The Hornady Custom Grade New Dimension Bullet Seating Die (.338 Calibre, MPN: 044117) is a precision-machined steel reloading die engineered to seat projectiles into .338-class magnum rifle cases. Designed to reduce bullet runout and prevent canting, this tool features an in-line seating system with a free-floating bullet alignment sleeve and floating steel seating stem that hold the projectile, case neck, and seating stem coaxially before the bullet enters the case mouth. It interfaces with standard modern reloading presses via an industry-standard 7/8"-14 thread and includes a built-in roll crimp shoulder that can be adjusted or backed off depending on load requirements.

Key Features

• In-Line Alignment System: Utilises a free-floating bullet alignment sleeve and floating seating stem to pre-align the case neck and projectile coaxially, minimising runout during the seating stroke.
• Sure-Loc™ Lock Ring: Features a split-ring design with wrench flats that clamps around the 7/8"-14 threads without marring the steel, preserving exact depth settings between reloading sessions.
• Micro-Adjust Tension: Incorporates an internal compression O-ring on the seating depth adjustment screw to provide smooth, firm resistance for fine seating depth control.
• Built-In Roll Crimp: Integrates an internal roll crimp shoulder capable of applying a secure crimp or being backed off for friction-only neck tension.
• Unpowered Mechanical Tooling: Requires no electrical power or Australian regulatory approvals, operating as non-regulated reloading equipment across all Australian states and territories.

Product Specifications

• Product Type: Rifle bullet seating die
• Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 044117 (also catalogued as 44117)
• Thread Standard: 7/8"-14 thread interface
• Calibre Compatibility: .338 calibre magnum rifle cartridges (.338 Winchester Magnum, .338 Remington Ultra Magnum, .338 Lapua Magnum, and .340 Weatherby Magnum)
• Construction: Precision-machined steel
• Dimensions: Approximately 1.5" x 1.5" x 4.5" to 5.0" (38 mm x 38 mm x 114 mm to 127 mm)
• Weight: Approximately 200 g to 280 g

Who is the Hornady Custom Grade 338 Calibre Seating Die for?

• Long-range target handloaders — requires coaxial bullet alignment via the floating sleeve mechanism to minimise projectile runout when seating long-range bullets into .338 calibre cases such as the .338 Lapua Magnum on standard 7/8"-14 thread reloading presses.
• Big-game hunting handloaders — provides an adjustable, integrated roll crimp shoulder on a standard 7/8"-14 thread die body to secure heavy hunting bullets against recoil movement inside magnum chambers like the .338 Winchester Magnum and .338 Remington Ultra Magnum.

Less suitable for: Handloaders assembling short-action or standard-length .338 cartridges like the .338 Federal or .338 Ruger Compact Magnum, or those using compact reloading presses unable to clear loaded magnum cartridges with overall lengths exceeding 3.60 to 3.75 inches; these setups require a dedicated short-action .338 seating die or a larger-frame press clearance window.