Neck sizing force

[Proutfoo]

How much force is needed to properly neck size decent quality brass with a Lee collet die?

I am using a hand press, and I am one of the lucky few that has as much muscle power as my sister.

when I adjust the die as they suggest (1.5 turns more than when I contact the shell holder) and I can't close the press! There is about a inch or more to go.

When neck sizing with this die, does the press have to close all the way for the sizing to be correct?

Thanks

 

[PerversPépère]

Presses

You need a stronger press with a greater leverage.
Resizing with a collet die entails much more strength and greater stress applied on a press' structure.
Some have lesser ones failed under such effort.
An RCBS RockChucker or Lee's latest Classic Cast (less $$) can do that job.
PP.

 

[(((Echo)))]

How much force is needed to properly neck size decent quality brass with a Lee collet die?

I am using a hand press, and I am one of the lucky few that has as much muscle power as my sister.

when I adjust the die as they suggest (1.5 turns more than when I contact the shell holder) and I can't close the press! There is about a inch or more to go.

When neck sizing with this die, does the press have to close all the way for the sizing to be correct?

Thanks

Less force than you think you'll need.

Properly adjusted, the press will not close all the way. This is to ensure that the case neck is properly sized. As you're pushing down, you'll feel the press come to a stop. This is the collet just sitting on the sleeve. As you start to push more, the collet is forced into the sleeve and the case neck is crushed against the mandrel. The press will not be closed at the end of this operation.

When I first started doing mine, I was almost lifting the back of my bench off the floor . I thought I needed to push that hard. Now, when I feel the case come to a stop, a firm push and its good to go. There's a decent amount of leverage in your favour using a press. 25 lbs of force goes a long way.

If you can do a push-up (even one from your knees ) you have enough strength.

(E)

PS
I use a Lee Challenger press and it works fine (.223 & 6.5 Swede).

 

[rodagra]

I've found that the collet die doesn't require a lot of force with light brass like 30-30 or 45-70, but a bit more with some magnum stuff. I use Remington nickel exclusively in 25-06 and 300 Wby., and find it takes a lot to get a firm grip. Using a big CH press I push pretty hard, then turn the case 1/4 turn and do it again.
I'm using the nickel with collet dies for incredible case life and no worries about gouging a conventional die with the nickel.

 

[HPL]

It takes less force than you think. I used to really crank on the cases, but I found that you only need moderate force to get it done. If you want experiment, put a case in, use light pressure, take it out and see how a bullet fits in the neck. If it's still as loose as the unformed neck, put the case in and push a little harder and check again.

 

[rodagra]

It takes less force than you think. I used to really crank on the cases, but I found that you only need moderate force to get it done. If you want experiment, put a case in, use light pressure, take it out and see how a bullet fits in the neck. If it's still as loose as the unformed neck, put the case in and push a little harder and check again.

Yup, that's how I found out how much pressure to use. Lee claims it's possible to squeeze your own cannelure in the bullet, but I don't think I'm quite that strong.

A lot depends on the throat in your rifle and the thickness of the brass at the neck, especially when loading brass sized down from a larger caliber. Some rifle/cartridge/calibers need to have the mandrel turned down a couple of thou. to get a good grip.