Shell holder not always holding case on turret press

[Stefan A]

I have been loading 45 colt on my Lee turret press. This problem has happened 3 times. I go to seat the primer, and the case pops out with the primer in partially and crooked. As far as I can tell, the primer is in the primer arm flush and straight. The case is properly set in the shell holder. These 3 cases all have the same headstamp, but I have others with the same headstamp that seated properly and didn’t pop out. Does anyone know what’s going on?

 

[Bartojc]

Sounds like the wrong shellholder, but I'm sure you checked that ?

-Jeff

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

.45Colt has very little rim to grab onto. If your shell holder is the least bit generous, with a case whose rim is the least bit skimpy, then this is the result. Check the case position in the holder and make sure it’s pushed back into the holder pocket before dropping the ram. I tend to let my thumb ride the rim after placing the case when I prime using the Lee hand prime or FA hand prime. I don’t prime on-press unless it’s with the Lee ram-prime and I do also tend to give the case some support there.

 

[RKRCPA]

I agree about the shellholder tolerances, I recently had the same problem. Here is a picture showing two different shellholders, a Lee and an RCBS. The Lee clearly has a wider opening that allows the rim of the case to lever out of the shellholder. I switched to the RCBS shellholder and the problem went away.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I have been loading 45 colt on my Lee turret press. This problem has happened 3 times.

3 out of how many? 3? 10? 100? Depending on how often it happens you may or may not want to start throwing money at it vs changing your process to prevent it from happening.

 

[GooseGestapo]

What # shell holder are you using?

I use the same one as for the .44mag. Never have that problem.
Shell holder #11.

Does it do it with other brands of cases. I’ve experienced that occasionally with .380acp brass as there are wide tolerances on various.380’s.

 

[Charlie98]

.45Colt has very little rim to grab onto.

Correct. I have had issues with some .45 Colt brass popping out of the spring loaded collet on my RCBS Universal hand primer, but not so much with my Hornady LNL shellplate. Some headstamps are better than others...

 

[R44 flyer]

I have been loading 45 colt on my Lee turret press. This problem has happened 3 times. I go to seat the primer, and the case pops out with the primer in partially and crooked. As far as I can tell, the primer is in the primer arm flush and straight. The case is properly set in the shell holder. These 3 cases all have the same headstamp, but I have others with the same headstamp that seated properly and didn’t pop out. Does anyone know what’s going on?View attachment 1146963

Lee lists a #11 and #14 shell holder for the colt one may fit better than the other depending on the age or brand of brass.

 

[Stefan A]

What # shell holder are you using?

I use the same one as for the .44mag. Never have that problem.
Shell holder #11.

Does it do it with other brands of cases. I’ve experienced that occasionally with .380acp brass as there are wide tolerances on various.380’s.

It’s the 11 shell holder.

it’s happened 3 out of about 80 rounds

 

[FROGO207]

I have had to go to RCBS shellholders for three different brass casings. Some of the Lee holders are made to fit multiple cases and are somtimes sloppy so you get what is happening to you. Buy one that is dedicated to the colt and you will be much happier.

 

[Stefan A]

I have had to go to RCBS shellholders for three different brass casings. Some of the Lee holders are made to fit multiple cases and are somtimes sloppy so you get what is happening to you. Buy one that is dedicated to the colt and you will be much happier.

That's what I'll do

Thanks everyone.

 

[Varminterror]

HTF did you get those cases out of the shellholder like that? You OBVIOUSLY have excessive clearance between the shellholder and the case, because there's NO way a good fitting shellholder would let that slide out with the primers standing that proud from the head. 100% change shellholder. Were it not a straightwall, I'd even be concerned with those pulling out of the shellholder and sticking in the sizing die!

 

[Stefan A]

HTF did you get those cases out of the shellholder like that? You OBVIOUSLY have excessive clearance between the shellholder and the case, because there's NO way a good fitting shellholder would let that slide out with the primers standing that proud from the head. 100% change shellholder. Were it not a straightwall, I'd even be concerned with those pulling out of the shellholder and sticking in the sizing die!

They popped out while I was trying to seat the primer.

 

[dcarr]

I'm using the rcbs #20 in both my lee turret press and lyman hand primer for 45 colt with no problems due to the shell holder.

 

[Soonerpesek]

HTF did you get those cases out of the shellholder like that?

You could try reading his post......................

This problem has happened 3 times. I go to seat the primer, and the case pops out with the primer in partially and crooked.

 

[Riomouse911]

At least it was during the prime and not with the case stuck fast in the resizing die.

Winchester .44 mag cases will not often fit in some of my shell holders, the rim is too thick to squeeze in. I guess variances cause us to have to find the right stuff sometimes.

Stay safe.

 

[GooseGestapo]

What brand of cases?
The original spec on the .45Colt case was much thinner and narrower, such that the original cases wouldn’t allow functionality in a lever type rifle action.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.45_Colt


Note the diagram on the left. No relief cut, and smaller rim.
I’d bet it’s the cases…

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

That's what I'll do

Thanks everyone.

Yes, but - please be aware that a tighter, more secure fit also requires more careful placement of the case rim and possibly/probably more careful alignment of the case to the die. The cases will no longer have the wiggle room to “find” the die mouth and may need to be guided to avoid crushing the case neck. Also, it’s possible that some of your cases that fit tightly enough in the Lee shell holder will be very tight in the RCBS shell holder. There’s always give and take. Don’t be surprised when you get the new shell holder if you have to change your routine a little bit to adapt.

 

[CQB45ACP]

Yes, but - please be aware that a tighter, more secure fit also requires more careful placement of the case rim and possibly/probably more careful alignment of the case to the die. The cases will no longer have the wiggle room to “find” the die mouth and may need to be guided to avoid crushing the case neck. Also, it’s possible that some of your cases that fit tightly enough in the Lee shell holder will be very tight in the RCBS shell holder. There’s always give and take. Don’t be surprised when you get the new shell holder if you have to change your routine a little bit to adapt.

Agree. For example, Lee #2 & Redding #1 are each 45acp shell holders. But, They are very different sizes.

 

[blue32]

Happens frequently with 480 Ruger and Dillon 550 shell holder if I don't go slow and make doubly sure the case is absolutely making contact with the lip of the shell holder.

 

[SingleActionAndrew]

When I took the NRA metallic reloading course our instructor was big on Lee but suggested avoiding their shell holders. He showed us multiple examples and each Redding had the smallest and most consistent dimensions.

 

[gwpercle]

If you are having problems and using Lee Shell Holders , try another (more expensive) brand .
Lee shell holders are not the best machined with the closest tolerances ... I hate to say that but ...
45 Colts don't have much rim ... so you need a tight fitting holder to hang onto that tiny rim .
If you have a turret press ... with multiple shell holders ... change all the shell holders .
And examine your brass for chewed up and damaged / worn rims ...they need to fit that new shell holder and a buggered up case rim may not ... save those cases for other things .
My favorite shell holders are those from CH4D and Redding .
Gary

 

[BushMaster-15]

If one uses a turret press with a floating shell plate ( Dillon ) the shell plate needs adjusting tighter as it removes the slop .
In other presses the shell holder is suspect ,as has already been Identified certain shell holders are universal therefore have slop built in , Either shim change to another brand ,or sliver solder and remove the slop .

 

[Soonerpesek]

If one uses a turret press with a floating shell plate ( Dillon )

??????.............I would like to see Dillon's turret press, I wasn't aware they made one........Is it an older model....?

 

[LiveLife]

My favorite shell holders are those from CH4D

Another vote for C-H shell holder.