Hornady .350 Legend Dies Set Series V Review

Worth the Money? My Take on the Hornady .350 Legend Dies Set Series V

The Hornady .350 Legend Dies Set Series V represents a significant investment for reloaders looking to precisely craft ammunition for the increasingly popular .350 Legend cartridge. As a reloading die set, its primary function is to resize spent casings and seat new bullets, crucial steps in producing safe and accurate reloaded rounds. My own journey with this particular set began out of necessity. I was pushing the boundaries of my .350 Legend rifle’s accuracy and found that my existing, more generic dies were becoming a bottleneck in achieving the consistency I craved. After hearing consistent praise for Hornady’s manufacturing precision, I decided to invest in their Custom Grade Series V dies, hoping for a tangible improvement in my reloads.

Upon initial inspection, the quality of the metalwork and the overall finish of these dies were immediately apparent. They felt substantial, exhibiting a level of craftsmanship that suggested longevity and consistent performance. Unlike some of the entry-level sets I’d previously used, there was no hint of rough machining or uneven plating. I had considered a set from Lee Precision, known for their affordability, but the allure of Hornady’s reputation for tighter tolerances and smoother operation ultimately swayed my decision, despite the higher price point. My first impression was one of confident anticipation; I felt I had finally acquired a tool that could keep pace with my ambitions for precise rifle ammunition.

Real-World Testing: Putting Hornady .350 Legend Dies Set Series V to the Test

My testing environment for these dies was primarily my reloading bench in a climate-controlled workshop, punctuated by trips to the outdoor shooting range. The .350 Legend dies were put through their paces across numerous reloading sessions, handling batches of both newly-formed brass from factory ammunition and once-fired brass. I subjected them to repeated cycling, ensuring consistent sizing and seating across dozens of cases for each batch. The dies performed admirably through these cycles, exhibiting no discernible loss in precision or smoothness. Even after prolonged use in a single session, where ambient temperature might fluctuate slightly, the die’s performance remained remarkably consistent.

Extended use has only solidified my appreciation for this die set. After several months and hundreds of rounds loaded, the Hornady .350 Legend Dies Set Series V continues to perform at a high level, with no signs of premature wear or degradation in functionality. The precision sizing remains as tight as day one, and bullet seating is consistently centered and to the desired depth. Cleaning is straightforward; a quick wipe-down with a solvent-dampened cloth and a light application of case lube on the die threads is all that’s needed. Compared to budget dies, where a noticeable increase in friction or a slight decrease in accuracy might creep in after a few hundred rounds, these Hornady dies maintain their factory-fresh feel and performance.

First Use Experience

My first reloading session with the Hornady dies was on my standard reloading bench. I mounted them on my single-stage press, lubricated a batch of .350 Legend casings, and began the sizing process. The lever action of the press felt notably smoother with these dies compared to my previous set, requiring less effort to fully cam over. Bullet seating was equally impressive, with the seating stem engaging the bullet nose consistently and without any wobble, leading to uniform overall cartridge length.

Extended Use & Reliability

Weeks turned into months, and the reliability of the Hornady dies remained uncompromised. Whether I was loading for accuracy testing at the range or for general plinking, the consistency of the sized cases and seated bullets was always top-notch. I even experienced a minor mishap where a dropped case briefly contacted the die mouth, but the robust construction showed no ill effects. Regular cleaning with a bore snake and a light touch of resizing lubricant on the die body has kept them in perfect working order.

Breaking Down the Features of Hornady .350 Legend Dies Set Series V

Specifications

The Hornady .350 Legend Dies Set Series V is a four-die set, specifically engineered for the .350 Legend cartridge. This comprehensive package includes a full-length sizer die, a neck sizer die, a seating die, and a crimp die. The precision machining of each die is a hallmark of Hornady’s Custom Grade line, ensuring tight tolerances for accurate reloading. The full-length sizer die is designed to bring fired cases back to factory specifications, while the neck sizer offers a way to reduce resizing effort if desired for cases that have not been fired extensively.

The seating die features an adjustable seating stem for precise control over bullet depth, a critical factor for consistent chambering and accurate ballistic performance. The dedicated crimp die allows for proper case mouth tension, which is vital for preventing bullet setback during recoil and ensuring reliable feeding. The inclusion of four distinct dies in this set provides reloaders with the versatility needed to achieve optimal results for the .350 Legend cartridge, offering control over every critical step of the reloading process.

Performance & Functionality

The primary function of these dies—to resize cases and seat bullets—is performed with exceptional accuracy and consistency. The full-length sizer die effectively brings cases back to within SAAMI specifications, ensuring they chamber reliably in a variety of .350 Legend firearms. Bullet seating is remarkably precise, with the adjustable stem allowing for fine-tuning of the cartridge’s overall length (COL) to within thousandths of an inch. This precision is crucial for developing loads that maximize the accuracy potential of the .350 Legend cartridge, especially for those seeking sub-MOA accuracy from their rifles.

The ability to achieve such tight tolerances directly translates to improved firearm performance. When cases are consistently sized and bullets are seated uniformly, powder burn is more predictable, and projectile launch dynamics are more repeatable. This set excels in producing ammunition that chambers smoothly and fires with consistent velocity and accuracy, making it a valuable tool for anyone serious about handloading for this popular hunting and tactical cartridge.

Design & Ergonomics

Hornady’s Custom Grade Dies, including this .350 Legend set, are known for their superior design and user-friendly ergonomics. The polished carbide sizer button within the sizer die significantly reduces the need for case lubrication, minimizing mess and streamlining the reloading process. The seating die incorporates a built-in bullet alignment guide, which ensures the bullet is perfectly centered as it enters the die, preventing misalignment that can lead to runout.

The overall build quality is robust, with durable steel construction that feels solid and inspires confidence. The knurled adjustment rings on the seating and crimp dies provide a good grip, even with slightly lubricated hands, allowing for easy and precise adjustments. The dies themselves thread smoothly into the press, and their standardized sizing ensures compatibility with most reloading presses on the market.

Durability & Maintenance

Durability is a strong suit for Hornady dies, and the Series V set for .350 Legend is no exception. The hardened steel construction is designed to withstand thousands of reloading cycles without showing significant wear. The internal components, such as the sizer button and seating stem, are built to last. With proper care, which primarily involves keeping them clean and lightly oiled, these dies should provide reliable service for a lifetime of reloading.

Maintenance is minimal. After each reloading session, it’s advisable to wipe down the dies with a dry cloth to remove any brass shavings or lubricant residue. A light application of oil on the threads and internal sizer components can prevent corrosion and ensure smooth operation. There are no complex parts to disassemble or special tools required for routine maintenance.

Accessories and Customization Options

This particular set comes as a complete four-die package, which is the standard configuration for Hornady’s Custom Grade series. It includes the four essential dies for rifle cartridge reloading: the full-length sizer, neck sizer, seating die, and crimp die. There are no additional accessories included with the die set itself, as its purpose is to be the core tooling for case resizing and bullet seating.

While the set is self-contained for its intended purpose, users often customize their reloading process with additional components. These might include different seating stems tailored for specific bullet ogives, micrometer-adjustable seating dies for even finer COL control, or carbide sizing rings for reduced maintenance. However, the standard components provided with the Hornady .350 Legend Dies Set Series V are highly functional and sufficient for most reloading needs.

Pros and Cons of Hornady .350 Legend Dies Set Series V

Who Should Buy Hornady .350 Legend Dies Set Series V?

This die set is an excellent choice for experienced reloaders who are serious about precision and consistency with their .350 Legend ammunition. If you own a .350 Legend rifle that you use for hunting or target shooting where accuracy is paramount, these dies will help you extract the best performance from your handloads. They are particularly well-suited for those who are already familiar with reloading principles and are looking to upgrade their equipment for better results.

However, novice reloaders who are just starting out might find a simpler, two-die set (sizer and seater) or a more affordably priced set to be a better initial investment. While these Hornady dies are user-friendly, their full four-die capability and precision engineering are perhaps best appreciated by those with some prior reloading experience. For anyone seeking the utmost in accuracy and reliability for their .350 Legend handloads, this set is a strong contender.

Conclusion on Hornady .350 Legend Dies Set Series V

The Hornady .350 Legend Dies Set Series V is an outstanding piece of reloading equipment that lives up to its reputation for quality and precision. For reloaders who demand consistent, accurate ammunition for their .350 Legend firearms, this set offers a superior user experience and tangible improvements in cartridge quality. The robust construction, smooth operation, and precise adjustments make it a joy to use, and the included four-die configuration covers all the essential steps for producing high-quality reloads.

While the initial investment is higher than some alternatives, the long-term value and performance justify the cost for serious handloaders. The durability and consistency mean these dies will remain a reliable tool for years to come. I would wholeheartedly recommend this die set to any .350 Legend reloader looking to elevate their ammunition crafting to the next level, provided they are comfortable with the investment required for premium reloading components.