RCBS Shell Holder Cracking

[hugo121175]

Has anyone ever had this problem? This is now the third time this has happened to me mith the #14 holder for .338LM.

I have my RCBS Rock Chucker set to body size some .338LM once fired brass. I raise the ram so the die is set to take off .003". The shell holder just misses making contact with the bottom of the die. I use a RCBS lube pad, and RCBS case lube to lube my cases. Now after about fifty cases, or so, the rim of the shell holder starts to deform, and it becomes hard to insert/remove cases. A couple cases later the shell holder is so deformed that you cannot insert another case.

Any ideas on this one fellas? The crack is always on the right side of the shell holder opening.

Thanx,
Hugo

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: RCBS Shell Holder Cracking

Not enough case lube OR defective shell holders. Call RCBS and ask them to replace the shell holders. They usually do that for free.

 

[hugo121175]

Re: RCBS Shell Holder Cracking

Their customer service has been good to me. They had replaced one of the holders before. I am just wondering if there is some thing wrong with my press. Weird thing is that I used all the same methods to reload all my other cases (270WSM, 300WM, 30-06sprg..... ect). Why does it only happen with the #14 shell holder? I just don't get it....

Hugo

 

[head2h2o]

Re: RCBS Shell Holder Cracking

Send it back to RCBS. They will take care of you in my experience.

 

[former naval person]

Re: RCBS Shell Holder Cracking

A lot of case to pull out. Probably a bad heat treatment, plus stress risers in a big case head. That is a .45-70 size case head...in a shell holder from another era. Bet that RCBS wishes that the overall dimensions could be made bigger. Send them back. Won't cost much. They probably want to hear from you.

 

[dkw3]

Re: RCBS Shell Holder Cracking

Wow, have never seen that before. Send it back to rcbs. They will take care of you.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: RCBS Shell Holder Cracking

Something nagging at me. Is the cracking occuring on the handle up stroke? As the brass is coming out of the die? If that is the case try putting a little lube of some kind on a Q-tip and spinning it around the inside of the case neck at the shoulder junction. I know some cases can get really tight going over the expander ball.

While I don't have a 338, that does seem like a lot of surface to surface friction.

Remember to remove all lube from the inside of the case before priming and charging with powder.

 

[RADcustom]

Re: RCBS Shell Holder Cracking

... or try a dry lube like moly or hbn.

 

[High Binder]

Re: RCBS Shell Holder Cracking

I'm betting the cracks are forming due to the up-force. I wonder if it's a bad heat treat or if you need more lube on your expander.

 

[JeffP40]

Re: RCBS Shell Holder Cracking

I will add my plus to the guys who think lube. Good place to start. It does seem odd that it is the same area on more than one holder though.

 

[vman]

Re: RCBS Shell Holder Cracking

Call up RCBS, get some replacements and use some imperial dry lube inside the necks and imperial wax on the outside, in that exact order