newbie question regarding Lee 8X57 Mauser set

Okay. I was wrong. I took another look at the pics and see the problem. I have never seen in person nor used a die like that, at least not a LEE die. I DID have some brass, PPU, that DID have a small primer hole.

As posters above have said, lube the inside of the neck a tiny wee bit, tiny wee being the key words.
 
I use 2 wrenches to assemble/disassemble these dies, tight for me if when it won't go any tighter. I've never had a pin pull out, even as tight as I can make it, and they still push up/out if I stick a berdan case in by mistake.
I always polish the expanders, chuck in a drill with polishing compound on a rag for a few mins.
 
Well - As suggested, lubing the inside of the case neck is essential, particularly for thick brass like PPU. Also, if the decapping rod is not positioned properly height-wise within the die (too low or too high) theres gonna be trouble. Lee gives guidance in this matter, cant recall off-hand.
 
Hitzy said:
I use 2 wrenches to assemble/disassemble these dies, tight for me if when it won't go any tighter. I've never had a pin pull out, even as tight as I can make it, and they still push up/out if I stick a berdan case in by mistake.
I always polish the expanders, chuck in a drill with polishing compound on a rag for a few mins.
Click to expand...

I will try polish that, fine steel wool do the job?
 
cosmic said:
Well - As suggested, lubing the inside of the case neck is essential, particularly for thick brass like PPU. Also, if the decapping rod is not positioned properly height-wise within the die (too low or too high) theres gonna be trouble. Lee gives guidance in this matter, cant recall off-hand.
Click to expand...

Agreed!
 
Hornady and Lee dies are not my first choice. 90% of my 8x57 are made from 3006 brass. The vent hole on the lee die makes a deep scratch on the shoulder. Never had a size issue with the decap pin.
 
IronCanadian said:
polishing the expander can make a huge difference, definitely need lube on the inside of the case neck.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Right now I will not take it off since it is super tight and the aluminum collet will get compressed everytime I tighten it. I will however polish it once it was pulled off again...
 
remove the decapping pin and degrease the shaft and the mounting hole. Then reassemble with the 2 wrenchs and use as you have been
 
RE: your update - I have several brands of dies here - so far as I know, only LEE uses the collet to hold the expander shaft - the others here - RCBS, Lyman, Bonanza, etc, all are threaded - so more "solid", but also, less "forgiving" of user error - set up has to be correct - follow the instructions. Each seems to have a different shape to the actual expander ball - depending what you are wanting to do, can make a difference - I like the Lee's long taper, or the Hornady elliptical shape, for forming one brass size into a different brass size. However, I have loaded literally thousands of rounds with the RCBS dies - almost no issues at all, unless operator error in setting them up - usually get something bent or broke - then look at instructions and pretty apparent to me what I did wrong.

I can't help any more about the slipping that you are getting with the Lee collet system - it has its advantages, but maybe you have found its weaknesses??
 
Potashminer said:
RE: your update - I have several brands of dies here - so far as I know, only LEE uses the collet to hold the expander shaft - the others here - RCBS, Lyman, Bonanza, etc, all are threaded - so more "solid", but also, less "forgiving" of user error - set up has to be correct - follow the instructions. Each seems to have a different shape to the actual expander ball - depending what you are wanting to do, can make a difference - I like the Lee's long taper, or the Hornady elliptical shape, for forming one brass size into a different brass size. However, I have loaded literally thousands of rounds with the RCBS dies - almost no issues at all, unless operator error in setting them up - usually get something bent or broke - then look at instructions and pretty apparent to me what I did wrong.

I can't help any more about the slipping that you are getting with the Lee collet system - it has its advantages, but maybe you have found its weaknesses??
Click to expand...

I understand it is a designed feature, but I think the collect needs to be steel not alumium, now I am able to tighten the collect and prevent the pin from slipping, but like I mentioned, the collect was compressed to a smaller size due to the nature of the material, and it is turned all the way to the end, if now the pin slips again I will not be able to tighten it again.
 
My nickels worth (since pennies are gone.)
I would order a new collet, the one you have is wrecked. I have several Lee dies (as well as others). I've never had one that was tightened up to the point it was all the way in.
Have fun reloading, it's a great hobby.
 
Burton Urnie said:
My nickels worth (since pennies are gone.)
I would order a new collet, the one you have is wrecked. I have several Lee dies (as well as others). I've never had one that was tightened up to the point it was all the way in.
Have fun reloading, it's a great hobby.
Click to expand...

Glad I ordered on Amazon. I just return it and get a new set!
 
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