MidSouth Shooters SupplyLee PrecisionReloading EverythingTitan Reloading
Inline FabricationRotoMetals2WidenersRepackbox
Load Data
Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 21 to 29 of 29

Thread: Broken Shell Holder

  1. #21
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    NE Florida
    Posts
    701
    Quote Originally Posted by 243winxb View Post
    RCBS has said they have removed many stuck brass from FL dies, when reloaders were using Imperial Sizing Die Wax .

    If your breaking shell holders, your not using RCBS Case Lube- 2 .
    243 I have the same opinion of Imperial . I have only stuck one case (5.56 LC 98) using Imperial, but the force required to size or case form is much higher than with RCBS or my homemade lube. I was disappointed with Imperial after all the hype. My worst experience has been with One Shot, stuck 4 cases in one evening.

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

  2. #22
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    JAX, FL
    Posts
    1,228
    Quote Originally Posted by Gee_Wizz01 View Post
    243 I have the same opinion of Imperial . I have only stuck one case (5.56 LC 98) using Imperial, but the force required to size or case form is much higher than with RCBS or my homemade lube. I was disappointed with Imperial after all the hype. My worst experience has been with One Shot, stuck 4 cases in one evening.

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
    I had a jar of Imperial that was left in the garage for a few years and when I went to use it I almost stuck a case. On closer examination a darker colored brown something had separated out into the center bottom of the jar. I warmed it up and thoroughly remixed and helped but was still not right.

    Back to the subject broken shell holder, I'm having a hard time getting my brain wrapped around the idea of a brass case rim being stronger than a steel shell holder, regardless of heat treating. I wonder if over a long period of time excessive cam-over with some narrow mouthed die of some sort or another initiated the failure.
    “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem.” Ronald Reagan


  3. #23
    Moderator



    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Oregon Coast
    Posts
    10,248
    Metal fatigue happens over time from repeated uses. This may explain why the thin lips of shell holders sometimes break off. Other factors could be a flaw in the steel, a heat treating issue, or some other problem. Nothing lasts forever and mass produced items are bound to have a failure once in a while.

    Hope this helps.

    Fred
    After a shooting spree, they always want to take the guns away from the people who didn't do it. - William S. Burroughs.

  4. #24
    Boolit Master 243winxb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2,837
    I have two RCBS #3 shell holders. The old 1973 shows wear from many loadings of 243, 308, 3006, 45acp. . Can't be overly hard? Can it?

  5. #25
    Boolit Master


    Walks's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    SoCal
    Posts
    3,028
    RCBS Case Lube-2 is really Great Stuff. I'm still using a bottle from 20yrs ago. And the same Case Lube pad. Sizing is always easy as long as you remember to ROLL the cases across the pad.

    I probably use more Imperial Sizing wax then most, as I said before GREASY Fingers. And yet have only had one case ever "crease" . And that was when sizing .45-70 down to .40-65WCF.
    I HATE auto-correct

    Happiness is a Warm GUN & more ammo to shoot in it.

    My Experience and My Opinion, are just that, Mine.

    SASS #375 Life

  6. #26
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Farmerville,Louisiana
    Posts
    1,357
    I’ve stuck a case 30-06 with the home brew alc and lanolin solution by getting in a hurry and not giving the alc time to flash off. Will stick every time.

  7. #27
    Boolit Grand Master

    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    England,Ar
    Posts
    7,687
    I don't remember ever seeing a broken shellholder. But I bet RCBS will make it right for you.

  8. #28
    Boolit Master 44magLeo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Lebanon, NY
    Posts
    1,019
    With just 300 or so uses it probably was a bad shell holder.
    If your press is a rock Chucker, it is an over center press. as the ram cams over it exerts extreme pressure. If you adjust the die so it just kisses the shell holder with out the case, then when you size a case anywhere there is any give in the press such as slack in the linkages or frame stretch then the force to push the cae into the die removes all this slack. When this happens you will see the shell hlder no longer touches the die.
    Now if you adjust the de in a bit so it just kisses the shell holder when sizing a case, then with out a case the ram can apply excessize pressure on the shell hlder. This stresses the shell holder. Then after enoug times the shell holder gives at the place that can least hangle this pressure. Just like in the pic.
    I had a Rock Chucker once years ago. The cam over wa there and I never really liked it. It felt not right. I can't really describe it any better.
    Being as it was what I had I lived with it. I now have a press that comes to a dead stop, no cam over. It Feels right. The solid feel of it stopping is a delight. I no longer have to guess if I reached the end of the stroke.
    With this It would be hard to over stress the shell holder in such a way.
    Now As I first said I don't think this applies to a fairly new shell holder. I think it would take 1000's of cycles to break that way.
    I think that adding a stop to the linkages to stop the ram just before a press cams over is a good idea.
    Leo

  9. #29
    Boolit Buddy tred1956's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    South Carolina
    Posts
    251
    Just FYI you can fill,out an email (Contact RCBS) on their website. State your problem. Be sure to include your mailing address and it will be shipped within a day or two. Usually quicker than waiting on a returned call these days.
    Safe shooting
    Doug
    Enjoy life but remember, we are only practicing for something better !!

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check