Noob shell holder question

[JamieFoxx]

I have used a Forster co-ax for years and it is the only press I have ever used. I just bought a Lyman Ideal Press, to use as an auxiliary press for decapping. My question is would I specifically need Lyman shell holders or are shell holders universal between press brands. I.e could I use Rcbs, Redding etc shell holders with the Lyman press?

 

[AJ Peacock]

The standard shell holders are all the same +/-.

From my memory, the reddings are tighter tolerance, have knurling etc. The cheap Lee (or maybe Lyman) have a small channel under the primer that assists in decapping primers that have backed out a little. Besides these small differences, you are good to go.

AJ

 

[Jester896]

RCBS has that channel too

 

[MagnumManiac]

Whichever you choose to buy, please measure them.
Different brands are not equal dimensions in all aspects.
There are 2 critical measurements, the height above the groove to top surface, this should be .250" high. Overall height is .500". The groove height from beneath the top surface to bottom of groove determines how much slop there is. This often varies. Lee shell holders are often tighter in the press.
Lyman are often not the same as Redding or RCBS.
Make sure you match numbers to a chart, I have used the wrong number by accident and paid with excessive head space issues.

Cheers.

 

[FEENIX]

Whichever you choose to buy, please measure them.
Different brands are not equal dimensions in all aspects.
There are 2 critical measurements, the height above the groove to top surface, this should be .250" high. Overall height is .500". The groove height from beneath the top surface to bottom of groove determines how much slop there is. This often varies. Lee shell holders are often tighter in the press.
Lyman are often not the same as Redding or RCBS.
Make sure you match numbers to a chart, I have used the wrong number by accident and paid with excessive head space issues.

Cheers.

This!

Shell holder cross-reference chart > https://www.grafs.com/uploads/technical-resource-pdf-file/15.pdf or https://www.ammoreference.com/shellholder-reference-chart.php

 

[Laelkhunter]

It is recommended that you use the same brand shell holder as the brand of dies you use. The manufacturer that makes the dies makes them to certain dimensions to allow for accurate resizing. They measure the tolerances using their shell holders so that when you resize the case and it bottoms out on the shell holder the overall length of the case that you are resizing is maintained. The die company has no idea which brand shell holder you will use so they can only control the dimensions achieved using their shell holder with their dies.

 

[FEENIX]

It is recommended that you use the same brand shell holder as the brand of dies you use.

I do exactly that, except for my custom hydraulic forming dies.

 

[MagnumManiac]

They measure the tolerances using their shell holders so that when you resize the case and it bottoms out on the shell holder the overall length of the case that you are resizing is maintained

I don't know where you got this tidbit from, but, it is not true.
Shell holders, shell plates and other case holding systems were standardised to be .250" high, this is where the datum is made from. This is why a shell holder of any brand will work in any press.
ALL shell holders should be this dimension, but, often, the measurement where the rim sits is the place that differs the most.
The advice given regarding use of same brand press and shell holder is feasible, but, RCBS and Redding presses work equally well with either brand shell holder. Lyman are often a poor fit in the press ram, even though dimensionally they are correct.

Cheers.

 

[Laelkhunter]

I don't know where you got this tidbit from, but, it is not true.
Shell holders, shell plates and other case holding systems were standardised to be .250" high, this is where the datum is made from. This is why a shell holder of any brand will work in any press.
ALL shell holders should be this dimension, but, often, the measurement where the rim sits is the place that differs the most.
The advice given regarding use of same brand press and shell holder is feasible, but, RCBS and Redding presses work equally well with either brand shell holder. Lyman are often a poor fit in the press ram, even though dimensionally they are correct.

Cheers.

Please explain what you meant by "the measurement where the rim sits is the place that differs the most". Are you referring to the groove in the shellholder where the cartridge slides in?? I would think that has to be quite precise to firmly hold the cartridge rim during reloading, especially repriming.
I wasn't referring to the shellholder/press ram fitment. I was referring to the bottom of the die and where it contacts the shellholder. The amount of metal that is "on top" of the shellholder might be a little thicker on some brands more than others, I have never really measured any. I have an RCBS shellholder for my .340 Wby and the part of the shellholder that contacts the bottom of the resizing die is different thickness than the shellholder that came with my Hornady dies. I remember reading somewhere a while back about the particular shellholder of one brand might be different thickness than another. You are probably right, and I offered the info because it made sense to me when I heard it "back then". Once again, you are probably right.
My ancient RCBS Rockchucker has served me well over the years, and I have used RCBS, Hornady, Lyman, and I even have a C&H shellholder from around 1975. All fit the Rockchucker, and after die adjustment are just fine no matter what die/shell holder combination I use.

 

[jjam211]

I think on some the primer pocket hole is different as well. Just grabbed the hornady versa prime and my shell holders wont fit it

 

[MagnumManiac]

Are you referring to the groove in the shellholder where the cartridge slides in?

Yes, this is where the most variance occurs, it is only a few thou', but, noticeable

Cheers.
.

 

[PC Python]

One thing I do is make sure each set of my dies has it's own shell holder that stays with those dies.

 

[Gue342]

Shell holders are basically universal across brands for standard single-stage presses like your new Lyman Ideal.

You can safely use your existing RCBS, Redding, or other standard holders in the Lyman no problem for decapping. Just note that the numbering systems differ between brands, so match by cartridge, not by the stamped on it.

No need to buy Lyman specific ones unless you want them.

 

[ntsqd]

IF A) all the press is being used for is de-capping and nothing else and B) the shell holders physically fit in the ram and C) something like a Lee Universal de-sapping die is being used I can't see the height/thickness dims of a shell holder mattering to anything.

Re-sizing and loading operations absolutely need a shell holder with the correct dims, but I must be missing something if it matters for de-capping. Adequate clearance for the spent primers is desirable, even for those that are partly backed out, and a good grasp of the case are the only requirements that I'm seeing necessary for de-capping.