Dies and shell holders

[SquirrelNuts]

I have a RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme press. I own several sets of RCBS dies, and one set of Lee dies. I am going to purchase the Redding competition seating die for .30-06. Can I use my RCBS shell holder with that die, or would I need to purchase the Redding shell holder for that die? My RCBS and Lee instructions tell you to turn the die in to the press until it hits a certain point, and then either turn the die down or back up a certain amount. It seems that if the shell holder was a different height that it could cause problems, or are they all the same height?

 

[freakshow10mm]

They will all work. Generally they are the same height but might have small variances between brands. It's best to adjust for that particular combination.

 

[243winxb]

I am going to purchase the Redding competition seating die for .30-06.

Check Reddings Tech Line tips, i seem to remember that the seating die should not touch the shell holder.http://www.redding-reloading.com/ All shell holders should measure .125" UNless you buy the Redding custom shell holder set. Bullet seating RCBS dies if turned down to far will crimp the bullet or buckle the shoulder.

 

[SquirrelNuts]

Thanks guys.

 

[Walkalong]

Once you set it up, record which shellholder/die/etc you used. There will be small differences in shellholders/dies/etc just due to manufactureing tolerances.

All seater/crimper dies can buckle the case if adjusted down too far. No biggie. Set them up, record which die/shellholder etc. and you'll be good to go.

 

[rcmodel]

Many many years ago, there was no industry standard for shell holders and every company may have had thier own drummer to march to.

It only mattered though, with sizing die / shell holder brand mis-match. In that case, headspace would be affected.

That is not the case now, and all shell holders are the same for all practical purposes.

As others noted, there may be +/- manufacturing tolerance issues with even the best shell holders.
So keeping one dedicated to the Redding competition seating die would not be a bad idea.

rc

 

[SquirrelNuts]

I already own several RCBS shell holders, and my one Lee set has a shell holder in it too (which I have never used), so I will just stick exclusively with my RCBS shell holders.

 

[30Cal]

If you're using an FL die, it's worth the couple bucks to get a gage or comparitor so that you don't have to set it blindly.

 

[fguffey]

Most reloaders are guesstimaters, one turn of the die is about .071 thousands, 1/8 turn is about .015 thousands, .015 thousands is .001 over a field gage, a gap of .015 is neck sizing and if resistance is felt partial body sizing without shoulder set back, unless I am sizing cases for my Eddystone M1917 30/06, the rifle has .016 head space, in this situation I am full length sizing the neck and body with .001 shoulder set back.

Redding makes shell holders with different deck height (5 for $60.00), anything the Redding shell holders can do can be duplicated with a standard shell holder and a machinist feeler gage. Is there as much difference between dies of the same manufacture as there is between chambers in a particular caliber, then consider the difference between manufactures? When the shell holder and die are adjusted for sizing .000 (zero) space between the shell holder and die with the ram up is full length sizing? A full length size case measures .005 shorter from the head of the case to the shoulder than the chamber from the bolt face to the shoulder of the chamber (in a perfect world). What if the the shell holder/die is not perfect, what if the chamber is not perfect? I have always been of the opinion threads on my press and dies are there for that reason, and, I have confidence in my presses.

Again a standard RCBS shell holder, press and die is capable of sizing cases .017 shorter than a go-gage size chamber in thousands all the way up to .011 over, with the use of a feeler gage.

Lee shell holders are capable of sizing cases .005 (..020 shorter than a go-gage chamber) shorter than the RCBS shell holder. Other shell holders were made with a precision fit, those shell holders had their own advantage.

Seating and shell holders, one shell holder does not offer an advantage over another, the die is not adjusted down to contact the shell holder when seating, and because the seating die does not contact the case when the ram is raised the shell holder either floats the case for centering or the shell holder center the case when seating, the advantage goes to the tight shell holder.

F. Guffey

 

[ranger335v]

"It seems that if the shell holder was a different height that it could cause problems, or are they all the same height?"

Yes, it would. And no, they are not "all the same height" but they are supposed to be, as close as manufactoring allownance permit. The target depth of a shell holder is 1/8", .125". Any tiny deviation from that is NOT due to different brands but simply the normal variation in any machine work.

Bottom line, don't worry about shell holders, mix brands as you wish.

 

[ranger335v]

"It seems that if the shell holder was a different height that it could cause problems, or are they all the same height?"

Yes, it would and no, they are not precisely "all the same height". But they are supposed to be, as close as manufactoring allownance permit. The SAAMI target depth for shell holders is 1/8", or .125". Any tiny deviation from that is NOT due to different brands but simply the normal variation in any machine work.

Bottom line, don't worry about shell holders and dies, mix brands as you wish.

A good reloader will NOT settle for simply jamming a case into a die as far as the shell holder will let it go. The chamber itself is perhaps the loader's "best" resizing gage. Size cases until the bolt closes with a sight resistance and all will be well, regardless of any die-to-shell holder contact or lack of it.

 

[fguffey]

I WAS going to say "you can say that again".

F. Guffey

 

[ranger335v]

You can say that again! Ham fisted typer, can't seem to keep my digits on the right dime.