Setting up 10mm/40sw hornaday dies

[kris smith]

[Sandspider500]

Here's a hint, one case is longer than the other.

[kris smith]

[smoothy8500]

I’m used to screwing them all the way in till they touch the shell plate

Yup, same thing. Sizing is the same on both. Seating and crimping when switching from 10 to 40 will require some adjustment. Similar process when using 38 Spl/357 Mag dies.

[pacrat]

That works for the sizing die. [Expander/flair] and the [seating/crimp] die require length adjustment between the two calibers due to case length variance.

Some die sets have a washer included, to use between the press, and lock ring of the die, to compensate for that variance.

[FLIGHT762]

I have the shim set from Redding for 38 Special / 357 Msg. .135" and 44 Spl. / 44 Mag. .125".

You set the sizing die as you normally would against the shell holder. You then use the appropriate washer / spacer on the belling and seating die and set up for the longer brass using the spacer. All you have to do is not use the spacer on the belling and seating dies when using the shorter cases.

Works perfectly.

This will also work for the 10MM / 40 S&W. The spacer / shim you need will be .142". I don't know if anyone makes a .142" spacer.

[divingin]

I don't know if anyone makes a .142" spacer.

Should be easy enough to have one made (if no one sells them commercially.)

[slayer61]

For the love of God, has the price of dies gone up that much it's not worth buying a second set?

[kris smith]

[jtv3062]

I have the shim set from Redding for 38 Special / 357 Msg. .135" and 44 Spl. / 44 Mag. .125".

You set the sizing die as you normally would against the shell holder. You then use the appropriate washer / spacer on the belling and seating die and set up for the longer brass using the spacer. All you have to do is not use the spacer on the belling and seating dies when using the shorter cases.

Works perfectly.

This will also work for the 10MM / 40 S&W. The spacer / shim you need will be .142". I don't know if anyone makes a .142" spacer.

I have a lee set going back 30 years ago and a Dillon set from last year and neither of them came with a washer. Not that I would need them I only have .40 S&W

[FLIGHT762]

Die sets usually do not come with the shim / spacer. RCBS did sell a set of 38 / 357 with the shim. Shims are an aftermarket item sold by Redding https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012401468?pid=189290. You can buy the set or a single one. You can make them yourself.

Back in the early 1970's, I had a machinist friend make me the 38 .135"spacer for my RCBS 38 Special die set.

For the O/P, he's only going to load for 10MM and not 40, he just sets up the dies for 10MM like any other die set. His Hornady die set is marketed to load 40 S&W and 10MM.

[jtv3062]

Well I learnt' something new from this thread.

[Karch]

[JagerDog]

That's for the sizing die. Everything else it set to a respective case.

[rsrocket1]

If someone wants to make corrections/additions to this, feel free to do so.

1. Set the sizing die to ensure it touches the shell holder at the top of the stroke with a case in the die, not just with an empty shell holder. Make sure the decapping pin extends below the bottom of the die so it expels the primer. On a single stage press you usually set the die to touch the shell holder, then screw it in an additional 1/2 turn. On a progressive press, you don't want to to screw it in that far so pick your adjustment.

1a. If you use an expanding die, adjust it to open the case mouth just enough so that the bullet sits on top of the case on its own.

2. Screw the seating die up so it doesn't touch the case at the top of the stroke

3. Adjust the seating stem to seat the bullet to the correct COL.

3a. If your seating die also taper crimps and you want a taper crimp, leave the seated cartridge in the shell holder, raise the seating stem and adjust the seating die to apply the desired taper crimp.

3b. With the seating die at the correct height, screw the seating stem down until it once again touches the top of the bullet. Now your seating die both seats the bullet and applies your desired taper crimp.

4. If you have a separate taper crimp die or FCD adjust it to apply the proper crimp. If you have an FCD and only want to close the bell, adjust it so that it just kisses the top of the case. It will bring the case mouth back to vertical. FCD's tend to swage plated bullets which can loosen them in the case. I don't use Lee pistol FCD's with plated bullets but have had no problems using the FCD's with lead bullets.