Hornady Shell Plate #45

• Caliber-Specific Fit: Shell Plate #45 is matched to .40 S&W Auto, helping cases seat correctly in the press for smoother indexing and more consistent progressive reloading.
• Smooth Case Entry: Hornady uses a subtle radius on each shell holder mouth, which helps guide cases into position with less fumbling during faster loading sessions.
• Secure Retainer Spring Design: The retainer spring stays in place while cases are inserted, reducing interruptions and keeping the loading cycle more efficient.
• Press Accessory for Reloading Setups: Built as an accessory for presses, this shell plate supports proper case handling at the shell plate station where alignment and repeatability matter most.
• Made in USA: Manufactured in the USA, the Hornady Shell Plate #45 fits naturally into Hornady reloading setups for reloaders who want factory-matched press components.

About the Hornady Shell Plate Series

The Hornady shell plate series is part of the company’s broader range of reloading press accessories, developed for reloaders who want caliber-specific parts that keep a progressive press running smoothly. Within Hornady’s reloading lineup, shell plates sit alongside dies, bushings, powder handling tools and case-preparation equipment, forming the core hardware that supports efficient cartridge production. Their role is straightforward but important: each plate is cut for the case head dimensions of the intended cartridge family, so brass is carried through the loading cycle with proper support and alignment.

Across the series, Hornady emphasizes practical handling features rather than unnecessary complexity. The shell holder mouths use a subtle radius to make case insertion easier, and the retainer spring design is intended to remain in place while cases are fed into the plate. In practice, that means less interruption during repetitive loading work and a smoother rhythm on the press. For reloaders building or maintaining a Hornady progressive setup, the shell plate series provides the caliber-specific interface that lets the rest of the press system work as intended.

About the Hornady Shell Plate #45

The Hornady Shell Plate #45 is a caliber-specific reloading press part made for .40 S&W Auto. In a progressive reloading setup, the shell plate is the component that carries each case from station to station, so correct fit is essential for reliable indexing, stable case support and consistent handling through sizing, charging, seating and crimping operations. By matching the case head dimensions of .40 S&W Auto, this model helps the press move brass through the cycle with fewer disruptions and better repeatability.

Hornady’s shell plate design also adds small mechanical details that matter in day-to-day use. The radiused shell holder mouths help guide cases into place more smoothly, which is useful when loading in volume and trying to maintain a steady pace. The retainer spring is designed to stay in place during case insertion, reducing the chance of unnecessary stoppages while feeding brass into the plate. Those features do not change the basic function of the part, but they do make the loading process more controlled and less awkward at the bench.

As a press accessory made in the USA, Shell Plate #45 is aimed at reloaders who want the correct Hornady component for this cartridge rather than adapting a near match. For anyone setting up or maintaining a Hornady reloading press for .40 S&W Auto, this shell plate provides the proper cartridge interface that helps the rest of the system operate cleanly and consistently.

About Hornady

Hornady Manufacturing was founded by Joyce Hornady in 1949 in Grand Island, Nebraska. The company remains family-owned and is known for producing bullets, ammunition, reloading tools and related accessories. Reloading equipment has long been an important part of the business, with a range that includes presses, dies, powder measures, scales and case-preparation tools for handloaders building complete bench setups.

Hornady expanded its reloading-tool presence after acquiring Pacific Tool Company in 1971, and it later developed the Lock-N-Load system, which uses a bushing design to speed up die changes. That focus on practical, bench-oriented engineering is a good fit for products such as shell plates and other press components, where reliable fit and repeatable operation matter more than unnecessary complexity. Hornady is still headquartered in Grand Island, Nebraska, United States.

Main Features

• Manufacturer: Hornady
• Product: Shell Plate #45
• Accessories for: Presses
• Compatible caliber: .40 S&W Auto
• Made in: USA
• Warranty: 2 years

Warranty

The Hornady Shell Plate #45 is covered by a 2-year warranty.