Collett Dies — Worth Using?

[Homerange]

https://support.leeprecision.net/en/knowledgebase

I tested a collet die for my 243win. Took 20 pounds pressure on my Rock Chucer handle, to size a neck, using Lee instructions.

To much work to just size a neck.

All that is needed to size, is a Redding Type S fl Bushing Sizing die. A a few bushing.

Setting to allow a cam over benefits neck tension consistency with the Valentine method:

Post in thread '"Lee Collet Die" Experience'

Oct 15, 2015

Try setting your die up this way:

Using The Lee Collet Die.
I started using Lee collet dies when they first came on the market and have found that they are very good for the purposes for which they were designed .
I have found that there is a lack of understanding of how to use the die properly and as a result people fail to see the advantages that the die can deliver over standard neck sizing dies.
This is not the fault of the product , it is just a lack of understanding of how the die works and what it will feel like when you operate the press correctly.
Standard dies use a neck...

• JohnKielly

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[Chris Edmondson]

I'm a fan of Lee collet dies, if nothing else it lets me converge on the desired neck tension fast without having to buy a bunch of bushings and/or mandrels.

Since I always have pin gages handy, I'll use those to size necks with the LCD, then when I find the size I'm after, I can have Lee make me a custom one for $5. I simply remove the die's mandrel and reassemble the die without it. Then slip a pin gauge in the case and size it. 9/10 times I can hand pull the pin gage, if not I'll pull it with a collet puller. The collet doesn't care what it squeezes .

Here's an example with a 6mm BR case and a 0.241" pin gage:

 

[LCazador]

It's no different than any other neck sizer maybe cheaper of course. Neck sizing ammo has never produced better accuracy for me. Then there's the issue that it may get you into a " no function" situation and for me that's not acceptable. If the no function happens in a hunting situation or in a match it negates any amount of money that I may have saved.

 

[charlie b]

I can't remember any time I had a no function using the collet die. The first sign of issues with hot loads is a sticky extraction. Cases still come out, just not as easy.

It is different than any other neck sizer, which is why many use them. Not really about saving money. The function is a combination of an expanding mandrel and a sizer in one operation that puts no longitudinal stress on the case.

FWIW, even when full length sizing, I run the cases through the collet die.

 

[Homerange]

It's no different than any other neck sizer maybe cheaper of course. Neck sizing ammo has never produced better accuracy for me. Then there's the issue that it may get you into a " no function" situation and for me that's not acceptable. If the no function happens in a hunting situation or in a match it negates any amount of money that I may have saved.

Discussion is of the LCD not just any neck sizer where the LCD greatest benefit is half the working of the neck brass giving a longer case life and if you need anneal, the need to do it less often.

Tight chambering to the point of not being able to close the bolt can be an issue but monitoring this can have you load using the LCD with confidence especially in the smaller calibers where the camming forces on the bolt lugs are only minor and when you keep them lubed, no problem.

I've loaded fairly hot loads in 223 with only Hornady brass for many years and never had a load that wouldn't chamber......although now with two 223's I need now keep brass separated as their chambers are quite different....something that would not be required if I FLS but I value case life more.

 

[Murray Brook]

I find my LCD's work best when combined with a Redding body die. The body die sizes the case body and sets your desired shoulder bump. This way there are no chambering or extraction problems.

 

[SKWERLZ]

Lee collets with a good body die is my favorite combination.
I’ve ever modified collets to make 7SAUM and 338 edge collets.