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Modifying a shell holder (Read 3393 times)

marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 18057 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Modifying a shell holder Jun 9^th, 2016 at 12:49pm	Print Post
	I've been using the older Lee hand priming tools to prime brass for a very long time! Tried other methods, and just wasn't happy with the function, or the slow process of priming, or setting them up. But I use a lot of .405 Win. brass for various Ballard .40-63EL/.40-70, and .40-70SS case forming. Unfortunately that required I either use my old Rockchucker press priming setup, or an RCBS hand priming tool, which I am not happy with. I finally got irritated enough to do something about the issue. I ordered a spare #24 .405 shell holder for RCBS, and set to work with my Dremel to modify it. Took the parting disc and removed the lower half that holds it in my Rockchucker ram, which went quickly on the hardened shell holder. Then clamped the top part in the vise, and using a stone in my dremel, I began to open up the primer hole. The Lee takes a .311" hole for the priming tool, and the RCBS shell holder is .050" smaller. Just a few minutes with the stone in the dremel took the hardened metal out to .311"! Stopped numerous times to check the size with my calipers, or turn the shell holder around to work the hole from each side as my stone wore down. The shell holder didn't need anything taken off the thickness after the base was cut off. Tried it in the Lee hand priming tool, and it seats primers perfectly! Wish I'd thought of this a long time ago, as it would have really sped up my case prep time!

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Pentz Senior Forum Member Offline Funf und Zwanzig mit den Hut Posts: 435 Location: Vancouver, WA Joined: Sep 4^th, 2014	Re: Modifying a shell holder Reply #1 - Jun 9^th, 2016 at 1:24pm	Print Post
	Those shell holders are hard! I had to open up a RCBS to fit on my Hornaday trimmer - took a half-inch drill and ruined a bit in the process. Yes, the RCBS priming tool is a PITA compared to the Lee; its way too complicated and ergonomically retarded.

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Rick4070 Participating Member Offline Posts: 36 Joined: Dec 17^th, 2015	Re: Modifying a shell holder Reply #2 - Jun 9^th, 2016 at 2:53pm	Print Post
	I just modified a RCBS shell holder to fit my Lee priming tool too! Easier to go to Bi-Mart and buy one, than order one from Lee. I used a lathe, with a carbide tipped bit, to face the excess off, and a carbide boring bar to open up the hole. It seemed to be case hardened, so once I got under that, it was fairly easy to turn and bore.


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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 18057 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: Modifying a shell holder Reply #3 - Jun 10^th, 2016 at 9:10am	Print Post
	Rick4070 wrote on Jun 9^th, 2016 at 2:53pm: I just modified a RCBS shell holder to fit my Lee priming tool too! Easier to go to Bi-Mart and buy one, than order one from Lee. Well it's not easier to just buy a shell holder for .405 Win., as Lee doesn't make that shell holder in either the auto prime, or standard shell holder! They don't offer it as a custom shell holder either. Only option is modifying an RCBS or other brand besides Lee.

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Rick4070 Participating Member Offline Posts: 36 Joined: Dec 17^th, 2015	Re: Modifying a shell holder Reply #4 - Jun 10^th, 2016 at 11:15am	Print Post
	Yep, if Lee doesn't offer that size, at least we are lucky that the RCBS one is able to be modified. I was kind of surprised that some of the dimensions were so close. Mine was simple, I just needed a belted Magnum shell holder for the Lee, and didn't want to take the time to order one....


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rgchristensen Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1188 Joined: Jan 2^nd, 2014	Re: Modifying a shell holder Reply #5 - Jun 10^th, 2016 at 7:32pm	Print Post
	I have made a batch of odd-size shell-holders for the LEE priming tools out of hard aluminum. They last fine for casual use -- probably couldn't wear one out. CHRIS RGChristensen


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