Mastering Ammunition Production: The Indispensable Lee Precision #16 Breech Lock Pro Shell Plate

For serious reloaders, the pursuit of precision, efficiency, and consistency in ammunition production is a constant endeavor. At the heart of a high-performing progressive reloading press lies the humble yet critical shell plate – the component responsible for securely holding and indexing cartridge cases through each stage of the reloading process. When it comes to reliability and compatibility, the Lee Precision 90659 Breech Lock Pro Shell Plate #16 stands out as an essential upgrade or replacement for your Lee progressive reloading setup, specifically engineered to flawlessly handle large and powerful cartridges like the .500 S&W Magnum and the classic 7.62x54R.

This steel shell plate, meticulously crafted by Lee Precision, represents a cornerstone for anyone looking to efficiently produce high-quality ammunition for these distinct calibers. Whether you’re loading devastating handgun rounds for a powerful revolver or precision rifle ammunition for a classic bolt-action, this shell plate ensures your reloading process is smooth, accurate, and consistently reliable.

Why Reload Your Own Ammunition? A Foundation for Understanding Shell Plates

Before delving into the specifics of the Lee Precision #16 Shell Plate, it’s vital to understand the broader context of handloading. Why do enthusiasts dedicate countless hours to meticulously assembling their own ammunition?

• Cost Savings: In the long run, reloading can significantly reduce the per-round cost of shooting, especially for popular or specialty calibers. Components like primers, powder, bullets, and brass are often less expensive than factory-loaded ammunition.
• Precision and Performance: Handloaders can tailor ammunition to their specific firearm, optimizing bullet weight, powder charge, and overall length for superior accuracy, velocity, and terminal performance. This is particularly crucial for competitive shooters, hunters, and long-range enthusiasts.
• Customization: Beyond performance, handloading allows for unique ammunition recipes. Want a lighter recoiling load for target practice? Or a heavy-hitting round for hunting dangerous game? Reloading provides that unparalleled flexibility.
• Availability: During periods of high demand or supply chain disruptions, reloaders can often source components even when factory ammunition is scarce, ensuring they can continue their passion.
• Enjoyment and Skill Development: For many, the process of reloading is a rewarding hobby in itself, offering a deeper understanding of ballistics and firearm mechanics.

In this intricate dance of components, the shell plate acts as the stage manager, guiding each case through the various stations of your progressive press. Without a precise, durable, and caliber-specific shell plate, the entire operation falters.

The Crucial Role of the Shell Plate in Progressive Reloading

A progressive reloading press, such as the Lee Pro 1000, Load-Master, or Auto Breech Lock Pro, is designed for high-volume ammunition production. Unlike single-stage presses where each operation is performed one at a time on a single case, progressive presses allow multiple cases to be worked on simultaneously, with a different operation occurring at each station as the shell plate rotates.

The shell plate's function is multifaceted:

1. Case Retention: It securely holds the cartridge case by its rim, preventing it from falling out or shifting during operations like sizing, decapping, priming, powder charging, and bullet seating.
2. Indexing: As the press handle is cycled, the shell plate precisely rotates, moving each case from one die station to the next. Accurate indexing is paramount for consistent results and preventing malfunctions.
3. Primer Seating: Many progressive presses use the shell plate as a platform for primer seating, ensuring primers are pressed squarely and to the correct depth.
4. Ejection: Once a round is complete, the shell plate often plays a role in ejecting the finished cartridge into a collection bin.

For these reasons, selecting the correct shell plate – specifically one that matches the rim dimensions of your chosen cartridge and the design of your press – is not merely an option but an absolute necessity for safe and efficient reloading.

Introducing the Lee Precision #16 Breech Lock Pro Shell Plate: Engineered for Power and Precision

The Lee Precision 90659 Breech Lock Pro Shell Plate #16 is purpose-built to meet the demanding requirements of reloading the .500 S&W Magnum and 7.62x54R cartridges on compatible Lee progressive presses.

Key Features and What They Mean for You:

• Caliber Specificity (.500 S&W, 7.62x54R): This is the defining feature. Each shell plate is precision-machined to perfectly fit the specific rim dimensions of a particular family of cartridges. The #16 designation by Lee Precision specifically identifies this plate’s compatibility with the .500 S&W Magnum and 7.62x54R. This precise fit ensures that cases are held firmly without slop, leading to consistent feeding, reliable operation, and perfectly aligned operations at each station.
• Robust Steel Construction: Reloading can be tough on equipment. The Lee #16 Shell Plate is crafted from durable steel, ensuring it can withstand the repetitive stresses of hundreds, even thousands, of reloading cycles. Steel provides superior wear resistance compared to softer materials, contributing to the plate’s longevity and consistent performance over time. This robust material choice is a testament to Lee Precision's commitment to quality and durability.
• Designed for Lee Breech Lock Pro Presses: This shell plate is optimized for Lee's popular progressive reloading presses, including the Pro 1000, Load-Master, and the Auto Breech Lock Pro series. Its design ensures seamless integration and reliable indexing with these specific machines, maximizing the efficiency and output of your reloading setup.
• Easy Installation and Removal: Lee Precision is known for user-friendly designs. Shell plates are typically easy to install and remove, allowing reloaders to quickly switch between calibers as needed, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.

Deep Dive into Compatible Calibers: .500 S&W Magnum and 7.62x54R

The versatility of the Lee Precision #16 Shell Plate lies in its ability to handle two vastly different, yet equally compelling, cartridges.

Reloading the .500 S&W Magnum: The King of Revolver Cartridges

The .500 S&W Magnum, introduced in 2003 by Smith & Wesson, is the most powerful production handgun cartridge in the world. Designed for hunting large game and for sport, it delivers immense power, making reloading a practical and economical choice for its enthusiasts.

• Challenges of Reloading .500 S&W:
  • Case Volume: These cases are large, requiring significant powder charges.
  • Bullet Weight: Heavy bullets (300-700+ grains) are common, requiring robust seating and crimping.
  • Recoil Management: Loads can be stout, emphasizing the need for consistent powder charges and bullet seating to manage pressure.
  • Component Cost: Factory ammunition is expensive, making reloading highly attractive.
• How the #16 Shell Plate Helps: Its precise fit for the large rim of the .500 S&W ensures that these massive cases are held firmly throughout the sizing, priming, powder charging, and bullet seating operations. This stability is critical for preventing tipped cases, spilled powder, and misaligned bullets, all of which are more pronounced with larger, heavier components. For high-volume practice or developing specialized hunting loads, the efficiency provided by a progressive press equipped with the correct shell plate is invaluable.

Reloading the 7.62x54R: A Historic and Versatile Rifle Cartridge

The 7.62x54R is a rimmed rifle cartridge developed by the Russian Empire in 1891. It served as the standard rifle cartridge for the Russian and Soviet militaries for over a century, famously used in the Mosin-Nagant rifle, SVT-40, and various machine guns. Today, it remains popular among surplus firearm owners, hunters, and target shooters worldwide.

• Characteristics of 7.62x54R Reloading:
  • Rimmed Design: The "R" in its name signifies its rimmed design, which requires specific shell plate and sizing die setups compared to rimless cartridges. The #16 shell plate accommodates this rim perfectly.
  • Variety of Loads: From light target loads to heavy hunting rounds, the 7.62x54R can be incredibly versatile when reloaded.
  • Brass Availability: Surplus brass can be found, but new production brass offers greater consistency for precision reloading.
  • Accuracy Potential: With careful handloading, the 7.62x54R can be surprisingly accurate, especially in well-maintained rifles.
• How the #16 Shell Plate Helps: The secure grip provided by the #16 plate on the 7.62x54R's distinctive rim is paramount for consistent feeding and extraction on a progressive press. This ensures that the case is presented correctly to each die, from decapping and sizing to bullet seating and crimping, leading to reliable, uniform ammunition ideal for plinking or precision shooting with your classic rifle.

Optimizing Your Reloading Workflow with the Lee #16 Shell Plate

Integrating the Lee Precision #16 Breech Lock Pro Shell Plate into your reloading setup can significantly enhance your experience.

• Streamlined Caliber Changes: If you already own a Lee progressive press and want to start reloading .500 S&W or 7.62x54R, acquiring this specific shell plate is a straightforward way to expand your capabilities without investing in an entirely new press.
• Reduced Manual Handling: A key advantage of progressive presses is minimizing individual case handling. The shell plate’s consistent indexing ensures each case moves smoothly through the process, freeing your hands to load components and monitor the operation.
• Enhanced Safety: A precisely fitted shell plate prevents cases from tilting, falling out, or misaligning with dies. This reduces the risk of powder spills, crushed cases, and improper primer seating, all of which contribute to a safer reloading environment.
• Increased Output: For high-volume shooters or those preparing for competitions, the ability to rapidly produce reliable ammunition is a major benefit. The efficient design of the Lee system, combined with the right shell plate, makes this possible.

Maintenance and Longevity of Your Steel Shell Plate

While the Lee Precision #16 Shell Plate is built from durable steel, proper care will ensure its long-term performance:

• Regular Cleaning: Powder residue, carbon, and case lube can build up on the shell plate. Periodically wipe it down with a clean cloth, and for deeper cleaning, use a mild solvent or gun cleaner, ensuring it's completely dry afterward.
• Lubrication (Minimal): Some reloaders apply a very light film of dry lubricant or wax to the underside of the shell plate where it interfaces with the press subplate. This can aid in smooth indexing, but avoid excessive lubrication that could attract debris.
• Inspection: Before and after each reloading session, inspect the shell plate for any signs of wear, damage, or deformation. While rare for steel plates, catching issues early can prevent problems during future reloading.

Why Choose Lee Precision and Where to Find Your Gear?

Lee Precision has earned a reputation in the reloading community for producing innovative, reliable, and affordable equipment. Their commitment to making reloading accessible to enthusiasts of all levels is evident in the thoughtful design and robust construction of products like the #16 Breech Lock Pro Shell Plate. They understand the needs of both novice and experienced reloaders, consistently delivering tools that perform.

When you're ready to enhance your reloading bench with the Lee Precision 90659 Breech Lock Pro Shell Plate #16 or any other high-quality reloading components, look no further than DEGuns. As a trusted source for firearms, ammunition, and reloading supplies, DEGuns provides a comprehensive selection, knowledgeable support, and competitive pricing, ensuring you get the right tools for your specific needs, efficiently and reliably. Investing in quality components from a reputable supplier like DEGuns ensures that your reloading journey is productive, safe, and ultimately more rewarding.

In conclusion, the Lee Precision #16 Breech Lock Pro Shell Plate is more than just a piece of metal; it is a critical component that unlocks the full potential of your Lee progressive reloading press when working with the powerful .500 S&W Magnum and historically significant 7.62x54R cartridges. Its durable construction, precise engineering, and seamless compatibility make it an indispensable tool for any serious reloader seeking consistent results and efficient ammunition production.

Product Specifications: Lee Precision Breech Lock Pro Shell Plate #16

Feature	Detail
Brand	Lee Precision
Model	Breech Lock Pro #16
Compatible Caliber	.500 S&W Mag, 7.62x54R
Material	Steel
Press Type	Progressive (Lee Pro 1000, Load-Master, Auto Breech Lock Pro)
Weight	0.28 lbs
MPN (Manufacturer Part Number)	90659
UPC	734307906597