Lee old style hand priming tool shell holder chart

[oldman10mm]

Here's a better chart.
I had 2, both 'curled' with age. Picked one, spent some time uncurling/flattening one, took a pic with a 24meg camera, put the file into Photoshop and cleaned it up.

 

[Green Frog]

Here's a better chart.

Better as in “near perfect”. Thanks again.

I’ve never figured out why Lee made three different shell heads, the D, F, and H, to fit basically the same size case heads. Has anyone here ever been at the point where they had to use the “right” specific lettered holder to fit any of these cases/calibers? I’ve noticed that they made specific heads for the 44 Mag/Spl and the 30-40 as well when others used one shell holder for both.

I’ve frequently thought I would take on making a better version of the tool body, perhaps using a brass foundry casting for the main body and lever and lathe turning the other parts, but there were so many made and enough naive owners still selling them cheaply that I just can’t justify the expense and time to do it.

As for the red plastic ones, they’re something of an oddity in my experience, and I don’t actively seek them. Has anybody here had one apart (intentionally or by accident) and determined whether they use the same threaded shell holders, perhaps held captive by the casting process? If I were to make an improved copy out of metal, I’m not sure I’d make it larger like the plastic ones, the smaller, more compact size seems more desirable to me.

Wow, this has turned into quite an epistle! Can you tell I really like them? BTW, we have also discussed these at length on both the ARTCA and the Cast Boolit forums and the interest seems pretty widespread. Thanks again for posting that good, clear chart oldman10mm.

Froggie

 

[27 Man]

Thank you for the shell holder chart. I pick these shell holders up at gun shows but availability seems to be waning. There are other generations of the Lee Hand Priming Tool but the old original with the screw in shell holders is the only one to bring home.

 

[oldman10mm]

Better as in “near perfect”. Thanks again.

I’ve never figured out why Lee made three different shell heads, the D, F, and H, to fit basically the same size case heads. Has anyone here ever been at the point where they had to use the “right” specific lettered holder to fit any of these cases/calibers?

I have a good selection of them and always use the proper one.
As far as 'why Lee made three different shell heads, the D, F, and H, to fit basically the same size case heads', why take a chance and have the primer catch the edge of the primer pocket and create a bad situation.