Hornady Shell Plate #3

• Caliber-specific fit: The Hornady Shell Plate #3 is made for .40 S&W Auto, giving the case head support and alignment needed for smooth indexing and consistent operation on a compatible reloading press.
• Built for progressive reloading: As a dedicated shell plate for Hornady press systems, it helps keep cases positioned correctly through each station, which supports faster workflow and fewer interruptions during batch loading.
• Reliable case insertion: Hornady shell plates use a holder-mouth shape designed for smooth case entry, helping reduce hang-ups when feeding brass into the press and making repetitive loading more efficient.
• Made in the USA: Manufactured in the USA, this press accessory follows the same practical design approach Hornady applies across its reloading equipment, with an emphasis on repeatable fit and dependable use.
• Simple system matching: The clearly numbered #3 format makes it easier to match the correct plate to the intended cartridge family and keep a multi-caliber reloading setup organized.

About the Shell Plates Series

Hornady shell plates are part of the company’s Lock-N-Load reloading ecosystem and are intended for reloaders who want to configure a press correctly for specific cartridge families. Within Hornady’s lineup, these parts sit in the practical, working end of the system: they are not optional extras for convenience alone, but core components that let a progressive press handle the case securely and move it from station to station with proper timing.

The series is built around caliber-specific compatibility, so each numbered shell plate corresponds to particular cartridges rather than trying to cover every application with a compromise fit. That matters in use because correct case support and alignment help the press index more smoothly and keep each operation consistent. Hornady also designs its shell plates with a subtle radius at each shell holder mouth, which promotes easier case insertion during repetitive loading. In practice, the series is aimed at reloaders who value a straightforward setup, repeatable operation, and clean integration with Hornady press accessories.

About the Hornady Shell Plate #3

The Hornady Shell Plate #3 is a dedicated reloading press part for .40 S&W Auto, intended for users who want the correct shell plate for this cartridge rather than adapting a less precise fit. In a progressive reloading setup, the shell plate is the part that holds the case at each station, so proper matching is important not only for fit, but also for how smoothly the press cycles from one step to the next. With the right plate installed, brass seats more naturally, indexing remains more consistent, and the overall loading rhythm becomes easier to maintain.

What makes this model useful is its focus on single-cartridge compatibility and its role inside the broader Hornady Lock-N-Load system. The numbered format simplifies caliber changes and helps keep a bench organized when several cartridge setups are in use. Hornady’s shell plate design also incorporates a shaped entry at the shell holder mouth to support smoother case insertion, which is especially helpful during longer loading sessions where small interruptions add up. As a press accessory made in the USA, this model suits reloaders who want a straightforward, purpose-built component that supports consistent handling of .40 S&W Auto cases on compatible Hornady press equipment.

About Hornady

Hornady Manufacturing was founded by Joyce Hornady in 1949 in Grand Island, Nebraska. The company remains based in Grand Island and is still known as a family-owned manufacturer focused on bullets, ammunition, reloading tools, and related accessories. That broad product range matters in the reloading category because Hornady develops not only projectiles and loaded ammunition, but also the presses, dies, and bench equipment used to assemble cartridges.

Over time, Hornady expanded its tooling expertise through products such as the Lock-N-Load system, which uses a bushing design to simplify die changes, and by growing its reloading equipment range to include presses, dies, powder measures, scales, and case-preparation tools. The company also expanded into reloading tools after acquiring Pacific Tool Company in 1971, reinforcing its long-standing place in the handloading market.

Main Features

• Manufacturer: Hornady
• Product type: Shell Plate
• Shell plate number: #3
• Compatible caliber: .40 S&W Auto
• Accessories for: Presses
• Made in: USA

Warranty

2 years. The Hornady Shell Plate #3 is supplied with a 2-year warranty, giving defined coverage for this reloading press accessory.