Lee collet dies question

I'm wondering if the size of the Ammomaster has lessened the amount of "feel", and NO I haven't tried once fired brass yet. Been raining for a week now :mad:


sc







 
mysticplayer said:
wobbles, I would apply more force and move the die a couple more turns.

This is a very basic tool so there is little to go wrong.
Click to expand...

Considering that I'm seeing flex in the shaft of my lee Challenger press I doubt any more force should be applied. Maybe the collet dies should be left for a more formidable press.
 
I've used lee Colletts on the mini rockchucker and now my Lee classic cast (much better press IMHO) They work slicker than owl #### and no lube. If you're having problems with these dies it's most likely your fault. So stop, sit back and RTFI.
 
Here are two things I do that help when usingg a collet die.

First, I strike a mark on the top with a screw driver on the cap , this gives me an accurate indicator when turning the die.
I also buff the inside of the collet lightly with 600 grit wet and dry.
This helps to keep the collet from sticking.

I also smoke the neck of a test brass to see just how far down the neck the collet is squeezing it. This, coupled with a vernier gets you to where you want to go as far as neck tension goes.

Annealing helps immensely, a Maystic already stated.
Cat
 
wobbles, have you ever measured your mandrel? The odds are slim but with cartridges being so close together, maybe you have another mandrel in your die.

My guess is either something is sticking (collet not moving, slots in collet not cut/clogged), or brass is rock hard.

I use the Challenger press with my collet dies and on occasion do put enough pressure to move the press A BIT. You need some force, but not enough to become superman.

There are always more traditional dies to go to if this one is too complicated.

Jerry
 
The mandrel is .220. I took it apart just now and noticed that the machine marks on the collet are quite rough. I'm wondering if I am getting some binding in there requiring more force to overcome. The Challenger isn't the most powerful press out there.

I'll try to get pics of what I'm talking about.

I'm still going to use my method with the full length dies and neck sizing. I get consistent results with it and I like to stick with what works
 
collet dies

I understand that the "contact" point, from which 1 turn further is prescribed, is actually the point at which the "end-float" is taken out of the collet body. This can be felt by pushing up on the bottom of the die. There is some play or "float". With the ram up, screw in the die until this float is taken out and then drop the ram and turn die in 1 turn more. I'm not sure this is well understood, as the instructions are very vague on this point.
 
I have blown the threads out of a new .222 rem collet die by not following instructions. I put it in my Hornady press and when the double link arm tripped over the ram just kept going up and stripped out the threads with a bang! THEN I read directions and the cautions against doing just that. Wholesale Sports in Saskatoon was good enough to replace the die, so I was lucky they provide such good service.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom