Lee Shell Holder

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Jerryq

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I have the Lee Challenger single press. I can’t get the shell holder on the ram. I do have the correct Lee shell holder. Tried two #4’s but still won’t go on. What am I doing wrong?
 
If it is a new press it might have a defective ram. The bottom narrower part of the shellholder is supposed to slide into the slot in the top of the ram. It might snap in hard or have something in the slot stopping it. If you have the shell holder for their primer it will not work on the press. A call or email to Lee might be in order if a standard shell holder will not snap in.
 
Make sure the slot on the ram is clean. Also, there is a spring on the ram that is supposed to keep the shell holder in place. Check to see if that spring rotated or jammed a bit and is causing the problem.

In the picture above, you want the shell holder on the right.
 
The one on the left is for the very old RCBS Primer tool, the right one is the current shell holder for all kinds of tools..
 
Providing it's the correct style shell holder align it with the ram slot and give both the ram and shell holder a light squeeze with channel locks.
 
What position are your ram and handle when you try to install the shell holder? you need to raise the ram/ lower your handle until the primer tool is out of the way. Then the shell holder should easily slip in. No pliers.
Otherwise, closely examine what come into contact with the setup while trying to install it and operate it. Find the source of interference and correct it. Do Not try to force things! The Challenger press is not the smoothest press on the market, but it is a heck of a lot smoother than you're describing.
 
Highland Lofts said:
You shouldn't need channel locks to put a shall holder in. If it doesn't just slip in something is wrong.
Click to expand...

Huh, I'll be darned.

Got a new LEE RELOADER Single Stage last month that initially exhibited the same symptom as OP.

My method suggested did wonders to knock off a machining burr on first insertion, fits fine now.

Anybody care to follow up with why their method of accomplishing the same goal would have been better?
 
IMAhobbyist said:
Huh, I'll be darned.

Got a new LEE RELOADER Single Stage last month that initially exhibited the same symptom as OP.

My method suggested did wonders to knock off a machining burr on first insertion, fits fine now.

Anybody care to follow up with why their method of accomplishing the same goal would have been better?
Click to expand...
Forcing mechanical objects to work correctly often leads to breakage or reduced performance.. Luckily, you didn't break your shell holder or worse, the ram. Your method didn't fix anything, it only forced a fit. It might have compressed some junk, or it might have sheared off a molding burr more properly removed with a file or stone.
Would you force the bolt close on your rifle if it wasn't running in smoothly? I hope you would look for the source of trouble first.
First, clean the item(s). This might be all that's necessary to clear the obstruction. Then thoroughly examine the item(s) and fitment to find the source of the obstruction if it still fouls. Clear the obstruction. Fit again until the problem is cleared. It might be as simple as a metal filing (very, very possible with Lee tools).
Case in point; I still have a broken door frame in the basement because X had to slam it until it closed, even though her own mess was what obstructed the hinge. It was very easily fixable before she forced it. Now, easier to replace than repair it.
 
IMAhobbyist said:
Got a new LEE RELOADER Single Stage last month that initially exhibited the same symptom as OP.

My method suggested did wonders to knock off a machining burr on first insertion, fits fine now.
Click to expand...
I would be looking for any burrs on the ram or shell holder. There really is not a whole lot of reasons the shell holder should not slip right into the ram.

I have not seen the Lee flat bottomed shell holders for years. I have a few sets and actually my ancient Lee hand priming tool still works.

Ron
 
I run Hornady presses and use lee press shell holders and I have four of the Lee Auto Prime hand primers and two Lee Bench Prime that use the flat shell holders.
I buy the lee shell holder set when I see them at a good price.
 
splattergun said:
Forcing mechanical objects to work correctly often leads to breakage or reduced performance.. Luckily, you didn't break your shell holder or worse, the ram. Your method didn't fix anything, it only forced a fit. It might have compressed some junk, or it might have sheared off a molding burr more properly removed with a file or stone.
Would you force the bolt close on your rifle if it wasn't running in smoothly? I hope you would look for the source of trouble first.
First, clean the item(s). This might be all that's necessary to clear the obstruction. Then thoroughly examine the item(s) and fitment to find the source of the obstruction if it still fouls. Clear the obstruction. Fit again until the problem is cleared. It might be as simple as a metal filing (very, very possible with Lee tools).
Case in point; I still have a broken door frame in the basement because X had to slam it until it closed, even though her own mess was what obstructed the hinge. It was very easily fixable before she forced it. Now, easier to replace than repair it.
Click to expand...

I don't know what shell holder you use, if I risked breaking it due to a gentle squeeze into the ram, I'd reckon it's time to find another one.

As I stated it was a machining burr and if you'd paid attention to that, it wouldn't have been necessary for you to speculate about topics not germane.
 
IMAhobbyist said:
I don't know what shell holder you use, if I risked breaking it due to a gentle squeeze into the ram, I'd reckon it's time to find another one.

As I stated it was a machining burr and if you'd paid attention to that, it wouldn't have been necessary for you to speculate about topics not germane.
Click to expand...

You're missing the point. Check for the cause instead of assuming force is the answer.
 
I think the OP is a newbie and hopefully by now he has learned the difference between a primer shell holder and a press shell holder. H&R Glock's picture tells the story.
 
If you’re trying to insert the shell holder with the ram all the way down like this, it won’t go into the slot easily. My well used Challenger is at least 20 years old and has loaded tens of thousands of rounds.

D4060554-6529-42EA-A8B8-98094E1C4075.jpeg

Raise it a bit and then hold it level while you insert it
Into the slot in the ram

DE634B2E-13AE-4CEE-82A5-9C70D645FC9E.jpeg

It should slide and click right in with little effort.

571F2959-0F48-4CA8-A4BF-B7DE05B10BC8.jpeg

If it doesn’t, check for machining burrs in the ram and on the shell holder.

Good luck loading your rounds! :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
Excellent pictures Riomouse, and a super "how-to" training aid. Thank you
I still have two of the Lee primer pushers that use the flat shell holders. (I bought the Lee boxed set)
The thought had occurred to me to tell Jerryq that a few taps with a ball peen hammer might work, but reconsidered. :)
 
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