Hornady LnL PTX die question

[Jeff H]

If I want to start using the PTX option on my LnL press, is this the only part I have to buy additional? I assume .355 is the correct size for 380 and 9mm.

Up until now, I have been using a separate expander, but I want to free up a station for crimping.

 

[Blue68f100]

Yes that is the correct part for the 9mm/380. They use to sell a set of 4-5 that covered all of the pistol rounds. If your going to be loading both calibers I would suggest you get the powder die base assembly too, ~ $20. This will allow you to change calibers without have to reset it. I also set the Stop to max throw and never touch it again, if you have multiple bases to use. Once you use the stop to adj the PTX die you just threw all of your other setups out of adj. Yes it's more convenient to adj the stop but the proper way is to use the powder die. The reason for the stop is without it you will fail the arm on the powder dispenser that connects the top to the base. The reason yo want to have the stop adj so the you have just a little gap between the adj piston and body.

 

[Mike44]

Blue68f100 mentioned the stop which is the PTX Powder Measure Stop. You need this in addition to the powder die through expander. Like Blue68f100 I have found it convenient to have a separate powder die base assembly for each caliber that uses PTX expansion so that setup time is minimized.

 

[Jeff H]

Blue68f100 mentioned the stop which is the PTX Powder Measure Stop. You need this in addition to the powder die through expander. Like Blue68f100 I have found it convenient to have a separate powder die base assembly for each caliber that uses PTX expansion so that setup time is minimized.

I assume you guys are talking about this part when you refer to the stop.

That part came with the press, it isn't installed or set up right now, but I do have it.


Separate base sounds like a good idea, I'll look into it.

 

[Blue68f100]

Yes that's the stop. I made one that is minimal length so it's likely to get in the way. This was before Hornady came out with there. Hornady made there ab out 1" too long and way heavier than it needs to be. But it want brake.

Here is the base were talking about. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/231522/hornady-quick-change-powder-die

 

[k4swb]

It is a darn shame that Powderfunnels.com went under. That little thing worked and replaced all the PTX dodads.
I should have bought a handful of them just in case.

 

[Blue68f100]

The powerfunnels did not do the same function as the PTX. Powder funnels only expanded the mouth of the case did not expand the area where the bullet rides to make uniform neck tension.

 

[RealGun]

I found the PTX never adequate for expanding to lead bullet diameters, so I just use it adjusted to inject powder without the spillage which occurs without it. It stills expands some just as a product of activating the measure. I am able to expand with the PTX on my 45 ACP setup of necessity, given a bullet feeder station, but I don't know that Hornady provides the necessary PTX diameters for other cartridges. If your 9mm and 380 are all plated or jacketed, there should be no issue.

 

[k4swb]

The powerfunnels did not do the same function as the PTX. Powder funnels only expanded the mouth of the case did not expand the area where the bullet rides to make uniform neck tension.

The resizing dies I use offer sufficient case tension to hold the bullet. A flair/bell at the case mouth is all that is needed to start a bullet. Expanding the case is in my opinion a waste.

 

[Reeferman]

I use the Hornady PTX .358 expander for coated or lube lead and it works just like a M expander. No lead shaving at all. In fact it looks just like a M expander.

 

[Crunchy Frog]

I use the PTX for loading 9mm and .45 ACP because for those cartridges I seat and crimp in separate stations, so the PTX leaves Station 3 open for a Lockout Die. I have used it to load lead bullets (especially with the .45 but occasionally with the nine) and I am able to get sufficient belling of the case mouth to avoid shaving lead.

When I first got my press I tried using the PTX to load .38 Special but I had less luck with it. Every once in a while the edge of the case would catch on the PTX, causing a bad dent if not destroying the case entirely. I went back to using an expansion die in Station 2.

 

[Reeferman]

I use the PTX for loading 9mm and .45 ACP because for those cartridges I seat and crimp in separate stations, so the PTX leaves Station 3 open for a Lockout Die. I have used it to load lead bullets (especially with the .45 but occasionally with the nine) and I am able to get sufficient belling of the case mouth to avoid shaving lead.

When I first got my press I tried using the PTX to load .38 Special but I had less luck with it. Every once in a while the edge of the case would catch on the PTX, causing a bad dent if not destroying the case entirely. I went back to using an expansion die in Station 2.

I load a ton of .38 with PTX and lead with no issues. I load a lot of Hornady 158 SWC Frontier lead. With the new .358 stepped PTX expander there is no dry lube on the shell plate like there is with any other expander I have.

 

[Crunchy Frog]

I load a ton of .38 with PTX and lead with no issues. I load a lot of Hornady 158 SWC Frontier lead. With the new .358 stepped PTX expander there is no dry lube on the shell plate like there is with any other expander I have.

I did adjust the timing on my press which made the issue happen less frequently but it did not eliminate it completely. There could certainly be some other user error involved. The main point I was trying to make was that the PTX was not incompatible with lead bullets, in my experience.

 

[RealGun]

I use the PTX for loading 9mm and .45 ACP because for those cartridges I seat and crimp in separate stations, so the PTX leaves Station 3 open for a Lockout Die. I have used it to load lead bullets (especially with the .45 but occasionally with the nine) and I am able to get sufficient belling of the case mouth to avoid shaving lead.

When I first got my press I tried using the PTX to load .38 Special but I had less luck with it. Every once in a while the edge of the case would catch on the PTX, causing a bad dent if not destroying the case entirely. I went back to using an expansion die in Station 2.

I wonder if you could trace the problem with 38 Special to specific head stamps or to your shell plate being out of spec. I know that 38 brass can be all over the place dimensionally, so sorting head stamps and case lengths is something I do routinely. Things will not go smoothly with good results given too many variables.

Note that Remington brass with an RP head stamp may typically have thinner case walls, so the sizer die will leave a larger ID to accommodate lead bullet diameters. Might try playing with that idea, possibly needing to adjust the crimp as part of it.

 

[Blue68f100]

When I first got my press I tried using the PTX to load .38 Special but I had less luck with it. Every once in a while the edge of the case would catch on the PTX, causing a bad dent if not destroying the case entirely. I went back to using an expansion die in Station 2.

The cause of this can be several things. Normally it's due to the brass not setting straight, tilted. Tilted from trying to go to fast or a shell plate that is setting to high (loose) allowing the brass to tilt. Tall brass will rock a little when the detentes snap the shell plate into position. Need to wait a second or two or back off the detentes so there not so violent.