Shell Holder Differencs

[Cherokee]

Most of you have probably learned this already but just in case.....All shell holders for conventional presses are not created equal, even from the same manufacturer. Sure, they are interchangeable, but I learned long ago that some are thicker than others; meaning they will raise a case higher in a die than maybe another. Sometime, the rim cut is different, but you would probably notice that. I always make sure I use the same shell holder that was used to set up a specific die; all my shell holders for a cartridge sizing die are marked with black markers. Others are marked differently for seating, expanding.

OTOH, if you only have one shell holder for a cartridge, or use a progressive, this does not apply. If you have more than one like I do for my CH 4X4 press and also use SS presses, this may be useful. For the Dillon, I have to depend upon their manufacturing consistency.

 

[462]

The cartridges that I reload for are accommodated by eight different shell holders, and have two of each type. I use two single-stage presses: a Rockchucker II (depriming and seating), and a JR3 (case mouth expanding, and crimping when needed), and each press has shell holders marked and dedicated solely to it.

Additionally, each bullet has its own assigned seating die.

 

[RBHarter]

I don't FL all the way down for most of mine and always check the seating die against the dummies as I load as many as 5 different bullets . I do have a few die sets with spare sizers and a single holder set aside for FL where I have multiple holders or cartridges for a holder like 45 ACP,308 ,X57 and 06'.

 

[Ian]

All excellent advice about something that is probably overlooked by many reloaders.

Another trick, along the lines of Harter's post, is to use feeler gauges between shellholder and sizing die to set up repeatable case sizing length for different rifles of the same caliber (once it is known for each), particularly ones with generous headspace.

 

[Ben]

Cherokee,

I take the shell holder that I've adjusted my dies to for a particular caliber and paint the outside edges of the shell holder with red paint. Once the shell holder is back in my box, down the road, this guarantees that I'll use the SAME identical shell holder that I had adjusted my dies to.

In the case of a # 2 shell holder , I have 5 or 6 of them. They all vary.............

Ben

 

[waco]

Wow. I learn something new each day. I had never thought about it. Time to start marking shell holders. Thanks!

 

[KHornet]

learned the issue, a long time ago, and pay attention to it. I neck size all of my rifle cases after the first loading, and I use Lee collet neck sizing dies, and I am particular about trimming.