Lee Collet Neck Sizing Die Questions

[South Pender]

I've recently acquired a used rifle chambered for the 7x61 S&H cartridge. I will also have the usual 3 reloading dies: FL sizer, neck sizer, and seater. The neck sizer is the usual (RCBS) type that pulls the neck over a button. I've found this kind of die less desirable vis-a-vis accuracy, and for most of my cartridges, I've used LE Wilson bushing neck sizers and chamber-type seaters.

However, Wilson doesn't make these dies for the obsolete 7x61 S&H, nor will they make me a custom set. So I'm looking for an alternative neck sizer that will not pull the neck out of alignment and increase runout. I've looked into custom dies and could probably have one made up by Whidden or Neil Jones, but the cost is high and delivery time very slow. Another possibility is the Lee collet neck sizer, which Lee would make up on a custom basis at a pretty reasonable price and relatively short delivery time. You send them 2 fired cases and a projectile, and they go from there.

So my question to all of you experts is: how good is the Lee collet neck sizer at keeping runout low. Evidently, it works by clamping the neck around a mandrel so that the neck is not pulled over a button, and so, at least in theory, it should keep the necks pretty concentric and well-aligned. But does it do so? Anyone with experience with this type of die?

I'd also like to find a straight-line seater like my Wilson seaters, so any suggestions about that would be appreciated too.

Thanks in advance for any advice and suggestions.

 

[Straightshooter1]

What I found is that my .308 Lee Collet Die does not change the necks runout much. Like if the runout is .004 before neck sizing with the die, it's still .004 runout afterwards. The same goes for a starting runout of .0005, like right after the case has been fired.

 

[jepp2]

have one made up by Whidden or Neil Jones, but the cost is high and delivery time very slow.

Whidden moved the heat treating in-house to improve their timing. Maybe they are just too busy?

Another possibility is the Lee collet neck sizer, which Lee would make up on a custom basis at a pretty reasonable price and relatively short delivery time.

I've had Lee make me a few collet dies and seating dies. Normally took around 6-8 weeks. I've never had case neck runout >0.001" when using a collet die. Only my FL sizing dies that I have honed the neck on rival the LCD on runout.

 

[Homerange]

So my question to all of you experts is: how good is the Lee collet neck sizer at keeping runout low. Evidently, it works by clamping the neck around a mandrel so that the neck is not pulled over a button, and so, at least in theory, it should keep the necks pretty concentric and well-aligned. But does it do so? Anyone with experience with this type of die?

What pushed me to using LCD's years ago was the minimal working of brass compared to any conventional die and the removal of the necessity of frequent annealing and in my case I've never bothered with annealing since an early attempt with a soft oxy flame with cases partially submerged in water.

Back to the LCD, when the neck sizing is taking place the mandrel and its primer punch pin are fully inserted into the case so the primer pin helps keep the mandrel perfectly centered but of course presumes the flash holes in your brass are centered too.
There are chaps here that use LCD's as a precursor to neck turning such are their ability to get necks trued.
Lots different to use than an ordinary die but you soon get used to driving them and a pleasure to use without the need for any case lube.

With the S&H you'll also need die to maintain shoulder datum and mods to the existing dies you have may accomplish this.

 

[Ringostar]

Before spending money on a custom die, look if you can use one for 7 Rem mag. I use a 7 x 57 collet die for 284 Win, vs wasting money on a custom.

 

[chromatica]

I use the Lee Collet Die for my 260 Rem loads. The standard mandrel is .262. They also offer a production undersized mandrel of .260. I had Forster make me a custom .261. They turned it around in two weeks. My runout is now .001 to .0015. That's about the same as I get with my Forster custom-honed Full Sizing die.

 

[PopCharlie]

A lot of people like the LCDs. I have 3 sets that I no longer use. I found they did not improve runout or accuracy. I found they did cause "bumps" on the necks that made it impossible to make a runout or thickness measurement. If I adjusted they die to eliminate the bumps, neck tension was not sufficient to hold the bullet. 2 of the sets were custom, 6mm br and 6.5x47L.
Just saying they did not work for me. They work great for a lot of folks. I use Forster dies in a co-ax press now.

 

[Dgd6mm]

PopCharlie, I'll take the 6br if you want to get rid of it.

Don Dunlap

 

[klamathsteel]

I'd be happy to take your 6.5x47 LCD off your hands. Been meaning to call and order one.

 

[D-4297]

I'm another of the LCD users . Three years on 7.62x54r cases when I was learning to load for the Mosin . It greatly improved run-out over a standard off-the-shelf 54r die . And the only reason I stopped using it was I had Whidden make me a custom F/L Bushing die for my Open rifle .....Yes , I do shoot a Mosin-Nagant .308 custom in Open . 199 - 13x , 197 - 11x , 198 -9x . The rifle isn't the problem . The operator is . I do have two other M-N's that I load for using the slightly modified LCD . Just understand that a F/L die will have to be used periodically to Bump the shoulder back , followed by the Collet die to re-align everything . At least that was my experience . Good luck with your project . Let us know how things work out .

 

[bozo699]

South Pender,
I think there dies have there merits I’m a firm believer in F/L sizing but I’ve made some very concentric ammo using a Redding body die and a LCD with that being said like all good things Lee has screwed up there collet dies by shortening the collet to leave the mouth of the case expanded for people shooting cast bullets???????........ anyway if you do go that route tell them you want the old style collet that sizes the entire neck!
Wayne

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You can always have your gunsmith make you a seater die and a bushing neck die from your chamber reamer. Wilson sells the blank seaters and newlon sells bushing blanks

 

[dgeesaman]

A lot of people like the LCDs. I have 3 sets that I no longer use. I found they did not improve runout or accuracy. I found they did cause "bumps" on the necks that made it impossible to make a runout or thickness measurement. If I adjusted they die to eliminate the bumps, neck tension was not sufficient to hold the bullet. 2 of the sets were custom, 6mm br and 6.5x47L.
Just saying they did not work for me. They work great for a lot of folks. I use Forster dies in a co-ax press now.

I keep being reminded to LCD size some brass and have our CMM guy perform a detailed scan of the neck profiles for comparison.

David

 

[Homerange]

A lot of people like the LCDs. I have 3 sets that I no longer use. I found they did not improve runout or accuracy. I found they did cause "bumps" on the necks that made it impossible to make a runout or thickness measurement. If I adjusted they die to eliminate the bumps, neck tension was not sufficient to hold the bullet. 2 of the sets were custom, 6mm br and 6.5x47L.
Just saying they did not work for me. They work great for a lot of folks. I use Forster dies in a co-ax press now.

Undersize mandrels are available from Lee.

 

[boltman13]

I have used Lee Collet Dies in 30-06, 257 Roberts, and 7X57 Mauser hunting rifles with good results, and in 308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor on target rifles. I never measured runout on the hunting rifles but i get aroune 0.001" on the target rifles doing the quarter turn and second pass with the die measured by a Forester device. I shoulder bump before the third resizing with a Redding Body Die. I had no problem selling the 308 and 7X57 dies to someone.