Shell holder ID?

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MrSpiffy

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I had purchased a used shotshell reloader a while back. And while I sold it before I ever used it, it came with a few miscellaneous parts, including a few shell holders. I've identified the others, but this one has me stumped.

Only markings I can find are the knurled outer diameter and the number 22. The knurling kind of looks like a Redding, but I'm not convinced. Plus, there are at least a few companies with a #22 shell holder.

So, I put it to my fellow shooters on THR. Can anyone ID this shell holder?

Mystery%20shell%20holder_zpskfzi5pq0.jpg
 
Thanks, @243winxb, but that's not particularly helpful to me. I've already seen that chart, and I've tried looking for images of each shell holder with the number 22, but none really look like this one. And the Redding, while it has the knurling, has a flared mouth. This one has a straight mouth.

I will add, I did check and it's magnetic. So, it's going to be some type of steel.
 
That looks like an older Lyman shell holder. They no longer knurl their holders they used to. If it is an old Lyman shell holder it's for loading 50-70 and 50-90 brass.
 
@243winxb, @ArchAngelCD, I figured it wasn't the RCBS, as those are pretty uncommon rounds. The other shell holders were for common stuff, like .38/.357. But, one of the others I received was also a Lyman shell holder. So, it wouldn't surprise me if that is it. My first inkling is that it's a Hornady shell holder, as that one fits .32ACP and .30 Carbine, which would make more sense. I just don't have brass in any of those calibers to test it out.

Guess I'll just hold onto it in case I need it someday.
 
I saw the listing for the 30 Carbine and 32 ACP but Didn't think Hornady was around long enough to have a shell holder of that style while Lyman/Ideal surely is.

Do you have a piece of 45-70 brass to see if it fits loosely in the holder?
 
All modern shell holders are made by a process called powder metallurgy in which special metal powders are molded to exact sizes and complex shapes very fast and very inexpensively. Powdered metal parts have a distinct look in that they have a smooth exterior with no manufacturing marks. They've been making shell holders that way for maybe 25-30 years.

If you'll notice, this shell holder is covered in machining marks. So this particular item may date from the 50's or 60's. That possibly limits it manufacture to Herters, CH, and the previously mentioned Lyman/Ideal. No idea what it fits, but I can assure you it's a classic or vintage piece for sure. Enjoy !!

See Ebay auction number 142215675345 for a Herters shell holder.
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Unfortunately, I don't have any 45-70, .32 ACP or .30 carbine brass to try in the shell holder. It doesn't seem large enough for gov't brass though.

@rfwobbly, thanks for that info. I had no idea newer shell holders were made with a pm process. Very interesting, using the machining marks to date the piece, too.

I checked eBay and Google for the brands you mentioned, but didn't see anything too similar, except for the Herters. But the Herters #22 is for .44 mag. I tried a couple of 9mm and .223 cases, and neither fit. The 9mm is over .39in in diameter at the case rim. Maybe it is for .30 carbine?

I never cease to learn something new here. I love it! Thanks guys!

ETA: A quick caliper measurement puts the rim groove at .365in, if that helps. Seems consistent with dimensions for .32 ACP and .30 carbine. Probably should have checked earlier.
 
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MrSpiffy said:
ETA: A quick caliper measurement puts the rim groove at .365in, if that helps. Seems consistent with dimensions for .32 ACP and .30 carbine. Probably should have checked earlier.
Click to expand...

In the end, the age is so great that reverse engineering may be the only way to ID the manufacturer. That is to say, finding a cartridge case that fits the holder, then finding a manufacturer's listing that shows #22 assigned to that caliber.
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Shell holder cross reference can be tough - sure do wish they would all put their brand on them! I have an old Bonanza MU-21 shell holder for .45 Colt that has the knurling, but it really is not shaped like that one. I checked the cross reference charts in a 1981 NRA Handloading book and found the
Pacific #22 for .30 Carbine and .32 ACP, the
Redding #22 for .30 Carbine, but NOT for .32 ACP, and the
Herter's #22 for .44 Spl, .44 Mag and .303 Savage. I used to have an old Herter's catalog laying around, but I cannot find it anymore, so that NRA book is the only thing I can find with that brand in it.

I always find it interesting when one manufacturer lists the same shell holder for multiple cartridges (like the Pacific or Herter's above), but other manufacturers have different shell holders for the same cartridges. For example, no other manufacturer I could find lists the same shell holder for .303 Savage AND for .44 Spl/Mag (and there are lots of other similar discrepancies in those charts). Makes me wonder just which one is gonna mess up your brass? I'd take that shell holder to the local gun shop or gun show and start trying to fit it with real brass to find a match (and my bet is on the .44 Spl/Mag).
 
Thanks, Mauser. I appreciate you taking a look.

However, as I noted earlier, I have tried 9mm and .223 cases and neither fit. Plus the measured width of the opening and it leads me to the .32 ACP and/or .30 carbine.
 
I have shell holders that fit the true line Lyman turret, from the top shell holders look like most other shell holder. The Lyman used set screws to hold the shell holder to the top of the ram. Herter used set screws but the shell holder had a 360° groove around the base.

The set screws were not the best design for holding the shell holder, when the ram was raised the set screws had nothing to do but when the ram was lowered the screws were though on the ram and shell holder when the case got stuck in the die. It was easy to remove the shell holder bit reloaders insisted on ripping the rim from the case when lowering the ram.
F Guffey
 
I have 40+ Herter shell holders, none of them are marked except for the number.

F. Guffey
 
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