• This Forum is for adults 18 years of age or over. By continuing to use this Forum you are confirming that you are 18 or older. No content shall be viewed by any person under 18 in California.

Collet Die Questions

Hengehold

Silver $$ Contributor
Is there such a thing as a full length collet die?

I currently use redding type-S FL dies with neck bushings but am considering the use of a collet die. As far as I can tell, the collet dies are just neck sizing dies and a separate die must be used if I want to FL size the case. Is this correct?

Thanks,

Trevor
 
It is correct, but, because the collet die addresses the case at right angles to the neck, it doesn't distort the case at all. I have found that virtually all other dies, standard & bushing tend to compress or stretch case during normal function, except when using bushing dies with neck turned cases in BR style chambers.
 
When I load 22 Hornets for my Contender Carbine I use a Lee Collet Neck sizing die and about every three loadings I will run the brass thru a Redding body die. I don't touch the shoulder. The logic here is to use the shoulder to center the cartridge in the chamber . This is supposed to give better accuracy/ repeatability. This has worked well for my Hornet. I also use a Factory Crimp Die as well. In the past I did not Crimp but I am of the opinion a lite Crimp is an advantage for sporting ammo.
 
When I load 22 Hornets for my Contender Carbine I use a Lee Collet Neck sizing die and about every three loadings I will run the brass thru a Redding body die. I don't touch the shoulder. The logic here is to use the shoulder to center the cartridge in the chamber . This is supposed to give better accuracy/ repeatability. This has worked well for my Hornet. I also use a Factory Crimp Die as well. In the past I did not Crimp but I am of the opinion a lite Crimp is an advantage for sporting ammo.
+1 This takes more time but is very kind to brass and very accurate in my F-Class rifles.
 
somewhat along the same lines, my question is: i use a Lee collet die for neck sizing and a Redding body die to bump the shoulders. i do this every firing. is there any consensus as to the order of the sizing, ie, do the necks first with the collet die and then the shoulders or vice versa? or does it matter?
 
Is there such a thing as a full length collet die?

I currently use redding type-S FL dies with neck bushings but am considering the use of a collet die. As far as I can tell, the collet dies are just neck sizing dies and a separate die must be used if I want to FL size the case. Is this correct?

Thanks,

Trevor

Haven't seen one yet but I have seen a "Roll Forming Tool/Machine" that reforms the entire case, including rolling out any dings in the extractor groove. Works by literally rolling the case between two plates, machined to the same profile as a new case, and forces all material back where it started, including "rolling" out any nicks or distortions in the extractor groove. Motorized, with an auto case feeder, it can size 900 or so cases per hour. Have a custom chamber and want to maintain dimensions in the body? Have the plates milled or adjusted accordingly.
 

Upgrades & Donations

This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.


Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.

You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.


To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.

Forum statistics

Threads
166,617
Messages
2,222,192
Members
79,759
Latest member
PaleoBones
Back
Top