.223 cases tight in shell holder

[JDGray]

Well, my first .223 dilemma. Some of the cases dont fit the #4 shellholder very well. During primming and seating. I'm using all Lee equipment, if it matters. My RCBS swedger didn't open all the pockets very well, either, some of the primers went in very hard. Liking my pistol loading alot more every minute. Any ideas? I'm loading all LC brass, so far.

 

[mallc]

For what it's worth

I had the same problem with RCBS swege and still have it occasionally with a Dillon Super Swege. I now use a simple LEE chamfer tool to remove the crimp brass line and 99.9% of primers seat smoothly.

My RCBS shell holders takes everything but my Redding shell holders are picky.

Scott

 

[Walkalong]

I have loaded a lot of LC cases, as well as others, and they fit my RCBS & Redding shellholders and my Projector shellplate without problems. Your shellholder may be a bit tight. A new Lee shellholder would be a cheap try.

 

[ants]

I have encountered hundreds of brass cases (including lots of 223) with damaged rim and extractor groove from previous firing. Often it's the result of an excessive powder load, or the case has simply been reloaded too many times, or was the victim of a sharp or poorly dressed extractor.

You can dress up the rim with a small file if you're short on brass and it's important to you. Or you can discard them. The choice is yours.

If the primer pocket was crimped really tight, a swager may not open the pocket fully because brass has a lot of 'spring back'. Cutting with a reamer is more effective. [223 or 5.56 brass with an AD headstamp is often tightly crimped. It was made by PMC on a contract to the arab emirate of Abu Dhabi. I come across 20 or 30 per year. I don't bother to reload them.]

 

[cliffy]

Lapua brass is always TIGHT

Remington brass slips into #4 shell holders smoothly, while Lapua does not! A light lap with 600 grit sandpaper solves most problems regarding #4 Lee shellholder tightness. Primer holding tightness is a more major concern, since too loose primer fits promote the discarding of otherwise fine-looking brass. Lapua and Remington brass DO hold primers tightly, the longest. Nosler, Hornady, Winchester, and many odd brands fail FIRST in this regard. cliffy

 

[JDGray]

I now use a simple LEE chamfer tool to remove the crimp brass line and 99.9% of primers seat smoothly.

This I found out works pretty well

 

[17Chap]

The swager I used C-H, distorted (bent) most of the rims. :banghead: They would fit tight or not fit in the shell holder. I went back to a reamer. YMMV!

Chap

 

[Der Verge]

If you are using 5.56X45mm cases, such as Lake City, the are going to be a little tight, as the case heads are slightly larger than .223 Rem cases.

 

[Walkalong]

If you are using 5.56X45mm cases, such as Lake City, the are going to be a little tight, as the case heads are slightly larger than .223 Rem cases.

Hmm.... never noticed it. It sure has not been an issue.

 

[Der Verge]

Take you calipers to the case heads. The 5.56 is definitely larger. Well, the all the LC I have is. Also, your shell holder may have been made to accommodate. My RCBS (old school) was not made so...