Problem neck sizing 280 Remington

Dewalt280 · October 22, 2008, 12:42 PM

I am trying to reload once fired Remington brass using a Lee neck sizing die. I am using Nosler 140 Accubond bullets. The problem is I can't get the neck to size tight enough to hold the bullet in place. The collet seems to move freely within the die and appears to press approx. 3/16" into the die at the top of the ram stroke. The bullets will hold in the case mouth but very lightly. They can be turned with finger pressure only! I have tried readjusting the die but had no luck. I have also measured the case to make sure it wasn't bottoming out on decapping pin. Any thoughts?

wncchester · October 22, 2008, 02:33 PM

"I have tried readjusting the die but had no luck."

That's the probable problem anyway. We must adjust that die down far enough or it can't squeeze the neck firmly against the mandrel.

Do it again and go down in no more than quarter turns until it makes tight necks and stop, or you will end up stripping the aluminum top cap out of the die body. (It's designed to do that to keep us from otherwise damageing the die or our press)

mrawesome22 · October 22, 2008, 06:15 PM

Measure the mandrel. If it measures .282" or smaller you know the die is not adjusted correctly. I'd also make sure you don't have .277" bullets.

October 22, 2008, 12:42 PM	#1
Dewalt280 Junior Member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Posts: 4	Problem neck sizing 280 Remington I am trying to reload once fired Remington brass using a Lee neck sizing die. I am using Nosler 140 Accubond bullets. The problem is I can't get the neck to size tight enough to hold the bullet in place. The collet seems to move freely within the die and appears to press approx. 3/16" into the die at the top of the ram stroke. The bullets will hold in the case mouth but very lightly. They can be turned with finger pressure only! I have tried readjusting the die but had no luck. I have also measured the case to make sure it wasn't bottoming out on decapping pin. Any thoughts?

October 22, 2008, 02:33 PM	#2
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	"I have tried readjusting the die but had no luck." That's the probable problem anyway. We must adjust that die down far enough or it can't squeeze the neck firmly against the mandrel. Do it again and go down in no more than quarter turns until it makes tight necks and stop, or you will end up stripping the aluminum top cap out of the die body. (It's designed to do that to keep us from otherwise damageing the die or our press)

October 22, 2008, 06:15 PM	#3
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	Measure the mandrel. If it measures .282" or smaller you know the die is not adjusted correctly. I'd also make sure you don't have .277" bullets.