Hornady Case Feeder Problems .40 S&W

[breyton490]

I just setup a Hornady Case Feeder on my LNL AP. I immediately ran into problems with the .40 S&W brass getting stuck in the small drop tube. Reread the directions and saw there is a note that .40 SW brass my require using the large drop tube and funnel assembly.

After the switch out, the brass drops freely in the tube, but he larger diameter of the funnel assembly that drop the brass into the pivot cradle is too large and frequently case the cases to get stuck or tangled with the next case lined up in the drop tube. I have spent hours trying to fix this, but can reliably get the cases to drop and every 10 or 20 cases, I need to stop and fix the hang ups.

I called Hornady and they offered to make a new aluminum funnel assembly that accepts the large drop tube, but has the smaller opening similar to the small tube that ships with the unit.

I have no idea when I will see this part and am on the verge of retuning the entire case feeder since for $300 bucks, I don't think the amount of tweaking and work rounds involved to this point justify its high price.

Anyone else have problems with .40 S&W brass on the Case Feed drop tube and what was the fix.

 

[breyton490]

Spent a few hours tonight taking the drop tube apart and re-assembled everything. I have working about 95% of the time, but still need to clear jams every 30-40 rounds. Better than last night, but still not working as well as it should

 

[WV_Vizsla]

I have not run 40cal yet. Please post the final solution.

Feeder works good with the 9, 45 and rifles. Sometimes bridge feeds 9mm when running fast. The service guys at Hornady have heard every problem. Look over your setup and then do whatever solution they offer.

 

[Dodge DeBoulet]

I ran into essentially the same issue when I bought the case feeder; all I was loading at the time was .40S&W.

I managed to cobble together a solution that uses the large drop tube, one of the aluminum funnel-bushings inside the bottom end of the drop tube, and the small aluminum tube that is held in the standoff with the two knurled aluminum nuts. Align the large drop tube (with the funnel-shaped bushing inside it) with the top of the aluminum tube, than wrap a couple of turns of electrical tape around the joint between the two so they'll stay aligned.

That still wasn't perfect, and I contacted Hornady to complain that I shouldn't have to build my own solution for a caliber that has gained huge popularity amongst handgunners. They sent me a replacement for the small aluminum tube that had been modified to accept the large plastic drop tube, and that seems to have resolved the problem. They had one already made up when I called, but I think they're hand-turned so I don't believe it will take them too long to get you one.

 

[breyton490]

I also called Hornady for a fix to the 40 SW case feeder problem and they said they would build a custom funnel that accepted the larger diameter feed tube but had the smaller diameter bottom opening. Its been about 2 weeks and I am still waiting and will update the post when it arrives.

The main issue is that the small feed tube is just a few thousandths of an inch too small. I found a slightly larger diameter stainless tube from McMaster Carr that's 1/2" OD and 0.46" ID (part # 8989K872). This should do the trick and I will have the part this week. The only downside is the tube is not clear, so I can see the cases, but that shouldn't be an issue.

As soon as I have it setup I will update the post and add a few pics.

 

[Idano]

breyton,
Here is modification that I made with a piece of copper tubing that worked for me. link

 

[breyton490]

Famous Hornaday Customer Service Let Me Down

I called Hornady this week to inquire about the status of the custom drop tube one of their customer service reps told me they would build and send me to address the problems the Hornady case feeder has with some 40 S&W cases getting stuck in the small drop tube and the new service rep I spoke too told me its not Hornady's policy to make custom fixes to their products.

I was pissed.

I told them the name of the service rep I initially spoke with and I was told the rep should not have made me such a promise, but said he would transfer my issue back to the initial rep and that rep would give me a call. Well... its been 3 days without a call.

To say I am very disappointed with Hornady is a huge understatement. Their case feeder is far from a highly engineered product and has its share of shortcomings but I kept mine after speaking with Hornady about my issues (which was no surprise to them as they have received numerous calls about the same issue) and being told my problem would be resolved.

Well they have dropped the ball and it will be a very long time before I think about giving my money to Hornady for one of their products.

 

[Glock20]

I too have had some issues with the L-n-L Casefeeder. While I'm completely satisfied with the press, the casefeeder is another story. No doubt it works better with some calibers than others. Trying to find the best combination of parts for 40 s&w is a royal pain.
I think they slammed the thing on the market before it was really ready.

 

[jbrown13]

I agree. Seems to work better with tall brass than short brass. Can some of you Dillon guys chime in on how well the Dillon case feeder works, or better yet maybe somebody that has both can tell us how they are different? Seems to me there needs to be more than 2 sizes of the funnel that drops the brass on to the sub-plate. The small one is too large in diameter with 9mm and allows the short cases to tip over as they drop onto the sub-plate. This is probably the piece the first tech was going to have made for your 40. I'm going to try to find some thin wall plastic pipe/tube that I may be able to drive into my small funnel for 9mm. My large funnel works fine with 38 Special and 357 Magnum cases. Right now that is all I reload. I would think my 9mm problem would be even worse with 380 cases. I will say this though, designing a case feeder that works with all the different calibers available has got to be a tough job.

 

[Waldog]

The small 9mm cases "bounce" when they hit the sub plate and sometimes bounce off. Take a business card and snip 1/2 inch off the long width. Tape the card, lengthwise, around the aluminum funnel tube that drops the case onto the sub plate. The business card is perfect as it will not go completely around the funnel and captures the case on the sub plate. Leave an open area where the case pusher slides the case into the shell plate.

Also, after you load a few hundred 9mm's through the small clear drop tube the 40 S&W will drop thru just fine. The 9's seem to clean off residue from inside the clear tube. OR, carbon from fired cases provide a little "lube" for 40 size cases.

 

[KAB55]

I've loaded thousands of .40's and the only time I have a problem with the case feeder is when an occasional case comes down the tube upside down. Seems that the 40's fall from the main drum into the tube upside down on occasion, haven't seen this with any of the other 6 calibers I load.

 

[WV_Vizsla]

I placed a small strip of plastic (milk jug #2) that is flexible and re bendable on the side of the case pusher fork. This keeps the cases from bouncing off in my direction. 9mm do seem to bounce a bit. Will try the cut business card to improve reliability.

Business card is also great to use as a case drop cut off. Just place on the top of the pivot body.

 

[jbrown13]

The small 9mm cases "bounce" when they hit the sub plate and sometimes bounce off. Take a business card and snip 1/2 inch off the long width. Tape the card, lengthwise, around the aluminum funnel tube that drops the case onto the sub plate. The business card is perfect as it will not go completely around the funnel and captures the case on the sub plate. Leave an open area where the case pusher slides the case into the shell plate.

Waldog, I just tried your business card shroud and that is one great idea. I just ran over 200 9mm cases, pulling the handle as fast as this old man can, and not one tipped on its side. Kudos to you for that idea, it's going to be in place every time I run 9mm.

 

[WE]

breyton- I had the same problem with the case feeder. However, I just expanded the clear tube until it would fit the .40 cal cases. Here is how I did it: http://woodhousellc.com/?p=3 . Have not had a problem with .40's since.

 

[breyton490]

Just called Hornady last week and spoke to Lonny in customer service. It looks like they have a real fix for the issue and have made a new aluminum funnel tube that accepts the large diameter plastic drop tube but internally is a narrower diameter to support the smaller 40 SW cases.

Call hornady and ask for the new case feed tube and they will ship it out to you. Its sounds like the new tube is included in the newer LNL Auto case feeders.

 

[Blue68f100]

I found out with the 9mm early on the position of the lower support (al tube and nut) makes a difference. Some calibers like it toward the front other toward the back. Also the gap above the drop tube and feed flipper is critical. I find that it works best with around 1/16" with the short pistol brass. If you get it to wide they cock and bind.

Good luck. These are a little touchy to say the least.

I have been using a piece of clear plastic for my shroud for several years now. I just use a twist tie to hold it in place.

 

[Cdstang]

Its just a new alum part, No clear drop tube..

I already got it. Here is some pics of all 3 parts.
The part number on the shipping list is
#398302 Description= Tube funnel drop int ap.

 

[CHALK22]

I just ordered my case feeder, and it should be here tomorrow. I am now hoping that it comes with the updated fix.....I don't have a .40, but I plan on buying one soon, and my BIL has one, and we load for it.