Hornady PTX users, how'd you do it?

[balmo]

I can't seem to set my PTX expander correctly. You got the upper and lower assembly coupled by a linkage that want to move away from each other so that you can have a full range of motion of the drum to drop the powder charge. Yet you have a PTX powder measure stop that would like to limit that range of motion.

I was successful and having a belled case to my liking, the drum only went halfway into its motion though. As far as I know you have the powder collar sleeve, the PTX powder measure stop, and the powder die as variables affecting the range of motion for the powder drum and the amount of belling to the case. Just adjusting those variables (in succession?) gives me problem setting up my PTX expander.

It would be great if I can set it up so I can add my RCBS lockout die for powder checks. Thank you.

[David-K]

I ditched the PTX stop and instead bought separate dies for each caliber I load. They're all adjusted accordingly as each has it's corresponding Powder Thru Expander and I just swap them out depending on which caliber run I'm doing. I could never get my PTX stop adjusted properly, either. Like you, once the bell was set, the rotor would never go all the way up. PITA and just gave up on it entirely. Since moving to separate powder dies I've experienced zero problems and excellent expansion consistency.

[TexasJackKin]

Set the "Range limiter" to just allow full motion of the drum. Then just adjust the whole powder measure up or down, to get the bell you want. Piece of cake! You may have to re-clock the powder measure, to keep the moving pieces out of the way of the primer feed.

I machined my 9, .40, & .45 so they fit in such a way, so when one is adjusted they are all adjusted. Saves a lot of time when making caliber changes.

[Bumslie]

I read the istructions

[noylj]

I don't know about anyone else, but I screw the powder die up or down and don't make hardly ANY adjustment to the linkage. Have no idea how the turn-buckle thing works nor do I need it.
I generally set the measure up at station 4 so I can turn the powder die up and down until I get the expansion/flare I want, then lock it down and move it to station 2 and set it so it doesn't interfere with anything.
Often, all you need is to turn the die down such that the case just clears the PTX hanging down and that is close--fine-tune from there. I can adjust at least from .38 Super to .380 Auto with only adjustments to the powder die body.

[Jmoreno88]

I can't seem to set my PTX expander correctly. You got the upper and lower assembly coupled by a linkage that want to move away from each other so that you can have a full range of motion of the drum to drop the powder charge. Yet you have a PTX powder measure stop that would like to limit that range of motion.

I was successful and having a belled case to my liking, the drum only went halfway into its motion though. As far as I know you have the powder collar sleeve, the PTX powder measure stop, and the powder die as variables affecting the range of motion for the powder drum and the amount of belling to the case. Just adjusting those variables (in succession?) gives me problem setting up my PTX expander.

It would be great if I can set it up so I can add my RCBS lockout die for powder checks. Thank you.

loosen the 2 Allen screws on the upper until you get full range of motion for the powder drop and tighten it, then adjust the bar for the case belling

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[DougMurray]

TexasJackKin had it right. You adjust the allen screws on the bar so the arm can go almost all the way up. The bar is simply there to take the stress off the powder measure when the case has pushed the PTX all the way up. Once that is set, you screw the die in or out until you get the bell the way you want. I have different lower assemblies for each caliber I load so the change-over is painless. Really easy to do. Don't overthink it.