Hornady Shell Plate #14

• Caliber-specific fit: Shell Plate #14 is matched to .40 S&W Auto, so cases index correctly in the press and move through the loading cycle with the alignment needed for consistent progressive reloading.
• Smooth case insertion: Hornady shell plates use a subtle radius on each shell holder mouth, which helps cases enter more easily and supports reliable operation during repetitive loading sessions.
• Secure retainer spring design: The retainer spring is designed to stay in place while inserting cases, reducing interruptions and helping the press run more smoothly when loading in volume.
• Built for press use: As an accessory for reloading presses, this shell plate provides the caliber-specific interface needed to adapt a compatible press for .40 S&W Auto work.
• Made in the USA: Hornady manufactures this shell plate in the USA, reflecting the company’s long-standing focus on reloading tools and accessories for regular workshop use.

About the Hornady Shell Plate Series

Hornady shell plates are part of the company’s broader Lock-N-Load reloading ecosystem, built for reloaders who want to configure a press around specific cartridge families rather than rely on one generic setup. Within Hornady’s reloading lineup, these parts sit alongside presses, dies, bushings, powder measures and other caliber-specific accessories that let the user tailor a bench for a particular loading task.

The series is designed around practical press operation. Hornady gives its shell plates a radiused shell holder mouth to help cases enter smoothly, and the retainer spring is arranged to remain in place during case insertion. In use, that means less fumbling at the shell plate and more consistent movement from station to station on a progressive press. Because one shell plate number can serve a defined cartridge application, the series makes caliber changes more straightforward and keeps the press correctly matched to the case head dimensions being loaded. For pistol and rifle reloaders alike, these are small parts with an important role in reliable indexing and repeatable handling.

About the Hornady Shell Plate #14

Hornady Shell Plate #14 is the caliber-specific plate for .40 S&W Auto, giving the press the correct case support and indexing geometry for this widely used pistol cartridge. In practical terms, that matters because progressive reloading depends on each case entering, rotating and stopping in the right position at every station. A shell plate that matches the cartridge properly helps maintain smoother operation and more consistent handling from sizing through seating and crimping.

This model follows the same functional design approach as the rest of Hornady’s shell plate range. The radiused case-entry profile helps guide brass into place with less resistance, which is especially useful during longer loading sessions where speed and rhythm matter. The retainer spring arrangement is intended to stay put during case insertion, so the operator spends less time correcting small interruptions and more time keeping the press running evenly. As a press accessory rather than a universal part, Shell Plate #14 is best understood as a setup component: it is what allows a compatible reloading press to be configured specifically for .40 S&W Auto. For reloaders building or expanding a Hornady reloading setup, that caliber match is the key benefit.

About Hornady

Hornady Manufacturing was founded by Joyce Hornady in 1949 in Grand Island, Nebraska. The company remains headquartered in Grand Island, Nebraska, United States, and it is known as a family-owned manufacturer of bullets, ammunition, reloading tools and accessories. That broad product focus is important in the reloading category because Hornady develops not only projectiles and loaded ammunition, but also the bench equipment needed to assemble cartridges consistently.

Its reloading range includes presses, dies, powder measures, scales and case-preparation tools, placing the company among the established names for complete loading setups rather than single-purpose components alone. Hornady also expanded into reloading tools through the 1971 acquisition of Pacific Tool Company. The company’s Lock-N-Load system is especially well known for its bushing-based approach to changing dies, reflecting a long-running emphasis on practical, modular reloading equipment.

Main Features

• Manufacturer: Hornady
• Product: Shell Plate #14
• Accessories for: Presses
• Compatible caliber: .40 S&W Auto
• Made in: USA
• Item number: 392614

Warranty

This product is covered by a 2-year warranty.