LEE Collet or Redding Comp Neck Die
- Thread starter IH8120
- Start date
paperslayer
Regular
- Location
- Chilliwack
if you want ultimate accuracy, yes. It gives you precise control over neck tension. if you are using a factory rifle, may not be worth the expense.
First buy quality brass (Norma, Lapua). Lee collet for neck tension control and very good runout potential if you neck turn to ensure concentricity is maximized. Spend the extra money saved to purchase a Redding comp seater to top things off when your done fiddling with the brass. In my experience runout can be managed down to fractions of a thou with such a recipe. Concentric rounds offer the best potential for your barrel whether it is factory or custom precision barrel. But whether you can see a difference at the range is up to your abilities.
paperslayer
Regular
- Location
- Chilliwack
no Norma or Lapua for 7RM and Collet dies are not good for managing neck tension unless you can change the diameter of the mandrel. Bushing dies are better for that.
Agreed, if you want more or less tension beyond what the standard die is able to do then you will need a precision ground mandrel (or precision ground bushings).
But you can customize neck tension with lee collet dies by running the die down a little at a time just until a bullet will not drop into the neck. Understand that the die is pressing the brass between metal fingers and a precision mandrel. If your brass is not concentric or evenly annealed the die will not correct a problem. And this is why you must ensure the brass is properly prepared to tweek out any gains in concentricity or neck tension.
Once you get to that point of just holding the bullet then adjust the die in a bit more (ie 1/10 of a turn) and you will have very little neck tension holding the bullet in the cartridge. Lower the die to add more tension to a point where you are comfortable it will not move under firing in a magazine (for a hunting rifle). Yes, this is not precise. But the practice is manageable and repeatable if you stick with the same cartridge base and mark your die/press to return it to the setting.
BTW...Just googled Norma and they make 7mm Rem Mag brass (I'll bet its pricey tho). Sizing 300wm lapua (if you can find it) to 7mm RM would be do-able but well into wildcatting territory and would certainly require neck turning. IMO, Start with concentric brass and you will get concentric ammo regardless of brand of dies or brass. Maintenence of neck tension will require annealing over the life time of the brass. I find this is something forgotten from time to time when you start feeling the seating process is inconsitent between cases. Hope this helps in some way...Lots to remember when creating perfection.
But you can customize neck tension with lee collet dies by running the die down a little at a time just until a bullet will not drop into the neck. Understand that the die is pressing the brass between metal fingers and a precision mandrel. If your brass is not concentric or evenly annealed the die will not correct a problem. And this is why you must ensure the brass is properly prepared to tweek out any gains in concentricity or neck tension.
Once you get to that point of just holding the bullet then adjust the die in a bit more (ie 1/10 of a turn) and you will have very little neck tension holding the bullet in the cartridge. Lower the die to add more tension to a point where you are comfortable it will not move under firing in a magazine (for a hunting rifle). Yes, this is not precise. But the practice is manageable and repeatable if you stick with the same cartridge base and mark your die/press to return it to the setting.
BTW...Just googled Norma and they make 7mm Rem Mag brass (I'll bet its pricey tho). Sizing 300wm lapua (if you can find it) to 7mm RM would be do-able but well into wildcatting territory and would certainly require neck turning. IMO, Start with concentric brass and you will get concentric ammo regardless of brand of dies or brass. Maintenence of neck tension will require annealing over the life time of the brass. I find this is something forgotten from time to time when you start feeling the seating process is inconsitent between cases. Hope this helps in some way...Lots to remember when creating perfection.
Last edited:
paperslayer
Regular
- Location
- Chilliwack
Bushing are sold to the nearest .001" as a standard; that's as precise as its gonna get (or needs to be). Lapua does not make 300WM brass, and it is best to use a die the way it was intended. The whole neck should be sized to the proper diameter, not just fudging the lips. That is going to result in run-out.
