Lee Collet Neck Sizer Problem

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longleader

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Just bought a Lee Collet Neck Sizer die for my 30-06. After sizing, the bullets aren’t even finger tight. I followed all the instructions as to adjustment for my press (RCBS Rockchucker) etc. It sizes the necks down, but not enough. Any ideas out there? Or should I just take it back if I can?:(
 
Screw it in deep to the shell holder, and sqeeze down on her! it taked about 15-25lbs of pushing down, dont me affraid to lean on her! hope your press is screwed down tight with big bolts.

I went throught the same problem with it.

Yes and if that does not work you may need to polish the inner rod
 
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I have no experience with the Lee collet neck sizer, but based on what I have read about them you need to polish the the rod that neck is formed around to reduce it's diameter a bit. This will allow the collet to further reduce the diameter of the neck. Maybe someone who has some actual experience with this will chime in.
 
I have a few of them with the msame press and they work fine. Make sure to screw the top cap tight. Then with the lever arm completely down, screw it until it touches the shell holder. Put arm up, and then turn the die 1/4 turn in or less, this should give you enough sizing. If not, call Lee for replacement, they should send you one.

cheers
 
i have a collet in 308 and does require a lot of pressure to work. i have never polished mine and it holds the bullets very tight.
 
Stripped cap thread

'Boo said:
............... and wear your safety glasses for when that P.O.S. aluminum cap strips it's threads and blows out the top.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's what happened to mine. Anyone know if that cap is a stock part from LEE?
 
For my lee collet 223 die I find I need to screw it in another 1 and 1/3 turns further than where it stops at the shellholder. I didn't need to turn down the mandrel, and I don't need to push down super-hard. My redding big boss II makes it easy to feel when you've fully raised the ram.

EDIT: Just to clarify, stopping at the shellholder means when the movable part on the bottom just begins to touch the shellholder.
 
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RTFI, and read 'em slow, understand how the die uses a sleeve to slide over and squeeze the "fingers'" . Lee also advises on how to adjust when using non Lee brands of press .
 
Thanks for the ideas.

According to the instructions from Lee - for the Lee press you are supposed to screw the die in until it contacts the shell holder, then one more turn. Then a minimum of 25 lbs. push on the lever. Mr. Lee must be a big man. I don’t know if I would get a uniform result when guessing at a push of well over 25 pounds.

Other brands of presses which go over center at the end of the stroke are supposed to require that the die be turned in two full turns after contact, to avoid damage to the die.

Well, I did read TFI. Many times. But I could be missing something. I didn’t polish the mandrel yet, maybe I should try that. Also a custom sized mandrel can be ordered for $5. Another option. But, well, it is supposed to work as it comes from the factory.

So…..rather than turning my house over on its roof pushing on the press handle, I decided instead to risk sacrificing the die by taking advantage of the power at the very end of the stroke on my press. I started where it would go over center quite easily with a case in, then turned the die in a bit at a time until the neck will hold a bullet, about ¾ of a turn after contact. Gave those aluminum threads a good test. No hole in the ceiling yet. :rolleyes:
 
your press shouldn't go over centre with a collet die, it's all about the feel. Sounds like you're on the right track. I use them from 223 to 375 hh, love 'em.
 
savagefan said:
your press shouldn't go over centre with a collet die, it's all about the feel. Sounds like you're on the right track. I use them from 223 to 375 hh, love 'em.
Click to expand...

But I like how going over centre gets you a repeatable amount of pressure. The whole reason I broke my Lee press is because I couldn't tell how much pressure was enough for the collet die and I wanted to make sure all the brass got sized.

Would it be a viable option to experiment with how far the die needs to be turned in (using over centre mode) to size the neck well, and run with that?
 
The instructions caution against it. I use a Lee classic press now but used to have a RCBS which I would adjust so it wouldn't cam over. It takes a little getting used to but patience will reward you, you don't have to kill the case and after so much pressure, squeezing more won't make the bullet fit any tighter.
 
Well, I took and carefully polished the mandrel down a bit, think I have it pretty uniform. Then adjusted the press back to where Lee recommends. Looks like it’s going to work ok, with a little practice I’ll get the feel for it. If this goes good, I think I’ll get one for my .270 as well, it’s pretty slick not to have to lube, and then clean the lube off after sizing. If it lengthens the time between neck trimming as well, that’ll really be a bonus.

Yup, those caps only engage about 2 threads. But maybe that’s the “safety fuse”, to prevent collet damage. Or collateral damage….

Thanks again for the comments and help.
 
Not to be a smart ass, but only because i have screwed up so many times and really I have over the years. Just some friendly advice! but what do I know!
Dont neck size you 270 hunting loads LOL!
I did 2 times in a row, to find out the bolt would not close on but 5 0ut of 50 rounds in the flat.
I find with hight pressure loads you can get away with neck sizing 2-3 times than you have to full size anyway.
And hard bolt lifts in the fiels reallt really suck!
Cheers
P.S if you do take them, to before you load them and after you neck size them chamber each round you plan on taking to the field after neck sizing.
 
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agent_mango said:
Would it be a viable option to experiment with how far the die needs to be turned in (using over centre mode) to size the neck well, and run with that?
Click to expand...

Yes, that's basically what I did;
"I started where it would go over center quite easily with a case in, then turned the die in a bit at a time until the neck will hold a bullet, about ¾ of a turn after contact."

But,only problem is, I’m judging by the end result - I really don’t know what kind of pressure I’m putting on the collet in the process.
 
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