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trebor44
10-19-2021, 04:29 PM
Wanted to decap the spent primers but the recommended Lee #11 shell holder is too small. What is the correct shell holder size? What is the primer size? I have 62 of these to do. Thanks for any assistance in this matter.
Larry Gibson
10-19-2021, 06:24 PM
Lee says to use #11 or #14.

RCBS says to use #20 or #4
trebor44
10-19-2021, 06:52 PM
Thanks, I will look for a #14
Nueces
10-19-2021, 07:13 PM
The first 45 Colt cases I reloaded, back around 1970, were ancient balloon heads. Those rims, lacking an extractor groove, were so tiny that I damaged both cases and shellholders of the early Lee hand primer tool, the one with screw-on shellholders. Today, I would try all the shellholders I could reach to see if any did better. Those cases can be a challenge.
Mk42gunner
10-20-2021, 12:29 AM
No idea on the primer size, they weren't all 0.210" or 0.175".

As far as depriming, something with a hole to rest the case on and a 1/16" pin punch should do the trick. I did that to a huge number of .45ACP brass one Westpac.

Robert
trebor44
10-20-2021, 07:22 AM
These are looking like they are becoming candidates for the recycle bin. Thanks for all the advice.
Nueces
10-20-2021, 08:23 AM
These are looking like they are becoming candidates for the recycle bin. Thanks for all the advice.

I encourage you to tumble them sparkling clean and save them, if you have room. You could find a workable solution someday and the cases are rare now and perfect for black powder loads or even display. I'm glad I kept mine.
gwpercle
10-20-2021, 10:47 AM
These are looking like they are becoming candidates for the recycle bin. Thanks for all the advice.

Save them for a collector ... the old ones are getting hard to find and there are a few who reload with black powder that actually prefer and look for them .
Rule #1 of Reloading and Pack-Rats ... Never throw anything away ...you may need it ...someday !