Lock rings to replace O-rings?

[DIYguy]

Some of the Hornady dies use O-rings to lock in the setting. I've never been a fan of O-rings as they can compress and even twist out of place and not reliable to lock in a setting. Does anyone know if the set screw style lock rings use for other dies are available individually to replace the O-rings?

 

[cmj8591]

Sure-Loc Die Lock Ring (6 Count) by HORNADY RELOADING TOOLS)

These should work.

 

[bigedp51]

Some of the Hornady dies use O-rings to lock in the setting. I've never been a fan of O-rings as they can compress and even twist out of place and not reliable to lock in a setting. Does anyone know if the set screw style lock rings use for other dies are available individually to replace the O-rings?

I have Lee lock rings with their rubber o-rings on all my rifle dies so the die will float. All I do is put a felt tip index mark on the die and lock ring.

NOTE, the Forster Co-Ax is famous for having floating dies and reducing runout.

O-Rings on Dies May Reduce Run-Out
http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/reloading/o-rings-on-dies-may-reduce-run-out/

 

[muddocktor]

The rings that cmj8591 linked to are what I bought to put on my Lee dies to replace those O-ring types they came with. They work well and since they are pinch type instead of a set screw type they don't booger the threads up any.

 

[Vortec MAX]

I have those Hornady lock rings on all my dies; Hornady, RCBS, Lee, and Redding.

The work great. And I have found that tightening the lock screws to 18 inch-lbs is optimal.

Mike

 

[Nevada Ed]

I did not like the hex screw in my rings..........(stripped)
replaced them with a standard screw driver head.

No need to change yet.

 

[fredj338]

All 7/8" dies can use the same lock rings. I am also not a fan of the o-ring type & replace them on the few lee dies i have.

 

[rwsmith]

I posted just a few days ago....

I didn't understand the o-ring and some other features of the Lee dies like the decapper that slips unless you torque the dog mess out of it. And that was where I ran into the problem with the die turning in the lock nuts because the o-rings wasn't a positive hold.

OK, It was me and I was frustrated, but the first thing I did was put a REAL lock ring on the dies.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

It seems every company has a variation on how a die lock ring should work. I like split rings best, but on the top of a progressive all those rings get crowded. So Dillon went to a simple thin hex nut! Lyman did that over 75 years ago with the All American 7/8-14 dies! (I used to buy them in boxes of 100 at the plumbing supply!)

I too dislike the O-ring stop nuts, but there are some advantages, and some disadvantages. Some nuts are steel and some aluminum, for durable dependability I like steel! The set screws are for holding adjustment, and being able to unscrew the die and hole the adjustment. That only works if all your loading is done on the same press! So I never use the set screws feature!

Ivan

 

[DIYguy]

CMJ8591: Perfect! That's exactly what I was looking for! When I bought the press and equipment I bought the American Series dies for my pistol cartridges because I didn't know better. The American Series dies use a steel nut and "O" ring. I bought the Custom Grade for my 223 and those dies have the lock ring. Soon as I started to set up the 9mm knew I hated the nut and "O" ring. Ordering at least six to start with.

 

[Clovishound]

I suspect that most folks who dislike o rings are those with single stage presses. They do make it more difficult to obtain the same depth when changing dies.

I now use a turret press and find that the o rings work quite well. Adjust them and finger tighten and they stay in place. The only die I have problems with is the Powder Cop die with the split locking ring. It wants to keep coming loose, and I have to find the right allen wrench to unloosen it whenever I need to change the setting on it. I guess I need to snug the die into the turret plate tighter. I'm so used to hand tightening that I never break out the wrenches when tightening a die.

Everybody had different likes and dislikes. That's why they make so many different types of tools.

 

[snowman]

After quickly discovering that the O-ring nuts on my Lee dies were not to my liking, I quickly turned them upside down. Problem solved -they haven't moved on me since.

Regards,
Andy



P.S. I have the Classic Turret press, so I never remove them.

 

[67tempest]

I have used LEE dies with the o-rings forever and have never had an issue with them unscrewing or going out of adjustment. The only issue I've ever had with the decapper is when I mistakenly try to decap Berdan primed brass. I'd rather have the decapper slip then snap off the decapping pin like I've done using my RCBS dies.

 

[rwsmith]

I'm glad to hear......

I'm at least glad to hear that everybody doesn't say, "I won't use anything except Lee Dies with the O-Ring."

 

[dannyabear]

I'm at least glad to hear that everybody doesn't say, "I won't use anything except Lee Dies with the O-Ring."

OK, I'll say it.. I have 13 different die sets on their own turret for my Lee Classic Cast turret press and don't have any problem with any of them not holding where they were set...

 

[shovelwrench]

I agree, I have at least 10 sets, in turrets, that I never mess with.....

When I go to load rifle on the single stage I'm always adjusting anyway, so it doesn't matter..

 

[bigedp51]

I have Lee lock rings on every type/make resizing die I own.

How many links do I need to post to show how widely the rubber o-rings are being used?

Resizing Die Setup