today but I will get back to the bench to work this thru today. Hoping this little tweak solves it or at least vastly improves it.

Tilos, yes I did walk away for a few days and then after the response from Hornady CS I really felt miffed! Which is why I posted here as I knew I would get some solid advice.

 

[Tilos]

here's a few more vids to help/confuse you
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=hornady+bullet+feeder+die+tuning
I haven't watched them (yet)
This guy has some good tips about polishing the collets, something I did, but for smoother operation, not to open them up:


edit: I only feed coated/no lube groove bullets thru my Hornady Bullet Feeding dies.

 

[edwardware]

. . . I was made aware that this die does not work with cast or coated bullets but. . .

I ran ~400 cast/lubed 158 SWCs through my Hornady feeder yesterday. Once adjusted, and cleaned every tube, it works pretty well. Still have to push it once every 100 or so.

 

[kmw1954]

Trust me, I've watched every video I could find including the RCBS and Mr Bullet.

From the response I received from Hornady it doesn't look like they will be any help. At first I was afraid to do much with the die in the event Hornady wanted me to send it back which isn't the case either so now I feel free to tamper with it. First will be to see if opening up the fingers will be enough. I'm in no hurry as I'm caught up on my loads for 9mm so if this doesn't work out I am perfectly fine moving this back to the Pro1000 press, or going back to looking at powder check dies.

 

[jmorris]

If you picked it up from a walk in store, you might just go back and swap it for another.

 

[bbqreloader]

I might have to go back and play with the re adjustment... again, but I gave up trying to put plated 40's thru mine, just either drop a a few thru the die every stroke or gum up in the die itself. Bullet thickness is all over the place along with oal. 9's seemed ok even loading 20 a tube were ok. 45's seem to be ok in the die, no tube loading though.

 

[jmorris]

9's seemed ok even loading 20 a tube were ok. 45's seem to be ok in the die, no tube loading though.

This is a good point to bring up.

Does the feeder work OK with some number of bullets but not others?

I use a collator with mine so the number/column height always stays the same.

 

[bbqreloader]

This is a good point to bring up.

Does the feeder work OK with some number of bullets but not others?

Dont remember the plated 9 numbers as I have switched to RMR FMJ's, so I can max the tubes out almost. On 45's I can feed the die to the top, 200gr FP plated and have no issues. if I use a tube I cannot put more that 10 more in the tube before I double feed or drop. My biggest problem was the inconsistencies with 40 plated. Now place a bullet when I feed a case, got tired of messing with it.