338 Lapua priming problem

T

Tonybuell

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Duncan BC
Hello gents!

Need some help and advise on how to prime
My 338 Lapua cases. I have a lee hand primer
But can't find a shell holder for it. Anyone run into
Similar problems? Anyone have a solution?
I googled it but just a bunch of fluff.

Thanks a lot guys!
Cheers!
Tony
 
.416 Rigby holder.

Not exactly but almost the same but should work if you can't find the proper one.

Lee shows #25 for 338 and #8 for the .416

I think the rim thickness is the determining factor.
 
Use your press, I'm not sure about the newest Lee hand primers but my few years old one woudn't work due to the width of the base of the cartridge even if I had the correct shell holder. I had to grind it out a bit to get WSM brass into it.
 
Kelly Timoffee said:
.416 Rigby holder.

Not exactly but almost the same but should work if you can't find the proper one.

Lee shows #25 for 338 and #8 for the .416

I think the rim thickness is the determining factor.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice! I'll order a number 8 today and try it out.
Anyone else weigh in? I'm not apposed to buying a RCBS if
Need be. In the long run it will pay its self off.
 
A Q&A from Cabelas.com, the new priming tools are the same size as the old ones,get your dremel out,

Lee Auto Prime XR - Will it handle .338 Lapua Mag brass?

Cabela's Answer:
The Lee Auto Prime XR, as supplied by Lee Precision, this unit will not work on cases having a body width greater than .529 inch. To fit these size cases, the priming tool must be enlarged slightly on the top rim edge. This can be easily done with a Dremel Tool or similar. If you are unable to perform this modification, the manufacturer can do it for a nominal fee; contact Lee

Other customer answer:
No. I have the 338 Lapua and the casing is to big. The RCBS does take the 338 Lapua case. Good shooting to you.
Click to expand...

Comments on the Lee Auto Prime Hand Priming Tool Shellholder #8 from Midway:

After having modified the Lee priming tool to get the 416 Rigby case in I thought my problems were solved. Negative. The 416 Rigby case pops right out of the shell holder with minimal force leaving the primer partially seated. Now I am set back another week waiting on a Hornady shell holder for my Hornady tool. Looking at other manafacturers none recomend the same shell holder for 45-70 and 416 Rigby. There is a good reason: because it does not work. Typical Lee corner cutting. Good thing I'm not in a hurry. 338 Lapua has the same head dimensions as 416 so it won't work either.
Click to expand...

It doesn't sound good, best of luck.
 
I had the same problem with my RCBS hand priming tool. The RCBS chart recommends a number 37 for 338 LM and when I bought mine it didn't work - I would have had to use a hammer to force into the shell holder. So I called RCBS and they sent me a second number 37 for free but it didn't work either - same issue. I have the Lee Shellholder set and tried the number 8 and it worked but it is just a slightly loose shell holder so you need to be careful and make sure the cases are well lubed or the case will stick in the die and rip off the rim. The brass I had issue with is both Lapua and S&B brass. I am not sure if this problem exists with Norma or Hornady brass but I would guess that it is a common problem. Using the number 8 shellholder I have loaded well over 500 rounds of both Lapua and S&B ammo so it does work but you just have to ensure that the cases are lubed. (I use RCBS sizing lube on the pad) Hope this helps.
 
For 338LM I just prime them on my RCBS press. Not like I'm gonna do a thousand at a time or anything, tho I do usually do about 100 or so and use 1/2 leaving me a nice surprise next time I go to make 338LM (already primed cases!)
 
Tonybuell said:
Mostly Hornady but I just bought a box of Lapua brass. So both really.
Click to expand...

Problem solved!!!
Thanks to the advise of a fellow CGN'r.... I used a #14 RCBS shell
Holder.... Cut the Nub off the bottom of it and drilled out the priming hole
With 5/16 drill bit and beveled it. Works like a charm.

Thanks a lot gents for all your ideas and info.
I love this place haha.
cheers!
T
 
I switched to an RCBS hand priming tool and was using whatever the recommended holder was for priming Hornady cases then when I tried to do some S&B brass it wouldn't fit in the holder properly, I used the holder for my 45-70 and it worked well.
I like the RCBS priming tool much better than my old Lee hand priming tool.

Good luck
 
There are several shell holders that will "work" with the 338 Lapua, but some are brass-dependent. I have used both the Lee #8 (45-70, etc.) and RCBS #22 (for 43 Mauser etc.) with Lapua brass with good results. The main concern for me is with my Lee hand-priming tool - a shellholder might be ok having a bit of vertical play when sizing and seating, but that little bit of play can leave primers a bit high.
 
Glad to hear a solution has been found. I have used hand priming tools for years and very much like the "feel" you get when seating primers. The Lee hand tool works but you have to buy their shell holders (or cut the bottom off a std shellholder). Fat cases do fit in the top of the Lee hand tool. The RCBS hand tool is much better made but costs a lot more. It uses std shell holders but it is kind of a pain changing shellholders (disconnecting the primer cut off ). Lyman has a new hand priming tool out and I like it a lot better than any others I have seen and used. It uses std shellholders that sit right on top of the tool so fat cases can be primed. The shellholders can be changed very easily. I paid about $ 45 for mine which is considerably cheaper than some. If anyone is having issues with a hand priming tool I would strongly urge you to check out the new Lyman priming tool before you buy a bunch of other fixes.
 
I bought an RCBS hand primer when I got my 338.
I found that some the S&B brass wouldn't fit my usual shell holder (can't remember the number) so I switch to a 45/70 shell holder when needed and it works on them.
 
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