What are the dimensions for your .38s&w shell holder ( Lee#1, RCBS #6 )

C

Colt .45

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Ok so, I'm having a problem with about 1 in every 20 or so of my .38s&w brass while trying to decap and size. The case either will not fit, or requires serious force to get into the shell holder.

I've got the worst contender here in front of me, which is an old D.C.Co brass, as well as the shell holder.

The base of the case before the rim is .387", the rim is .436".
The lee shell holder lip that goes around the base of the case is .383", the rim slot is .435"


Would anyone else here who happens to have a RCBS #6 shell holder ( or any other brand of shell holder for a .38s&w) be so kind as to mic it and check if it's dimensions are any bigger than the Lee's? I'd like to ascertain if this is something that can be addressed by just purchasing a different brand of shell holder.
 
Thanks to both of you gents, seems to be a bit of variation amongst these bits. Guess I'll pick up a RCBS #6.

Actually just realized this is a problem on the press shell holder and the priming tool, I'm going to try lee's customer service for some replacements.

edit: I was about to submit a ticket and lee's automated system poped up a message that this is semi common, the shell holders can be ground down yourself or you can mail them in to be resized. Just coming back and editing this in case it gets dredged up in future searches. I fixed mine with a drill and a dremel bit, took me 10 minutes of slowly grinding then measuring to remove the few thou's needed.
 
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Often the rim thickness is the culprit. I have encountered varing thickness from different mfgrs and its not always consistent. Not uncommon to see 1 or 2 in the same box(old stuff) and it'll drive u crazy.
dB
 
I noticed the same thing the other day when sizing some old 38 S&W on my Lee gear. Just put it down to old mixed brass. Need to re-sort it or just toss the lot as about half have just about outlived their lifespan anyway.

Certainly irritating when you want to get into a rhythm and process a bunch of brass without fighting every third one.
 
The funny thing is Lee's website passes it off as a brass MFR thing, but the specs I found in my reloading manual were so big that if all the mfr's made the brass that size none of the would fit the lee equipment. As I mentioned in my edit, 10 minutes with a dremel bit and the problem is gone. If you can spare the bits for a while, lee's website did say you could mail in your shellholders and a sample brass and they would be reamed out and returned to you...
 
The problem I see is sending the brass to the USA. I got a bunch of spent brass seized in US customs, while sending back dies to the manufacturer.
One time, they even seized the letter on which the caliber name appeared ... they do not lack of zeal in the US customs...
 
The cross border shipping is an issue for sure, if you have need to do so, take it to a business that has the ability to ship it for you.
 
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