Problem with Lee Resizing Dies

Doug2500

Doug2500

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Hi guys. I'm just getting into reloading, and have had a problem with the Lee dies I bought.

When I went to resize the first casing, the depriming rod pull out of the die, and ended up in the casing. I managed to loosen the nut at the top that holds the rod and get the rod back in place, then I tightened it down really good and everything seems ok now.

My concern is this happend to me twice, with two different dies. Is this a common occurance with the dies from the factory, or am I doing something wrong? The casings were all lubed, including the inside of the case mouth.
 
I consider that a design fault with Lee dies. Having to squeeze it so tight, is a far inferior method of holding the decapping rod, as compared to all the other makes.
 
H4831 said:
I consider that a design fault with Lee dies. Having to squeeze it so tight, is a far inferior method of holding the decapping rod, as compared to all the other makes.
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The whole point of this "design fault" is so that the decapping rod doesn't break when it encounters a hard-to-remove ie:crimped in primer.

Snug the collet down tight and there will be no more problems.
 
Take it down and degrease it completely before putting it back on. Put a drop of oil ONLY on the threads before tightening with two wrenches.
An advantage with Lee dies is when you manage to get a brass stuck inside: just loosen the decapping rod and pound on its end with a plastic mallet; it will dislodge the stuck brass.
PP.
 
PerversPépère said:
Take it down and degrease it completely before putting it back on. Put a drop of oil ONLY on the threads before tightening with two wrenches.
An advantage with Lee dies is when you manage to get a brass stuck inside: just loosen the decapping rod and pound on its end with a plastic mallet; it will dislodge the stuck brass.
PP.
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X2 I had the same problem a couple of months ago. Degreased the parts and it works like a charm.
 
Actually had this happen tonight with with a new set of .308 lee dies. had to pull the collet, reinsert casing with the stuck mandrel inside, tighten down and pull. It worked and I haven't had an issue (45 rds since then).
 
After a lot of use, you may find that it is no longer possible to tighten the collet enough to hold the decapping rod. When this has happened, I took it apart and re-cut the slot in the collet to give it more room to clamp down.

Hugh
 
It is not a design fault, neither a weakness. It is Lee's standard anti-fool protection. You could have known it if you had read Lee's book. The cases you deprimed - were they military ones?
 
hugh manuell said:
After a lot of use, you may find that it is no longer possible to tighten the collet enough to hold the decapping rod. When this has happened, I took it apart and re-cut the slot in the collet to give it more room to clamp down.

Hugh
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How the heck can you wear out the decapping rod??
I mean do you adjust it every time:confused:
I have Lee dies that I set the rod, locked it down & haven't touched it again for 20 yrs!!

Note to OP: just tighten the de-cap rod nut tighter!

Lee dies are cheap dies that don't have all the fancy milling etc. but how the heck can you beat $24 or so for a brand new set of dies that will service a gun that maybe only gets shot occasionally or even rarely!
Granted I buy quality dies for my guns that get shot a lot or I'm looking for extreme accuracy but I have a number of cheap Lee's that have done the job just fine for yrs on end.
 
Geoff B said:
X2 I had the same problem a couple of months ago. Degreased the parts and it works like a charm.
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X 3. I took the mandrel part off, cut off the stuck case with a dremel, and reassembled and properly tightened collet.

I also switched to the Hornady One Shot lube (was using the Lee Tube that came with kit), and this works much better. Loaded a couple of hundred rounds since without any issue whatsoever.
 
mihasic said:
It is not a design fault, neither a weakness. It is Lee's standard anti-fool protection. You could have known it if you had read Lee's book. The cases you deprimed - were they military ones?
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No, they weren't military cases, and I did read the part about the rod pushing up and out if it gets overstressed. The problem was it pulled out as the case was being lowered, which is what seemed weird to me.
 
senior said:
How the heck can you wear out the decapping rod??
I mean do you adjust it every time:confused:
I have Lee dies that I set the rod, locked it down & haven't touched it again for 20 yrs!!

Note to OP: just tighten the de-cap rod nut tighter!



The decapping rod does not wear out. What happens after many times of tightening down the collet, the collet itself either wears or deforms so that when you tighten it the gap between the two halves is closed before there is enough friction on the rod to hold it. In that case, opening up the gap will give it new life.

Hugh
Click to expand...
 
hugh manuell said:
The decapping rod does not wear out. What happens after many times of tightening down the collet, the collet itself either wears or deforms so that when you tighten it the gap between the two halves is closed before there is enough friction on the rod to hold it. In that case, opening up the gap will give it new life.

Hugh
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The question is still
Why in heck are you tightning & loosening the collet so many times?
Set it & leave it.
 
For best results with Lee dies: a) Remove from press
b) Insert into waste basket
c) order proper dies from Redding or Forster, or RCBS
 
ben hunchak said:
For best results with Lee dies: a) Remove from press
b) Insert into waste basket
c) order proper dies from Redding or Forster, or RCBS
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Laugh2:puke:

Another waste of bandwidth comment, completely irrelevant to the OP's question. OP needed help with his Lee dies. Above reply is totally uncalled for and sarcastic.

The anti-Lee bigot strikes again!

Definition of BIGOT:
a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices
 
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Very relevant actually, 45 years of reloading and shooting DAILY has taught me what equipment works and what doesn't and for heavy reloading and/or precision Lee doesn't cut it. People buy it because it is cheap, period, but with reloading equipment it is a false saving in the end.
 
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