.223 brass won't fit in shell holder

[tullius]

Been noticing a problem with my LC09 brass not fitting in my Lee shell holder without me forcing them in. These have about 4-6 reloads through them. No problems whatsoever in cycling through weapons. Only running 2650fps.

Anyone else run into this?

 

[couesnut]

Re: .223 brass won't fit in shell holder

I have had this problem with my rem bolt gun it puts a burr on the rim. Does the shell holder have a burr.

 

[Amric]

Re: .223 brass won't fit in shell holder

I had this happen on one of my RCBS shell holders. I had two others that didn't have the problem, so I tossed the bad one.

 

[tullius]

Re: .223 brass won't fit in shell holder

don't think so couesnut: rounds that have been fired less than 3 times slide right in. The problem ones almost snap in.

 

[bohem]

Re: .223 brass won't fit in shell holder

Measure the extractor groove diameter with calipers on the ones that snap in and the ones that work easily.

Also measure the rim thickness and/or groove thickness of the good and bad ones.

I've had brass that was just barely fitting and after a few times through the rifle I found that the ejector was bending the rim a tiny bit. It was fired from an AR15, the same lot of brass that was fired from a bolt action only never developed the problem during it's life and I fired it probably 15x's before the necks split.

 

[lukeva22]

Re: .223 brass won't fit in shell holder

I have a lot of once fired lc06 brass that some would not fit into my lee auto prime shell holder, but would fit into my rcbs shellholder just fine. I think that the lee's shellholders might be a little tight, but that is just my experience..

 

[InTheWeeds]

Re: .223 brass won't fit in shell holder

I have the same issue with a few PPU brass and my RCBS holders.. Not sure what the deal is, not a big deal to me though..

 

[lightman]

Re: .223 brass won't fit in shell holder

I try to use the same brand shellholder as the dies that I have,so when I bought my Redding 223 die set I also bought their shellholder.It was a tighter fit than my RCBS that I use with my 222,lots of cases would not fit.I guess the answer is to try several and keep the one that works best. Pete

 

[zuke]

Re: .223 brass won't fit in shell holder

Look for dent's or kink's on the rim.
I had a bunch that had be spinning my head till I just happened to reach over,pick one up and have a closer look at it.

 

[wksinatl]

Re: .223 brass won't fit in shell holder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lukeva</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a lot of once fired lc06 brass that some would not fit into my lee auto prime shell holder, but would fit into my rcbs shellholder just fine. I think that the lee's shellholders might be a little tight, but that is just my experience.. </div></div>

I have had the same thing. Some won't fit my Lee auto prime but run just fine through my Dillon 550.

Keith

 

[Mordamer]

Re: .223 brass won't fit in shell holder

I have had the exact same problem you are describing. Lee shell holder, but I have had once fired factory loads that stuck some. I can't figure out if it is the holder or the gun causing the problem. The gun is a rem 700.

 

[ChopperDawg308]

Re: .223 brass won't fit in shell holder

had problem with PPU brass only, everything else fit fine in rcbs holder. The case rim diameter was larger even on unfired rounds. Had some free time over the winter and ended up knocking off a few thousands in the lathe and they have been fine after that ... kind of a pain to do though

 

[mikeyz250]

Re: .223 brass won't fit in shell holder

It is from the extractor on the rifle, Pulling the rim and it stretches a little bit then it wont fit in the shell holder, I have found this to be a problem with PPU brass one time fired (soft brass) and on some LC after several reloads.

 

[RebelRouser]

Re: .223 brass won't fit in shell holder

Yup, the L.C. brass don't fit into the tight Lee shelholders. I spent a few bucks for the R.C.B.S. hand primer and dedicated it to 223 only.

 

[tullius]

Re: .223 brass won't fit in shell holder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Measure the extractor groove diameter with calipers on the ones that snap in and the ones that work easily.

Also measure the rim thickness and/or groove thickness of the good and bad ones.

I've had brass that was just barely fitting and after a few times through the rifle I found that the ejector was bending the rim a tiny bit. It was fired from an AR15, the same lot of brass that was fired from a bolt action only never developed the problem during it's life and I fired it probably 15x's before the necks split.</div></div>

Ah, the ones I'm having this issue with are solely fired through my NM AR15. Were you able to remedy this by making a change to the ejector/bolt?

 

[bohem]

Re: .223 brass won't fit in shell holder

Yeah, I it had a tight fit on the extractor and was bending the rim as it closed into battery. I took the extractor off and trimmed about 0.010" off the extractor tooth so it would snap over the rim with less spring pressure.

Just careful work with a fine sanding drum and polish wheel on the dremel tool. While it was off I also polished the sides of the extractor and the walls of the extractor pocket in the bolt, just enough to clean it up.

 

[Hellbender]

Re: .223 brass won't fit in shell holder

How do your primers seat, are any easier to seat than normal?

If so, your case heads have expanded and your brass is toast.

 

[tullius]

Re: .223 brass won't fit in shell holder

Primers seat normally. Looks like I should mention this is on the press shell holder, not on a hand primer.

Bohem, I think you're onto it with the extractor. Have to do some more recon. Update to follow.

 

[tullius]

Re: .223 brass won't fit in shell holder

Update: txboy and bohem were both correct.