Comments on: A Dozen Essential Extras for Your Range Kit

By: jlm

jlm — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 03:22:31 +0000

my virgin lapua 308 is somewhat tight in a redding shellholder. what does that mean?
Also what’s the benefit to using a jag one size smaller?

EDITOR: If the unfired brass is a tight fit, using the shellholder as a gauge can still work… you’re trying to see a growth in the diameter of the extractor groove.

When using a wet patch, you don’t want the patch too tight. You don’t want to squeegee off the solvent before it gets down the bore and you watch to have enough clearance that the patch can move smoothly without putting a lot of force on the rod which can cause it to bow.

By: frank d shuster

frank d shuster — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:46:17 +0000

I continue to learn: had no idea an over-pressure load would have any effect on the rim/ extractor groove: thought it was confined to the case head area only. Thanks for the tip.

By: Editor

Editor — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:52:19 +0000

Frank,

It may surprise you, but with a truly over-the-top load, the Extractor Groove diameter will expand enough that you’ll get interference (a hard fit) as you try to put the case in the shellholder. Indeed, I’ve had some brass (shot with deliberately hot loads), where the case would not slide in the shellholder at all. Consider the shellholder “hard fit” an indication of an extreme load… it’s a quick check that doesn’t require calipers.

By: frank d shuster

frank d shuster — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:34:37 +0000

Always a roll of masking tape, buff colored, approx. 1″ wide, piece of cardboard to use as target backing on ranges where the target backers are shot up to the extent that tgt. cannot be stapled. Regarding the shellholder(s): Don’t understand how this would work, since the blown-out/enlarged area is usually well above the top of the shellholder. Even a standard FL die cannot be lowered enough to reduce this larger than normal diameter, the reason a small base die must be used. Just asking: not trying to be a smart-a**.

By: Jason Baney

Jason Baney — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:45:19 +0000

don’t forget sharpie markers

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 23:50:34 +0000

how about safety glasses—grey, yellow, and clear should cover most needs.
Maybe some blue painters tape for those times you don’t want tape to stick forever.