Thread: Playing with some Redding Competition Shell Holders

Greetings All,
I expected to learn a thing or two playing with the shell holders and have not been disappointed. The learning path has just lurched down another rabbit hole as reported next.
I had pulled the projectiles from my oversize Norma cases, tipped the powder into an empty container and resized them with the expander button assembly out of the die. Cases now chambered freely. I put the expander back in and ran it down into the case neck where it came to a hard stop. Hmm. I tried two more cases with the same result. Next I spotted a crack in the case neck where there had not been one before. More inspection revealed more cracks. I was half expecting this as the cases were pick up in 1988 and were now up to their sixth load (in 2008). OK they are scrap so will have their primers snapped next time on the range and go in the recycling bucket. Now thought to what to do with the salvaged components. I sorted through my available cases looking for a home until it dawned on me that I already had heaps of rounds already loaded (likely more than I will ever use in the time remaining) so after a stiff talking to myself the components were set aside for some future use possibly in my Bergara.
As to what caused the hard stop to the expander button? I suspect that it was a combination of hard brass and a doughnut. I will section a case and see. More learning on the way.
Regards Grandpamac.