Hornady New Dimension die fix

wileybelch · July 21, 2012, 05:56 AM

I love the elliptical expander ball on Hornady New Dimension FL sizing dies. I don't like the slippage of the stem through the friction style lock nut. If you're interested in solving this problem, here's how I fixed it. Large caliber dies use a 0.218" - 0.220" diameter smooth stem for the expander nipple. Using a 1/4"x28 NF die, thread the stem down to within 1/2" of the nipple. Then, cut the inside of the stem lock nut with a 1/4"x28 NF tap STARTING FROM THE COMPRESSION END! Tap as deep as your tap will go. The die threads will be flat-topped as the stem is not 0.250" diameter. Now you can screw your stem into the compression nut, set the depth you want for decapping/expanding with only very light tightening of the stem nut and you'll never have stem slippage again! The small caliber dies use a 0.180" - 0.185" stem so a 3/16" tap and die pair will work for them. Hope this helps keep those New Dimension dies working easily! (You may prefer NC instead of NF threads...I had the NF tap and dies on hand, so I used them. The NC may be just fine, too, for this modification.)

FrankenMauser · July 21, 2012, 08:22 AM

I use RCBS or Redding dies to decap crimped primers. (.223/5.56, .308, .30-06, 9mm, .45 Auto)

Anything else (if using a Lee or Hornady die), just gets the collet tightened until the decapper/expander doesn't slip.

wogpotter · July 21, 2012, 08:37 AM

Hornady sells an inexpensive upgraded shaft & lock nut with threads cut into it & it will even decap crimped in military primers.

Dave P · July 21, 2012, 08:49 AM

You just defeated the whole purpose of the slipping stem: to help protect the stem from damage if too much force is applied.

Like when you try to de-cap a Berdan case.

Or not enough lube on the case neck.

wncchester · July 21, 2012, 09:37 AM

I prefer to thread just a tad at the top of Lee's decap stems and Hornady's copy of it. A nut on top prevents it from pulling out and still lets the stem slip UP if need be.

flashhole · July 21, 2012, 03:51 PM

You really have to crank down on the Hornady die to get it to work properly. After a few decades of experience, I shy away from Hornady reloading equipment.

FrankenMauser · July 21, 2012, 05:11 PM

Quote:

You just defeated the whole purpose of the slipping stem: to help protect the stem from damage if too much force is applied.

Like when you try to de-cap a Berdan case.

If you're running your press so hard and fast that you can't feel the decapping pin strike something that "isn't right", you need to slow down.

Case sorting removes Berdan cases, and head stamps known for tight flash holes.

Clean, sort, inspect. I don't wait for a die malfunction to tell me that I was too lazy to properly inspect my brass.

wileybelch · July 22, 2012, 04:10 AM

I guess I should have clarified my experience with the ND sizing die. The elliptical expander nipple is ideal for shaping up case necks that have a severe dent (esp. military cases of many calibers). Standard expander nipples often cannot un-dent these cases without damaging the mouth. This un-denting can take extra pressure to force the expander nipple over/through the dent to straighten it out. This extra force is the cause of the slippage in the decapping stem. The same applies when using the elliptical nipple to expand, say, to a .338 or 8mm mouth from a .30 mouth. Anyway, I never had a problem with decapping. The Hornady friction nut was adequate for decapping every case style I've used.

July 21, 2012, 05:56 AM	#1
wileybelch Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Posts: 115	Hornady New Dimension die fix I love the elliptical expander ball on Hornady New Dimension FL sizing dies. I don't like the slippage of the stem through the friction style lock nut. If you're interested in solving this problem, here's how I fixed it. Large caliber dies use a 0.218" - 0.220" diameter smooth stem for the expander nipple. Using a 1/4"x28 NF die, thread the stem down to within 1/2" of the nipple. Then, cut the inside of the stem lock nut with a 1/4"x28 NF tap STARTING FROM THE COMPRESSION END! Tap as deep as your tap will go. The die threads will be flat-topped as the stem is not 0.250" diameter. Now you can screw your stem into the compression nut, set the depth you want for decapping/expanding with only very light tightening of the stem nut and you'll never have stem slippage again! The small caliber dies use a 0.180" - 0.185" stem so a 3/16" tap and die pair will work for them. Hope this helps keep those New Dimension dies working easily! (You may prefer NC instead of NF threads...I had the NF tap and dies on hand, so I used them. The NC may be just fine, too, for this modification.)

July 21, 2012, 08:22 AM	#2
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	I use RCBS or Redding dies to decap crimped primers. (.223/5.56, .308, .30-06, 9mm, .45 Auto) Anything else (if using a Lee or Hornady die), just gets the collet tightened until the decapper/expander doesn't slip. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

July 21, 2012, 08:37 AM	#3
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	Hornady sells an inexpensive upgraded shaft & lock nut with threads cut into it & it will even decap crimped in military primers. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

July 21, 2012, 08:49 AM	#4
Dave P Senior Member Join Date: August 16, 1999 Location: North Florida Posts: 1,346	You just defeated the whole purpose of the slipping stem: to help protect the stem from damage if too much force is applied. Like when you try to de-cap a Berdan case. Or not enough lube on the case neck. __________________ I think this country is screwed.

July 21, 2012, 03:51 PM	#6
flashhole Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2005 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 2,000	You really have to crank down on the Hornady die to get it to work properly. After a few decades of experience, I shy away from Hornady reloading equipment. __________________ ,,, stupidity comes to some people very easily. 8/22/2017 my wife in a discussion about Liberals. Are you ready for civil war?

July 21, 2012, 09:37 AM	#5
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	I prefer to thread just a tad at the top of Lee's decap stems and Hornady's copy of it. A nut on top prevents it from pulling out and still lets the stem slip UP if need be.

July 22, 2012, 04:10 AM	#8
wileybelch Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Posts: 115	I guess I should have clarified my experience with the ND sizing die. The elliptical expander nipple is ideal for shaping up case necks that have a severe dent (esp. military cases of many calibers). Standard expander nipples often cannot un-dent these cases without damaging the mouth. This un-denting can take extra pressure to force the expander nipple over/through the dent to straighten it out. This extra force is the cause of the slippage in the decapping stem. The same applies when using the elliptical nipple to expand, say, to a .338 or 8mm mouth from a .30 mouth. Anyway, I never had a problem with decapping. The Hornady friction nut was adequate for decapping every case style I've used.

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