I load for 8 rifle calibers and have been at the hobby for 50 years. I bought a set of LEE 7.65x54
dies several years ago and had such a problem I just put them away. The issue is that when the cases come out of the die after sizing the case necks are bent. I sent the die back to LEE twice and was told there was nothing wrong with it. I've never experienced this before with the other calibers I load. All the rounds come out with minimal runout. It does it with 4 different makes of brass. Press is a Lyman C-Type cast iron. The ram comes up dead nuts center. I've got two other LEE die sets and they load fine. Any ideas?

Bob

Post pics of bent necks please

Does the de-capping pin set straight in the die?
It might be the shell holder is misaligned or
I would try a different shell holder.
Going up the pressure is on the inside bottom of the shell holder. coming down it on the top inside of the slot?

As an experiment, remove the expander ball or entire rod and FL size the cases. If the cases come out with straight necks, the bending is happening because of some problem with neck expansion.

My first guess would be that the die, while straight internally, is reducing the neck diameter too much and the expander ball, being pulled back through an undersized and unsupported case neck, is 'canting' the necks off center.

That's it. The LEE dies use a one piece tapered expander rod. It is very hard to withdraw the case from the die. With it removed the cases are straight. I guess I thought that couldn't happen with a rod expander but apparently so. Apparently LEE used a .30 cal neck die vs a .31 cal. Then just figured a .312 expander would work. Cheap way out. I guess I need to hunt a different make die set. Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by bpesteve:
As an experiment, remove the expander ball or entire rod and FL size the cases. If the cases come out with straight necks, the bending is happening because of some problem with neck expansion.

My first guess would be that the die, while straight internally, is reducing the neck diameter too much and the expander ball, being pulled back through an undersized and unsupported case neck, is 'canting' the necks off center.

Do you lube the inside case mouth?

You should, just a touch.

Imperial Sizing Wax is by far the best.

George

Chuck the expander rod in your lathe and make the top very tapered.
And do what George said. Lube inside.

Thanks georgeld and dpcd. I've got the LEE sizing wax and I'll take the expanders to the shop tomorrow and put some taper on them. Followed by some high polish. Hopefully that will reduce the friction enough to let them glide more smoothly.

A lot of taper. You only need a short portion of expander OD.

Worked like a charm! Rounds roll straight and true with little to no runout. Thanks for the great advice.

Bob

Good; I'm glad it worked, but I knew it would.

I wanted to tell you to throw the Lee dies in the trash and get a set of Redding (my favorite rifle dies) or RCBS, but was afraid of getting flamed over my disdain of Lee products.

Not flamed, but countered with the fact that I have at least 20 sets of Lee dies, as well as 50 more of other makes, and they all work fine. I would like to hear about your Lee dies that do not work.

I have used Lee dies off and on for close to 50yrs. They have always worked fine.

Ive seen more complaints on AR for Lee dies than any other, might check that out...

I won't use them, I use RCBS and prefer Redding but Reddings are too high dollar and Ive not had any problems with RCBS..