Just learned that Lee is the only die maker that includes a shell holder.

stchman

stchman

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I was at a local reloading shop and was looking at some RCBS dies. I asked one of the people that work there and they said that only "budget" dies like Lee include a shell holder.

I was almost shocked that Lee is the only one. I started to think, well, if other companies can get people to spend extra on their dies and then spend more on a shell holder, that's more profit.

I just found it absurd.

I like that Lee includes a shell holder and also a free powder dipper(which I use when I am making say a few test rounds).
 
I like that Lee includes shell holders.
You might already have one for a different caliber that works, but including one can't add that much to the cost of a set of dies,
so I think it makes sense to include them.
Not a big deal to me one way or the other. (assuming that whoever you are buying the dies from has the correct shell holder....)
 
Me too.

Many probably don’t do it because they don’t know what press your going to be using. It would be wasted money to include them for progressive press users as well as Co-Ax owners.

I glad Lee does, too bad there hand primers use completely different shell holders, you have to buy separate…
 
jmorris said:
Me too.

Many probably don’t do it because they don’t know what press your going to be using. It would be wasted money to include them for progressive press users as well as Co-Ax owners.

I glad Lee does, too bad there hand primers use completely different shell holders, you have to buy separate…
Click to expand...
If you look on ebay, people include the shell holders (90198) with the hand and bench primer. I bought the bench primer and shell holders for $63 shipped.
 
Depend on what I am setting up I can need zero to three shell holders. If I am setting up on my progressive press I am going to have to buy a shell plate from Dillon (separately or part of conversion kit depending) so an included shell plate is a waste. If I am setting up a die set for my old three die press I will often buy three shell plates so I don't have to move them from ram to ram. Sometimes I also already have the needed shell plate that will work with the new die since it fairly common that a new cartridge shares a case head with a cartridge you are already loading, especially as you collection of dies gets larger.
 
stchman said:
I like that Lee includes a shell holder
Click to expand...
I don't think I owned a Lee Shell Holder until I bought the Lee Six Pac Pro...it came with the 3-die set. Someone loaned me a Lee 9mm shell holder once to use on my Lee Classic Cast single stage and I graciously returned it as soon as my Redding shell holder arrived.

The fact that Lee advises to use the same shell holder for 9mm and .40 just seemed wrong. When a 9mm case pulled out of the shell holder while sizing, you'll understand why.

On the other hand I do own a couple of Lee priming shell holders which I use in the Lee Bench Prime tool and I own a couplle of the Xpress shell holders for use in my Lee APP
 
Hooda Thunkit said:
Lee makes sets of the most popular shell holders. There is a set for the presses, and a set for the primer tools. I purchased those sets decades ago and have never regretted the purchase.
I think each set has maybe 12 or 15 shell holders in a convenient plastic case.

Just buy the set and be done with it.
Click to expand...
I have a lee set mixed in with the rest of my shell holders... I have bought Hornaday because they have a larger bore needed for their trimmer.....
 
A few years back, Cabela’s had Lyman dies on sale that actually included their proper shell holder. I picked up sets for .223, .270 Win. and .308 Win. Gave the .308 Win to a buddy (already had Lee and later picked up some RCBS). How long ago was it? Don’t recall, but remember paying $14.95 per set.
 
jmorris said:
Many probably don’t do it because they don’t know what press your going to be using. It would be wasted money to include them for progressive press users as well as Co-Ax owners.
Click to expand...
The other companies (RCBS, Lyman, etc) have been leaving out shell holders since WAY before progressive presses became more common! Lee is a stand up company, and I don't consider them 'budget' at all. They are not a second rate company. They have their own way of doing things, and offer a lot of products nobody else does. I consider them a great company! I have many of their products!
 
n2omike said:
The other companies (RCBS, Lyman, etc) have been leaving out shell holders since WAY before progressive presses became more common! Lee is a stand up company, and I don't consider them 'budget' at all. They are not a second rate company. They have their own way of doing things, and offer a lot of products nobody else does. I consider them a great company! I have many of their products!
Click to expand...
Careful there! With that kind of attitude, the cool kids around here won't let you sit at their table!

Just 'twixt you and me, I agree with much of what you state. I've been using Lee tools for over 30 years - but not exclusively. I do have other "colors" on the bench.
 
The less expensive Hornady dies do come with a shell holder.
I use both Lee and Hornady shell holders. Other than the Lee's being a little looser on some cartridges, they work just fine.
I bought the Lee kit with the dozen holders, but I buy Hornadys per caliber for use on my single stage as they hold the case tighter.
I cant really understand why RCBS, Redding, etc think that their holders are made from gold....
 
n2omike said:
The other companies (RCBS, Lyman, etc) have been leaving out shell holders since WAY before progressive presses became more common! Lee is a stand up company, and I don't consider them 'budget' at all. They are not a second rate company. They have their own way of doing things, and offer a lot of products nobody else does. I consider them a great company! I have many of their products!
Click to expand...

There was no intent of disparagement, I too own a lot of Lee equipment; however, it’s hard to argue that their products cost less than the competitors. That’s the “budget” end.

I have one set of Lee dies that consistently produce .3 MOA ammo, with one barrel. Lots of others (aka all the rest), from them, that don’t do the same, nor do I expect that from them.
 
Last edited:
Walkalong said:
It is, and yep.
Click to expand...
Wrong. The 9 mm and the 40 s&w share the same extractor groove diameter the 40 has a larger rim. You can't make the extractor groove dimension on the shell holder any smaller than it is. So why make a separate shell holder for the cartridges. Look up the cases on Samii and you will see.
 
Just think how cheap Lee dies could be if they didn't include a shell holder.

The thing is, many groups of cartridges can be loaded with the same shell holder. For example, I load 8 cartridges with the RCBS #3 that I can think of. Buy Lee dies and you've paid for 7 duplicate shell holders.

Kaldor said:
I cant really understand why RCBS, Redding, etc think that their holders are made from gold....
Click to expand...

Midway is selling RCBS holders for $8.50. It's not going to break the bank.
 
thump_rrr said:
You’re off by a country mile.
0.02mm = 0.000787” or less than 1 thousandth of an inch.
Click to expand...
I did it quick and multiplied by 2.54 instead of dividing by it. Should write it out. lol
So yes... NOT a significant difference when it comes to shell holders.
 
The minute cost of a shell holder I'll still stick with RCBS or Hornady for dies. After my few unsatisfactory encounters with lee I only use a few if their items.
I disposed of a lot of lee products after they cheaped out on their customer service with a few issues.
 
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