Anyone having problems with Lee shellholders?

[paradox998]

I have a new lee hand held priming tool that uses different Lee shell holders for various calibers. It calls for a #4 holder for 223 rounds. I find that about a third of my processed brass will not fit in the #4 holder. Even some that do are a PITA to be out of the holder. The number 19 holder for 9mm seems to work for the 223, but I want to make sure I am getting the correct seating depth. The difficulty in sliding the brass into the #4 holder does not seem to be related to brand of the brass. Lots of my Lake City brass will not fit the shell holder. Any one else having this problem?

 

[hokeyplyr48]

well Lake City brass is thicker for more strength so that might be a problem. What other brands have you tried? rem? winchester?

 

[Walkalong]

Call Lee and they will most likely replace it.

 

[paradox998]

mostly LC brass but not all

A good number of the problem brass is lake city, but not all of it. SOme Winchester is a problem also. I would think the shell holder should be able to handle LC brass.

 

[rcmodel]

There is a huge difference in 9mm brass from all over the world.

And .223 is almost as bad.

What you can do is take a Cratex tip on a Dremel tool and polish the lips of the shell holder.

Sometimes you will have a burr or a glop of plating making things tighter then they really are.

I also like to round off the sharp corners at the ends so cases can slip in without being perfectly aligned. Just a slight radius & widening the outer edges makes things go a lot smoother. As long as you don't go past the primer hole in the center it has no effect on the amount of rim in contact with the shell holder.

Kinda like this "New & Improved" Hornady:
http://www.hornady.com/story.php?s=213

I shoulda got a patent 30 years ago! :banghead:

rc

 

[MMCSRET]

I have had that same problem with LC cases and #4. I have 6 #4 shell holders so I took a dremel and a jewelers file to 1 and made it my exclusive LC 223 holder. I keep it in the Lyman die box with my 223 dies, that way no mix up. I use #4 SH for 327 mag, 32 mag, 32 long, 32 S&W and 32 short Colt so I keep the modified one separate.