Lee neck die not resizing

Boltcarrier

Boltcarrier

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Hi, I bought a Lee set of dies from CGN and the set looks quite new but the neck die does not seem to work in that when i push the whole case in , nothing happens, the case comes back out and the neck is not resized, i can put the bullet in and out of the neck before putting the case into the die and the same after.

i took the whole neck resizing die apart and everything looks ok, and in good order, i tried screwing it turns a few times more but still not working.

the case just goes in and out without anything happening.

please advise, thx
 
When you say Lee neck die, I'm assuming that you are referring to the Collet Die.

I've used them in noth RCBS Rock chucker and a Forster Co-Ax presses.
The set up the die for both presses is the same... bring the ram to the top...thread the die down until it touches the the shell plate.... then give it another 1/8 to 1/3 of a turn more.

What kind of press are your using ?

The only issue that I ever had with them is the I first time used one for 223 Rem I had issues with it sometimes sticking (internally) in the compressed position. When it did this (and I didn't uncompress the die) , then the next case I feed into the die would get mashed at the shoulder. Completely ruined the case.
I took fine grit sandpaper and smoothed off the machining marks on the contact points of the upper and lower internal parts.... solved that problem.
 
Munkey1973 said:
When you say Lee neck die, I'm assuming that you are referring to the Collet Die.

I've used them in noth RCBS Rock chucker and a Forster Co-Ax presses.
The set up the die for both presses is the same... bring the ram to the top...thread the die down until it touches the the shell plate.... then give it another 1/8 to 1/3 of a turn more.

What kind of press are your using ?

The only issue that I ever had with them is the I first time used one for 223 Rem I had issues with it sometimes sticking (internally) in the compressed position. When it did this (and I didn't uncompress the die) , then the next case I feed into the die would get mashed at the shoulder. Completely ruined the case.
I took fine grit sandpaper and smoothed off the machining marks on the contact points of the upper and lower internal parts.... solved that problem.
Click to expand...

collet die squeeze neck (2)ssss.jpg


i did exactly what you did, ie turn until it touches the seating die and then i tried 3/4 turn and 1.75 turns. but nothing engages, the case just went in and out without any resizing.

i use a Lee 4 hole turret press
 

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  • collet die squeeze neck (2)ssss.jpg
    collet die squeeze neck (2)ssss.jpg
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If a case is not inside the die and the collet is pressed closed the jaws of the collet will close up. And when the collet jaws have been forced inward a case will not slide inside the collet and around the mandril. There is a warning in the instructions to not force the collet closed without a case in the die.

Disassemble the die and use a tapered punch to spread the collet jaws apart slightly. You spread the jaws apart until a case can slide up the mandril between the collet jaws and the mandril.

Don't ask me how I know this, but you are not the first person to have this problem.

So again my guess is the collet jaws have closed up and need to be spread apart. This will make clearance between the mandril and collet jaws and allow the collet jaws to reduce the neck diameter when sizing.

How to Neck-Size Cases with LEE Collet Die
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2018/10/how-to-neck-size-cases-with-lee-collet-die/
 
I think lee recommends 20 lbs pressure for annealled brass. over do it and you will squeeze 4 channels into the brass. best use for the lee collet is concentricity. size your brass fl. press the collet without brass will bend the fingers and jam the die.
 
Boltcarrier said:
there's no pressure required since the whole case goes in without force.
Click to expand...

The ram pushes on the Collet in the die to squeeze the neck, you have to use some force to size it, and preferably hold it for a few seconds. The case will go in with no effort, it's the Collet squeeze that does the sizing, so you have to push down on your handle for this to happen.
 
Boltcarrier said:
there's no pressure required since the whole case goes in without force.
Click to expand...

There is a chance since you bought the die set used, the wrong collet die was placed in the die box.

What is the mandril diameter and is it approximately .001 smaller than bullet diameter.

Do not discount operator error and die setup.

97% of all aircraft accidents are caused by human error and only 3% are from mechanical failures. Meaning check the die and your die setup and find out WHY the neck is not being sized. Do not take this the wrong way but you are the only one with the die in your hands and the rest of us are just guessing what the problem is.

Take the die apart and see if the case neck will fit inside the jaws of the collet. Many times the collet die needs to be deburred and polished and lubed to make the collet jaws close properly.
 
Last edited:
As stated, the shell holder pushes the sleeve sticking out of the die up into the die. The case will slide right up into the die with no force until the shell holder makes contact. In most sizing dies the sizing would be complete at that point but with the Lee collet dies it is just about to start. If you set the die up according to the instructions then you should get sizing action as you begin pushing the collet up into the die.
 
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