Lee Shell Holders

[capreppy]

I am using the Lee Shell Holder #5 (300 WM). I've always understood / believed that a shell holder is a shell holder is a shell holder. I'm beginning to doubt that.

Equipment:
Redding Big Boss II utilizing the Hornady Bushing Converter so I can use Hornady Quick Change Bushings.

Redding FL Sizing Die for 300 WM (not that it matters, but I am using a 30 caliber carbide sizing button) with a Lee Shell Holder #5 (300 WM).

My issue: I have the die run all the way down and I'm not touching the shoulders at all. This is on new but pulled FC 13 300 WM brass. I want to get a good starting point prior to neck turning JUST to clean up the necks.

Is it possible the Lee shell holder is too low to allow me to set the FL sizing die up correctly?

 

[Dudedog]

Not familiar with that die but most dies have a least 1/2" if not closer to a 1" of threads on them. The dies is as far down as you can get it in the press and still not moving the shoulder? Unless Redding shell holders are a lot taller than Lees it sounds like something else is going on.
Lyman 49 shows 2.196 from the base to the bottom of the shoulder 2.356 to the top. This sounds silly but have you measured the brass?

 

[OYE]

To avoid problems, the shell holder should be the same brand as the die. example: Lee shell holder- Lee die. RCBS shell holder - RCBS die. OYE

 

[rcmodel]

Shell holders are made to a standard height, and have been for about 50 years now.

That is not to say a Lee shell holder is made to the same fine standard as an RCBS, or other.

They are not.

But there is no way, no day the deck height is more then a couple thousandths different then any other shell holder.

It may not fit the case rim as precise as an RCBS.
But it will be so close to the same die clearance as to not matter.

In short, NO, it is not possible the shell holder is to short to allow you to properly adjust the die.

You sure you don't have Lee #5 Auto-Prime shell holder and not a Lee Universal #5 press shell holder??

rc

 

[gamestalker]

I'm not using the same die system as you are, but I'm using a Lee shell holder #5 Sku 90522, with an RCBS FL die for 300 WM, and I'm not experiencing any issues.

I think RC might be on to something here.

GS

 

[capreppy]

Shell holders are made to a standard height, and have been for about 50 years now.

That is not to say a Lee shell holder is made to the same fine standard as an RCBS, or other.

They are not.

But there is no way, no day the deck height is more then a couple thousandths different then any other shell holder.

It may not fit the case rim as precise as an RCBS.
But it will be so close to the same die clearance as to not matter.

In short, NO, it is not possible the shell holder is to short to allow you to properly adjust the die.

You sure you don't have Lee #5 Auto-Prime shell holder and not a Lee Universal #5 press shell holder??

rc

That is a distinct possibility as I do have both. I ordered a Redding Shellholder last night. I'll give that try. I probably have the #5 universal, but honestly after the move some things got misplaced or lost. It is possible this is likely one of those things.

That being said, this is unfired brass. It's it possible this piece of grass is short at the shoulder? I looked at a couple different pieces and they seem pretty close, but there were differences.

 

[FROGO207]

It is possible that the new factory brass is short at the shoulder as their factory dies might be different than SAAMI specs for various reasons. Have you set a fired brass next to it and eyeballed them or measured them yet?? This might well be the problem. FWIW I do like to use Lee dies and shell holders together as well as use setups for other brands that match. I have in the past mixed brands of equipment with no noticed ill effects however.

 

[capreppy]

It is possible that the new factory brass is short at the shoulder as their factory dies might be different than SAAMI specs for various reasons. Have you set a fired brass next to it and eyeballed them or measured them yet?? This might well be the problem. FWIW I do like to use Lee dies and shell holders together as well as use setups for other brands that match. I have in the past mixed brands of equipment with no noticed ill effects however.

No fired brass as I don't have the rifle as yet. Just trying to prep the brass as best that I can.

 

[stubbicatt]

I am a fan of Lee tools. However, I had a 308 Lee shell holder which must have been too tall as I was unable to touch the shoulder with any die I tried with it. It has been replaced by an RCBS shell holder which performs as it should.

FWIW

 

[rsrocket1]

In short, NO, it is not possible the shell holder is to short to allow you to properly adjust the die.

You sure you don't have Lee #5 Auto-Prime shell holder and not a Lee Universal #5 press shell holder??

The auto prime shell holder doesn't have the "thingy" on the bottom to lock into the press ram, it's flush.


But I've heard stranger things happen like the guy who cast bullets for a long time with difficulty before he figured out he was supposed to attach handles to the mold.

 

[fguffey]

Is it possible the Lee shell holder is too low to allow me to set the FL sizing die up correctly?

I would suggest you measure the deck height of the shell holder. My shell holders have a deck height of .125", I have shell holders, by design, do not have a deck height of .125", as a rule they cost more.

F. Guffey

 

[capreppy]

The auto prime shell holder doesn't have the "thingy" on the bottom to lock into the press ram, it's flush.


But I've heard stranger things happen like the guy who cast bullets for a long time with difficulty before he figured out he was supposed to attach handles to the mold.

This definitely has the "thingy" as it is plugged into the shell holder assembly of the Redding Big Boss II press I am using.

 

[fguffey]

You sure you don't have Lee #5 Auto-Prime shell holder and not a Lee Universal #5 press shell holder??

I think RC might be on to something here.

The die can be adjusted down to the top of the ram without a shell holder, I do believe the OP would suspect there was something wrong when the ram was lowered and the shell holder stays on the bottom of the case.

When sizing magnum cases the belt on the case seats into the bottom of the die, there is no guarantee the length of the case from the shoulder to the case head is going to match the length of the chamber from the shoulder to the bolt face.

F. Guffey

 

[Clint M]

I would not try to size the shoulders back any further than they are from factory new brass unless you have reamer print, or a special chamber you know exact dimensions..then I think you would custom dies . I also have a biig boss press, and have used with redding, lee, rcbs whatever else I have shell holders not to mention all makes models of dies without any problems, no need to match brands unless purchasing everything new. It is possible you have a die, or a shell holder that is not to the manufactures required tolerance This should be easy to check on shell holder with calipers/mic on die I check using fired brass sized in die measuring with hornady comparator.

I would guess that with the belted magnum case it may be possible that the manufacture has held the die to a tolerance to try and control headspace to the shoulder rather than the belt ? I have some new 300 win mag brass I could measure the shoulder datum to case head using hornady comparator if that would help you any.

 

[fguffey]

That is a distinct possibility as I do have both. I ordered a Redding Shellholder last night. I'll give that try.

When the shell holder arrives measure the deck height then compare the deck height of the Lee shell holder.

No fired brass as I don't have the rifle as yet. Just trying to prep the brass as best that I can.

You pulled down unfired cases, I would suggest you fire new factory loaded ammo in your new to your rifle. I suggest you learn to measure the length of the case from the shoulder to the head of the case, I would suggest you measure the new factory ammo from the shoulder to the head of the case, and again after firing and then again after sizing.

Then there is that part about the shell holder and the die not getting to the shoulder of the case. I would suggest you remove the primer punch/sizing ball assemble from the die and try again. It is possible to have the primer punch/sizer ball assemble adjusted down too far.

When sizing cases I make sure the die makes it to the shell holder, it the die does not make it to the shell holder anything sticking out of the die between the bottom of the die and top of the shell holder does not get sized.

F. Guffey