Thread: Playing with some Redding Competition Shell Holders

Here's a chart to help understand Redding Competition Shell Holders and what effect they have. This is my set measured using a Mitutoyo depth micrometer so reasonably accurate. I measured at three points on each shell holder. They were very consistent with the three points measuring extremely close. I had measured my set previously using a dial calliper but the measurements were not as repeatable and therefore suss.

I've got things I should be doing outside (well that's what I'm told) but here's some more measurements. Make what you like of them.

right..so I was on right track...it makes the distance from shoulder of case to base slightly different...now this brings up interesting point..with my hornady new dimension dies and cases from the BLR... no way could I get the two (base and plate) to meet.... that rifle drove me nuts trying to reload for..in the end the best solution was to run sized case back through older lyman .30/06 FL die..it seemed to squeaze body in tad more...like I THINK you saying small base die does.
those loads that were still tight in BLR stayed with bolt action...
Ive now got 2 of the #2 shell holders..interestingly I can get 6.5x55 to fit easily in one but not the other....

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

right..so I was on right track...it makes the distance from shoulder of case to base slightly different...now this brings up interesting point..with my hornady new dimension dies and cases from the BLR... no way could I get the two (base and plate) to meet.... that rifle drove me nuts trying to reload for..in the end the best solution was to run sized case back through older lyman .30/06 FL die..it seemed to squeaze body in tad more...like I THINK you saying small base die does.
those loads that were still tight in BLR stayed with bolt action...
Ive now got 2 of the #2 shell holders..interestingly I can get 6.5x55 to fit easily in one but not the other....

Greetings Micky,
Different makes of shell holders have different numbers for cartridges. A no2 RCBS shell holder will fit the 6.5 x 55 but not a no2 Lyman. Other makes are different or the same again.
Just something else to trip handloaders up.
Regards Grandpamac.

In regards to the 6.5 x 55 i use the 308 size shell holders.
Luckily the only chambering they don't fit is the 204.
I have another set for my 300nm.
I wouldn't be with out them as once I listened to a podcast from the vp of redding I realised if your serious about oversized brass this was the quickest easiest and most repeatable method available.
It's a bugger they are so expensive.


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Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings Micky,
Different makes of shell holders have different numbers for cartridges. A no2 RCBS shell holder will fit the 6.5 x 55 but not a no2 Lyman. Other makes are different or the same again.
Just something else to trip handloaders up.
Regards Grandpamac.

Not only that, but the same shell holder may not fit different brass for the same caliber. Case in point, the Lee Shellholder designated by Lee for 7x57mm Mauser would not accept my RWS brass. I wrote to Lee and they came back pretty much with "use American brass or chose a different shell holder" explaining that often European made brass differed from American made in rim or base dimensions and the problem was common with RWS and S&B. First time I had struck it tho.

Originally Posted by Jhon

Not only that, but the same shell holder may not fit different brass for the same caliber. Case in point, the Lee Shellholder designated by Lee for 7x57mm Mauser would not accept my RWS brass. I wrote to Lee and they came back pretty much with "use American brass or chose a different shell holder" explaining that often European made brass differed from American made in rim or base dimensions and the problem was common with RWS and S&B. First time I had struck it tho.

Greetings Jhon,
Somewhere in the back of my mind I remembered that two different shell holders were listed for the 7 x57 and .257 Roberts. An old Handloaders digest listed the RCBS no 3 and no 11 for these cartridges. The no 11 is also listed for the .225 Win and the .220 swift.
Regards Grandpamac.

@grandpamac ...throw away the variable shell holders and your shims and grind or machine 0.020" off the bottom of your FLS die mark your press and the die body, wind it back and resize an ANNEALED case noting where the mark's are in relation to each other. Incrementally move the die down until you get your dimension. Wind it back a little and repeat for the next one. My mate has Redding comparator dies to check that case length setup in another press...very quick and accurate, and we ensure we have 0.002" rifle chamber headspace by checking with an unloaded bolt ie removing firing pin (and ejector if necessary).

Might seem pedantic to some, but every little thing makes a difference when you are zoning in on that "X" ring

Originally Posted by andyanimal31

In regards to the 6.5 x 55 i use the 308 size shell holders.
Luckily the only chambering they don't fit is the 204.
I have another set for my 300nm.
I wouldn't be with out them as once I listened to a podcast from the vp of redding I realised if your serious about oversized brass this was the quickest easiest and most repeatable method available.
It's a bugger they are so expensive.


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Greetings @andyanimal31,
I tried my Norma and Lapua cases in the Redding No 1 shell holder set but they don't fit. Some US made cases may do so as they are often undersize. I have ordered a Redding no 1 competition set and a Hornady comparator which should cover most of my needs. I can borrow a Redding no 10 set for the .223 when required.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings @andyanimal31,
I tried my Norma and Lapua cases in the Redding No 1 shell holder set but they don't fit. Some US made cases may do so as they are often undersize. I have ordered a Redding no 1 competition set and a Hornady comparator which should cover most of my needs. I can borrow a Redding no 10 set for the .223 when required.
Regards Grandpamac.

I can get my lapua and norma to fit.
The odd one is a bit tight.

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Originally Posted by andyanimal31

I can get my lapua and norma to fit.
The odd one is a bit tight.

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Greetings again,
My old Redding shell holder charts list the no 1 for the 6.5 x 55 but the current chart lists a no 7 so perhaps they have changed their specs. The no 7 only seems to be listed for the 6.5 and the 45 win mag pistol cartridge so who knows what was going on. 6.5 cases don't even come close to entering my sons no 1 shell holders.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings again,
My old Redding shell holder charts list the no 1 for the 6.5 x 55 but the current chart lists a no 7 so perhaps they have changed their specs..

Out of spec American brass with a .473” rim most likely. The .45 Win Mag has the same .480” rim as the Swede.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings again,
My old Redding shell holder charts list the no 1 for the 6.5 x 55 but the current chart lists a no 7 so perhaps they have changed their specs. The no 7 only seems to be listed for the 6.5 and the 45 win mag pistol cartridge so who knows what was going on. 6.5 cases don't even come close to entering my sons no 1 shell holders.
Regards Grandpamac.

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.

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.

I tried my redding shell holder and the one I use for the tikka in 6.5x55 with norma brass fits easily. The ones I don't use are tight.
Force must have been the awnser to get them going from memory!

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