Hornady New Dimension Dies Instructions

							Custom-Grade
TM
 Dies
  NEW 
DIMENSION
TM     
						

							BEFORE USING DIES
Before using your new dies, disassemble and carefully clean 
the inside surface of the sizing and seating dies (and the 
expander die if a three-die set.) A rust preventive oil is applied 
at the factory to protect the dies during shipping and must be 
removed before reloading. Any commercial solvent or cleaner 
(like our ONE SHOT Gun Cleaner and Dry Lube) will suffice. 
Inspect all cartridge cases and discard those with cracks, 
splits and other visible defects. Wipe cases clean with a soft 
cloth to remove grit and other foreign matter which may 
scratch the die. Before sizing, lubricate the cases with one of 
the case lubes available from Hornady (ONE SHOT Case Lube 
or UNIQUE, a hard paste.) No matter the method of lubrication, 
all rifle cases must be lubricated (Hornady’s Titanium Nitride 
three-die sets are lube-free.) We don’t recommend the use of 
oil-type lubes; they may contaminate the powder inside the case.
Little or no lube on rifle cases will result in a stuck case. 
Over-lubrication will cause dents in the shoulder, damaging 
appearance. (If you do get a case stuck in a die, we can remove 
the case without damaging the die and return it to you. Enclose 
$4.00 for postage and handling.)
ADJUSTING THE SIZE DIE
To adjust the expander/decap assembly:
1. Loosen the spindle lock.
2. Adjust the spindle so approximately 3/16" 
of the decap pin is below the end of the die 
(SEE PHOTO.)
3. Tighten the spindle lock. If not tightened 
sufficiently, the spindle will back out the top of the 
die when deprimed, or it will pull out of the die when 
the ram is lowered. If the spindle is adjusted too high, the primer 
may not be expelled and a new primer cannot be seated.
Hornady’s Elliptical Expander/Decap Assembly (two-die sets only) 
is designed to ease the stress on cases when full-length sizing 
because it has less bearing surface than other long, straight, 
expanders or short, blunt expanders-reducing the frequency of 
trimming cases.
To adjust the full-length size die, follow these steps:
1. Raise the press ram to highest position without camming over.
2. Thread the full-length die into the press until the base touches 
    the shell holder head.
3. Tighten the lock ring against the press and tighten the set 
    screw with the allen wrench.
4. Adjust the expander/decap assembly.
(Note: Firearm action types and chamber dimensions vary causing excess headspace. To eliminate the headspace, adjust the full-length die upward.)
3/16"
ADJUSTING THE SEATING DIE
Hornady bullet seating dies feature a floating 
in-line sleeve designed to minimize bullet 
run-out (misalignment caused by tipped 
bullet.) The cartridge neck and bullet are 
aligned in the floating sleeve prior to 
seating the bullet for in-line, precise bullet 
seating.
These universal seating dies are manufac-
tured by caliber (.224, .243, .308, .358, 
etc...) and not by specific cartridge 
(222 Remington, 240 Weatherby Magnum, 
30-30 Winchester, 35 Whelen, etc...)
Prior to seating, make sure the steel 
seating stem is positioned in the alignment 
sleeve (see die parts list.) Also, make sure 
the cases are chamfered before seating.
When properly adjusted, Hornady’s seating 
die may appear as though it’s not threaded 
far enough into the press (they are adjusted 
for long or short cases). Don’t be alarmed. As few as 
three threads need be screwed into the die for precise 
and accurate reloading. 
(Note: As with all seating dies, when seating lubricated lead bullets, lubricant will build-up within the die causing variations in seating. Clean and inspect as needed.)
SEATING WITHOUT A CRIMP
1   Insert a sized case into the shell holder and lower the handle. 
Back out the seater adjustment screw. With the seater screw 
adjusted higher to begin with, it enables you to adjust down-
ward until the proper seating depth is reached. (If you have 
the seater adjustment screw too low to start, 
your bullets might start off being seated too deep).
2   Thread the seating die into the press until you feel resis-
tance. At that point, the crimp ring has come in contact 
with the mouth of the case.
3   Back the die out of the press one-half turn to prevent the 
case from being crimped — tighten the die body lock ring. 
(Note: if the die is threaded too far into the press, the case 
shoulder will collapse.) Raise the handle and return the 
ram to its starting position.
4   Insert a bullet in the case mouth - lower the handle so 
the cartridge and bullet enter the alignment sleeve. Upon 
completion of the stroke, the bullet will barely be seated in 
the case.
5   Adjust the seater adjustment screw downward in small 
increments, each time operating the handle until the bullet 
is seated to the desired length. The bullet might stay in the 
floating seating stem if there is little or no engagement by 
the case mouth. At the completion of each stroke, inspect 
the cartridge for the correct overall length.  
						

							SEATING WITH A CRIMP
To begin, refer to the procedure for SEATING WITHOUT A CRIMP. 
Follow the procedure throughout, however, DO NOT TIGHTEN THE 
DIE BODY LOCK RING.
1   Once you’ve reached the preferred seating depth for the 
bullet, back out the seater adjustment screw a few turns.
2   Raise the ram, with the cartridge, to the top of the stroke.
3   Thread the seater die body into the press until it meets 
resistance (again, at that point, the mouth of the case has 
met resistance with the crimper.)
4   Thread the seater die body into the press in small increments 
(one-sixteenth...one-eighth turns) each time operating the 
handle. At the completion of each stroke, inspect the 
cartridge for the proper crimp.
5   Once you’ve reached the desired crimp (with the cartridge 
still in the die), tighten the die body lock ring. While holding 
down the handle, thread the seater adjustment screw 
downward until it firmly contacts the bullet. 
(NOTE: On presses with a cam-over action, back out the adjusting 
screw 1/8 to 1/4 of a turn to allow for cam-over.)
6   At that point, raise the handle and remove the cartridge. 
Check the lock ring to make sure it’s still tight. Try another 
case with a bullet. If the desired seating depth and crimp are 
attained, then you can begin seating and crimping in one 
operation. If not, make the needed minor adjustments.  
(NOTE: For uniform crimps, cases must be trimmed prior to 
seating, to uniform length.)
NECKING UP
The elliptical shape of the expander allows the reloader to 
expand the mouth of the case as well as “neck up” from one 
caliber to a larger caliber without the use of a tapered expander.
The expander is tapered at the top as well as the bottom to 
“neck up” in stages. For example, you can use Hornady’s 25 
caliber and 30 caliber expanders to neck up from a .223 caliber 
to 30 caliber.
ADJUSTING THE EXPANDER DIE
(Three-die sets only)
The expander assembly is designed to put a slight “bell” or flare 
on the case mouth. For uniform flaring, trim all case to their 
proper length.
To adjust the expander die body, raise the 
press ram to its full height with a case in 
the shell holder. Thread the expander die 
into the press until the expander touches 
the case mouth. Raise the handle and screw 
down the die in small increments (each time 
inspecting the mouth) until the mouth of the 
case has been flared just enough to seat a 
bullet. Tighten the die body lock ring and set screw. Keep in 
mind that an excessive flare can eventually shorten case life, 
and may keep the case from properly entering the seating die. 
						

							ACCESSORIES 
MicroJust™
The economical way to achieve optimum bullet seating 
depth for benchrest accuracy and consistency. Simply 
replace the standard seating depth adjustment stem on 
your New Dimension Custom Grade Dies with the MicroJust 
Seating stem. Allows you to precisely set bullet seating 
depth in .001" increments. 
No. 044090
L-N-L Die and Conversion Bushings
Simply insert a Hornady conversion bushing into 
your RCBS® Rock Chucker or other reloading 
press using a 11⁄4-12 thread, and you’re ready 
to start using the Lock-N-Load System. It’s the 
easiest way to get the most out of your reloading 
press. These bushings let you take advantage 
of Hornady’s Lock-N-Load technology even if you 
own a competitor’s reloading press. The Lock-N-
Load Conversion kit includes three die bushings 
and one conversion bushing.
L-N-L Press Conversion Bushing No. 044095
(2-pk.) L-N-L Die Bushings  No. 044094
(3-pk.) L-N-L Die Bushings No. 044093
(10-pk.) L-N-L Die Bushings No. 044096
L-N-L Conversion Kit   No. 044099
PRODUCT WARRANTY
WARRANTY: Hornady product warranty extends to the original purchaser of the reloading dies. Hornady product warranty does not apply to 
commercial reloaders.
WARRANTY COVERAGE: Hornady reloading dies are warranted against defective materials and workmanship. Hornady NEW DIMENSION dies 
are guaranteed not to break or wear out from normal use. THIS WARRANTY IS VOID IF THE PRODUCT (1) has been damaged by accident or 
unreasonable use, neglect, improper service or other causes not arising out of defects in material or workmanship, or (2) has been altered or 
repairs have been made or attempted by other than authorized factory personnel, or (3) is used commercially or (4) has been altered or 
defaced in any way. Reloading dies will be either replaced or reconditioned (at Hornady’s option) when product is returned prepaid, to: 
HORNADY WARRANTY REPAIR SERVICE, 3625 OLD POTASH HIGHWAY, GRAND ISLAND, NE 68803. The replacement will continue the warranty of 
the original product, or ninety days, whichever is longer.
2/04                                                                                                                                                   780140
P.O. Box 1848 • Grand Island, NE 68802-1848
(308) 382-1390 • 800-338-3220
www.hornady.com
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Key Description Part No.A Large Spindle Lock 396335 Small Spindle Lock 396336B Size Die Body *C Spindle/Decap Pin  * (plus Expander on  Bottleneck Dies only) *D Seater Adjusting Screw 044100E Seater Lock Nut 044800F Washer 398067G Seater Die Body *
DIE SET 
PARTS LIST
Key Description Part No.H Retaining Ring (2)  (3-Die Set only) 396430I Seating Stem *J Alignment Sleeve *K Expander Die Body  (3-Die Set only) *L Lock Ring Screw 390200M Sure-Loc Lock Ring 044000N Allen Wrench 390656
*Caliber specific part numbers are assigned to these items.