Well I bought a 17 Hornet (CZ). Mounted a scope - Zeis 3x9. Went to the book about Gun Gack. Shot first load pretty good. Then adjusted the trigger. Hope to do better. The first 5 shot groups were Big hole groups but a couple of flyers due to poor rifle control by the shooter. Think the improved trigger control will help.

I am frustrated with dies. I bought Hornady dies and had 3 out of the first 100 cases fail due to bullets not aligning during seating correctly.

I bought Lee dies. They seem to be better, no losses in first 40 cases loaded.

I should have asked advice earlier. Anyone like their dies -- excluding Hornady and Lee?

If you like those two I don't want to hear it. 😥

Mine are Redding, an "S" bushing neck-sizing die, a Competition seater, and a body die for sizing cases if they get a little tight in the chamber.

Thanks, wish I would have asked earlier...

If you decide to switch, I can tell you the size of bushing that works with Hornady brass.

It helps to chamfer .17 Hornet case mouths a little more than usual, since all commonly available .17 caliber bullets are flat-based with pretty sharp "corners."

Yes, please tell me size of bushing - I'm using Hornady brass. I agree on the chamfer need. I usually do with bullets, especially flat base. Thanks.

I'll be buying what you're suggesting.

It's the .192 bushing. Works just great in the neck-sizing "S' die--just run 'em up in there and they're nice and straight, and ready to load, since they don't stretch much at all after the first firing.

Is the titanium bushing worth the extra cost?

I've used both with perfect results in various cartridges, but haven't used a plain steel bushing to load thousands of varmint rounds. The advantages of the titanium bushing are supposed to be a harder surface and reduced friction. My own .17 bushing is titanium.

Quick question John,

Is there any reason that the type S full length die cannot be used as a body die if the bushing is removed?

Thanks for your input.

Jim

While I haven't tried that, that should definitely work as a body die.

I switched a few years ago to a VLD type chamfer tool on my case prep center.

Makes starting bullets noticeably easier. Never a failure with Hornady (sorry) dies.

I've been using a VLD chamfer for a few years as well.

I have at least half a dozen brands of dies on my shelf, including Hornady, Lee, RCBS, Forster and even some antiques like CH. I use the Redding bushing neck-die for the .17 Hornet not because it makes seating bullets any easier (the VLD chamferer does that) but because it's the best way I've found to be able to really crank out lots of handloads for lots of rodents, with the cases absolute straight so they'll shoot straight, and zero need for lubing. If Lee made a collett die for the .17 Hornet I'd sure try one, but they don't, so use the Redding instead.

I have not been around a collett die, I dont know what that is.

No experience with a bushing neck die either. I will say the idea of not having to lube cases sounds like a good one.

Does a body die decap as well?

A body die just resizes the body of the case, not the neck. It's primarily for use in conjunction with a neck-sizing die, for when cases get a little too tight to chamber easily anymore. The body dies I have don't decap; dunno if anybody makes any that do.

The Lee collett die has steel "fingers" that squeeze the neck around a mandrel, sizing it down enough to hold bullets. They normally result in very straight ammo.

Bushing dies do essentially the same thing, but with a separate round bushing that sizes the neck down. But unlike the collett die, for the best results with a particular brand (or manufacturing lot) of brass, you need the correct diameter bushing to size the necks down just enough to hold bullets firmly. Size the necks smaller than needed and they don't seat as straightly.

With collett dies it doesn't matter what the neck thickness is, since they mash any of 'em around the same-sizer mandrel.

Ahhh, thanks.