Hornady Shell Plate #35

• Caliber-specific fit: Shell Plate #35 is matched to .40 S&W Auto, helping cases seat correctly in the press for smoother indexing and more consistent progressive reloading.
• Smooth case handling: Hornady shell plates use a subtle radius on each shell holder mouth, which helps cases enter more easily and reduces interruptions during loading sessions.
• Reliable retention: The retainer spring is designed to stay in place while inserting cases, making setup and operation more straightforward on a busy loading bench.
• Built for press use: As a dedicated accessory for reloading presses, this shell plate supports repeatable case positioning, which matters when loading handgun ammunition in volume.
• Made in the USA: Manufactured in the USA, this Hornady reloading part follows the same practical design approach the brand applies across its loading equipment.

About the Shell Plates, Shell Holders & Bushings Series

Hornady’s Shell Plates, Shell Holders & Bushings form the supporting hardware behind the company’s reloading press systems. Within Hornady’s lineup, this series is aimed at reloaders who want to configure a press correctly for specific cartridges while keeping operation smooth and repeatable. The range covers shell plates for progressive presses, shell holders for single-stage tasks, and bushings that support the Lock-N-Load quick-change approach.

A defining trait of the series is its focus on practical bench efficiency. Hornady designs its shell plates with a subtle radius on each shell holder mouth to help cases enter more smoothly, while the retainer spring stays in place during case insertion. That combination matters when loading in volume, because it reduces fumbling at each station and helps the press cycle with fewer interruptions. Across the family, the design philosophy is straightforward: cartridge-specific fit, dependable alignment, and compatibility with Hornady’s broader reloading ecosystem. For reloaders building a press around handgun or rifle cartridges, these parts are the small components that make the larger system work consistently.

About the Hornady Shell Plate #35

The Hornady Shell Plate #35 is a caliber-specific press component made for reloaders working with .40 S&W Auto. Its job is simple but important: it holds the case in the correct position as the press indexes through each stage of the loading cycle. On a progressive press, that precise fit helps cases move from station to station with less resistance, which supports steadier rhythm and fewer disruptions during longer loading sessions.

What makes this model useful in practice is not complexity, but correct matching. A shell plate that fits the cartridge properly helps the press handle brass more predictably during insertion, sizing, charging, seating, and crimping. Hornady’s shell plate design includes a radiused shell holder mouth, which helps guide cases into place more smoothly, and a retainer spring designed to remain in position while cases are inserted. Those details are especially valuable for handgun reloaders, where speed and repetition matter and small interruptions can slow the entire process.

As a USA-made accessory for reloading presses, Shell Plate #35 suits loaders who want a dedicated setup for a common pistol cartridge rather than adapting a general-purpose part. It is a straightforward component, but one that directly affects how cleanly a press runs. For .40 S&W reloading, that means more consistent case handling and a more efficient workflow at the bench.

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 has built its reputation around bullets, ammunition, reloading tools, and related accessories. As a family-owned company, Hornady has long maintained a strong connection to both shooters and reloaders.

In the reloading category, Hornady’s expertise extends across presses, dies, powder measures, scales, and case-preparation tools. The company expanded its presence in this area when it acquired Pacific Tool Company in 1971, strengthening its reloading equipment offering. Hornady is also known for the Lock-N-Load system, which uses a bushing design to make die changes faster and more repeatable. That emphasis on practical bench efficiency is directly relevant to accessories such as shell plates, where correct fit and dependable operation matter as much as the press itself.

Main Features

• Manufacturer: Hornady
• Product name: Shell Plate #35
• Item number: 392635
• Made in: USA
• Accessories for: Presses
• Compatible caliber: .40 S&W Auto

Warranty

2 years. Hornady Shell Plate #35 is supplied with a 2-year warranty, giving clear coverage for this reloading press accessory.