Redding Competition Shell Holders lengths? Cant bump case less than .0025

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Camoman1

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I have the Redding shell holders (.002 up to .010) does any one know if you can get a .012?

I am bumping the shoulders on my cases about .0025 with the .010 shellholder, and Im sure this will increse with more reloads. Is there another way to achieve less bump? I know I could pull the die back and not cam the press, but I would prefer to keep the cam for increased consistency.
 
Don’t the Redding competition shell holders accomplish the same thing as backing out the die a smidge? Why not use a feeler gauge and some trial and error testing?
 
Dies and chambers vary in headspace length and it sounds like you have a long chamber or a short die, or both. I have two sets of competition shell holders and normally only have to use a plus +.002 or +.004 competition shell holder.

The only thing I can think of is to use feeler gauges to adjust the die upward. Meaning place the desired thickness feeler gauge on top of the shell holder and adjust the die downward until it contacts the feeler gauge. I used the feeler gauge method when I first started reloading but it meant moving the lock ring with every adjustment.

7FfXhJ7.jpg


NOTE, Whidden custom die website tells you to not screw their dies down to contact the presses normal shell holder because they make their dies shorter than other die makers. Meaning there is always a air gap between their dies and the shell holder. I use the Redding competition shell holders because my old 1973 Rockchucker press has slop in the linkage. And with cam over and using the Redding shell holders the slop is eliminated and I get more uniform shoulder bump using the Redding shell holders.

Bottom line, if you do not have a old worn press with slop in the linkage you should be able to have uniform shoulder bump with a air gap between the die and shell holder. Before getting the Redding competition shell holders I used a die shim kit with different thickness shim/washers to raise the die that created a air gap below the die.

SINCLAIR INTERNATIONAL - RELOADING DIE SHIM KITS
https://www.brownells.com/reloading/reloading-dies/replacement-parts-upgrades/reloading-die-shim-kits-prod33711.aspx

The Sinclair Reloading Die Shim Kits allows you to make fine adjustments to your reloading dies quickly and easily while still being able to return to your original setting. Each shim is notched for easy size identification. Just set your die using one of the middle thickness shims, adjustments can be made easily by changing shims to increase or decrease die depth without changing the stem setting. A great upgrade to non-micrometer adjustable dies 7/8-14 Shim Kit includes 7 Shims of varying thickness and are best used with Sizing Dies

Below the Whidden die warning.


WARNING
Failure to adhere with below warning could result in damaged and unsafe brass!

The Whidden Gunworks Sizer Die is engineered with a shorter overall length (OAL) compared to other manufactures of sizer dies. This means you can set the shoulder back further if
desired based on your specific application. This die is not intended to be used while bottomed out or screwed flush with the shell plate. Doing so will result in the shoulder being set
back too far, possibly rendering the casing unusable. During initial setup screw the die flush with the shell plate then back off 1-1 1⁄2 turns, NOTE: Each full turn of the Sizer is approx.
.071” so it does not have to be turned very far to make a noticeable adjustment..
 
Last edited:
Tom Morrison said:
Don’t the Redding competition shell holders accomplish the same thing as backing out the die a smidge? Why not use a feeler gauge and some trial and error testing?
Click to expand...

Yes the problem is they don’t back out far enough. .010 is the “longest” and I can’t seem to find if they make any longer than that.
 
Camoman1 said:
Yes the problem is they don’t back out far enough. .010 is the “longest” and I can’t seem to find if they make any longer than that.
Click to expand...

Redding does not make a +.012 shell holder, try another die or raise your die.

The average cartridge has .010 between the GO and Field gauge so again you either have a old worn rifle with excess headspace or a short die.

Example I have a standard Lee .223 full length die that will bump the shoulder back .009 shorter than my GO gauge if it contacts the shell holder.
 
Put the standard shell holder in your press and place a .002 to .004 feeler gauge on top of the shell holder and adjust the die down until it contacts the shell holder and set the lock ring.

Now use your Redding competition shell holders for the desired amount of shoulder bump without touching the die.

NOTE, a British .303 Enfield rifle at max military headspace would require a + 016 shell holder if the case has a rim thickness of .058.

We live in a plus and minus manufacturing world and with your chamber and resizing die you have two pluses. Meaning now you have to add a minus to get less shoulder bump using a feeler gauge.
 
Last edited:
bigedp51 said:
Dies and chambers vary in headspace length and it sounds like you have a long chamber or a short die, or both. I have two sets of competition shell holders and normally only have to use a plus +.002 or +.004 competition shell holder.

The only thing I can think of is to use feeler gauges to adjust the die upward. Meaning place the desired thickness feeler gauge on top of the shell holder and adjust the die downward until it contacts the feeler gauge. I used the feeler gauge method when I first started reloading but it meant moving the lock ring with every adjustment.

7FfXhJ7.jpg


NOTE, Whidden custom die website tells you to not screw their dies down to contact the presses normal shell holder because they make their dies shorter than other die makers. Meaning there is always a air gap between their dies and the shell holder. I use the Redding competition shell holders because my old 1973 Rockchucker press has slop in the linkage. And with cam over and using the Redding shell holders the slop is eliminated and I get more uniform shoulder bump using the Redding shell holders.

Bottom line, if you do not have a old worn press with slop in the linkage you should be able to have uniform shoulder bump with a air gap between the die and shell holder. Before getting the Redding competition shell holders I used a die shim kit with different thickness shim/washers to raise the die that created a air gap below the die.

SINCLAIR INTERNATIONAL - RELOADING DIE SHIM KITS
https://www.brownells.com/reloading/reloading-dies/replacement-parts-upgrades/reloading-die-shim-kits-prod33711.aspx

The Sinclair Reloading Die Shim Kits allows you to make fine adjustments to your reloading dies quickly and easily while still being able to return to your original setting. Each shim is notched for easy size identification. Just set your die using one of the middle thickness shims, adjustments can be made easily by changing shims to increase or decrease die depth without changing the stem setting. A great upgrade to non-micrometer adjustable dies 7/8-14 Shim Kit includes 7 Shims of varying thickness and are best used with Sizing Dies

Below the Whidden die warning.


WARNING
Failure to adhere with below warning could result in damaged and unsafe brass!

The Whidden Gunworks Sizer Die is engineered with a shorter overall length (OAL) compared to other manufactures of sizer dies. This means you can set the shoulder back further if
desired based on your specific application. This die is not intended to be used while bottomed out or screwed flush with the shell plate. Doing so will result in the shoulder being set
back too far, possibly rendering the casing unusable. During initial setup screw the die flush with the shell plate then back off 1-1 1⁄2 turns, NOTE: Each full turn of the Sizer is approx.
.071” so it does not have to be turned very far to make a noticeable adjustment..
Click to expand...

Thank you for the helpful info.
 
If your cases are stretched that much, neck sizing might be a better option if it's a bolt gun.
What gun and cartridge?
 
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