Die identification

[rickdavis81]

Just finished building a house and moving. Got my new reloading shed/gym all setup. Went to reload some .223 for a bolt gun tonight. My problem is I'm not sure what the difference is between my two deprime/ sizing dies. I'm assuming one is my fl and one is my neck die. Don't laugh but they're Lee. One says Lee-223-d7. The other Lee-223-k5. Or maybe they're both fl.

 

[GLTaylor]

On their site the fl die is ID'd as a 91035?

 

[rickdavis81]

I saw that but they don't have part numbers on the dies

 

[GLTaylor]

Assuming you have the ability to measure your cases, the neck die should not size or move your case shoulder.

 

[QuietTexan]

Did you buy the 4-die set? You should have n FL sizing die, collet neck sizing die, seating die, and factory crimp die. The FL sizing die will have a nut at the top, the collet die will have a flat cap. Seating die has a knurled cap, and FCD is open and you see the crimp fingers.

The FL sizing die will generally push everything down to a SAAMI-minimum spec. The Lee collet sizing die is unique in that it only pushed the neck down onto a mandrel of a certain size and doesn't impact the bosy our shoulders at all. You need to set it up differently than a bump or bushing die:

Lee collet dies

I've been reloading for quite a few years now with redding bushing and standard dies. I'm using a t7 press and decided to buy some collet dies for the girlfriend's .243. I set them up to there instructions and it doesn't seem right. I'm using the neck sizing die. Anybody set these up that knows...

www.longrangehunting.com

 

[rickdavis81]

Did you buy the 4-die set? You should have n FL sizing die, collet neck sizing die, seating die, and factory crimp die. The FL sizing die will have a nut at the top, the collet die will have a flat cap. Seating die has a knurled cap, and FCD is open and you see the crimp fingers.

The FL sizing die will generally push everything down to a SAAMI-minimum spec. The Lee collet sizing die is unique in that it only pushed the neck down onto a mandrel of a certain size and doesn't impact the bosy our shoulders at all. You need to set it up differently than a bump or bushing die:

Lee collet dies

I've been reloading for quite a few years now with redding bushing and standard dies. I'm using a t7 press and decided to buy some collet dies for the girlfriend's .243. I set them up to there instructions and it doesn't seem right. I'm using the neck sizing die. Anybody set these up that knows...

www.longrangehunting.com

I don't remember what all I've bought. I'm sure I have a neck sizing die but I think I have 3 sets of 223 dies. I know I keep one set up for my Dillion 650 and use the others on my rock chucked but everything has been stored for a couple years

Assuming you have the ability to measure your cases, the neck die should not size or move your case shoulder.

Would you just measure where the shoulder meets the neck with calipers? I'd think it'd be easy to be off a couple thousands

 

[QuietTexan]

Put up a couple of pictures and we can probably get it figured out for you.

 

[rickdavis81]

I waddle out there in a bit I will. Been sitting on the excavator all day so now I'm enjoying an adult beverage

 

[GLTaylor]

I don't remember what all I've bought. I'm sure I have a neck sizing die but I think I have 3 sets of 223 dies. I know I keep one set up for my Dillion 650 and use the others on my rock chucked but everything has been stored for a couple years

Would you just measure where the shoulder meets the neck with calipers? I'd think it'd be easy to be off a couple thousands

Not just a micrometer. You need to have a micrometer and a comparator set up for your cartridge shoulder. This will allow you to see if you are setting the shoulder back or just sizing the neck and leaving the case body/shoulder alone. If just neck sizing, the case body and shoulder should be largely unchanged from a fired case.

 

[Dean2]

Picture of the various Lee dies. From Left to right FL sizing/deprime die, seating die, Powder spoon and shell holder, Factory Crimp Die and Collet neck die/deprimer

 

[rickdavis81]

I'm assuming the two I found were both fl dies. Not sure where my collet neck die is. Thanks for the pic

 

[Dean2]

I'm assuming the two I found were both fl dies. Not sure where my collet neck die is. Thanks for the pic

Lee make FL dies and Collet neck dies, they do not and never have that I know of, made a standard style neck die.