Collet Die

I just looked at two here - Lee Collet Neck Sizer - one for 223 Rem and one for 243 Win - seem to operate by the shell holder pressing on a sleeve that is forced up - then the fingers inside forced together to close - to squish the neck around a mandrel - so length of the case seems pretty crucial, if you want to squish the entire neck length?? I can not say that I have played much with them - but I intend to trim the sleeve on a similar Lee Factory Crimp Die to be able to close up the necks on 9.3x57 - is a 9.3x62 die that I am starting from - not yet 100% sure that is going to work or not - why it is not done yet.
 
I don't need to re-form the entire neck, just about 3/4 of it. I know the amount of neck sizing is adjustable, but the question is can another caliber (same diameter) do the job?
 
I have caliber-specific Lee collet dies for 3 different calibers/cartridges and really like using them. I get excellent results. I too have often wondered the same thing about them possibly working on another cartridge of the same caliber, but never tried it.

If your other 6mm case body diameter fits into the .243 Win collet die collet sleeve, it might work. I am not sure if the shoulder angle fit (case to collet) is critical to making the collet squeeze as the case is pressed upward? If not, then the case only needs to be long enough to be raised high enough inside the the collet to push the collet fingers enough distance into the squeezer thing for your 3/4 neck squeeze without the shell holder stopping on the shell holder.

If the case is too short, it might not have enough travel upwards before the shell holder stops the progress. So I am thinking its worth a try, and maybe use a marker on the case neck which could show how much of the neck was contacted by the collet.

The Lee instructions for the collet die warns about cam-over presses that can damage the die, which might be a problem with a shorter case than the dies was designed for. But the instructions look like they have a work-around solution to those presses, link here: https://leeprecision.com/files/instruct/RM3512.pdf

I have a Lee collet die for .260 Rem (a 6.5/.264 caliber). When I bought my 6.5x47L, which is a shorter case, it does fit into the collet, and I wondered if I could use this collet die for the 6.5x47?.....but that cartridge is made with a small rifle primer and smaller flash hole diameter, and the decapping pin for the .260Rem die is larger for large rifle primers and flash holes, and will not fit the smaller flash hole size.

I decap off press, but I don't want to mess with the decapping pin diameter (by turning it down), because it is essential for a snug fit to provide minimum runnout for the mandrel. Unfortunately for me, Lee does not make a collet die for the 6.5x47L. In theory, I might be able to modify a 6.5CM collet die decapping pin to work with the 6.5x47L case. A potential future project perhaps...........
 
The 2nd case has to be a the same length neck or shorter, and the cartridge has to be same length to the shoulder or shorter, and it should work fine.
 
Terry Perkins said:
I don't need to re-form the entire neck, just about 3/4 of it. I know the amount of neck sizing is adjustable, but the question is can another caliber (same diameter) do the job?
Click to expand...

You will need to shorten the inner sleeve and possibly the outer sleeve to put the collet on the neck. The 6XC is 'shorter' vs the 243 Win

Test to make sure the decapping/mandrel doesn't bottom in the case... you might be better off using a 6mm Creedmoor collet neck die

Jerry
 
Biologist said:
I have caliber-specific Lee collet dies for 3 different calibers/cartridges and really like using them. I get excellent results. I too have often wondered the same thing about them possibly working on another cartridge of the same caliber, but never tried it.

If your other 6mm case body diameter fits into the .243 Win collet die collet sleeve, it might work. I am not sure if the shoulder angle fit (case to collet) is critical to making the collet squeeze as the case is pressed upward? If not, then the case only needs to be long enough to be raised high enough inside the the collet to push the collet fingers enough distance into the squeezer thing for your 3/4 neck squeeze without the shell holder stopping on the shell holder.

If the case is too short, it might not have enough travel upwards before the shell holder stops the progress. So I am thinking its worth a try, and maybe use a marker on the case neck which could show how much of the neck was contacted by the collet.

The Lee instructions for the collet die warns about cam-over presses that can damage the die, which might be a problem with a shorter case than the dies was designed for. But the instructions look like they have a work-around solution to those presses, link here: https://leeprecision.com/files/instruct/RM3512.pdf

I have a Lee collet die for .260 Rem (a 6.5/.264 caliber). When I bought my 6.5x47L, which is a shorter case, it does fit into the collet, and I wondered if I could use this collet die for the 6.5x47?.....but that cartridge is made with a small rifle primer and smaller flash hole diameter, and the decapping pin for the .260Rem die is larger for large rifle primers and flash holes, and will not fit the smaller flash hole size.

I decap off press, but I don't want to mess with the decapping pin diameter (by turning it down), because it is essential for a snug fit to provide minimum runnout for the mandrel. Unfortunately for me, Lee does not make a collet die for the 6.5x47L. In theory, I might be able to modify a 6.5CM collet die decapping pin to work with the 6.5x47L case. A potential future project perhaps...........
Click to expand...

I use the same 308win collet neck die with the pin modified for SR in both LR and SR Lapua brass. No issues at all.

For the much shorter 6.5X47L, I would worry that the decap rod/mandrel will bottom out in the case. Far easier to use a short collet neck die with a longer case... then a spacer on the shellholder.

If you are handy with a lathe, you can order addn mandrels and just modify to suit (if Lee doesn't make what you want)

Jerry
 
Mystic Precision said:
I use the same 308win collet neck die with the pin modified for SR in both LR and SR Lapua brass. No issues at all.

For the much shorter 6.5X47L, I would worry that the decap rod/mandrel will bottom out in the case. Far easier to use a short collet neck die with a longer case... then a spacer on the shellholder.

If you are handy with a lathe, you can order addn mandrels and just modify to suit (if Lee doesn't make what you want)

Jerry
Click to expand...

Thanks Jerry! Good idea. And yes, I forgot about the mandrel bottoming out on the shorter case. I will look into possibilities for what I can do with mods. I am getting by OK with my Redding neck sizing bushing die for the 6.5x47L. But it involves an extra lube step for the neck and then a clean, (I don't have the Ti nitride bushings), so it would be great to get the good old Lee collet neck sizing die working for the 6.5x47L with no lube required.
 
Mystic Precision said:
There is a 6.5 Grendel collet die set now... no idea if the 6.5X47L case will fit but easier to open up the sleeve then modding mandrels.

but maybe Lee has these as a custom part????

Jerry
Click to expand...

Good idea! I was not aware Lee has added the 6.5 Grendel to their die sets, so that is good news.

I just checked Lee Precision's website for the custom work page, and it looks like they recently updated it and are now again taking custom die orders, which is good news! Last time I checked which was several months ago they had an announcement on the webpage stating they were not taking any custom orders until further notice. So it looks like they are back at full steam again which is great.

Lee's webpage for custom Collet Necksizing Dies appears to be open for business, where you can send in fire-formed brass and they will make a custom collet die. (They have a cartridge list of dies they cannot make, but the ones we have been discussing are not on it). So for the OP, this looks like you have a custom option now.
Link: https://leeprecision.com/custom-collet-necksizing-die-set.html

I may follow up with Lee and see if they can make me a 6.5x47L collet neck sizing die.
 
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