Lee neck-dies and Lever Actions? Why not?

CanadianNorth

CanadianNorth

Member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Newfoundland, Canada
hey there,

this is my first post to Canadian Gun Nutz. I have been reloading a few months now, and am thinking about stepping up to some the lee collet dies (neck-resizing dies).

Does anyone out there have much experience with these?

The idea is to improve accuracy, of course. The rifle I want to get the dies for is a Browning 308 lever action.

Heres the catch:
Lee "does not recommend" collet dies for lever actions. Granted, the bullets will be a tight fit to the chamber with only a neck resizing, but I can't understand why that should be such a problem.


Has anyone out there used Lee collet dies with lever actions??????????


Thanks!
 
Guess the action just might not close when you need it to. I think if your hunting, and you check that all the cartriges you may use will cycle than It might be ok. You may or may not notice a difference in accuracy in a lever action with just neck sizing... but it is easyer on brass, and saves time reloading.
 
The reason that full length sizing is recommended for semi-autos & lever actions is because they usually have less "camming" and extracting power than bolt actions.

The BLR design probably eliminates the "camming" concern, but the extraction issue probably still exists. For some reason pulling a bolt straight back has more leverage than relying on a mechanical system to accomplish the same job...

Most die manufacturers produce "full length" "small base" dies to overcome these issues.
 
I have heard of getting custom full length dies made, but whats a full length small base die?

I do a fair bit of target shooting with the BLR, and that is why I was interested in the improved accuracy.

I would assume that lee says don't use them because they don't want to get their pants sued off - but is there really any danger in using these dies?
I would assume that most rifles wouldn't fire if the round isn't chambered (I haven't exaclty TRIED to create those conditions, so I don't know).
 
I've not used them, but I have partial resized for years withthe 30-30, with no issues. The '94 Winchester has enough squeeze in my hands to seat the tight ones.
Extraction of unfired brass is no big deal with the tapered 30-30 case. Might be with say a 308 in another rifle such as the BLR.
Extraction after firing will only be an issue if the load is too hot.
If you intend to use neck sized cartridges for hunting, run every round through the action before you go out. It might cost you the trophy of a lifetime.
 
I have always full length sized lever action rounds for guaranteed chambering and extraction...if anything i would go with small base dies or shim shell holder w/full length......with a levergun, sometimes you can chamber a round and all looks well but...if the cart. isn't completely home(and you might not know this) it will not fire...The action will seemingly close tight, but it wont fire, just because of a thou or two, and you just lost the trophy of a lifetime!
 
I did a little research,

here is what RCBS says about hand-loaded rounds that will not chamber:

When setting up the full length sizer die, screw the die down until it touches the shell holder at the top of the press stroke. Then lower the shell holder and screw the die down about 1/8 to 1/4 turn. You will feel a slight thump as the leverage system cams over center. Size the case and again check it in the chamber. Size a couple more cases and check in the chamber. If these cases chamber, go ahead and size and load the rest of the cases

http://www.rcbs.com/default.asp?menu=1&s1=7&s2=18&s3=132

They go on to talk about the small base dies:

The Small Base Die set is intended for use for ammunition to be used in auto, semi-auto, and lever action rifles so that the loaded round chambers and extracts easily. The Small Base Sizer Die sizes the case from the shoulder to the head of the case a couple of thousandths smaller than a Full Length Sizer Die. In certain calibers it also sets the shoulder of the case back a thousandth or two more than the Full Length Sizer Die. The Full Length Die Set or Neck Die Set is not normally recommended for ammo to be used in auto, semi-auto, or lever action rifles.
 
well,

I have decided to give the neck resizer die a try.

I already have the full lenght dies, so if the neck-die gives me too much trouble I will hawk-it on ebay.


I'll post again when I test it.
 
I have neck sized with lee collet dies for my BLR in 257 Roberts when I am loading rounds for varmints and small game but I FLR my deer loads.
As of yet I have not had any problems with the neck sized loads. I will admit that I do not use any loads over the listed loads in any manual for this rifle.
257 Roberts
 
Hitzy said:
Neck sizing is over rated for accuracy gains.......flame on!
Click to expand...
No flame, I'll agree with you... but only for some rifles.
Some rifles benefit greatly from neck sizing.
In my personal rifles, it's most notable in my SMLE's. I have two that benefit nicely, and one ( a Minty barreled KIWI made model) that shoots so well I can't really see a difference.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom