22 hornet dies - question

[hunterwinco]

Hey folks, I was getting ready to order some dies to reload my hornet.  Do most people use a neck die, like the Lee Collet set or do you full Length.  If you neck only do they usually feed and eject easy?  Thanks for the input!

[.308]

I use Lee F/L dies, set the size die to miss the shoulder. They eject and chamber w/o problems.

[mitchell]

i got a set of RCBS that i use , they are F/L

[Paul5388]

I use Lee collet neck sizing dies.  I have the three die set and could FL resize if I want to, but so far haven't found a need for them.  I normally size and then turn the brass 90 degrees and size again.  Brass life is good so far, but Lil'Gun loads may contribute to that also.

[Center Shot]

I ran into a problem using neck sizing dies with my .243 handi. The shoulder of the case moves forward and the case does not chamber completely when neck sizing.
 The collet die is included with one of the Lee die sets, maybe with the rimed case there won' be a problem. You can check by dropping a loaded case into the chamber past the extractor and see if it is flush with the breech.
 The Hornet is one of the most finicky cartridges I have ever loaded for, good luck in your endeavorer.

[muzzle_blast]

I use Alliant 2400 powder in my Hornet and found that the Lee collet die does save my cases. I have only had a couple of instances where the case would not eject and that was after a couple of neck sizing only. I am using Winchester cases exclusively, not sure how the Remingtons would do. I get an good amount of case stretch when I do full length resize and this was before I went to the collet die. Accuracy is great with sub-MOA at 100 yards. for a 3 shot group.

[mitchell]

found that the Lee collet die does save my cases.

you know i've heard a lot about how bad the hornet is on brass and i just don't see it. like i said i used a F/L rcbs die to resize my brass and i would get close to 15 reloads before the primer pockets just wouldn't hold a primer anymore. now i did anneal (spelling) my brass but 15 reloads is still a lot and i was shooting some hot loads too.

[muzzle_blast]

My problem area is not the primer pocket but the case itself in front of the web. When fired, a plainly visible buldge can be seen in front of the web. I get about 6 reloads out of Winchester cases and less from the Remingtons before the case head separates. The collet die has helped extend my case life besides adding a little more to accuracy (sub MOA at 100 yards).

[mitchell]

less from the Remingtons

strange i use remington's in my hornet and i just about can't wear them out

[hunterwinco]

thanks for all the good feedback, I ordered a set of Lee Pacesetters from Cabelas yesterday as well as some Rem. 45 g hp's to playwith.  Everyone speaks well of L'il gun, so I will try some of that.  Has anyone loaded Lil with the cheap rem 45g bullets?

[mitchell]

if you go any lighter then 45 go with H110 instead of lil gun faster and more accurate, i use the cheap remingtons (let my know when you need some i still have about 1000) in my hornet with H110 and got about 1 moa it was a great load for 200 yards and in P-dogs.

[pascalp]

Hunterwinco,
add an inline seater to your dies, (the ultra forster in the zip file that i sent). I regret not have taken the ultra with micrometer instead the comp seater.

[hunterwinco]

PASCALP...I will look at that===thanks