Neck sizing with lee collet die ??? help please

Mobeasto

Mobeasto

Regular
Rating - 100%
3   0   0
Hi there, For the first time I wanted to try the neck sizing In a way of saving time and try to get a bit more of accuracy.. I'm doing this for my tikka t3
30-06 reloading 168 tsx.. and h4350.

So here I am .. I tought I was doing ok but doesn't look like it.. I installed the Neck sizing die as they recommended in the instructions.. touching the shell holder and 1 turn more and for more accuracy 1/4 turn more as they say..
I put the already fired brass in the die the primer come off and I push as much ( actually I'm almost standing on the lever) as I can on the lever to be sure it is correctly sized When I try to enter a bullet in the neck by hand It is impossible like It were ok.. But when I put the bullet seating die now come the problem ... I put the bullet in the neck and push the lever there is little to no resistance on the bullet after it is in the neck.. and I can move the bullet by hand once it is in the collet... What am I doing wrong ??

I tried with another collet die (I had 2) the result is the same... loose bullet..

Help please Ì have about 25 brass done like this and I'm about to get them in the trash can..

David
 
Go ahead and screw the die in another 1/8th of a turn at a time untill you get a neck inside diameter of about .306". You should not have to exert more than about 20 lbs pressure on the handle. also make sure the collet is not stuck up into the die. Over pressure on the handle will cause the aluminum cap of the die to strip out.
Give this a try and let us know how you are making out.
I use these dies exclusively and they are super!

Thunder
 
I tried to screw it in more and more ... I get .306 but as soon I put the Tsx it is get loose .. If I push ahrd on the bullet only wiht my hand I still can push it farther..

I'm pretty messed up with that !!
 
You could screw it in more but I doubt you will get much more out of it. .002" should be enough tension for the bullet. Myself, I crimp all my loads with the Lee factory crimp die. Once .002" is achieved, the bullet will actually try to resize the neck and it is very poor at doing that. You should not be able to move the bullet with a two finger grip. Of course everybodys finger strength is not the same either. Again, if you have .002" interference fit you should be fine.

Thunder
 
I like this set-up method better than the Lee instructions. Works very well and just makes sense to me.

You just have to be careful not to take it too far or you can pop the top cap out of the die, as was mentioned above.

OP, if this set-up method doesn't do the trick for you, you may have to polish the mandrel down to get the amount of sizing you require.


[youtube]MgHR43TN5Zk[/youtube]
 
It finally worked... I made a new bench for my press today so in that way the pressure I put on the lver is not use to bend the bench and goes directly in the die.. I went about 1 turn and a half on the die on the bullet Is fine I think. I think it is not as thight as when I use full lenght die but Hold perfectly with no move at all.. I think that the fact I try to neck size nickel brass just put some more work to do ( I like them for my hunting brass).. But with normal Brass I'm more than perfect.. I will see tomorrow the result when I'll go to the range.. I will give you some news on it.

Thanks again guys
David
 
I was about ready to toss my 308 win collet die in the garbage after the first fifteen minutes of trying to use it.

A bunch of internet research later, I learned that you HAVE TO anneal your case necks, HAVE TO sand down the mandrel considerably (way more than the instructions state) and HAVE TO neck size twice (once, then back out and turn brass 1/3 turn and redo).

Then the thing works, even though your necks are not quite as tight as I would really like.

A pretty good product, but LEE needs to be really clear about the caveats of this die, and they really are not.

So many guys think they bought a broken one it's not funny...
 
I chucked my mandrel in a drill and used sandpaper to take about .002 off the mandrel. Works with a very
slight overcam of the press now.
 
CyaN1de said:
I chucked my mandrel in a drill and used sandpaper to take about .002 off the mandrel. Works with a very
slight overcam of the press now.
Click to expand...

I have done the same in the past for a few cartridges I use these dies with and have had good results. Mine needed more modifications than just that though :(. The ones I still have are all steel now with the help from the shop welder and some time.
 
I have been lucky. None of the three Lee collet dies I use have required any sanding. Perhaps its the superior Lee challenger press I load on. :D:stirthepot2::D
 
Finally got to the range today with great result.. Speed and grouping seem to be consistant... So I think I'm a good way.. Thanks guys for you inputs..

David
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom