| Posted: Sat Jul 21st, 2007 11:47 AM |
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4seasons
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I am a little new to reloading and hoping for some help. I have a Lee anniversary kit and Lee collet dies. The problem is I can't seem to get the collet to size the neck right. My understanding is that this die decappes and neck sizes in one step. However the result is the neck is not a tight enough fit to hold a bullet. I can pull the bullet with my fingers after seating. I have found that the decapping rod doesn't allow the collet to compress enough. Once I noticed this I took it out and used the die two size the neck without it and some calibers to check the size and ajust the die.
Am I doing something wrong or has anyone else experienced this problem.
I don't know if any of this is relevant to the question but I am shooting a Ruger M77 Mark II compact in 260 Rem and reloading once fired brass from factory ammo.
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| Posted: Sat Jul 21st, 2007 12:04 PM |
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sdb777
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I've never experienced the problems your having, guess it's because I'm not using Lee dies? Have heard of the problem you are have though....most end up using a washer(not very thick) in the shell holder to prematurely 'crush' the case neck. But that solution has been stated as being a PITA!
Quick question: Are your sized rounds easy or hard to chamber(decapped/sized only)? What kind of brass are you using?
Scott (love my RCBS/Redding/Forrester dies) B
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| Posted: Sat Jul 21st, 2007 08:13 PM |
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72coupe
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You need to lube the neck sizing collet die liberally. In the instructions I got with my 308 collet die said that if the neck was not reduced enough to suit your needs you should chuck the decapping stem in an electric drill and reduce its diameter with emory cloth by polishing it down. I did this and it helped.
But the most important thing is to keep the collet and its mechanism lubed.
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| Posted: Sun Jul 22nd, 2007 05:37 AM |
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hoashooter2
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Save your pennies and buy RCBS-----Other than the Lee "factory crimp " for lever rifles I stay away from their products.Cheap does not equal better As a new loader you will see many products for sale ------stick with something that will give you no problems and a lifetime of use
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| Posted: Sun Jul 22nd, 2007 11:09 PM |
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4seasons
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Thanks for the tips. I'll try turning the rod down. I also have a full length die on order. I'm loading empty remington brass from factory ammo. No problem chambering as it was fired in this rifle before.
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| Posted: Wed Aug 22nd, 2007 08:48 PM |
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smacks
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I have a Lee deluxe die set and use the Lee ani. kit.
Follow the instructions on adjusting the die to start.
Then if the hole is not small enough, adjust in 1/4th turn and check after each try.
Make sure you are putting enough pressure on the lever.
I had the same problem at first. With new equipment you shouldn't have much of a problem.
I just got a new Lee hand press today and the same thing happend, Found the excess slack in the linkage
and gave it a few more turns. Bingo.
smacks
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| Posted: Wed Aug 22nd, 2007 09:06 PM |
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TasunkaWitko
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i like lee product. i know that they get a bum rap sometimes, but it seems to me that if you actually FOLLOW the directions, everything turns out just fine.
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| Posted: Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 05:57 AM |
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racefan3119
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TasunkaWitko wrote: i like lee product. i know that they get a bum rap sometimes, but it seems to me that if you actually FOLLOW the directions, everything turns out just fine.
Thats good to hear because Lee is all i own. I have not had any issues but i have only loaded about 400 rounds so far so i may be having problems and just dont know what to look for.
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| Posted: Fri Jan 4th, 2008 01:46 PM |
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jk3campbell
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I have the collet neck sizer for my 243. The directions say it takes approx 25 pounds of force on the lever to size the neck. They also say if you turn down the size of the decapping rod to go no more than .001? or the collet won't go small enough.
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VA Bigbore
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I have used Lee Collet dies in several rifle cartridges. At first I had the same problem. As stated previously, you most likely just need to adjust the die down a little further. You will be able to tell the difference once you get it right, and yes, you need to exert more pressure than you think once you get it set up properly.
Never had the need to "excessively" lube the collet dies. If you plan on loading directly after sizing, and not tumbling, I would try it without lube first. You could end up fouling your powder with the lube.
Don't feel bad about having "all Lee". I have used the big green, some red, and some orange brand dies. I love my lee dies. Easiest to set up, hardest to screw up, and cheaper than all. Lee customer service has been top notch whenever I had a question or needed a replacement. I have yet to pay for anything that needed replacing and some othe parts are almost 5 years old and have loaded 1000's of rounds. I specifically look to Lee when buying new dies and only will buy others if the cartridge I want cannot be found in the Lee dies. Others will disagree, but thats fine, that is why America is great!
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