Lee .223 Die Too Short?

ShuckersFan · July 8, 2006, 09:17 AM

I'm trying to load some Sierra BlitzKing 55g bullets for .223. I use these all the time in my .22-250 and love them. However, loading them in .223 I can't get the OAL down past 2.269". I'm using Lee dies, RC press, 25.3g H-335. I've got the knob turned all the way in and no luck. The die works just fine with FMJ or SP bullets. Any thoughts?

scgunsmith · July 8, 2006, 10:05 AM

take the lock ring off and see if that helps

Throckmorton · July 8, 2006, 04:07 PM

IIRC, friction only on Lee dies,no lock ring.
Nice try though.

One thought,older Lee dies were too short for dillon presses,same mayb e true of rc press.If so can you put the big lock ring on the bottom of the press.?

mjc · July 8, 2006, 05:17 PM

Um, no lock nut

, but there is a lock-ring on lee dies, it adjusts with o-ring tension, And should have plenty of adjustment to seat bullets. Are you sure the die is in the press enought (case in shellholder, raised up, screww in die untill it touches case, then lock (for no crimp, 1/3 -1/4 turn further to crimp) THEN adjust for bullet depth. hope this helps, i use all lee stuff.

MC

Toolman · July 9, 2006, 07:29 AM

It worked OK before on .223? Sounds like the die needs to be re-set. I'd start from scratch like you was setting it up for the first time.

brselman · July 9, 2006, 08:27 AM

I had a similar problem using the Lee 223 bullet seating die for V-max bullets. I called Lee and spoke with one of their technicians. He then sent me a 22 Hornet insert for the 233 die (at no cost!). It works like a charm and Lee has made a happy customer out of me.

Ausserordeutlich · July 9, 2006, 11:50 AM

I've loaded a bunch of .223s, using Lee dies and 55gr. B.K. bullets. I use the seater die that comes with the Collet die set. Won't crimp, and seats as deeply as I need.

silicon wolverine · July 9, 2006, 04:44 PM

Also check the insert in teh seating die. some of them you can flip over for shorter OAL. At least my .30-06' and 9mm dies are that way.

SW

ShuckersFan · July 9, 2006, 11:10 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to call Lee in the morning and see if they'll send they the Hornet insert. I have some Vmax bullets that I use on the 22-250 also, so I tried loading one of them as well and same thing... The shape of the bullet is keeping it from contacting the side of the insert and limits the seating depth. By putting a couple of tiny washers in the top of the die and then putting the insert in after that I was able to seat a couple.

Thanks again,

Todd

July 8, 2006, 09:17 AM	#1
ShuckersFan Member Join Date: March 1, 2006 Posts: 30	Lee .223 Die Too Short? I'm trying to load some Sierra BlitzKing 55g bullets for .223. I use these all the time in my .22-250 and love them. However, loading them in .223 I can't get the OAL down past 2.269". I'm using Lee dies, RC press, 25.3g H-335. I've got the knob turned all the way in and no luck. The die works just fine with FMJ or SP bullets. Any thoughts?

July 8, 2006, 10:05 AM	#2
scgunsmith Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Location: Ridgeland SC (aka State of Confusion) Posts: 58	take the lock ring off and see if that helps __________________ Will work for guns or parts Full Time Gunsmith, Part time dog house tenant Http://www.lowcountry-gunsmith.com

July 8, 2006, 04:07 PM	#3
Throckmorton Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2004 Location: Washougal,Wa Posts: 126	No lock ring on Lee IIRC, friction only on Lee dies,no lock ring. Nice try though. One thought,older Lee dies were too short for dillon presses,same mayb e true of rc press.If so can you put the big lock ring on the bottom of the press.?

July 8, 2006, 05:17 PM	#4
mjc Member Join Date: March 5, 2006 Posts: 35	lee dies Um, no lock nut , but there is a lock-ring on lee dies, it adjusts with o-ring tension, And should have plenty of adjustment to seat bullets. Are you sure the die is in the press enought (case in shellholder, raised up, screww in die untill it touches case, then lock (for no crimp, 1/3 -1/4 turn further to crimp) THEN adjust for bullet depth. hope this helps, i use all lee stuff. MC

July 9, 2006, 07:29 AM	#5
Toolman Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 514	It worked OK before on .223? Sounds like the die needs to be re-set. I'd start from scratch like you was setting it up for the first time.

July 9, 2006, 08:27 AM	#6
brselman Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Johnson City, TN Posts: 78	I had a similar problem using the Lee 223 bullet seating die for V-max bullets. I called Lee and spoke with one of their technicians. He then sent me a 22 Hornet insert for the 233 die (at no cost!). It works like a charm and Lee has made a happy customer out of me.

July 9, 2006, 11:50 AM	#7
Ausserordeutlich Junior member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 996	I've loaded a bunch of .223s, using Lee dies and 55gr. B.K. bullets. I use the seater die that comes with the Collet die set. Won't crimp, and seats as deeply as I need.

July 9, 2006, 04:44 PM	#8
silicon wolverine Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2006 Location: South dakota Posts: 674	Also check the insert in teh seating die. some of them you can flip over for shorter OAL. At least my .30-06' and 9mm dies are that way. SW

July 9, 2006, 11:10 PM	#9
ShuckersFan Member Join Date: March 1, 2006 Posts: 30	Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to call Lee in the morning and see if they'll send they the Hornet insert. I have some Vmax bullets that I use on the 22-250 also, so I tried loading one of them as well and same thing... The shape of the bullet is keeping it from contacting the side of the insert and limits the seating depth. By putting a couple of tiny washers in the top of the die and then putting the insert in after that I was able to seat a couple. Thanks again, Todd