Tightening Lee Dies in the Turret

millers5285 · February 5, 2007, 07:24 PM

What is the best way to get Lee dies tightened in the turret? It seems like the rubber o-ring makes it harder than hell to turn the nut tight. Can I do without the o-ring?

mjrodney · February 5, 2007, 07:32 PM

They really don't need to be tight. Snug is more the word.

wild willy · February 5, 2007, 08:03 PM

I put other lock rings on them I have good luck with Lee tools but I don't like his lockrings

rwilson452 · February 5, 2007, 08:17 PM

With the rings in place they don't need to be all that tight. You can snug it up a bit with a wrench but I just use my fingers. If you take out the O-rings you will need to use a wrench.

Tightening Lee Dies in the Turret
What is the best way to get Lee dies tightened in the turret? It seems like the rubber o-ring makes it harder than hell to turn the nut tight. Can I do without the o-ring?
millers5285 is online now Report Post

benedict1 · February 5, 2007, 11:23 PM

It helps to lube the rings -- I use a drop or two of 30 W motor oil, the same stuff I use to lube the ram and linkage on my Classic Turret Press and Load Master. They will turn easier. They do not have to be tight! Just snug. The oil on the ring/die makes it a whole lot easier.

Some guys dispense with the O-rings and tighten with a wrench but I find this to be a nuisance, especially when setting up dies and I'm adjusting them and want to keep moving them to get things right.

Crosshair · February 6, 2007, 01:10 AM

I agree with wild willy. Lee dies are wonderfull, but the lock rings are horrible and vastly inferior to the RCBS lock rings. I bought 15 RCBS lock rings and use them on all the "important" dies that benifit from using an actual lock ring like seating dies, carbide sizers, neck sizing die, etc.

MrApathy · February 6, 2007, 01:38 AM

I keep the orings on and tighten with a trench. doesnt take much tightening. tightening by hand has worked great and is easier for adjusting if needed. if no adjusting is needed a short turn with a wrench will lock it down good requiring wrench to relock it.

XD-Guy · February 6, 2007, 07:49 AM

Take the O-ring out, turn the lock nut up side down and tighten it up under the turret

millers5285 · February 6, 2007, 08:53 PM

I have an RCBS bullet puller die and really like the lock ring. I just ordered some for the Lee dies....thanks for all the replies.

Zippy06 · February 7, 2007, 04:46 AM

I use the snug theory. There is not, a lot of vibration, going on. I have never found them loose. And if I want to change something. It is a lot easier.

ECLIPSE45ACP · February 7, 2007, 06:57 AM

I lightly turn my down with a wrench, just to be sure they dont move. I change heads alot so I want to be sure they are not moving around in that process.

K96771 · February 7, 2007, 01:26 PM

+1 Zippy06.

**Unclenick** · February 7, 2007, 01:44 PM

The Lee lock nuts depend on ease of adjustment substituting for permanence of adjustment. This is demonstrated in their web site videos on die adjustment in single stage presses (fourth category down on that page). They run a sizing die down to touch the shell holder, withdraw the ram, then turn the die in slightly further, then run the ram back up to trap the die while they snug down the nut against its O-ring. The snug adjustment will keep the die threads from turning, but you will have to redo this setup each time you put the die in. If you want a permanent adjustment, you will need to use solid metal rings with a set screw that locks them in place on the die.

amamnn · February 7, 2007, 07:46 PM

I just followed the Lee directions and had no problems. I've been using some of the same dies in the same turrets for years; they've never come loose. I never oiled them; the idea of the rubber ring is to keep things from slipping.

rogn · February 8, 2007, 07:48 AM

I just use a reference mark on the die and a mark on the press, the die is set up once and a reference established and future use the die is set to the reference marks. The lock nut only keeps it from moving around; just snug. Very simple and no problems.

February 5, 2007, 07:24 PM	#1
millers5285 Member Join Date: November 25, 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 77	Tightening Lee Dies in the Turret What is the best way to get Lee dies tightened in the turret? It seems like the rubber o-ring makes it harder than hell to turn the nut tight. Can I do without the o-ring?

February 5, 2007, 07:32 PM	#2
mjrodney Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2006 Location: SW Florida Posts: 435	They really don't need to be tight. Snug is more the word. __________________ Proud supporter of the NRA

February 5, 2007, 08:17 PM	#4
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	rings With the rings in place they don't need to be all that tight. You can snug it up a bit with a wrench but I just use my fingers. If you take out the O-rings you will need to use a wrench. Tightening Lee Dies in the Turret What is the best way to get Lee dies tightened in the turret? It seems like the rubber o-ring makes it harder than hell to turn the nut tight. Can I do without the o-ring? millers5285 is online now Report Post

February 6, 2007, 01:10 AM	#6
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	I agree with wild willy. Lee dies are wonderfull, but the lock rings are horrible and vastly inferior to the RCBS lock rings. I bought 15 RCBS lock rings and use them on all the "important" dies that benifit from using an actual lock ring like seating dies, carbide sizers, neck sizing die, etc. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

February 6, 2007, 01:38 AM	#7
MrApathy Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2004 Posts: 529	I keep the orings on and tighten with a trench. doesnt take much tightening. tightening by hand has worked great and is easier for adjusting if needed. if no adjusting is needed a short turn with a wrench will lock it down good requiring wrench to relock it. __________________ Divided and conquered, Gripped by fear Wishful thinking that it can't happen here It's well underways but nobody knows A repeat of history, That's how it goes

February 5, 2007, 08:03 PM	#3
wild willy Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2006 Posts: 404	I put other lock rings on them I have good luck with Lee tools but I don't like his lockrings

February 5, 2007, 11:23 PM	#5
benedict1 Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 245	It helps to lube the rings -- I use a drop or two of 30 W motor oil, the same stuff I use to lube the ram and linkage on my Classic Turret Press and Load Master. They will turn easier. They do not have to be tight! Just snug. The oil on the ring/die makes it a whole lot easier. Some guys dispense with the O-rings and tighten with a wrench but I find this to be a nuisance, especially when setting up dies and I'm adjusting them and want to keep moving them to get things right.

February 6, 2007, 07:49 AM	#8
XD-Guy Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Posts: 102	Take the O-ring out, turn the lock nut up side down and tighten it up under the turret

February 6, 2007, 08:53 PM	#9
millers5285 Member Join Date: November 25, 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 77	I have an RCBS bullet puller die and really like the lock ring. I just ordered some for the Lee dies....thanks for all the replies.

February 7, 2007, 04:46 AM	#10
Zippy06 Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: S.E. MI Posts: 117	I use the snug theory. There is not, a lot of vibration, going on. I have never found them loose. And if I want to change something. It is a lot easier. __________________ Zippy06. U.S.N. Vet. NRA. Lee Turret(circa 1986). 9mm, .357 Mag., .40 S&W, .223 Rem., .30-30 Win., .308 Win. G17, S&W 686, G22C, Colt H-Bar, Marlin, Savage 10FP. Be safe. Be happy

February 7, 2007, 06:57 AM	#11
ECLIPSE45ACP Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 177	I lightly turn my down with a wrench, just to be sure they dont move. I change heads alot so I want to be sure they are not moving around in that process. Last edited by ECLIPSE45ACP; February 7, 2007 at 02:08 PM.

February 7, 2007, 01:26 PM	#12
K96771 Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2006 Location: NJ Pinelands Posts: 120	+1 Zippy06. __________________ Tom

February 7, 2007, 01:44 PM	#13
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	The Lee lock nuts depend on ease of adjustment substituting for permanence of adjustment. This is demonstrated in their web site videos on die adjustment in single stage presses (fourth category down on that page). They run a sizing die down to touch the shell holder, withdraw the ram, then turn the die in slightly further, then run the ram back up to trap the die while they snug down the nut against its O-ring. The snug adjustment will keep the die threads from turning, but you will have to redo this setup each time you put the die in. If you want a permanent adjustment, you will need to use solid metal rings with a set screw that locks them in place on the die. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 7, 2007, 07:46 PM	#14
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	I just followed the Lee directions and had no problems. I've been using some of the same dies in the same turrets for years; they've never come loose. I never oiled them; the idea of the rubber ring is to keep things from slipping. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

February 8, 2007, 07:48 AM	#15
rogn Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 2005 Posts: 203	lee reference I just use a reference mark on the die and a mark on the press, the die is set up once and a reference established and future use the die is set to the reference marks. The lock nut only keeps it from moving around; just snug. Very simple and no problems.