Hornady die set questions

[Wayne02]

I purchased some of the hornady 3 die sets to use with an LNL AP and had a few questions maybe folks could shed some light on:

1. Should I clean the lube off of these before using them? If so, what method is best? Do you disassemble the die to do so?

2. What is the best method of getting the upc code sticker off the bottom of the die box without tearing it up?

3. Do you use the crimp feature of the seat/crimp die for crimping or do you crimp separately in .45, 9mm, and .223? I ordered the 9mm taper crimp die just to see how it works.

Thanks

 

[Drail]

You can clean off whatever Hornady put on them to keep them from corroding while sitting in a damp warehouse until someone buys them. You should keep them lightly coated with your favorite rust preventative or your hands will cause them to corrode on the outer surfaces. I keep the inside surfaces clean and dry so powder doesn't stick to them. If you're loading cast bullets the bullet lube will build up after awhile and need to be cleaned out just like your gun. A little CLP and a bore brush will take it right out. I use Breakfree CLP to clean and preserve dies and guns. If used in the garage the humidity in the summer will require more diligence to stop the rust. I recommend seating and crimping separately, but lots of folks do it in one pass. The sticker on the bottom will usually peel off if warmed a little with a hair dryer.

 

[SDefender]

I also seat and crimp separately. Just makes things SO much easier for me. I clean the dies with spray brake cleaner.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

1. Should I clean the lube off of these before using them? If so, what method is best? Do you disassemble the die to do so?

Yes, you should clean the lube off. Disassemble the die and use something like denatured alcohol and a swab. You can also use brake clean and other stuff, but the alcohol is less carcinogenic.

2. What is the best method of getting the upc code sticker off the bottom of the die box without tearing it up?

Don't bother removing it, as you may want to have it on later, just cut with a razor blade to open box and leave on.

3. Do you use the crimp feature of the seat/crimp die for crimping or do you crimp separately in .45, 9mm, and .223? I ordered the 9mm taper crimp die just to see how it works.

One can do it either way, depending on one's desired "convenience/ease of use factor" and mechanical aptitude, etc. I prefer to separate the operations to have a bit more precise control a bit easier. Both ways, if set up properly, produce good cartridges.

Dave

 

[Kentucky Jelly]

Think he is wanting to remove UPC to get him some "free" Bullets.

I used a hair dryer to remove it, and then used scissors to trim around it.

 

[DEDON45]

I definitely use a separate taper crimp die (the Hornady one) in my LnL AP... the crimp that the combo seater / crimp die that came in my new .45ACP set is a roll crimp, which is not what is needed for a round like the .45ACP that headspaces on the case mouth.

 

[Sunray]

1. Yes. Use the same products and tools you use to lean a pistol.
2. Whatever for? "...wanting to remove UPC to get him some "free" Bullets..." good reason. Use a box cutter or razor blade. Lighter fluid will take off labels too. Takes some of the humour out of using a cheap knife though.
3. Depends on the cartridge. The .45 prefers to be taper crimped. Aids feeding. The 9mm or .223 doesn't care, but it doesn't hurt if you do crimp.