Problem with New Norma .220 Swift Brass

UncleGrumpy · September 12, 2012, 04:44 AM

Hi,

I am starting to use some new Norma brass for my 220 Swift. I have found a percentage of them that have rims over sized and they don't fit in my shell holder.

On average the rims measure:

Good ones .467" Bad ones .4715"

So do I need to toss the "bad" ones or is my Lee shell holder the problem?

Cheers

Creeper · September 12, 2012, 07:10 AM

Per SAAMI, maximum rim diameter for .220 Swift is .473".

Cheers,
C

steve4102 · September 12, 2012, 04:55 PM

What brand and what number shell holder are you using?

603Country · September 12, 2012, 07:36 PM

You can Google up the shellholder number. My reloading gear is in the barn workshop, so I can't go look at it to get the number. Anyway, there were always some cases that were snug in my 220 shellholder, though I don't remember any that wouldn't fit at all. The 220 cases and that shellholder were the only combo that has ever given me any fit problems.

Still, Norma brass is my favorite for all of my rifles.

FrankenMauser · September 12, 2012, 10:10 PM

It's the shell holder.
Lee's shell holder is not actually designed for .220 Swift. It's designed for 6.5 Jap, and just happens to usually work for .220 Swift (until they let their tolerances drift...).

The problem is almost always the portion of the shell holder that's supposed to engage the extractor groove of the case. It's too narrow (around 0.415"), so the smaller rebated extractor groove of some .220 Swift brass won't fit (~0.420-0.425").

Sometimes, a sloppy .30-06 shell holder will work, but not always.
If you happen to have one, a .41 Mag shell holder sometimes works. (But you may need to manually aid alignment while the case enters a die.)
When I was still reloading .220 Swift, I had to keep 4 ".220 Swift" shell holders on hand; just to be able to handle all of the varied case head dimensions. ...and I only had three lots of brass: boxed Norma (same lot), W-W (one lot), and newer Winchester (one lot). It's not bad brass... it's just that almost no one makes a shell holder specifically for .220 Swift.

It wasn't until nearly the end of my .220 Swift experience, that I bought a Hornady shell holder. It never gave me trouble. ...which isn't surprising, considering it was designed specifically for .220 Swift/.225 Win.

Just to be sure...
Check the rim thickness of your brass, as well. I found the rims on Norma .220 Swift brass to be quite variable in all dimensions. They're usually within tolerance, but not very consistent.

UncleGrumpy · September 13, 2012, 01:25 AM

Thanks all,

It is the LEE #10 shell holder that I just got. I am pretty sure it is the diameter of the rim causing the problem. My measurements of the brass's extractor groove don't show any differences.

I must admit that I was surprised to be blaming Norma brass as the culprit I was always brought up being told it is the best. (Sorry Norma)

It has me even more surprised that the long standing LEE company could be selling stuff this far out of whack. (Wake Up LEE)

If I have any luck I will let you all know.

Cheers

603Country · September 13, 2012, 08:43 AM

Now that Frankenmauser has mentioned that it's the Lee shellholder that's the problem, I went and looked. My 220 shellholder, the 'snug' one, is a Lee. But it has worked for me for decades, so I guess I'll keep it for now.

September 12, 2012, 07:10 AM	#2
Creeper Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: Woooooshington Posts: 1,797	Per SAAMI, maximum rim diameter for .220 Swift is .473". Cheers, C __________________ Shoulder Drive Nicholson Club

September 12, 2012, 10:10 PM	#5
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	It's the shell holder. Lee's shell holder is not actually designed for .220 Swift. It's designed for 6.5 Jap, and just happens to usually work for .220 Swift (until they let their tolerances drift...). The problem is almost always the portion of the shell holder that's supposed to engage the extractor groove of the case. It's too narrow (around 0.415"), so the smaller rebated extractor groove of some .220 Swift brass won't fit (~0.420-0.425"). Sometimes, a sloppy .30-06 shell holder will work, but not always. If you happen to have one, a .41 Mag shell holder sometimes works. (But you may need to manually aid alignment while the case enters a die.) When I was still reloading .220 Swift, I had to keep 4 ".220 Swift" shell holders on hand; just to be able to handle all of the varied case head dimensions. ...and I only had three lots of brass: boxed Norma (same lot), W-W (one lot), and newer Winchester (one lot). It's not bad brass... it's just that almost no one makes a shell holder specifically for .220 Swift. It wasn't until nearly the end of my .220 Swift experience, that I bought a Hornady shell holder. It never gave me trouble. ...which isn't surprising, considering it was designed specifically for .220 Swift/.225 Win. Just to be sure... Check the rim thickness of your brass, as well. I found the rims on Norma .220 Swift brass to be quite variable in all dimensions. They're usually within tolerance, but not very consistent. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

September 12, 2012, 04:44 AM	#1
UncleGrumpy Member Join Date: March 10, 2012 Posts: 42	Problem with New Norma .220 Swift Brass Hi, I am starting to use some new Norma brass for my 220 Swift. I have found a percentage of them that have rims over sized and they don't fit in my shell holder. On average the rims measure: Good ones .467" Bad ones .4715" So do I need to toss the "bad" ones or is my Lee shell holder the problem? Cheers

September 12, 2012, 04:55 PM	#3
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,952	What brand and what number shell holder are you using?

September 12, 2012, 07:36 PM	#4
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	You can Google up the shellholder number. My reloading gear is in the barn workshop, so I can't go look at it to get the number. Anyway, there were always some cases that were snug in my 220 shellholder, though I don't remember any that wouldn't fit at all. The 220 cases and that shellholder were the only combo that has ever given me any fit problems. Still, Norma brass is my favorite for all of my rifles.

September 13, 2012, 01:25 AM	#6
UncleGrumpy Member Join Date: March 10, 2012 Posts: 42	Thanks all, It is the LEE #10 shell holder that I just got. I am pretty sure it is the diameter of the rim causing the problem. My measurements of the brass's extractor groove don't show any differences. I must admit that I was surprised to be blaming Norma brass as the culprit I was always brought up being told it is the best. (Sorry Norma) It has me even more surprised that the long standing LEE company could be selling stuff this far out of whack. (Wake Up LEE) If I have any luck I will let you all know. Cheers

September 13, 2012, 08:43 AM	#7
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	Now that Frankenmauser has mentioned that it's the Lee shellholder that's the problem, I went and looked. My 220 shellholder, the 'snug' one, is a Lee. But it has worked for me for decades, so I guess I'll keep it for now.