Lee Collet Die FYI

[Uncle Ed]

The new Lee collet dies no longer size the case mouth, so don't go nuts trying to fix it.

308 neck sizing
https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/308-neck-sizing.241600/

From the Lee website

"If you’re a long-time user of Lee Collet Neck Sizing Die you may notice we have modified the Collet so a small portion of the neck protrudes through the end of the Collet-Sizing portion. This often-requested modification was implemented in 2019.

This change allows the portion of the neck that protrudes above the Collet to remain in its fire formed condition. This provides a natural flare to the case neck allowing easy and concentric seating of bullets. This is especially important when seating cast bullets or low drag coated bullets.

Noted author and cartridge designer M. L. McPherson has suggested this modification for years for its ease of use, better function and improved accuracy."

 

[bozo699]

Always have to fix something not broken!.... I don’t ever neck size and never will it’s silly and counter productive for precision reloading practices!.. but I do like to use the collet die prepping for neck turning but obviously the new ones won’t work for that!.... thanks Ed for sharing.
Wayne

 

[ReedG]

That renders the best neck-sizing die in existence totally useless. For seating lead bullets! Give me a break.

 

[RegionRat]

I would say that is something most of us don’t want and they should have offered it as an option or modification.

 

[dolek]

I agree with the posts above, I hope my "New" .308 die is older stock . This new feature makes no sense to me , and I have never heard a peep about folks asking for it.

 

[46and2]

Just got an extra one last week but haven't used it, you bet I'll be looking at it closely tonight!

 

[Uncle Ed]

I could never make myself like the Lee collet die and preferred Forster full length dies.

Every time I tried to get the same inch pound reading the duct tape would rip and the string would break.

 

[oley55]

I do like to use the collet die prepping for neck turning but obviously the new ones won’t work for that!.... thanks Ed for sharing.
Wayne

^^^exactly^^^

 

[Murray Brook]

For those that still like the old way just use a shim of proper thickness between the shell holder and die to size the portion of the neck not sized by the new collet. Should work. That is what I've been doing with various collet dies to suit other cartridges. JME

 

[RegionRat]

Do any of the folks with one of the ones that are known to have this new flare change, also have an old one with no flare?

I would be curious if the two types of collets show any naked eye differences or if would take close mechanical inspection to detect?

 

[46and2]

Do any of the folks with one of the ones that are known to have this new flare change, also have an old one with no flare?

I would be curious if the two types of collets show any naked eye differences or if would take close mechanical inspection to detect?

new die on left, old collet neck die on right.

 

[46and2]

You can see the mandrel contact area.

 

[RegionRat]

You can see the mandrel contact area.View attachment 1176068

Thanks for the photos. It is very obvious.

I assume they counterbored the top of the collet.

 

[Uncle Ed]

There is a good point to the wider case mouth, it will help reduce bullet runout. Depending on the type seater die and its seater plug the bullet starts straight into the case neck.

Below is a .223 Lyman type "M" expander and with jacketed bullets you bump the case mouth onto the .226 section of the expander. With brass spring back the case mouth is approximately .001 larger than bullet diameter. And you can start the bullets "straight" into the case with just your fingers. And this prevents bullet tilt if the seater plug is not a perfect fit to the bullet.

And if you did not do a perfect job deburring the inside of the case neck it will not scrape or scratch the bullet. I read about using the type "M" expander in a AR15 forum. And they said they were getting less bullet runout when using their progressive press.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Wonder if you have to, or should, use a crimper after seating the bullet.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Silly question - If Collet dies are so good....why don't Redding or Forster make one? ( PS- have been known to use them, I have several.)

 

[ReedG]

The Lee Collet Neck Sizing Dies are the best neck-sizing dies made. It lacks a little quality finishing but the function of it is flawless. The necks can only be straight because of the collet/mandrel system, the inside of the neck is consistently sized for proper neck tension regardless of the neck thickness, and no lube is used. I have no idea why other manufacturers haven't made similar dies unless the system is patented by Lee. I'm either getting too old or been cooped-up too long, but this concept of needing a flared neck to properly seat a jacketed bullet is the most ridiculous thing I've come across lately. I'm a long-time user of Lee products and can only assume they felt some need to modify their die, but I sure am sorry they did. Thanks to 46and2 for the good photos.

 

[46and2]

No problem.

I'm pretty disappointed! I'm going to call lee Monday and ask them for a replacement collet.

 

[Homerange]

I would say that is something most of us don’t want and they should have offered it as an option or modification.

Certainly Lee hasn't made many friends changing their LCD collet to appease a few when as you say a modified collet should have been made available as an option at an inflated price to at least cover the cost of modifying their price lists.
Bean counters at work again, one suspects.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

View attachment 1176067new die on left, old collet neck die on right.

Id be interested to know the difference in length measurement on each side of the neck on that left side case