Lee Neck sizer collet die change
- Thread starter Lead hammer
- Start date
The modification to the Lee collet die is not the end of the world. Below is a Lyman type "M" expander for the .223, the second step is slightly larger than the bullet diameter. This aids straight inline seating reducing bullet runout and can be used with jacketed or cast bullets. And a taper crimp or a slight standard crimp will reduce the case mouth diameter and aid feeding.
Many pistol dies now have the type "M" expander because the Lyman patent expired. I have two Redding pistol dies with this type of expander.
Below you can see how this type of expander allows the bullet to start straight and not be tilted during seating. And I have a Lyman type "M" expander for all my pistol and rifle calibers.
RIFLE NECK EXPANDING M DIES
https://www.lymanproducts.com/rifle-neck-expanding-m-dies
Improves accuracy of cast and jacketed bullet reloads. Doesn't stretch cases as does standard expander button. Extends case life. A "Must-Have" die for the cast bullet or flat-base bullet user.
The first step expands the inside of the case neck to just under bullet diameter for precise case neck tension in the finished reload.
The second step expands the case mouth to bullet diameter or slightly over. This allows the jacketed or cast bullet to be started perfectly centered in the case mouth and properly aligned with the axis of the case neck.
Many pistol dies now have the type "M" expander because the Lyman patent expired. I have two Redding pistol dies with this type of expander.
Below you can see how this type of expander allows the bullet to start straight and not be tilted during seating. And I have a Lyman type "M" expander for all my pistol and rifle calibers.
RIFLE NECK EXPANDING M DIES
https://www.lymanproducts.com/rifle-neck-expanding-m-dies
Improves accuracy of cast and jacketed bullet reloads. Doesn't stretch cases as does standard expander button. Extends case life. A "Must-Have" die for the cast bullet or flat-base bullet user.
The first step expands the inside of the case neck to just under bullet diameter for precise case neck tension in the finished reload.
The second step expands the case mouth to bullet diameter or slightly over. This allows the jacketed or cast bullet to be started perfectly centered in the case mouth and properly aligned with the axis of the case neck.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Well, someone listened to the wrong person...
oh well, got what I need and a spare.
Hopefully, a big enough drop in sales will bring some sense back to this ... or they can just make 2 types of collets. One for jacketed... one for cast
Jerry
oh well, got what I need and a spare.
Hopefully, a big enough drop in sales will bring some sense back to this ... or they can just make 2 types of collets. One for jacketed... one for cast
Jerry
The modification to the Lee collet die is not the end of the world. Below is a Lyman type "M" expander for the .223, the second step is slightly larger than the bullet diameter. This aids straight inline seating reducing bullet runout and can be used with jacketed or cast bullets. And a taper crimp or a slight standard crimp will reduce the case mouth diameter and aid feeding.
Many pistol dies now have the type "M" expander because the Lyman patent expired. I have two Redding pistol dies with this type of expander.
Below you can see how this type of expander allows the bullet to start straight and not be tilted during seating. And I have a Lyman type "M" expander for all my pistol and rifle calibers.
RIFLE NECK EXPANDING M DIES
https://www.lymanproducts.com/rifle-neck-expanding-m-dies
Improves accuracy of cast and jacketed bullet reloads. Doesn't stretch cases as does standard expander button. Extends case life. A "Must-Have" die for the cast bullet or flat-base bullet user.
The first step expands the inside of the case neck to just under bullet diameter for precise case neck tension in the finished reload.
The second step expands the case mouth to bullet diameter or slightly over. This allows the jacketed or cast bullet to be started perfectly centered in the case mouth and properly aligned with the axis of the case neck.
Ya, but try and find one in stock anywhere.
Auggie D.
I just got around to neck sizing some 6mm CM with one of those new short collet dies, works fine, the flare disappeared as soon as a bullet was seated, also keeps bullets very centered on the case when seating, not sure if improvement or not, but doesn't seem like any kind of an issue.
Good point Hitzy, makes me wonder if the unsized mouth is bullet diameter. Meaning the case mouth after bullet seating is the same diameter lower down the neck.
As you said the case mouth flare disappeared after bullet seating. Even if it does not close all the way, a taper crimp die could be used to bump the mouth closed.
Lee Collet Dies
https://leeprecision.com/reloading-dies/rifle-dies/lee-collet-dies/
New for 2020
If you’re a long-time user of Lee Collet Neck Sizing Die you may notice we have modified the Collet so a small portion of the neck protrudes through the end of the Collet-Sizing portion. This often-requested modification was implemented in 2019.
This change allows the portion of the neck that protrudes above the Collet to remain in its fire formed condition. This provides a natural flare to the case neck allowing easy and concentric seating of bullets. This is especially important when seating cast bullets or low drag coated bullets.
Noted author and cartridge designer M. L. McPherson has suggested this modification for years for its ease of use, better function and improved accuracy.
Lee's collet neck sizing dies are one of the very few things with the name "Lee" on it that has earned a permanent place on my reloading bench and bullet casting nook.
For cast bullet shooting, this change eliminates an additional step after neck sizing using a Lyman M die or (now for me) NOE's most excellent and inexpensive neck expander buttons. For jacketed shooting, as none of my rifles have minimal chambering jobs done on them, the slight flare with my newest collet die doesn't seem to either help or hurt. But I only have one of the new style collet dies, and a sample size of one is pretty meaningless.
For those who feel this change may be a sign that the world is coming to an end, one of the other advantages of the Lee neck collet dies is that you can purchase both undersize and oversize mandrels from Lee for about the price of a hamburger and a soft drink these days. This will allow you to eliminate the dreaded flare at the mouth AND fine tune neck tension at the same time, to see if it makes a difference. I have multiple mandrels for some of my collet dies just for this purpose - including the one that I took down to the point that accuracy started decreasing, which then lead me to order a replacement of the bigger diameter where I got the best results...
https://leeprecision.com/custom-oversized-mandrel.html
$10... cheap like borscht. If you don't want to remove that troublesome flare yourself.
The fly in the ointment (several flies, actually) is that Lee's custom shop has long lead times right now, just like it has occasionally in the past for custom work involving their collet neck dies. I have contacted Lee multiple times over the last year asking for a custom neck collet die for several calibers not on their list; the answer was a polite fo'geddaboutit.
I have no doubt that more than a few replacement mandrels have been made over the years by guys with hobby lathes, or by their friends who have a lathe.
For cast bullet shooting, this change eliminates an additional step after neck sizing using a Lyman M die or (now for me) NOE's most excellent and inexpensive neck expander buttons. For jacketed shooting, as none of my rifles have minimal chambering jobs done on them, the slight flare with my newest collet die doesn't seem to either help or hurt. But I only have one of the new style collet dies, and a sample size of one is pretty meaningless.
For those who feel this change may be a sign that the world is coming to an end, one of the other advantages of the Lee neck collet dies is that you can purchase both undersize and oversize mandrels from Lee for about the price of a hamburger and a soft drink these days. This will allow you to eliminate the dreaded flare at the mouth AND fine tune neck tension at the same time, to see if it makes a difference. I have multiple mandrels for some of my collet dies just for this purpose - including the one that I took down to the point that accuracy started decreasing, which then lead me to order a replacement of the bigger diameter where I got the best results...
https://leeprecision.com/custom-oversized-mandrel.html
$10... cheap like borscht. If you don't want to remove that troublesome flare yourself.
The fly in the ointment (several flies, actually) is that Lee's custom shop has long lead times right now, just like it has occasionally in the past for custom work involving their collet neck dies. I have contacted Lee multiple times over the last year asking for a custom neck collet die for several calibers not on their list; the answer was a polite fo'geddaboutit.
I have no doubt that more than a few replacement mandrels have been made over the years by guys with hobby lathes, or by their friends who have a lathe.
Burton Urnie
Regular
- Location
- Near Woodstock New Brunswick
The die can be manipulated to work. Back the die out BUT drop a 1/2" washer over the brass. The extra thickness added by the washer will engage the collet function before the brass reaches the flare.
I use this step to allow the 308win Lee neck collet die to neck size my 7.5x55 brass
