Lee Collet Neck Sizing Die ?

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29 April 2010, 04:31

billt

Lee Collet Neck Sizing Die ?

I just ordered and got one of these dies from Midway in .300 Win. Mag. Has anyone else used these? I'm wondering about lubing the inside of the case neck? It should still be required since the expander ball is going to be pulled through it on the way out, correct?

Have any of you experienced any better accuracy segregating your brass to a given rifle, then just neck sizing them with this die? Bill T.

29 April 2010, 04:50

Haggis

Superb dies. No need to lube, they work by compressing the collar's 'petals' against the mandrel. The natural 'spring back' of brass then releases the mandrel as you ease pressure on the press arm on the up swing. Adjustment can be a little confusing though, I turn the die in by 1/8th turns till I achieve the desired neck tension.

29 April 2010, 08:27

steve4102

No need to lube as Haggis has already posted. Don't be alarmed if you get little or weak neck tention with the Collet die. Lee sets then up for about .001 neck tension. On several of my Collet dies I need to increase the neck tension be reducing the size of the mandrel. Simple enough, just chuck it into a drill and polish it down to your desired size. Or you can call Lee and purchase a "reduced" mandrel for $5.

They are great dies and will produce some amazingly concentric ammo.

29 April 2010, 08:51

Grumulkin

Believe it or not, Lee Collet Dies don't always produce the most accurate ammo. In a 7mm/08 I have, I had to go back to full length sizing or to using a traditional neck sizing die to recover the accuracy.

29 April 2010, 17:42

Rusty

My son in law and I use Lee Collet dies for his F class shooting. We use .223 and .308 Win.

We find that rotation the case a bit after the initial size and re sizing again (not as much pressure on the press arm) we are very pleased with the accuracy.

Same thin is true for the Lee Factory Crimp die!

Rusty
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29 April 2010, 18:02

Bernie P.

I use it for .223,7x57,and .280 with great results.I also use Lee's factory crimp die on all.

30 April 2010, 08:56

Not_Infringed

I use one of these in .223. I use Hornady 1 Shot case lube and I make sure to get into the neck anyway. I do the full length size (which does require lube) and perform the neck sizing (which does not require lube due to the petal/mandrel squeeze).

Can't answer the segregation question as I only have one AR-15.

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30 April 2010, 21:16

Stonecreek

quote:
We find that rotation the case a bit after the initial size and re sizing again (not as much pressure on the press arm) we are very pleased with the accuracy.

Great advice. It takes very little time to withdraw the case an inch or so after sizing, turn the case approximately 1/8 turn while still in the shellholder, and run it into the Collet die again. This makes for an extremely uniform round neck and usually negates the need to polish the mandrel down in order to get the proper neck tension.

The time saved by not lubricating (and particularly by not having to clean the lubricant off) makes the Lee Collet die a huge labor saving device (as well as turning out very concentric ammunition when fired in non-stretchy actions).

01 May 2010, 07:16

groundhog devastation

In the instructions with the collet dies it states that sizing the case then backing off the ram and rotating the case 1/2 turn and resizing again can help with getting correct neck tension. Been using LEE Collet dies for years and wish they were offered in every chambering I load for!!! GHD

02 May 2010, 08:22

boltman

quote:
Originally posted by groundhog devastation:
In the instructions with the collet dies it states that sizing the case then backing off the ram and rotating the case 1/2 turn and resizing again can help with getting correct neck tension. Been using LEE Collet dies for years and wish they were offered in every chambering I load for!!! GHD

They are. Just send them a case and they'll make one for just about anything. I think a custom one is $25.