Lee Hand Prime Shell Holder
One of the priming tools I use is a plain old Lee hand held. I'm reloading Lake City 5.56 brass and the "factory specified" shell holder is a #4 - which is what I'm using. Problem is that some of the cases stick like hell. Hard to tell where it's rubbing, seems to me in the extractor groove above the rim. Has anyone encountered the same problem and if so, is there another Lee shellholder to use?
I have no issues using the LC brass in a conventional shell holder when sizing & seating, it's just the shell holder for hand priming that's a PITA.
I have no issues using the LC brass in a conventional shell holder when sizing & seating, it's just the shell holder for hand priming that's a PITA.
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I use a Lee hand held press for loading on site. The ram uses standard shell holders and I use an RCBS #10 for the 5.56 with no problems. 0 -
I used a Lee tool years ago, Privi Partisan and other imports fit different than LC or other domestic.
This wasn't 5.56 but the same tolerance issues may apply.0 -
No issues with Privi or anything 223, just this LC 5.56. May be time to get the RCBS with universal jaws. I still like the Lee because you work the lever with the thumb & back of your hand. The others I've seen operate by closing with fingers. 0 -
If you have Lee priming tool shellholder #19,give it a try. It's the one I used for a lot of handgun cartridges. It is slightly larger internally then the #4. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by rufe-snow
If you have Lee priming tool shellholder #19,give it a try. It's the one I used for a lot of handgun cartridges. It is slightly larger internally then the #4.
I have the #19 & used it for the dozen or so cases that wouldn't fit the #4. Problem is it's a touch too loose for the cases that do fit the #4. Whatever the heck is between the two would work fine, just not sure what that would be.0 -
quote:Originally posted by dfletcher
quote:Originally posted by rufe-snow
If you have Lee priming tool shellholder #19,give it a try. It's the one I used for a lot of handgun cartridges. It is slightly larger internally then the #4.
I have the #19 & used it for the dozen or so cases that wouldn't fit the #4. Problem is it's a touch too loose for the cases that do fit the #4. Whatever the heck is between the two would work fine, just not sure what that would be.
Try Lee #1, if you have it. It's for rimmed revolver cartridges and splits the difference between #19 & #40 -
Some brass has a bit thicker rim, I have this issue priming .44 mag brass....Winchester brass for one reason or another is a bear to get in or out of the Lee prime holder..... This is probably the issue you have as well. The suggestions others have are the same ones I have as well, good luck! 0 -
I have had the same problem with Lee autoprime shell holders and certain makes or lots of brass. Especially milbrass or the kangaroo brand brass I use on rarities.
Since autoprime shell holders are cheap relative to the cost of brass these days, I have slightly "Dremmeled" out several specific shell holders to match the rims.
I have dremmeled my 5.56 shell holder as well.0 -
I did some measuring and the rim is catching.
5.56 rim measures (supposedly).378 according to my reload books. Brass that fits in & out easy on the die measures .374 or so. But at .376 the case rim rubs and above it's a PITA to cram in & yank out. So I suspect that #4 is cut tight. I say suspect because after getting a case stuck, yanking it out & dropping primers I got PO'd & pitched it across the basement. Landed behing my bench stacked with about 300 boxes of bullets and 60 canisters of powder. I'm not going to go digging for it. [:(!]
I ordered a few extra #4 Lees and will open them up a touch with a dremel disc if need be. I also ordered a #16 because that accomodates the 7.62 Tokarev and 30 Luger @ .392. Also bought a RCBS primer with universal jaws. I know that will work.0 -
My priming tool of choice is my Lyman 310 stuff, provides excellent feel. 0
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