LEE Shell Holder + RCBS Die = ????

Re: LEE Shell Holder + RCBS Die = ????

I've found differences in the height of shell holders, even within the same brand, which will affect how much or how little the case is pushed up into the die. Changing shoulder bump, head space, etc. You'll be okay as long as you don't switch to another shell holder at some point with that die. If you do, you will have to set it up all over again...or at least I would.

I dedicate a shell holder to each set of dies, just to be on the safe side......
 
Re: LEE Shell Holder + RCBS Die = ????

"Does the brand difference mess up the the setup or are the shell holders made within tolerance."

Both dies and shell holders are made to agreed upon SAAMI dimensions and tolerances for those dimensions, but they are intended to be fully interchangable. And for all but the most demanding of ammo they are fully interchangeble.

The combined maximum tolerances would allow something like 4 thou difference at the shoulder if I remember the SAAMI numbers correctly and it would only get tighter from that maximum. We can get that much resized shoulder change depending on how many times a single case has been fired!
 
Re: LEE Shell Holder + RCBS Die = ????

Thanks for the info and I will keep it in mind. I will keep the shell holder matched with the die used. If I purchase a brand match shell holder to the die then I will start over and check things out to see if anything changed.
 
Re: LEE Shell Holder + RCBS Die = ????

I've used Lee shellholders with Redding dies and never had any problem. I did use the same shellholder with each die though.
 
Re: LEE Shell Holder + RCBS Die = ????

SAAMI mentions no standards for reloading shell holders on their website.

While the common shell holders are generally compatible (they have the same lower dimensions to fit a press ram, and they have the same dimensions from case head to top of shell holder), they do not share the same primer hole diameters, and may not share the same overall height. As such, while each can be used with any brand of die, they may require resetting the dies between uses with different brands of shell holders.

Andy