Lee Collet sizing dies

C. D. Beaver · August 25, 2002, 12:49 PM

I seem to be having a problem making Lee collet-type sizing dies work properly. In three separate calibers, yet.

In my Ruger No. 1 .22-250, cartridges resized with the collet-type die sometimes fail to feed into the chamber. Occasionally I have to dig one out with a knife blade and rotate the case before it will go in.

No difficulty in that department with bolt action rifles in .30-06 and .222 because the bolt will easily lever them into the chamber and close properly.

Lee's literature says immediately after the primer is popped out, 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."

Wrong. After the primers pop out, there is absolutyly NO pressure on the ram lever. In fact, it doesn't feel like there's any sizing going on at all.

Get the same effect with .222 and .30-06 dies. Am I doing something wrong?

Incidentally, new brass shot a tighter group than once-fired cartridges resized with the Lee collet-type die.

Pro Patria

swifter... · August 25, 2002, 03:19 PM

Generally, I set my Lee colletts up so that I can feel the press "cam over". This is where the neck sizing takes place, and the more cam over, the more sizing. Try screwing your die in a bit farther, in small stages.

Your #1 may have a slightly eccentric chamber, the Lee does no body resizing whatsoever. Try "indexing" your cases: Pick one spot on the headstamp and always have it in the same place when chambering a round.

Take your Lee dies apart and clean & polish them. Lee's manufacturing is not to the same standard as their design...

Tom

Dave P · August 26, 2002, 09:14 AM

These are fired cases? Sounds like a full-length resize is in order.

Try dropping an empty case into your barrel; they should drop in and fall out with no resistance. If they don't, mic 'em and see what is different compared to a factory round.

A FLR'd case will be just a smidgon smaller in case diameter (maybe 1-2 mils) than a fired case, but will drop in with no resistance.

Bill Adair · August 27, 2002, 02:24 AM

C. D.,

I agree with Dave.

If you fired these cases in the same rifle before reloading them, the Lee neck sizing collet die should work. If they were fired in any other gun, you should full length resize.

The problem with those collet dies, is that they have practically no feel when squeezing the neck to the mandrel. The press handle will simply bottom out on the base of the die (not at the end of it's stroke), and that is where you have to apply at least 25 more pounds of pressure to size the necks. Also, don't forget to lower the handle, and rotate the case as Lee suggests, and do it again!

Bill

green 788 · August 27, 2002, 07:44 AM

I do what swifter does, I allow the press to cam over. This ensures an equal amount of neck tension for each case being sized.

I had the same problem you're having when I first got my Lee Collet dies: I couldn't get the collet to close on the mandrel.

The answer is in adjustment of the die, by screwing it in or out in just the right amount. It sounds like yours needs to be screwed in a bit deeper. If you'll adjust the seating depth of the die in small increments until the press *just* cams over, you'll be there.

I love the Lee Collet dies. When properly used, they turn out some great ammo. I usually replace the lock nuts with the RCBS type, however. The Lee lock nuts with those rubber o-rings can move around too easily...

Dan Newberry
green 788

August 26, 2002, 09:14 AM	#3
Dave P Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 1999 Location: North Florida Posts: 1,351	Cases not feeding ... These are fired cases? Sounds like a full-length resize is in order. Try dropping an empty case into your barrel; they should drop in and fall out with no resistance. If they don't, mic 'em and see what is different compared to a factory round. A FLR'd case will be just a smidgon smaller in case diameter (maybe 1-2 mils) than a fired case, but will drop in with no resistance.

August 25, 2002, 12:49 PM	#1
C. D. Beaver Member Join Date: May 18, 2002 Location: Nebraska Posts: 65	Lee Collet sizing dies I seem to be having a problem making Lee collet-type sizing dies work properly. In three separate calibers, yet. In my Ruger No. 1 .22-250, cartridges resized with the collet-type die sometimes fail to feed into the chamber. Occasionally I have to dig one out with a knife blade and rotate the case before it will go in. No difficulty in that department with bolt action rifles in .30-06 and .222 because the bolt will easily lever them into the chamber and close properly. Lee's literature says immediately after the primer is popped out, 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." Wrong. After the primers pop out, there is absolutyly NO pressure on the ram lever. In fact, it doesn't feel like there's any sizing going on at all. Get the same effect with .222 and .30-06 dies. Am I doing something wrong? Incidentally, new brass shot a tighter group than once-fired cartridges resized with the Lee collet-type die. Pro Patria

August 25, 2002, 03:19 PM	#2
swifter... Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 1999 Location: So. CA Mountains Posts: 540	Generally, I set my Lee colletts up so that I can feel the press "cam over". This is where the neck sizing takes place, and the more cam over, the more sizing. Try screwing your die in a bit farther, in small stages. Your #1 may have a slightly eccentric chamber, the Lee does no body resizing whatsoever. Try "indexing" your cases: Pick one spot on the headstamp and always have it in the same place when chambering a round. Take your Lee dies apart and clean & polish them. Lee's manufacturing is not to the same standard as their design... Tom

August 27, 2002, 02:24 AM	#4
Bill Adair Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2000 Location: Seattle/Tacoma, WA USA Posts: 345	C. D., I agree with Dave. If you fired these cases in the same rifle before reloading them, the Lee neck sizing collet die should work. If they were fired in any other gun, you should full length resize. The problem with those collet dies, is that they have practically no feel when squeezing the neck to the mandrel. The press handle will simply bottom out on the base of the die (not at the end of it's stroke), and that is where you have to apply at least 25 more pounds of pressure to size the necks. Also, don't forget to lower the handle, and rotate the case as Lee suggests, and do it again! Bill

August 27, 2002, 07:44 AM	#5
green 788 Member Join Date: August 26, 2002 Location: Wytheville, VA Posts: 18	I do what swifter does, I allow the press to cam over. This ensures an equal amount of neck tension for each case being sized. I had the same problem you're having when I first got my Lee Collet dies: I couldn't get the collet to close on the mandrel. The answer is in adjustment of the die, by screwing it in or out in just the right amount. It sounds like yours needs to be screwed in a bit deeper. If you'll adjust the seating depth of the die in small increments until the press just cams over, you'll be there. I love the Lee Collet dies. When properly used, they turn out some great ammo. I usually replace the lock nuts with the RCBS type, however. The Lee lock nuts with those rubber o-rings can move around too easily... Dan Newberry green 788