Thread: Playing with some Redding Competition Shell Holders

Originally Posted by zimmer

Here's some more numbers.
Look at the 6.5x55 shell holders. I have a Lee #3 and an RCBS #2 that fit both my 6.5x55 (Lapua) and my 7.5x55 SR (Norma) cases.

I recently went mad (or madder) and upgraded to Redding E-Z shell holders. I had to get 2 different shell holders to fit my Swede and my Swiss. The difference is in the height of the slot ie the thickness of the case rim. I must admit the fit for both cases is very good. Not sloppy like the Lee or the RCBS that have covered 2 different cartridge cases with one shell holder.
Rim thickness on my 7.5x55 SR Norma brass is 0.0615" compared to 0.055" for the 6.5x55 SM Lapua brass.

Look also at 22 Hornet. I have Lee's #20. Ratting around I found an old set of Lee dies which has a Lee #7 shell holder supplied with it. I found an old shell holder cross reference chart and it lists just the Lee #7 for the Hornet.
Attachment 180246

Greetings Zimmer and all,
I guess that there are so many different head and rim sizes that the die manufacturers have to group them for the shell holders. This causes some anomalies. If they didn't do this there would be north of 200 types and they would cost $200.00 each. It seems different manufacturers grouped them a little differently. When a new cartridge, like the 45 Win Mag, appears the deck gets shuffled a bit as seems to have happened here.
Regards Grandpamac.