Skip's Shims

[LHSmith]

So reading all of this if you have a press like a lee classic cast press with hard stop on linkages you can't size anymore? Since once you remove thicker shim and go to thinner shim you don't have anymore camming ability?or will the lee classic cast with hard stop still have some play to gain more sizing after hard stop on linkages and shell holder? I'm using Redding comp shell holders and thinking of ordering shims as well but want know or understand what I'm doing for sure.
Sorry to add to confusion but trying to learn as well.hate to read all of this and come away confused thx

You may get a thou or 2 more sizing. Your only recourse is to either take a few thou off the top of the S/H or take a few thou off the bottom of the die. The comp. S/H's add to the deck height (they go the wrong way to address your chamber-IF you can't get any more bump with your existing press, die, S/H set-up).

 

[three percent]

So reading all of this if you have a press like a lee classic cast press with hard stop on linkages you can't size anymore? Since once you remove thicker shim and go to thinner shim you don't have anymore camming ability?or will the lee classic cast with hard stop still have some play to gain more sizing after hard stop on linkages and shell holder?I'm using Redding comp shell holders and thinking of ordering shims as well but want know or understand what I'm doing for sure.
Sorry to add to confusion but trying to learn as well.hate to read all of this and come away confused thx

You may get a thou or 2 more sizing. Your only recourse is to either take a few thou off the top of the S/H or take a few thou off the bottom of the die. The comp. S/H's add to the deck height (they go the wrong way to address your chamber-IF you can't get any more bump with your existing press, die, S/H set-up).

Ok thanks alot.

 

[AlNyhus]

You may get a thou or 2 more sizing. Your only recourse is to either take a few thou off the top of the S/H or take a few thou off the bottom of the die.

I use shortened shell holders to intentionally set shoulders back significantly, prior to f-forming.

Good shootin' -Al

 

[Mulligan]

I use shortened shell holders to intentionally set shoulders back significantly, prior to f-forming.

Good shootin' -Al

Why? I know you know what you are doing, I am asking so I understand, nothing more.
CW

 

[Benchrest Braxton]

Zero Modular Shellholder System

As we have done round after round of press testing, both with the ZERO and other presses, we have known that the very best way to get consistent sizing time and again is to have contact between the shellholder and the die. This removes your ability, however, to dial in your shoulder bump – until...

www.area419.com

they offer a traditional version for non zero press users.

I own the zero, after switching to the zero and their modular shellholder system I will never go back to using anything else.

 

[JFrank]

I use shortened shell holders to intentionally set shoulders back significantly, prior to f-forming.

Good shootin' -Al

A set of basic shell holders that go the opposite direction of comp set would be nice.

Area 419 has one solution as Sigma posted, I use a belt sander.

 

[AlNyhus]

Why? I know you know what you are doing, I am asking so I understand, nothing more.
CW

For initial f-forming, I like to blow the shoulder forward to conform to the shoulder area of the chamber. Moving the shoulder back via shortened shell holders makes that easy to do.

Good shootin' -Al

 

[LHSmith]

For initial f-forming, I like to blow the shoulder forward to conform to the shoulder area of the chamber. Moving the shoulder back via shortened shell holders makes that easy to do.

Good shootin' -Al

Al, do you lightly lube the neck and shoulder for FF also or does your procedure make lubing unnecessary?

 

[BoydAllen]

So reading all of this if you have a press like a lee classic cast press with hard stop on linkages you can't size anymore? Since once you remove thicker shim and go to thinner shim you don't have anymore camming ability?or will the lee classic cast with hard stop still have some play to gain more sizing after hard stop on linkages and shell holder? I'm using Redding comp shell holders and thinking of ordering shims as well but want know or understand what I'm doing for sure.
Sorry to add to confusion but trying to learn as well.hate to read all of this and come away confused thx

I think that there is some confusion here. The reason that you can gain some additional shoulder bump beyond what you get from initially setting up the die by running it down until it touches the shell holder is that under the load of resizing the linkage can stretch, creating clearance between the bottom of the die, and the shell holder. It is really that simple.

 

[AlNyhus]

Al, do you lightly lube the neck and shoulder for FF also or does your procedure make lubing unnecessary?

I lube the entire case with something light like Marvel Mystery Oil, 3-In-1 oil or Benelli choke tube lube. Bullets are set .020-.030 longer than the 'touch point' and loads are fast-ish powders for the cartridge.

I whap the dog snot out of 'em on the first firing.

 

[LHSmith]

I lube the entire case with something light like Marvel Mystery Oil. 3-In-1 oil or Benelli choke tube lube. Bullets are set .020-.030 longer than the 'touch point' and loads are fast-ish powders for the cartridge.

I whap the dog snot out of 'em on the first firing.

Thanks for the full details. Now if I can just remember to swab the chamber out afterwards.

 

[DShortt]

I think that there is some confusion here. The reason that you can gain some additional shoulder bump beyond what you get from initially setting up the die by running it down until it touches the shell holder is that under the load of resizing the linkage can stretch, creating clearance between the bottom of the die, and the shell holder. It is really that simple.

Speaking for myself I'm convinced that is what has been throwing me off. I hadn't experienced this personally but I'm not to big to admit that just because I haven't noticed it doesn't mean it isn't happening.

I appreciate all the knowledge that has been shared in this thread and I particularly appreciate that for the most part everyone has remained polite and cordial. Still waiting on the shims to arrive but looking forward to doing my own testing.

 

[AlNyhus]

Thanks for the full details. Now if I can just remember to swab the chamber out afterwards.

I feel the final step to making a good case is on the first firing. I'm not real gentle with 'em.

 

[three percent]

I think that there is some confusion here. The reason that you can gain some additional shoulder bump beyond what you get from initially setting up the die by running it down until it touches the shell holder is that under the load of resizing the linkage can stretch, creating clearance between the bottom of the die, and the shell holder. It is really that simple.

Good deal.thought that's what I was reading.thx

 

[AlNyhus]

Good deal.thought that's what I was reading.thx

The Lee Classic presses are routinely modified to give more leverage and make the
'hard stops' adjustable....hint, hint.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

For those that can't savvy a shim but don't want to hassle with conventional lock rings, these are great. Lightly snugged, you can adjust the die but the die won't rotate as the case is sized. Witness marks per your whim.

Good shootin' -Al

what is the product name?