The reason I don't use competition shell holders is cost. The Shims are much cheaper and I'd have to purchase two set of comp shell holders, one for 223 class cartridges and one for 243 /308 cartridges. But if money is no concern they by all means go with the comp shell holders.
That sounds reasonable . I was thinking the shims were used between the die and shell holder to make sure you still made firm contact while adjusting for case head space . As far as cost , for me the comp shell holders may be the best money spent to date on reloading components . That is , of the components you don't actually need . We all use all kinds of stuff we don't really need to reload . These less mandatory things just make things easier , faster , more precise etc . I have so many of these things that I use far less . Primer pocket uniformers , swager , concentricity gauge , cartridge gauges , powder measures , seater dies , crimp dies , standard dies , bushing dies , bushings , presses etc etc etc etc etc . Oh man If I could go back and start over I'd save SO MUCH money
Last edited: