trouble properly setting Lee collet sizer

lightjunkie · September 21, 2015, 01:15 AM

I bought a lee collet sizer for my .300 Weatherby,and I followed the instructions manual ,and stopped tightening the dies once it touched the shell plate,well it's still so loose that the bullets slide loosely so I guess my question is can I tighten the die some.ore without damaging the sizer or the brass?And my next question is can I use the die setting to help find COAL by letting the loose bullet find where the rifling starts or will it be off because of the needed freebore?Thanks

Pond, James Pond · September 21, 2015, 02:21 AM

How old is your brass? How many times fired?
Could it need annealing?

Re the freebore question: if the bullet can move in the case mouth easily with some finger pressure, but is gripped well enough by the neck that a little stiction on the ogive (ie if it is stuck in the lands) won't pulled it out, then yes, you can use if to measure free-bore.

One way to ensure the above conditions is to dremel a cut length-ways down the neck at 90 degree intervals.

Be sure to keep that bullet as the future free-bore measurement tool.

David R · September 21, 2015, 05:13 AM

Thank you James pond!

steve4102 · September 21, 2015, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightjunkie

I bought a lee collet sizer for my .300 Weatherby,and I followed the instructions manual ,and stopped tightening the dies once it to u he'd the shell plate,

I think you may have mis-read the instructions.

From Lee.

ADJUSTMENT FOR LEE PRESSES
Screw the sizing die in until it contacts the shell holder, plus
one turn more.
If you are using a Lee Precision “Classic”
series press, adjust the die 1¾ turns into the press. Run
a case into the die. You will feel the primer being extracted,
then the lever will come to an abrupt stop. At this point, the
lever must be pushed firmly (min. 25 lbs.) to close the collet
and size the neck. Extra bullet grip can be obtained by
screwing the die in an additional quarter-turn.

Other brands of presses that toggle or snap over center
at the end of the stroke provide no feel and can damage the
collet neck sizing die if adjusted as above. We suggest the
die be screwed in until the die contacts the shell holder, plus
2 FULL TURNS. This will prevent the press from toggling
over center and give the operator feel of the collet closing.

http://leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/RM3512.pdf

Here is a video using the Lee Press, if you have a different press, screw it into the press two full turns instead of one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PWdVNg4O98

lightjunkie · September 21, 2015, 04:29 PM

Okay thanks and I did not turn as far as that it was i think it1/4 turn on dies and the brass us in fire Remington and Federal nickel plated brass.

pete2 · September 22, 2015, 02:03 PM

I have had to reduce the diameter on the mandrel on at least one die, maybe 2 before it would size tight enough. They are a pain but beat having to mess with lube.

September 21, 2015, 01:15 AM	#1
lightjunkie Member Join Date: July 21, 2013 Location: Sahuarita Az uof unit 36A Posts: 63	trouble properly setting Lee collet sizer I bought a lee collet sizer for my .300 Weatherby,and I followed the instructions manual ,and stopped tightening the dies once it touched the shell plate,well it's still so loose that the bullets slide loosely so I guess my question is can I tighten the die some.ore without damaging the sizer or the brass?And my next question is can I use the die setting to help find COAL by letting the loose bullet find where the rifling starts or will it be off because of the needed freebore?Thanks Last edited by Unclenick; September 22, 2015 at 03:26 PM. Reason: typo fix for clarification

September 21, 2015, 02:21 AM	#2
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	How old is your brass? How many times fired? Could it need annealing? Re the freebore question: if the bullet can move in the case mouth easily with some finger pressure, but is gripped well enough by the neck that a little stiction on the ogive (ie if it is stuck in the lands) won't pulled it out, then yes, you can use if to measure free-bore. One way to ensure the above conditions is to dremel a cut length-ways down the neck at 90 degree intervals. Be sure to keep that bullet as the future free-bore measurement tool. __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly.

September 21, 2015, 05:13 AM	#3
David R Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2015 Location: The swamps of WNY Posts: 753	Thank you James pond!

September 21, 2015, 04:29 PM	#5
lightjunkie Member Join Date: July 21, 2013 Location: Sahuarita Az uof unit 36A Posts: 63	Okay thanks and I did not turn as far as that it was i think it1/4 turn on dies and the brass us in fire Remington and Federal nickel plated brass.

September 22, 2015, 02:03 PM	#6
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,566	I have had to reduce the diameter on the mandrel on at least one die, maybe 2 before it would size tight enough. They are a pain but beat having to mess with lube.