HORNADY CASE FEEDER
- Thread starter bdm
- Start date
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Well...if you bought it used and without instructions then go to Hornady website and download installation manuals about 30 pages long in .pdf format. It'll tell you step-by-step what to do...looks to be about an hour job. Good luck.
nofishbob
Member
The website Ultimatereloader.com has some really nice videos that may be helpful...
Good luck!
Bob
Good luck!
Bob
I just bought one a few months ago, and the assembly/install was really not difficult, maybe an hour. However, getting it "dialed-in" to feed the cases reliably has taken me a long time... In fact, I finally had a few hours to mess with it this past weekend (I've got small kids, and it's difficult to get dedicated time to spend on such things...) and was able to finally use it to produce some rounds.
My only issue was getting the case to feed into the shell plate/holder without tipping on edge and jamming before being fully seated in the shell holder. I made the adjustments outlined in the directions, and still, just could not get it to feed properly. After much frustration, I called Hornady customer service, nice enough, but really not helpful. So, I returned to fiddling with the wire/arm adjustments (make small adjustments, at a time...), and got it to the point where it fully feeds the case about 90% of the time. But, I have to advance (on the up-stroke) the shell plate VERY slowly, as the case is entering the shell holder, to accomplish this... Once in a while, especially if I go too fast with the case going into the shel holder, a case will still tip and get hung up on the side of the shell holder. Not too big of a deal, if you are paying attention, as I just tip it flat, and push it the rest of the way.
I believe I would not have this problem, if the case feed arm assembly did not have as much 'play' in it, as it does. If I squeeze the 'v-block' with my fingers (reducing any play in this unit) as it's feeding the case, it works perfect. In my opinion, this is a design issue. I suppose with some more practice, and adjustment, I may be able to get some more improvement in it's operation. I'm also going to try it with .45ACP, and see if they feed better than the .38 Specials that I've been working with.
This all being said, I do like the case feeder, you get used to not having to manually feed the case, real fast. However, at this point, I believe that I actually crank out more rounds per hour without the case feeder. I'm optimistic that this will change as I get this thing figured out a little more.
My only issue was getting the case to feed into the shell plate/holder without tipping on edge and jamming before being fully seated in the shell holder. I made the adjustments outlined in the directions, and still, just could not get it to feed properly. After much frustration, I called Hornady customer service, nice enough, but really not helpful. So, I returned to fiddling with the wire/arm adjustments (make small adjustments, at a time...), and got it to the point where it fully feeds the case about 90% of the time. But, I have to advance (on the up-stroke) the shell plate VERY slowly, as the case is entering the shell holder, to accomplish this... Once in a while, especially if I go too fast with the case going into the shel holder, a case will still tip and get hung up on the side of the shell holder. Not too big of a deal, if you are paying attention, as I just tip it flat, and push it the rest of the way.
I believe I would not have this problem, if the case feed arm assembly did not have as much 'play' in it, as it does. If I squeeze the 'v-block' with my fingers (reducing any play in this unit) as it's feeding the case, it works perfect. In my opinion, this is a design issue. I suppose with some more practice, and adjustment, I may be able to get some more improvement in it's operation. I'm also going to try it with .45ACP, and see if they feed better than the .38 Specials that I've been working with.
This all being said, I do like the case feeder, you get used to not having to manually feed the case, real fast. However, at this point, I believe that I actually crank out more rounds per hour without the case feeder. I'm optimistic that this will change as I get this thing figured out a little more.
wantmoresmiths
Member
Set up was not difficult, just take your time and follow the instructions. Take nofishbob's advice, check out the ultimate reloader videos. It does need to be tweaked when switching calibers, but nothing terribly difficult.
I have been using mine for over a year and am fairly happy with its performance. If you are loading relatively large amounts of ammunition, it's a great investment. Between my son, my daughter in law, and myself we burn up about 6,000 rounds of 9mm a year. In addition I also burn up about 3,000 rounds of .45ACP. Every once in a while a case doesn't drop completely free an gets pinched by the rotating casefeeder plate. I'll try to post a picture of this. While not a huge issue, it is a nuisance. I don't believe that has anything to do with the set up. I have recently started loading .38 special, and am using the casefeeder for the first time with that particular caliber. I am experiencing the same issue as dmar, where the case wants to tip over before going into the shell plate. I don't have this problem with the 9mm or .45 ACP cases, probably because they are short and stout (like me) rather than tall and skinny. I'll just have to keep tweaking till I get it right.
I have been using mine for over a year and am fairly happy with its performance. If you are loading relatively large amounts of ammunition, it's a great investment. Between my son, my daughter in law, and myself we burn up about 6,000 rounds of 9mm a year. In addition I also burn up about 3,000 rounds of .45ACP. Every once in a while a case doesn't drop completely free an gets pinched by the rotating casefeeder plate. I'll try to post a picture of this. While not a huge issue, it is a nuisance. I don't believe that has anything to do with the set up. I have recently started loading .38 special, and am using the casefeeder for the first time with that particular caliber. I am experiencing the same issue as dmar, where the case wants to tip over before going into the shell plate. I don't have this problem with the 9mm or .45 ACP cases, probably because they are short and stout (like me) rather than tall and skinny. I'll just have to keep tweaking till I get it right.
response to dmar
Just got my case feeder yesterday. QC is bad at Hornady. Mine had a lot of issues, one was tipping of the cases as they were fed unless I went REAL slow. Tried adjusting the wire up and down but ran out of thread. Finally got mad and just popped the wire out of the retainer slot at the top and bent it away just a bit. That fixed the timing issue for me. Also, the case feed slide had a burr on it so it kinda stuck. Once that stuff was fixed it runs pretty smooth. Still sends 4 or so upside down down the tube when doing 40S&W out of 100.
Just got my case feeder yesterday. QC is bad at Hornady. Mine had a lot of issues, one was tipping of the cases as they were fed unless I went REAL slow. Tried adjusting the wire up and down but ran out of thread. Finally got mad and just popped the wire out of the retainer slot at the top and bent it away just a bit. That fixed the timing issue for me. Also, the case feed slide had a burr on it so it kinda stuck. Once that stuff was fixed it runs pretty smooth. Still sends 4 or so upside down down the tube when doing 40S&W out of 100.
Been using LNL AP w/case feeder since 05/05 and am happy with it.
I use V Block #2 for .38 spl, .38 super, and 9mm
#3 for .44 spl&mag, .41mag
#5 For .45acp
Contrary to my manual I use the small pistol case feed wheel w/38spl-.357mag but need to use large case feed tube as stated.
Method I use is to let the case feed tube fill up to auto off switch (about 2 dz .45acp cases), then turn manual switch OFF. I proceed to load the cases in the feed tube till it's MT. I then turn power switch on allowing case feeder tube to fill again to auto off switch. I don't like the case feeder running while I load for a few reasons.
Occasionally a shell will bridge entrance to feed tube and following shells get backed up and overflow.
Sometimes a case will jam in the exit opening of the bowl, stopping feed wheel, I like to be available to clear it.
While feed tube is filling like to use the short time available to glance over my rig for anything amiss.
I feel it's better to run the feeder for a short while rather than having it cycling constantly to keep the case column up against the auto off switch.
Should you find high primers check that the bolt securing the shell plate to press hasn't backed off a bit.
Hope you enjoy yours as I do mine.
Kevin G
I use V Block #2 for .38 spl, .38 super, and 9mm
#3 for .44 spl&mag, .41mag
#5 For .45acp
Contrary to my manual I use the small pistol case feed wheel w/38spl-.357mag but need to use large case feed tube as stated.
Method I use is to let the case feed tube fill up to auto off switch (about 2 dz .45acp cases), then turn manual switch OFF. I proceed to load the cases in the feed tube till it's MT. I then turn power switch on allowing case feeder tube to fill again to auto off switch. I don't like the case feeder running while I load for a few reasons.
Occasionally a shell will bridge entrance to feed tube and following shells get backed up and overflow.
Sometimes a case will jam in the exit opening of the bowl, stopping feed wheel, I like to be available to clear it.
While feed tube is filling like to use the short time available to glance over my rig for anything amiss.
I feel it's better to run the feeder for a short while rather than having it cycling constantly to keep the case column up against the auto off switch.
Should you find high primers check that the bolt securing the shell plate to press hasn't backed off a bit.
Hope you enjoy yours as I do mine.
Kevin G
