Question, re 22 Hornet

H4831

H4831

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'I'm loading for the 22 Hornet. For convenience, I got a little Lee press, just for it. The Lee shell holder for the Hornet holds the cartridge looser and sloppier, than any shell holder and cartridge I have ever used. Yes, it is the one they show for the Hornet.
It works OK for sizing and seating, but in using the Lee primer seater that fits on the press, it occassionally causes trouble in priming. I don't think this trouble, usually the primer catching the edge of the socket, would happen if the case fit normally tight in the shell holder.
So, my question. Has anyone used the RCBS shell holder in 22 Hornet? If they have, does the RCBS hold the cartridge in the normal, snug position?
 
I use Lee dies for my hornet and never noticed if case was loose in the holder. I will check when I get home Friday. I use the lee priming tool to load primers and never had a problem. I know they are not the same holder though.
 
Shell holders, like most things in life, are a compromise. They make them to fit a bunch of different cases so the fit is better on some than others.

I've noticed the same thing with my Lee shell holders and the Hornet brass (45-70 too for that matter). What I have is a K-Hornet though and the Redding dies that I had to buy came with a holder that fits a lot better than the Lee.

Try a different brand. You will probably find one that fits better.
 
I have a #12 (I believe it is RCBS) for my Hornet as the Lee shellholder ended up leaving the case in the die for me while it ripped the edges of the brass off the rim.

The #12 works great, holds the entire rim nice and solid.
 
Thanks Dave, and the rest of you felows.
Yes, if I had to pull fairly hard to get the case out, I know it would just take part of the rim off, also.
Strangely, the only other Lee shell holder I have is for the 45-70 and it is certainly loose fitting, also! Now, vagrantviking noticed the same thing. Good thing the 45-70 case comes out real easy.
I have never been a big fan of Lee, and this just adds to it. You get what you pay for.
 
I just checked my Lee hornet holder (a #7) and it holds the case well, primer is dead center of the hole. Maybe you have a bad one. Is it a #7? Good luck.
 
I'm using the lee shellholder #7 for the hornet and I don't find it any looser than any other shellholder.

The primer is perfectly centered in mine, and it should have some slop in it, after all, the shell should be lined up in the die, not strained between the shellholder and the die.
 
OK, Bobby, I don't think I have said anything to warrant a sarcastic answer.
As I said, it is the sloppiest shell holder I have ever had anything to do with. It is a #7 Lee.
When a new Winchester case is inserted in it, the sideways movement of the case is .034", as measured with feeler guages. That is sloppy.
On my standard size, 30-06 case size, which is a C-H that I have used for 45 years, the sideways movement of a cartridge is so little, as to be barely measureable.
Someone said a Lee 45-70 was also sloppy. I happen to have a Lee shell holder for 45-70. I too, have noticed it is quite loose, but by measurement is about half what the 22 Hornet is.
If a Lee dealer was nearby, I suppose I could exchange it for a better one. Far easier is just to get a RCBS holder.
As I indicated before, this has not enhanced my opinion of Lee products.
 
H4831,
It's not Lee's fault, it's yours. Lee makes 2 shellholders for the hornet. The #7 is for RWS and Norma brass. For NA brass you use a # 20.
 
I never heard of a variation case size, depending on who made the case.
However, I don't see how you can say it was me that was at fault. I ordered from Cabella's the Lee loader they showed for the 22 Hornet. There was no choice, nor was there any note of two sizes, or variations in some cases.
 
H4831,
You didn't say the shellholder came with the "little press", so i figured you had bought it separately. Yes for some time now, the US companies have been making hornet brass undersized, unlike the europeans.

I just checked Lee's site and they don't list shellholder #'s for cartridges but they do for the auto prime. Both use the same #'s. They list a # 20 as the first choice and a # 7 as the second. Strange, that they put a #7 in your set.

I've been loading the hornet for over 35 years and have had Lee, Lyman, and RCBS shellholders. The best fitting of those is the # 20 Lee if you're using US brass.
Good luck with your hornet, they're a blast. Hope you have some "Lil Gun" as it adds even more sting.
 
Well, I am learning a lot about Lee shell holders and Hornets. Also, I will likely PM you for some more info on the Hornet, as it is the last calibre I have reloaded for and am just getting going.
The shell holder didn't come with the little press! They were out at the time. So, I got the primer seater that goes on the press, and a holder for it.
I was really confused on the holder, as to what number to order. I saw where they were interchangeable between seater and press, so orfered the one that fit the seater.
However, it should have been the smaller one, the #20, you say, in any case.
Those of you that talk about Del Sellin's shop, know he has "everything." But we went through every shell holder he had, and none fit the Hornet case. When I think of it, he had one that almost fit, just a bit big. Actually, I think that is the one I ended up with from Cabellas.

Edited: Yes, I did get Lil'Gun.
 
Sorry H4831, I thought you were just slagging. I didn't know either, that we were using different brass in hornet (I'm using PRVI partizan european). That explains everything.

Now I've learned something that I need to know too, as I'm also a fan of the hornet.
 
I had the same problem, and now have both a #20 Lee and a #12 RCBS.
With Remington brass , the RCBS holder fits much better.
I do not use the Lee any more.
So, I measured the side-side wiggle clearance and the Lee has 0.014" - RCBS has 0.007"
I agree with H4831 you do get what you pay for!
 
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