tube for hornady bullet feed die

[original]

I saw some guys post before that they use the hornady bullet feed die with plastic tubes to hold the bullets. I fiqured i would give it a try but could not find any plastic tubes to fit the die and hold the bullets, searched all the home stores and craft shops with no luck. Does anyone have any idea where to find something that will work? this is for the 40sw. Thanks

[Moonie]

I saw some guys post before that they use the hornady bullet feed die with plastic tubes to hold the bullets. I fiqured i would give it a try but could not find any plastic tubes to fit the die and hold the bullets, searched all the home stores and craft shops with no luck. Does anyone have any idea where to find something that will work? this is for the 40sw. Thanks

I'm interested too, I have them in 45 and 40, only used the 45 so far and the Lee tubes are too small to fit the die well, thinking pvc tubing might work better

[jmorris]

Google "clear plastic tubing rigid" lots of results.

Interstate plastics seems pretty cheap.

[ph4570]

I am using a 4 foot piece of clear, flexible plastic hose for 9mm. I made a brass tube from an 06 case to interface the hose to the die and I clamp the top of the tubing to the rafter in the shop. Works well but do want to get some clear rigid tubes.

[original]

thanks for the info. I didnt think about googling it. On the other sites it sounded like the other guys just bought it at some local craft store but the online thing sounds a lot easier than driving all over

[Edster]

Do a google search for $28.00 bullet feeder. There are a couple of threads on a few other sites. In those you will find the size tube needed for each caliber, and there was a source given. I have looked but I can't find the reciept for when I bought my tube

[jmar254]

9mm Bullet Tubes,

This $0.33 coupling fits "snug", probably going to ream it out just a bit, over the Hornady feeder die.
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http://t.homedepot.com/p/NIBCO-3-4-in-x-1-2-in-CPVC-CTS-Slip-x-Slip-Reducing-Coupling-C4701/100346972/

This $2.04 5' Sharkbite pex tubing fits coupling perfectly.
http://t.homedepot.com/p/product/202033024/?showPLP=false
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Total investment, $3.03, bought 3 couplers in case I screwed one up reaming it out.

I just started this last night so I haven't 100% tested or finished it yet. The ledge that the tubing stops on may, or may not, need reaming as well depending on how much space there is between the end of the tube and hole in the die to keep bullets from falling over the the void.


Giving how stippled the Hornady die is, I'm betting I can put it in a vise and carefully twist the coupler on the die to ream it out.

[original]

I did a search and someone said they got their tubes at pet mountain so I ordered some from there. They were the thin wall tubes so hopefully they work. I will try and post an update when I get around to that project next month. Thanks for the info.

[John Allen]

I just built them myself. I have not had a chance to run them but I bough the clear plastic tube. It is called thin wall rigid plastic tubing. I bought it off amazon but you can also get it at Petco and other spots it is aquarium tubing.

[Edster]

Mine are the thin wall, Some came from Linens and things and some from a Pet supply company. You may find that you have to put a wrap or two of electrical tape to get them to fit snug in the die. I also drilled a hole in the bottom and top of the tube, so that I can put hair pin clips in to hold the bullets in the tube, until I am ready to use them

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[John Allen]

Here are the ones I bought. you need different sizes for each die unless you are going to make adapters

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OM9JPG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OMJ4YW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002APYSQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001IJKELC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Just a heads up. The 9mm and the 38 special ones are going to need an adapter to get the tubing to fit or opening up of the upper part of the die. I am going to try and just widen the die a little bit rather than having the tubing pinch.

[Bonz]

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=25313&catid=554

[John Allen]

Only here would find a million options to get around buying a expensive setup from Hornady, you got to love it.

[jmar254]

The 7/16" ID is too wide for the .356 9mm, seems to allow the bullets to tip slightly causing them to bind up and not drop into the die. Only out $3 bucks, sure I'll find something to do with the parts.

[1911KY]

If your not in a hurry:

http://www.hornady.com/store/Lock-N-Load-45-Auto-Bullet-Tube/

[jmar254]

If your not in a hurry:

http://www.hornady.com/store/Lock-N-Load-45-Auto-Bullet-Tube/

They're going to be getting $30 for 3, everyone's working on getting 30 for $3.

None of my local pet stores carry the thin walled tubes.

[jmorris]

$30 for 3 is too much for sure. You can get the Lee 4 tube turret for $20 and it comes with 8 tubes total. Not to mention the turret part so you can index each tube into place in a second vs having a single 6 foot tall tube.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/668974/lee-pro-1000-load-master-progressive-press-multi-tube-bullet-feeder-adapter

[Edster]

Or you can get it from someplace like this http://www.petmountain.com/product/aquarium-water-tubing/11442-504991/lees-thinwall-rigid-tubing-clear.html

I didn't have the ceiling height for the 3'-0 tube, so I cut them in half. Each tube holds 25 bullets. That's 9mm, swapping out tubes doesn't even slow me down.

[jmar254]

Edster, can I assume you bought the 7/16 OD tubes for your 9mm?

[Edster]

Yes 7/16 for the 9mm. I think it was a wrap and a half or two wraps of electrical tape to get them snug in the die.

[jmorris]

Or you can get it from someplace like this http://www.petmountain.com/product/aquarium-water-tubing/11442-504991/lees-thinwall-rigid-tubing-clear.html

I didn't have the ceiling height for the 3'-0 tube, so I cut them in half. Each tube holds 25 bullets. That's 9mm, swapping out tubes doesn't even slow me down.

Much more cost effective but if you have to stop loading, it's not just slowing you down but halting production all together. If only for a few seconds.

In the end of the day a bullet feeder without a collator doesn't speed things up near as much as it does with a collator. Without one you still have to drop each one by hand into a tube base down at some point and that takes time.

[Edster]

If I was worried about production I would buy a Dillon ammo plant with motor. I'm not, this is a hobby that I enjoy. I don't mind taking the time to load tubes or primers or cases. 9mm is the only caliber I have the bullet feeder die for because I load so much of it. All depends what you want to do and what you want out of it. The bullet feeder die for me takes a bit of strain and repetition away from my hand and shoulder. So it works for me. Not saying it is faster, or more efficient just that it works for me.

[jmorris]

I understand.

Just sharing what I have learned.

[1911KY]

They're going to be getting $30 for 3, everyone's working on getting 30 for $3.

None of my local pet stores carry the thin walled tubes.

That is msrp, they will probably go for half that. But 30 for $3 is impossible to beat.

[jmar254]

Does anyone know if the 9mm RCBS tubes fit in the Hornady dies?