I have never been a fan of LEE products, but these collet/mandrel dies really sound like they are worth looking at. So having never bought LEE products, my question is where is the best place to order some of these dies? Price is always a concern, of course, but inventory is of greater concern to me.....
Lee Collet Dies?
- Thread starter c-fbmi
- Start date
I use them on a variety of calibers/ cartridges. There is a wide range that they offer and will custom make one if you want.
The custom is ~$150 the off the shelf ones are ~$50.
Some people have trouble setting them up and Youtube videos, at least some of them, complicate the easy.
Mandrels can be purchased in different sizes to custom tune neck tension or if you want it smaller just machine a thou or two off the supplied mandrel.
They don't leave a donut like bushing dies can/do, neck thickness is not an issue as you are squeezing the neck against the mandrel, any imperfections are on the outside of the neck as opposed to the inside like a bushing die, your ammo will be straighter.
A lot of target handloaders just use the collet die and a body die and micro seater.
The weird part of it is they are so cheap people think they're junk or a gimmick....not so.
The only thing I do is clean up the out side of the actual collet with emery or crocus cloth and put a small amount of grease where the collet is squeezed.
Makes neck sizing and decapping a breeze no lube required.
Occasionally the shoulders have to bumped back but that's about it.
Higgison is a Lee dealer http://www.higginsonpowders.com/images/Lee_Precision_2016.pdf also WSS as them sometimes.
You like them.
The custom is ~$150 the off the shelf ones are ~$50.
Some people have trouble setting them up and Youtube videos, at least some of them, complicate the easy.
Mandrels can be purchased in different sizes to custom tune neck tension or if you want it smaller just machine a thou or two off the supplied mandrel.
They don't leave a donut like bushing dies can/do, neck thickness is not an issue as you are squeezing the neck against the mandrel, any imperfections are on the outside of the neck as opposed to the inside like a bushing die, your ammo will be straighter.
A lot of target handloaders just use the collet die and a body die and micro seater.
The weird part of it is they are so cheap people think they're junk or a gimmick....not so.
The only thing I do is clean up the out side of the actual collet with emery or crocus cloth and put a small amount of grease where the collet is squeezed.
Makes neck sizing and decapping a breeze no lube required.
Occasionally the shoulders have to bumped back but that's about it.
Higgison is a Lee dealer http://www.higginsonpowders.com/images/Lee_Precision_2016.pdf also WSS as them sometimes.
You like them.
- Location
- Nova Scotia
I use and like them, Budget Shooter Supply, form sponsor should be able to help you out.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
My favorite way to size a case neck. Simple and it works.
problems that some may run into... this is a mechanical die... the shellholder moves the collet which squeezes the neck onto a mandrel. You have to set the press lever to make solid contact well before the lever gets to the bottom. You cannot oversize but you will need to lean on the handle a bit to cause the physical actions to take place.
You will actually feel the neck give when it sizes. Those who say the collet doesn't work are not applying enough force OR, necks are too work hardened (hint, hint... one of the dies great advantages)
Cheaper, in many cases, then a single neck bushing.
Jerry
problems that some may run into... this is a mechanical die... the shellholder moves the collet which squeezes the neck onto a mandrel. You have to set the press lever to make solid contact well before the lever gets to the bottom. You cannot oversize but you will need to lean on the handle a bit to cause the physical actions to take place.
You will actually feel the neck give when it sizes. Those who say the collet doesn't work are not applying enough force OR, necks are too work hardened (hint, hint... one of the dies great advantages)
Cheaper, in many cases, then a single neck bushing.
Jerry
I could never make myself like the Lee collet dies..................
I tried applying the correct amount of force but the duct tape and string kept ripping.
(duct tape and torque wrench humor)
I'll take a Forster full length benchrest die over the Lee collet die any day of the week.
I tried applying the correct amount of force but the duct tape and string kept ripping.
(duct tape and torque wrench humor)
I'll take a Forster full length benchrest die over the Lee collet die any day of the week.
i thought i would try my first lee neck size die. had lots and lots of trouble, kept crushing the 308 cases. looked at all the video's, kept crushing cases. was about to throw it out when i thought i would try one more thing. i sanded down the internal parts to make everything smooth, then cleaned off all the parts. now it works like a dream. lee prducts IMO are made ruff at best, but they do work.
I use them too. One nice thing about them is that if you have an Ackley Improved caliber, the regular collet neck sizer for that caliber will probably work just fine. I can easily feel the enck squeeze down and hit the mandrel. I sometimes polish the mandrel with emery paper to make the neck a bit tighter.
Dunno Douglas.............me thinks sticking a red bawx in ahmungst them greeneries izz gonna start a revolt.
Next time you yewse a RCBS, yer gonna git a stuck case like yew've never s'perienced.
Jest a few werds oh cawshun.................me thinks.
Next time you yewse a RCBS, yer gonna git a stuck case like yew've never s'perienced.
Jest a few werds oh cawshun.................me thinks.
I've used Lee collet dies for many years. I've never had to deburr them, nor clean one. Never had any trouble with them. They are especially good for my herd of .303 British. I've used one a lot in 30-30 as well. Not sure, but I don't recall crushing any cases. 
One of the early lessons I learned when using Lyman and RCBS dies was to toss the dinky little recapping pin and decap with a Lee decapper tool, the manual type. I can do that and inspect the case in the process.
One of the early lessons I learned when using Lyman and RCBS dies was to toss the dinky little recapping pin and decap with a Lee decapper tool, the manual type. I can do that and inspect the case in the process.
Leatherstocking
CGN Regular
- Location
- BC Rockies
BUCKLED SHOULDERS
If your Collet Die buckles the case shoulder, it is due to the collet being closed and the case cannot enter. This is caused by closing the press without a case in the die and/or the die adjust- ed too deeply. Remove the collet from the die and spring it open. It is
the collet is open.
best done by pushing a tapered drift punch into the collet neck. If none available, use the round shank of a Phillips head screw driver to pry the collet open. Cases that have been excessively annealed into the shoulder area may buckle even though
Above is a quote from Lee instructions.
If your Collet Die buckles the case shoulder, it is due to the collet being closed and the case cannot enter. This is caused by closing the press without a case in the die and/or the die adjust- ed too deeply. Remove the collet from the die and spring it open. It is
the collet is open.
best done by pushing a tapered drift punch into the collet neck. If none available, use the round shank of a Phillips head screw driver to pry the collet open. Cases that have been excessively annealed into the shoulder area may buckle even though
Above is a quote from Lee instructions.
sharp shooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Essex county (Ontario)
I have had good luck with the one that I have for my 204 Ruger.
