More Hornady PTX Expander instruction, please!

[sbwaters]

Following instructions I adjusted the Hornady Powder measure assembly so that when a 9MM case is at the top of the ram, the powder measure rotor sleeve does not make contact with the end of the slot in the Powder Measure Body. I did this by rotating the powder measure clockwise in the press. Then I tightened the lock ring at the bushing to hold the position solid.

Then I attached the PTX Powder Measure Stop as per the Hornady instructions. Two turns in on the Top Cap Screw. No turns in on the Bottom Cap Screw. Mounted it over the hex shaped spring mounts.

Placed an empty case in the shell plate and raised the ram. Turned the Bottom Cap Screw until it bottomed out on the lower hex spring mount. Lowered the mount and replaced the vertical springs to hold the PRX Powder Measure Stop in place.

So far so good. Now the interesting part: To adjust for more case mouth flare, screw in the Bottom Cap Screw.

Here is the problem: The more you screw in the Bottom Cap Screw, the more the Powder Measure Rotor will MOVE AWAY from the upper slot on the Powder Measure Body. That means it may not empty all the powder into the case.

What to do?

I could move the #22 Lower Bracket or #12 Upper Bracket that holds the whole unit.

I could screw in the #21 Lower adapter further into the bushing.

And, by the way, why is the Top Cap Screw a screw at all? When does one screw it? What happens when one does?

[I could post a pix, but not sure what extra info it would give.]

 

[CKweigand]

Your top cap screw I believe is for when you are out of “stroke” with your bottom cap screw. You can tighten the upper so that the whole stop measure moves up, ultimately letting you thread in the lower screw more if needed.
.....when I set mine up for 45 ACP I experienced the same issue. I was able to find the “sweet spot” by threading in the lower assembly into the bushing a little more. And then having to reorientate the bushing in the press (so the measure would clear the bullet feeder tube). I also lowered the bottom bracket only to allow the pivot arm and meter to stay parallel at the rotors centerline. And it was when I noticed that the meter was coming back down maybe a 1/32” from the top most position I inserted an empty case in and it expanded the case. However, the PTX flare is very minute. Very efficient as well....it sounds like you are doing everything right. Just takes some tinkering. Just remember very little flare is needed to work and the pivot arm needs to share centerline with the meter.... It wasn’t until I started using the PTX expander I realized I might have been overworking the brass in the past. Hope this helped.

 

[sbwaters]

Hope this helped

It absolutely does.
Note to Hornady: Your instructions are incomplete. Add this lesson to your manual!

Of course, now I want to dream up a better way. ;-)

 

[CKweigand]

I took some photos hopefully this will help photo 2 pivot arm and meter are parallel and sharing centerline to rotor drum Photo 3 at the very bottom of downstroke and measuring meter has reached top most position Photo 4 verifying that meter is not hitting top of the measure cast housing Photo 5 mind my dirty paws...hard to tell but PTX has expanded case mouth. Very minute and easily unnoticed but is still present Photo 6 hoping you can see the “shine” on the inside of the case mouth PTX only contacts maybe a strong 1/16” of inside of casing photo 7 proof I’m not talking all horse dung. Enough flare was provided by PTX that a 230gr Rn is sitting straight up in case provided by the bullet feeder die..I did not manually help place bullet, I promise.

 

[Blue68f100]

I do not use the PTX to adj the flare. I set it and never touch it again. I do all the adj on the powder die. This way I can do a quick change since I have powder dies for all the calibers I load.

 

[Reeferman]

I do not use the PTX to adj the flare. I set it and never touch it again. I do all the adj on the powder die. This way I can do a quick change since I have powder dies for all the calibers I load.

Yup me too.

 

[CKweigand]

I do not use the PTX to adj the flare. I set it and never touch it again. I do all the adj on the powder die. This way I can do a quick change since I have powder dies for all the calibers I load.

I do not want to give anyone the wrong impression with the PTX Expander setup. Especially any new reloaders that might be intimidated by the “horrors” of initial setup of the PTX Settings.

I think Hornady has excellent engineering innovations. I just think they might have missed the mark with their initial setup instructions for the average person.

That being said, there is no reason why an individual can not have quick caliber changeovers. Just because they use a PTX expander.

I can change mine from 45 to 9mm in less than 2 minutes. When I saw the ease and convenience of the PTX (IMO) I immediately ordered 3 more powder measures, metering assemblies, case activated linkages, and lower bracket assemblies, PTX measuring stops...fortunately I was in a financial situation where I was able to do so.

All it takes now to change powder measures and the PTX internals from one to the other is 1/8th of a turn thanks to the LNL Bushing..

This way none of my PTX settings are disturbed none of my metering adjustments have been moved and no more emptying the powder hoppers just to refill for a different powder. Keep the powder type and grain settings listed on a post it note taped to the hopper and you’ll know where everything is at.

I believe that most people who opt for the use of the PTX have already decided they will have dedicated measures for each caliber if not lower bracket assemblies at the least. Just my $0.02....

If you can get past the 10 minutes worth of learning curve that is involved. I think anyone could appreciate the efficiency of the PTX.

 

[Blue68f100]

I just move the dispenser from one powder die to the next. I use the micrometer heads so I just dial in the correct number, check the load (adj if necessary) then go. This requires you to loosen the thump screw on the lower to disconnect the arm, then swap bases, reconnect.

The original setup before they add the PTX Stop was to do all the adjustments on the powder die. Then when the Stop was released they said you could adj it for fine control. The problem with this is you constantly adj it as you change caliber setups. The main purpose of the stop was to take the stress off the linkage that ties the upper to the lower. With out it you over stress the linkage where the thumb screw is and it fails. I had made my own when I saw the monster they sent, what a over kill. So my stop has been set to prevent the rotor adj from hitting the body, about 1/32" and has not been touched in a decade. I would have been better if they made the stop non adj so it does not generate all the problems related with it.