Collett Dies — Worth Using?

[Link]

These are new to me. Who uses them for br and who doesn't?
Can you tell me why?
ty Don

 

[std7mag]

I'm assuming you mean the Lee neck sizing collet dies.
But we all know what happens when I do that.

I used to use them for a few cartridges, but those were used for hunting.

I've since changed to the solid full length sizing dies.

I'm not aware of anyone using them to load for Benchrest.

 

[Link]

I'm assuming you mean the Lee neck sizing collet dies.
But we all know what happens when I do that.

I used to use them for a few cartridges, but those were used for hunting.

I've since changed to the solid full length sizing dies.

I'm not aware of anyone using them to load for Benchrest.

Yes maybe that's why I didn't know what they are. ;]
Ok thanks

 

[243winxb]

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.

 

[ELR LVR]

Supposedly guys that use them, insist they keep the neck straight
or straigten the neck by force so to speak (Think Bullet runout)
The collet squeezes the neck against a mandrel (rod) so basically swages the neck straight and to size
its a cheaper alternative to bushing dies, or an Expander Mandrel
I dont think theres anything wrong with the idea but like 243winxb said, takes more force to work the collet

 

[Link]

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

I tested a collet die for my 243win. Took 20 pounds pressure on my Rock Chuker 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.

That's all I have ever seen is the type S. I load 3 different calibers w them.

 

[Fuj]

I'm not aware of anyone using them to load for Benchrest.

I'm always the odd man out.....LOL. Ammo is straight as can be
and tensions after annealing is why I do not use bushing dies
any more on my cats. Been shooting a good bit of high ones
with the current one I'm working on. This particular collet die
is the older version that does the whole neck, and I do my own
custom mandrels.

 

[Rat Rifle]

I'm always the odd man out.....LOL. Ammo is straight as can be
and tensions after annealing is why I do not use bushing dies
any more on my cats. Been shooting a good bit of high ones
with the current one I'm working on. This particular collet die
is the older version that does the whole neck, and I do my own
custom mandrels.

Your not THAT odd Fuj

 

[Murray Brook]

Been using the LCD for my 3 PPC's and 2 BR's. Great die, very easy to use and gives you a very straight case neck when using good brass. Requires little press pressure to operate. As with any new process there is a very short learning curve. When used with a good seater die your run-out will be somewhere about .001. It will give you the same #'s as dies 10X the price. JME
I use these along with a body die (Redding) to size the body and set the shoulder bump.

 

[Fast14riot]

Its what I use for F/Open long range. I really like it, consistent seating pressure, I use the old design collet only and get the entire neck sized.

 

[bsekf]

No need for lube and you don't overwork your brass.

 

[jepp2]

Big fan of collet dies. As mentioned, my preference is for the earlier ones that size the entire neck, but nothing wrong with the newer ones. I body size my brass for my shoulder bump, and neck size using the collet.

They are very handy as they can handle brass other than the designated ones. For example I can neck size the AI versions in the parent brass die. And I size my 6.5 PRC brass necks using a 6.5 Creedmor die and a grade 8 washer.

They are inexpensive and work well IF you follow their directions. Too many folks don't and strip the top cap threads. Some folks believe you must follow the Valentine write up. I never found that to be necessary. Maybe I'm kind of like @Fuji

 

[Laurie]

I use these along with a body die (Redding) to size the body and set the shoulder bump.

Snap! The combination works very well. You don't need to size the case body even, if loading for a gunsmith cut match chamber. The Forster Bushing-Bump die (without the bushing) bumps the shoulder and IME cases chamber and extract as well as if FL sized over multiple firings.

 

[Rat Rifle]

There You go Guys, letting the secret out

 

[6BRA]

They are a step above normal box store reloading dies. But there are several better ways. Been there done that.

 

[Murray Brook]

The Forster Bushing-Bump die (without the bushing) bumps the shoulder and IME cases chamber and extract as well as if FL sized over multiple firings.

TKS. Good to know. Will give this a try.

 

[PeaShooter]

They are a step above normal box store reloading dies. But there are several better ways. Been there done that.

I use the SAC mandrel dies and I think they work great. I hate paying for them but seems to work okay. One thing I don't like is over working the brass to go under the size you want by a few thousands only to have the mandrel open the neck back up for final size. You also have to add in your spring back. You also have to lube the necks but I use graphite which is easy (but messy) to use. I like knowing that brass concentricity is dead on (using a Präzipress 120 press) and my final size is based on the inside mouth of the brass. Just like anything else there are a ton of ways to skin a cat but this is my way. I used to use Harrold's custom dies. That system worked really well for me for years. Now Calvin (my brother) is using the Harold's dies. He kind of took over my old dies when I moved over to SAC.

 

[charlie b]

I've used the Lee collet dies since they came out. I have found if I run hot loads I still have to size the body every 3 or 4 times. Lee will make custom mandrels if you want less neck tension. I don't find the force needed any more than a full length die.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

I used Lee back in the day because of my budget. I did use the collet dies on several cartridges. I had no issues with them. As these were my first dies when I took on reloading, groups shrunk immensely! Getting back into the varmint scene I already have bought Lee dies again for my handguns.

 

[Murray Brook]

I've used the Lee collet dies since they came out. I have found if I run hot loads I still have to size the body every 3 or 4 times. Lee will make custom mandrels if you want less neck tension. I don't find the force needed any more than a full length die.

What I do is purchase several standard ones (mandrels), chuck them up in a drill and polish/sand down to the size I want. JME