LC .308 '10 brass rims

[mroels]

Just priming 200 .308 cases. Using LC brass with head stamps from '05 '08 '10 '11. Noticing the '10 cases were having trouble getting into the shell holder for the Lee hand priming tool, so I primed all the others first. Then tried to kind of force one and now it's stuck in the shell holder. No problem there, that's a $2 issue. I'll finish the rest on my press.


But I am wondering if this is indicative of anything other than a possible variation in the brass for different lots, or maybe a slightly out of spec shell holder? None of these cases had any issues in the shell holder on the press.

[Bill Steele]

It is not the shellholder, it is the brass. Very common with run of the mill LC brass. I think maybe they get beat up when first shot through an autoloader.

[17+1]

I sometimes have this issue when the case rims get chewed up from being fired in the M1A. Usually I can rotate the case slightly and it will fit into the shell holder. The key is to not force anything and see if you can visually see a problem.

Never had a case in good condition fail to go into an RCBS shell holder though. Not sure about LEE, but the RCBS shell holders (308/30-06/etc. and .223) I'm using aren't that tight on any rims that are in good condition. I'd take some rim measurements from the different years and see what you find. Sounds like it could be a tight shell holder and a slightly larger than average rim diameter. Most likely not the shell holder though.

[mroels]

Usually I can rotate the case slightly and it will fit into the shell holder.

Sounds like it could be a tight shell holder and a slightly larger than average rim diameter. Most likely not the shell holder though.

Normally I can turn cases too and it'll be fine. I tried that with the one case that ended up getting stuck. I don't see any extractor marks in the cases or any irregularities on the rims.

Measurements:

Yr- inner rim/ outer rim / rim thickness

'08- .403"/.466" dia / 0.049" rim thickness
'09- .403"/.465" dia / 0.048" rim
'72- .403"/.465" dia / 0.048" rim
'10- .404"/.467" dia / 0.0505" rim


I think the rim thickness is the culprit because the shell holder measures:

.407"/.480" dia. I think the thickness is the issue, can really get my caliper into the shell holder for a reading.

[mroels]

The key is to not force anything

Oh man... I was always told "if it doesn't work just force it. If it breaks, it was broken anyway". That explains so many difficulties in my life.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

It is not the shellholder, it is the brass. Very common with run of the mill LC brass. I think maybe they get beat up when first shot through an autoloader.

^^ This

Try turning them 180 degrees and see if that helps.

[lethalb18c1]

Same thing goes with the .223/5.56 lee hand priming shell holder and loadmaster plate for me, but I hit up Lee and they told me they'll modify both of them free of charge (i paid shipping to Lee).
I sent in my hand loading shell holder and my loadmaster plate for .223/5.56 with 5 LC brass that didnt fit. Basically about 7 bucks out of my pocket for shipping. Well I got it back about 1.5 weeks later and everything works perfectly now! Thumbs up for LEE!

[17+1]

Oh man... I was always told "if it doesn't work just force it. If it breaks, it was broken anyway". That explains so many difficulties in my life.

LOL

[CEDaytonaRydr]

Oh man... I was always told "if it doesn't work just force it. If it breaks, it was broken anyway". That explains so many difficulties in my life.

This logic does not apply to Dillon 650 indexing rings. I learned that lesson a while back...

[Divernhunter]

I always heard it as If it does not work forceit----If it breaks it needed replacing anyway.
Or as I use to tell them at work 1)You have to be smarter than the piece of equipment you are working on. 2) Make it idiot proof and they will just hire better idiots

I have had that trouble with some of the Lee hand primer shellholders including 44mag as well as 30-06(mil)/ 308win(mil) and 223(mil). I just set aside those cases. If there are not too many of them I just chuch them