Problem with shell holder

[Dougbert66]

I'm just starting out in reloading and got my press set up today. I was decapping and resizing some 38sp brass that I had cleaned and sorted last week and ran into a problem. All of the cases are Federal and the vast majority are from factory ammo that was fired by me. A few might be from some cowboy reloads that I got which had mixed cases.

Out of ~175 cases I had 6 that would not go into the Lee #1 shell holder that came with my 4-die set. There were another 6-8 that were a tight fit, but went in. I set the problem cases aside and after finishing the rest I compared them to a few of the cases that worked fine. The rim thicknesses were all comparable as was the case diameter just above the rim. But the rim diameter was consistently different. The cases that failed to fit in the shell holder were all 0.437" or larger. I checked a few of the ones that worked and they all came in at 0.434-0.435". I tried to measure the entry width of the shell holder with my calipers (awkward given the bevels on the inside measuring prongs) and got something around 0.435".

Is this normal? The Lee manual I have shows the rim diameter for 38sp to be 0.440". Is the shell holder too tight? Any insights would be appreciated.

[baih777]

For learning purposes. You can mark the case with a marker to see where its binding. I usually throw them away if its only a few. Few pieces of brass while reloading could cause you alot of headaches.

[maxx03]

Check for backed out primers. If the primers are not fully seated or flush with the primer pocket, they can keep you from inserting them into the shell holder.

[Dougbert66]

Primers are all flush. The binding is definitely the rim diameter. I tried marking the rim of one case that will almost go in with sharpie and its rubbing on the rim edge. Interestingly I also have a Lee hand primer with its own set of shell holders and these cases will fit in the #1 from that set. Seems like the shell holder for the press is a bit undersized to me.

[ar15barrels]

Try a different brand of shellholder.
I am partial to RCBS.

[baih777]

It is possible the shell holder out of spec. Had one last year. Threw that one away. Now I always buy two.

[Dougbert66]

Thinking about getting a dedicated 357mag die set anyway, so will add an extra shell holder to the order. Thanks for the help.

[Divernhunter]

And you may still get a few that do not want to fit. I have been reloading for many years. I have used different shellholders but mostly RCBS. I keep one with each set of dies but still find a few cases which do not want to fit. They may even not fit 2 different shellholders that are for them.

Do not sweat it. I find I can fool around and make some work but not worth the trouble. Just toss them.
You may also find they are all one brand of brass.

[LynnJr]

If you look at the instructions that come with a Sinclair International priming tool they tell you how to deburr a shellholder so all your brass will fit.
If you call them they will sell you a shellholder that has already been deburred.

[9mmepiphany]

Try a different brand of shellholder.
I am partial to RCBS.

That was my thought also. Shell holders labeled for the same cartridge will differ between manufacturers.

I've also found RCBS shellholders to be very consistent...granted I've only tried Lyman, Lee, Hornady, and RCBS shellholders

[Dougbert66]

I found the Sinclair hand priming tool instructions--they mention using a dremel but didn't give any specifics. Being a DIY type, I spent a few minutes with a flat needle file and some 800 grit paper. Got a thousandth or two more space and a couple of the problem cases now fit. Will keep at it. The OCD in me won't let me throw out perfectly good cases that are within spec...also, as I said, these were all sorted cases--Federal head stamp.

I'd consider RCBS (or others), but I plan to get my Lee Safety Primer installed on my Classic Cast press for the next batch. I'm not sure if other shell holders will work with the primer feed mechanism or not.

[pistolmania]

I'm just starting out in reloading and got my press set up today. I was decapping and resizing some 38sp brass that I had cleaned and sorted last week and ran into a problem. All of the cases are Federal and the vast majority are from factory ammo that was fired by me. A few might be from some cowboy reloads that I got which had mixed cases.

Out of ~175 cases I had 6 that would not go into the Lee #1 shell holder that came with my 4-die set. There were another 6-8 that were a tight fit, but went in. I set the problem cases aside and after finishing the rest I compared them to a few of the cases that worked fine. The rim thicknesses were all comparable as was the case diameter just above the rim. But the rim diameter was consistently different. The cases that failed to fit in the shell holder were all 0.437" or larger. I checked a few of the ones that worked and they all came in at 0.434-0.435". I tried to measure the entry width of the shell holder with my calipers (awkward given the bevels on the inside measuring prongs) and got something around 0.435".

Is this normal? The Lee manual I have shows the rim diameter for 38sp to be 0.440". Is the shell holder too tight? Any insights would be appreciated.

I have the same issue with Lee #1 shell holder and 38/357 brass. Maybe a few per hundred have a rim diameter that makes it not fit into the shell holder. I usually stick those into the chuck of a cordless drill, spin it and run a file over it to bring the diameter down. You maybe have to remove .002-.003" so it's pretty quick to do.

[pacrat]

The OCD in me won't let me throw out perfectly good cases that are within spec...also, as I said, these were all sorted cases--Federal head stamp.

BTDT, victim of tolerance stacking. For rimmed cases it is an easy fix. Chuck up in variable speed drill motor. Give a spin against an emery board or file to thin the rim dia.

No matter the brand of cases or shell holders. Sooner or later you are going to find some incompatible matches.

CRAP HAPPENs


JM2c

[ar15barrels]

The OCD in me won't let me throw out perfectly good cases that are within spec...

Chuck the offending cases in a drill and hit the outside of the rim with a file and knock down a couple thousandths.