Hornady Dies

[CBS220]

I picked up a pair of die sets made by Hornady last year, and didn't get around to using them. I really bought them just for the free bullets, which I received and was very happy with.

But I finally got around to using these two die sets the other day and noticed two problems- I opened the .30-30 box and when I began cleaning out the dies, I noticed that the decapping rod's threads were all messed up. The expander ball won't even screw on- the threads are crushed, almost. There is also some sort of pink colored something on the threads.

I didn't load a single round with these- and didn't know what to think. So I got out the .30-06 dies, and cleaned out them. I began loading, and after about 25 rounds the decapping pin snaps- no problem, I though, but when I took the die apart to put the spare in there the bottom part of the decapping rod was bent!

Now, I followed the instructions to the letter, and the (very little) ammo it made shot beautifully.

I did not get a chance to call Hornady today and will be busy until past business hours tomorrow, but what is Hornady's warranty (if there is one)? Can I expect customer service of any type? Or am I just out of luck, here?

My Lee rifle dies in the same calibers just keep soldiering on, however... and if Hornady doesn't replace these dies with new ones, I will. Anybody else had a problem like this before?

 

[ny32182]

Well, just a few minutes ago, I resized my first 20 .308 cases with new Hornady die, and happy to report no problems... the directions seem to be very adamant about having 3/16" of decapping pin protruding below the die; maybe double check that if you haven't already?

Also, the directions say the threading on the spindle is "light threading", and when my spindle lock is loose, the spindle can actually slide up and down without rotating at all with moderate force. Probably not a good idea to do that much, and it moves much easier when using the threading. It doesn't move with the lock tightened down. By "light threading", maybe they mean the crushed look that you describe, because mine has it too.

 

[Ol` Joe]

I`ve 3 sets of hornady dies and have been perfectly happy with them. I can`t say what the warrenty is on them but I`m quite sure Hornady will make them right. I`ve dealt with them about their bullets and loading them and they were very helpful.
Sorry I can`t offer more.

 

[bigbird1]

Give them a call I had the same thing happen over the weekend, called monday,(I found a berdan primed one and bent both) and they said they would be happy to send the parts out the next day. I was really expecting to pay for it. Give them a call you won't have any trouble.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Hornady has good warranty service, but it's really strange and quite against the odds you'd get two sets of bad dies like that. I'd take those dies apart, clean them and make sure they weren't used dies you were shipped in error.

Regards,

Dave

 

[jenrob]

Sounds like you either had a rock in a case or set the decap rod to low after sizing a few rounds it bent enough that it finnaly off centered the pin and busted the pin on the next case. Make sure that you only have 3/16 of the pin below the die body. Hornady will more then likely take care of it even if it was your fault.