Does anyone here know of a source for custom-made shellholders to fit a standard press ram? I need/want a shellholder fitting belted magnum cases (RCBS #4/Redding #6, etc.) but having an atypical, non-standard (longer) headspace dimension.

Redding makes, as a regular production item, their 'competition' shellholders in incrementally longer headspace lengths - to +.010" over standard, I believe. And on special order, Redding will furnish even longer ones, to +.025" I think I was told.

However, I need one even longer, about +.045", to accomodate a strange but unavoidable chamber/sizing die headspace mismatch.

All suggestions will be gratefully appreciated.

Jim

Why not make/find a shim of the proper size and shim the die when setting up and remove it to use the die? A feeler gage would probably work in a pinch to set the die .045 higher then normal. The slight gap won`t hurt between the die and shell holder and it`ll be a lot cheaper.

Why can't you use an .045 feeler gauge between the shell holder and the bottom of the die.....FWIW that's 5/8 turn of the die.

Having a smith remove a thread and rechamber the barrel isn't a beastly expensive thing to do and for .045 I'd suggest this move before spending money on a custom shell holder.

Thanks indeed, gents, for the comments. Well, this is a custom rifle having substantial esthetic and sentimental value, so lopping a thread off the barrel is out of the question.

Backing the die out is the usual method for coping with this condition, and works well for all practical purposes. But this is, admittedly, an 'overkill' project having little to do with practicality! I will not attempt to stand on arguments about residual spring in the press linkage and so forth. And I do realize it's not a safety issue given the belted case. It's just that I'll feel better with solid die-shellholder contact and known shoulder headspace.

If a shellholder cannot be made (or adapted?), I'll just send a chamber cast to a toolmaker and have a sizer reamer made.

Thanks again,

Jim

Whose motto might be, "Anything worth doing is worth doing to excess".