Hey all, I purchased a lee collet neck die for my 300 win mag. I have a question about it. I notice the middle of the die seems to be free floating. I think its called the mandrel? But anyways I wasnt sure if that was supposed to be floating like that. it can not move too much to one side but it definitely is floating and I wanted to make sure that was ok?
Lee collet neck die
- Thread starter teampete
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Sennaspeed
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2011
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The middle part you speak of is in fact the actual collet. It needs to move.
The Lee Collet Dies are simply amazing in how well they work.
The Lee Collet Dies are simply amazing in how well they work.
+1.
I like to run a case through the die, turn 1/4 and run it again. Not necessary, but ensures the neck tension I like.
You'll be amazed at how much longer cases last when you're running this die vs. FLS'n or even neck sizing with an expander button.
Good luck w/ the new neck sizer,
efw
diriel
Well-Known Member
Make sure to read the instructions, if you are getting Clamp Marks on your brass, you need to back it off a bit. Yeah, It says in the instructions to hit the brass once, then turn it about 1/4 or so and do again for best results. Sounds like a pain, but in actuality it goes fast. I use that, or a Redding Type S, depending on what I am doing 
Gary
Gary
Johnboy
Well-Known Member
great die if I may say.but just like the other guys said read the info and have at it.but if you need to PM me do so.the lee collet die set is all I use and have used them to make some great loads for my rifels.
I remember, bought them before, but no more for me they had tendency to do this:
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f28/lee-collet-die-58763/
they had tendency to do this:
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f28/lee-collet-die-58763/
You need to be smarter than the die, If you crush cases, your collet is stuck in the closed position, you need to take the die apart and loosen the collet and lube the upper portion. This is caused by raising the ram against the die without a shell in the holder, the collet clamps down and there is nothing there to make it release.
boomtube
Well-Known Member
The "middle part" IS the mandrel/decapper rod. It is NOT supposed to be rigid but the slack is very small, it allows the decapper pin to find the flash hole without breaking anything.
That excellant die has a learning curve but it's worth the effort. Read and FOLLOW the instructions, at least until you have enough experience to get a feel for using it.
That excellant die has a learning curve but it's worth the effort. Read and FOLLOW the instructions, at least until you have enough experience to get a feel for using it.
I know guys that swear by this dye. I tried one years ago and struggled with consistency. I believe, according to the instructions, that it requires that you apply the exact same pressure on the press handle each time you size a case. When I applied enough pressure to hold the bullet securely, it produced marks on the brass. I have heard of people using a gauge on the press handle to apply consistent pressure. I certainly could have been lousy technique on my part, but I went back to my Redding dye and never looked back.
boomtube
Well-Known Member
The collet moves. That moving part seems to overwelm some people but those who take the time to learn to use it tend to love it.
rscott5028
Well-Known Member
I beleive your initial question has been answered.
Search these forums for "collet" and you'll find lots of tips and suggestions.
Some love 'em. Some hate 'em.
I too had problems like Jinx and others until I took time to figure them out.
They are proven performers once you've got them properly set up.
-- richard
Search these forums for "collet" and you'll find lots of tips and suggestions.
Some love 'em. Some hate 'em.
I too had problems like Jinx and others until I took time to figure them out.
They are proven performers once you've got them properly set up.
-- richard
Johnboy
Well-Known Member
like said before the die really works great if you will give your self time to learn it.in my rock chucker press I have put an index mark on two moveing parts of the press to help me out, ( with the same pressure each time )even takeing the die apart and cleaning the rouch edges and polishing it then a little grease it will then work better for you.
like one said before I think Jinx said it put marks on Lapua brass.I too have had this to happen.but after opening up the collets of the die ( by springing the fingers out a little ) it has yet happened again.
I have had 15 years wth these dies and found out all kinds of tricks to do to them.the two best are the ones I just told.other than polishing a little off the mandrel to get a tighter neck.and that it just takes time with the die to really get the feel of what the die is doing.trust me you can feel the die moveing the neck back to specs.you can even feel it better when you deprim the brass first.I can move my necks back to specs with just one to two fingers on all my brass.when I resize 223 brass it just take a nudge with one finger to make the collet work.
yeah one more trick for ya.annealing in some kind of time order with your brass helps alot.
like one said before I think Jinx said it put marks on Lapua brass.I too have had this to happen.but after opening up the collets of the die ( by springing the fingers out a little ) it has yet happened again.
I have had 15 years wth these dies and found out all kinds of tricks to do to them.the two best are the ones I just told.other than polishing a little off the mandrel to get a tighter neck.and that it just takes time with the die to really get the feel of what the die is doing.trust me you can feel the die moveing the neck back to specs.you can even feel it better when you deprim the brass first.I can move my necks back to specs with just one to two fingers on all my brass.when I resize 223 brass it just take a nudge with one finger to make the collet work.
yeah one more trick for ya.annealing in some kind of time order with your brass helps alot.
Hondo64d
Well-Known Member
Though the Lee Collet Die directions say to not adjust your press so that it cams over, if you do it correctly, it won't hurt a thing and you will have consistent neck tension since you run the press full stroke every time and won't have to rely on your calibrated arm to be sure you are exerting the same amount of force. Have a look at this:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgHR43TN5Zk]YouTube - Lee Collet Neck Sizing Die Part 2‏[/ame]
John
