quick question on shell holders

[Jester84]

hello,
I've just been collecting reloading equipment over time.
I have a question about dies and shell holders.
I'll order a shell holder from a web site that matches the caliber description then when I get the Die in It says use a different shell holder.

I only shoot two calibers at the moment .223 and .308 this has happened both times I bought a #2 for .308 when get the die it says use #3.
now with .223 I ordered shell #10, get the die its asking for shell holder #16

what I have
RCBS shell holders #3,#10
RCBS .308 competition die (says use #3 on the box)
hornady .223 die
Lee .308 Die (I ordered this for my dads .303 that's what was sent)
In that container there is an unmarked #2 shell holder my guess came with it but I ordered it so long ago i cant be sure

Do I have the right dies , do my shell holders have to match the brand of the die, or just the numbers match what the die asks for?

 

[BCRider]

Well, I know that the numbers for RCBS and Lee have no similarity at all if that helps.

 

[Spawn-Inc]

different companies label them different for some reason, but the die's and presses are all the same (new ones anyway 7/8-14" thread size/pitch)

here is a chart to compare the different companies shell holders, http://www.handloads.com/misc/shellholders.asp

 

[sunray]

Like BCRider says, each manufacturer uses their own numbers for their stuff. No similarities whatsoever.
RCBS does have single stage shell holders and "competition die set" shell holders. You don't need those dies, but that's what you have, so look at RCBS' page.
A .308 die set is no good for .303 Brit. Send it back.

 

[Jester84]

wow quick replies thnx guys

 

[oldrodder]

I believe the new Lyman manual has a cross reference chart.
Mike

 

[yomomma]

Last Lyman did not include Lee. 49 the edition.