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Posted: 1/5/2010 6:01:14 AM EDT
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I use the Lee handheld prime tool for priming and ran into a huge problem with assorted 223/556 cases not fitting into, or getting stuck in the Lee shellholder.
I have been tossing them into a bucket hoping I would get a RCBS universal tool or use my RCBS press w/tubes (which I dont have anymore....). Last night after loading some larger caliber stuff I switched out to do 223. I have the lee shellholder set that comes in the red plastic container. I also noticed that I had an extra #4 lee shellholder in the bottom of my "junk drawer" on my bench. I started using said found #4 shellholder and every single case went into the tool smoothly. I pondered my achievement briefly and remembered my bucket of 223 stuff labelled "CANT PRIME" over in the corner. Much to my surprise and astonishment every single one of those shells easily fit into the tool now. Literally hours and hours of frustration were gone. No more mangling of cases, primers, the plastic tool cover or my hands/fingers. Why the hell are 2 of the same component so different? I didnt get into using the micrometer to check yet - for I was overcome with joy! On a side note, I got into a groove and went through 1300 small rifle primers in one sitting and emptied the dreaded "cant prime" bucket. Today my hands and fingers are sore as hell but I won a small battle. Powder supply and bullet supply is dwindling. Ammo cans, magazines and storage cases are overflowing! Too bad it's 18 degrees outside. I need to go shooting!!! |
I get those too. I always thought it was the case.
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One of these days soon I want to get a survey running here where everyone takes certain measurements of the shell holders they own. I had two #6 RCBS shell holders that were a couple of tens of thousandths thicker in the top - "had" because I turned 0.010 off one of them so I can use is with my Jet sizer.
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I pulled my hair out over this for a long time. Aero, you and I had threads about this with pictures and everything.
I took the 5 AR's we usually shoot apart - checking extractors, ejectors, swapping bolts, parts, checking tension, bolt faces, etc., etc., etc, as I thought it might be 1 of the guns goobering up the brass. I had primers get 1/2 way in and couldnt remove the case from the tool, dropped 100's of primers all over the floor, used a nail set to detonate mangled primers and brass to separate the shellholder - the agony list was endless. All it was is a simple 3 dollar part. If I wasn't looking for my old primer cleaning brush I insert into a drill that I store in my "junk drawer" I would have never found that other shell holder. It always pissed me off too that I would tumble, clean, lube, decap, resize and trim only to find out the damn things wouldnt go into the Lee tool and toss into the "cant prime" bucket. It might sound trivial - but it's the small victories that are often the most rewarding. Lots more brass is GTG now too!! |
| I had the same problem. I think you will find it is LC brass that Lee has a problem with. I called Lee and they said that the problem had been reported and that the LC brass was a little thicker on the rim. Dove me nuts trying to get the cases in and out of the primer tool. It does not seem to be a problem with the .223 die set shell holder. I don't know why they can't fix the shell holder for the priming tool! |
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I'm glad I read this thread because I've also had that problem. I usually twist the round some and kinda force it in, prime it, then the put it and the shellholder out of the auto prime and then pry the shellholder off. I figured something was off with that shellholder since I don't have that issue when depriming and sizing.
I think I'll probably measure my regular shellholder then see why the autoprime shellholder is different...then bring out the dremmel. 
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| Experienced same problem with .223/5.56 brass and 40 S&W brass. Occasionally a 45acp case. It's usually nickel plated or a Hornady case if 45acp. The 40S&W and 45acp I usualy pitch and the .223/5.56 brass I file. I thought about opening the shell plates up a little but it dawned on me they keep a case not fully primer seated from being removed. So I've left the shell plates alone. It's a trade off with regard for cure. I feel better either pitching or fixing the case is a better cure in my " case ". |
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