Does die and she'll holder brand matter?

ohihunter2014

New member
New reloaded here and got rcbs 223 2 die set for a great deal and also an rcbs shell holder. I'm looking at a lee factory crimp die and wondering if I can still use a rcbs shell holder when using a lee factory crimp die? Press is a lee single stage if that matters.

Thanks guys
 
Lots of guys insist same same sizer die and holders that often hit the shell holder . I personally have never had a problem mixing and matching. On a seating/crimp die they will never touch the shell holder. It will make no difference on them.

Greg
 
I have an older full set of shell holders and usually wind up fitting, by trial and error, the brass to the shell holder for optimal function...The problem being that not all brass is perfectly identical in size and some shell holders just fit better than the one prescribed for the caliber..

Mixing between brands should not be a problem as long as the brass fit is not too loose...
 
Generally they are interchangeable both the dies and the shell holders. Exceptions may exist for example on a custom tight chambered 17 fireball my Redding dies would not size the shoulder back far enough to allow the bolt to close without resistance with any standard she'll holder I tried.

Picked up a set of Hornady dies for the 17 fireball and head space issue with that rifle was solved. I was quite surprised to find the range of difference in the head space between a couple factory chambers and the custom chambered 17 fireball. (016"
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on the other hand I was using the special plus .010" Redding Shell holder for those factory 17 Fireball chambers, to keep from over sizing the brass for those rifles.
 
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I bought the Lee shell holders and also a set for the hand primer. Most of my dies are something other(RCBS, Redding, Hornady) than Lee .

The Lees come in a nice a compact holder with a chart in the top. If you load (or plan to) many different cartridges I can recommend the Lees.

Do Note that each manufacturer has their own number scheme for the holders.... ie. a #2 RCBS is not the same a Lee #2.

Be Safe
 
I couldn't even tell you which holders i use. I just grab one out of the bin, make sure the brass fits correctly and start working. I'd guess it would be on the rare side for it to matter. Figure that all dies excluding wildcats will bewithin factory spec for the cartridge with very little room for error. After that its up to the user to adjust them correctly.
 
Originally Posted By: ohihunter2014New reloaded here and got rcbs 223 2 die set for a great deal and also an rcbs shell holder. I'm looking at a lee factory crimp die and wondering if I can still use a rcbs shell holder when using a lee factory crimp die? Press is a lee single stage if that matters.

Thanks guys

If the RCBS shell holder fits in your press, then sure no problem.
I have used RCBS dies in my Lee press, but not sure if other shell holders work.
The amount of crimp (force) is adjusted by moving the crimp die up or down in the press.
 
Most of the time it is best to stay with the brand of dies. In other words RCBS die = RCBS shell holder. Why do I make such a bold statement? because there is differences in the dimensions on the shell holders. from the top of the shell holder to the end of the brass case. should be .23 to .25 thousands. If it is a greater depth then it will change the head space. The case will not be sized correctly.
The dies and shell holder should fit your lee press.

I have seen and have in my possession shell holders that are .40 thousands from the top of the shell holder to the bottom of the brass case. This created problems for me and if a person starts wildcatting then it becomes even more critical. For example the extra .15 thousands of case body prevented the case from fitting correctly into the chamber. Thus my bolt would not close.
 
Originally Posted By: HookedCome to think of it, my RCBS primer pocket swager fits in my Lee Press, so you should have no problems.

I don't think I've come across a main brand (semi modern) press that doesn't use standard die sizes and threads, shell holder etc. I'd guess back in the day everything was proprietary, but it's just a guess. I have multiple brands of dies and pieces in all colors, dating back to the 60's, 3 different brand presses, red blue and green. They all swap around without an issue.
 


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