Lee Ultimate Lock Rings

The idea is they are good for tight places on turret type presses.
For me they are a pain, since I have 100+ dies with the hex nut and only a few new Lee dies with these. Now I need two tools on the bench to tighten/loosen the dies. I just switch them out onto dies I don't use.
 
I would like to try a set. They seem to have the advantage of a rubber o-ring that allows the die to "float" along with the advantage of being able to lock the die adjustment. Something you couldn't do with their old die rings.
 
hunters home said:
I would like to try a set. They seem to have the advantage of a rubber o-ring that allows the die to "float" along with the advantage of being able to lock the die adjustment. Something you couldn't do with their old die rings.
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking too.
 
Chilly807 said:
I've got the non-split version on a set of Lee dies I just bought. Pain in the a** because the dies don't come with the wrench for the nuts.
Click to expand...

That would be a PITA. I'm looking to replace my old Lee rings so at least the wrench would be included. with the new ones.
 
hunters home said:
I would like to try a set. They seem to have the advantage of a rubber o-ring that allows the die to "float" along with the advantage of being able to lock the die adjustment. Something you couldn't do with their old die rings.
Click to expand...

I'm of the opposite opinion, I don't want my dies to "float". I want to set them and then lock them to the tool heads...no movement after setting. I use a lot of Lee dies and have removed every rubber o-ring from the locking nuts...they turn easily and lock tight enough easily, mostly I just finger tighten but sometimes will use pair of "opened" pliers.
 
hunters home said:
I would like to try a set. They seem to have the advantage of a rubber o-ring that allows the die to "float" along with the advantage of being able to lock the die adjustment. Something you couldn't do with their old die rings.
Click to expand...

I use the lee lock ring on all my dies and as stated above the o-ring allows the die to float and self center in the press. With the slop in the threads you can lock the die down off center and tilted. Any time your die is not making hard contact with the shell holder during die setup you can lock the die down off center in the threads. My old No.9 Speer reloading manual has a section on setting up your dies before the o-ring method. And the o-ring along with Redding competition shell holders will make very concentric cases. Meaning their shell holders not only control the amount of shoulder bump, but they also push upward on the die making it self center in the press threads.

In the old speer manual, you are told to place a lubed case in the shell holder and size a case with the lock ring loose and not locked down and center the die in the threads. Then with the ram still at full extension and pushing up on the die you then tighten the dies lock ring. The problem with this method is you must use feeler gauges to adjust the amount of shoulder bump while pushing up on the die. And with the Redding competition shell holders all you do is change shell holders to adjust the amount of bump And all the Redding shell holders will push upward on the die and allow it to sellf center with the rubber o-ring.

7FfXhJ7.jpg


Go with the “O” — O-Rings May Reduce Run-Out When Sizing
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2020/06/go-with-the-o-o-rings-may-reduce-run-out-when-sizing/

Simple test, start your sizing die into your press and stop before the lock ring contacts the press. Now wiggle the die and watch the movement of the die and you will understand how the die can be locked down off center in the press threads. Also, note the Forster Co Ax press allows the die to float for a reason.

Adding the rubber o-ring turns your press into a Co Ax press with its floating dies, which allows them to self center when the case enters the die.

coaxrex1501.jpg


Also note that the Forster dies have a high-mounted floating expander that does not pull the case necks off center. The case neck is held and centered in the neck of the die when the expander enters the case neck. So floating dies and expanders produce very concentric cases along with Forster seating dies.

CzNnpuh.jpg
 
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