Understanding Headspace - Addendum 2 - Redding Competition Shell Holders

[@Jeff_Seely]

These shell holders are invaluable for accurately sizing cases. I am a Forster full-length sizer and love their dies when used with these shell holders. Thanks!

[@isleofgreg]

Every time I watch one of your videos, I end up buying more stuff :)

[@hornadyloader7574]

+grinc333 LOL, sorry about that. I know the feeling though...my wife banned me from gun shows for a few years back in the 90's...

[@johnx9318]

The perfect video. Answered all my questions on these shell holders! Thank you!!!

[@neilharris4462]

These are great tools. I second the recommendation for the Redding standard shell holder as it makes everything that much more consistant. One tip is to start sizing with the largest shell holder (+10) and check with a comparator to see if the length changed and gradually work toward the +2 until you reach the desired headspace for THAT batch of brass. Each headstamp and lot of brass with different amounts of firings may require a different shell holder to achieve desired headspace making it that much more important to segregate brass in batches.

[@Siuco]

Nice. The quality and production value made me a subscriber. Thanks.

[@marklamasky6304]

Hello Kevin, I started reloading a few years ago and bought many Hornady products. I did go and I’m still going through the growing pains of using them and learning the process of reloading. I found your channel and I refer to your videos all the time. I haves learned a lot from your videos and I want to thank you for sharing your knowledge with all of us. I hope in time I’ll gain half your knowledge.

[@blindsey1076]

That was very informative Sir - I'm new to reloading and am starting on a T-7, I'll be getting those holders, as the concept seems logical. I am now a subscriber, appreciate your skill set. God Bless.

[@johngiff2978]

Sir; great video thank you. When using the competition die set would you not have to take the sizing die down so it just touches the competition shell holder with the ram up, without the press having any cam over. My point is, if you have cam over and the cam over is not set exactly the same amount each time, I believe it too could cause a small adjustment in the head space. Thanks again for your video.

[@G5Hohn]

A feeler guage set accomplishes the same thing as the Competition shellholders and doesn't cost nearly as much while giving you even finer size increment and eliminating a source of variation by always using the same standard shellholder.

[@barryhattingh9687]

Great video, However, do I only use the Redding Comp Shell Holder when I feel it becomes tighter to insert cartridge into chamber? I am afraid to get too much headspace... So If I fire-form and then de-prime with Std Redding Shell Holder and go through the cleaning , loading etc process, and that new load goes in good, why do I have to use Comp Shell Holder? Thanks.

[@JBBooks4440]

Great video...

[@milboltnut]

A little missing info. Max head space is determined by How much the die is adjusted to the maximum cam over. It’s best to only cam over the die on the .010 shell holder, the step up the smaller ones as needed. You can’t just pick one to adjust the die to without knowing where you need to headspace to. If you can over on the .010 shell holder there’s no need to use a standard Redding shell holder. Besides, they are standard to other cartridges.

[@MrRamsey1980]

Does anyone know if the set for 308 will work on the 6.5 creedmoor? On reddings website it doesn't list it yet.

[@medhist2006]

So if my fireformed cases fit the .006shellholder and I wish to bump them back I would use a .004 shellholder?

[@James-Althouse]

I have a question about bumping the shoulde back on a 223 using a Hornady full length Die in the Hornady LNL progressive press. I'm measuring the brass with a Stoney Point gauge at the shoulder. The problem I'm having is the brass varies about .003 after sizing. Is this normal? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[@ka9faxqrp208]

Hello, if I'm going to use the Redding instant indicator would it be true that I would not need to know actual Sammy numbers you were talking about? I would just put a fire fourmed piece of brass into the instant indicator and then start to resize my brass using the competition shell holder and work my way from there until I see the shoulder bump I'm looking for by checking with the instant indicator. am I on the right track? Thank you for your videos.

[@hornadyloader7574]

+KA9FAX QRP Hi, You are exactly right. The SAAMI standards are what firearms and ammunition manufacturers voluntarily use as a guideline for making their products. For us reloaders, the only thing that really counts is the actual chamber size of our firearm, regardless of what SAAMI says it SHOULD be. Since the Redding Instant indicator is a comparator rather than a measuring device, fire-forming your cases and bumping the headspace back a few thousandths can be done without even knowing what the SAAMI standards actually are. Of course, if you shoot factory ammo exclusively, then it's important that your firearm conforms to SAAMI standards for safety reasons. Thanks for watching! Kevin (N0KBB)

[@IEraiderfan]

Kevin Hello, This is interesting do you think these will help much I could use them on my single stage press since my Dillon Progressive press uses a shell plate thanks for the sharing your video.

[@hornadyloader7574]

+Lou Flores Hi Lou, they make it easier to adjust headspacing on a single stage. It's really up to you whether you want to use them or do it the old fashioned way. The LNL AP press also uses a shell plate so these are really only useful for single stage presses.

[@robertaustin9879]

Hornady Loader, will these Redding shell holders work in the new Hornady LNL iron press with the plate that fits over the shell holder. Really like your videos. Thanks.

[@hornadyloader7574]

+robert austin Hi Robert, As far as I know, the Iron Press uses standard shell holders even though it has a new shell holder "platform". I haven't had a chance to play with an Iron Press yet so I could be wrong. Assuming it allows the use of standard shell holders, the Redding Competition Shell holders should work with it. I would call Hornady's tech support and get the scoop from them. Good question, thanks!

[@vernonbradshaw2290]

+HornadyLoader another great video! thanks again..

[@tommyhorne1039]

No they won’t work because of the shell holder keeper on the ram. The holder dia is to small!

[@antiGAE1776]

How do you set the headspace on a full length re-sizing die on the Hornady LNL Auto Progressive press?

[@antiGAE1776]

+Josh Thom On the single stage it is easy. Just run the die down until it touches the shell holder and then a little more for cam over. But on the Auto Progressive press the bottom of the die will not be touching the ram.

[@hornadyloader7574]

+Josh Thom Hi Josh, it works exactly the same way. The difference is that on the LNL AP press, you screw the die down until it touches the shell plate to achieve the minimum chamber size (1.630 for example with 308 Winchester). Whether you use a single stage press with a shell holder or the LNL AP press with a shell plate. The gap from the head of the case to where the die touches the shell plate is .125 inches, just like with a shell holder in a single stage. Obviously, you can't use the Redding Competition shell holders with the LNL AP press, so if you want something other than the max cartridge headspace, you have to back the die out a bit, which makes it a bit more difficult to get just the right setting. Thanks for watching!

[@972Trucker]

Can these shell holders be used on my Hornady Dies?

[@blindsey1076]

One stupid question though- when referring to 'fire-formed', is that referring to a spent shell casing?

[@gregmannos]

Yes. A case from the rifle you are going to reload for.

[@tommyhorne1039]

These shell holders will not work with the Hornady Iron Press. Bummer!