Die Comparison

[Shynloco]

Got a question for the Die Guru's. Does a Lee Collect Neck Sizer Die perform the same function (resizies only the Case Neck) as a Redding Type S Neck Sizer Die? I am not asking to compare the quality of the two dies, only the function. I suspect the Redding model is more versatile because you can vary the Bushing size whereas the Lee Collets are preset to specific size (possible factory specs) as opposed to changing collets that vary by .001 as is the case with Redding/Wilson Bushings. Clarification would be appreciated. Thx!

Alex

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

Got a question for the Die Guru's. Does a Lee Collect Neck Sizer Die perform the same function (resizies only the Case Neck) as a Redding Type S Neck Sizer Die? I am not asking to compare the quality of the two dies, only the function. I suspect the Redding model is more versatile because you can vary the Bushing size whereas the Lee Collets are preset to specific size (possible factory specs) as opposed to changing collets that vary by .001 as is the case with Redding/Wilson Bushings. Clarification would be appreciated. Thx!

Alex

You can get Lee collet die mandrels in any size, and a mandrel is less expensive ($5) than a Wilson bushing. http://leeprecision.com/custom-undersized-mandrel.html

I've only used Lee collet dies (in conjunction with Redding body dies) for hunting rifles, but they do work as advertised. I ordered an undersized mandrel for my .300 WM to get a little more grip on the bullet than the stock mandrel provided.

I prefer a neck-honed FL die or a bushing FL die to the collet die for serious accuracy work, mainly because FL (or body) sizing of some sort is required, and why use 2 dies when 1 will get the whole job done?

 

[Fotheringill]

The Lee uses a mandrel and the collett squeezes the neck against the mandrel. The bushing die squeezes the neck to a peset outside diameter based upon which bushing you use.

Frankly, I like the Lee better and have less runout with it.

 

[Fotheringill]

The Lee will size the entire neck. The Redding bushing die will not. Use a micrometer to check this out. On my .223's, Redding will size down only the top 2/3 or less of the neck.

 

[gotcha]

If you are neck turning your brass you will probably see little difference between the two dies unless there is side play in the bushing used which has been referred to many times in various Posts. ........ If you neck turn OR NOT the mandrel of the LEE die will center the inside of the neck on the case body. This will aid in minimal run-out when you get to the bullet seating step. I've used both dies on my 6BR and using turned brass STILL get less run-out using the LCD and a body die. YES, an extra step with two dies but worth it to me............. Being retired I've got loads of free time

 

[Shynloco]

If you are neck turning your brass you will probably see little difference between the two dies unless there is side play in the bushing used which has been referred to many times in various Posts. ........ If you neck turn OR NOT the mandrel of the LEE die will center the inside of the neck on the case body. This will aid in minimal run-out when you get to the bullet seating step. I've used both dies on my 6BR and using turned brass STILL get less run-out using the LCD and a body die. YES, an extra step with two dies but worth it to me............. Being retired I've got loads of free time

I agree! And what I believe is helping that runout is the "neck turning" of which you speak. Whenever I've bought new brass, I shoot the brass one time and then turn all the necks (however slight) to make sure they are "true" 360 degrees. Even the best of dies cannot correct a deficiency such as even neck thickness no matter the die used. I've just not used a Lee Collet die before and was curious as to what others have used/tried and what works best for them.

Alex

 

[ireload2]

Some long necked rounds like the 6mm Rem have a tapered neck. I found that out with R-P brass in the 6mm. Because of the tapered brass you cannot size the full length of the case neck with the collet neck sizing die. The neck gets sized more next to the shoulder where it is thickest and is sized less or very little toward the case mouth - unless you turn the brass.

Sizing the entire neck is not really needed with a long neck round. Many benchrest and varmit bullets are so short they do not use the full length of the neck.

The Lee will size the entire neck. The Redding bushing die will not. Use a micrometer to check this out. On my .223's, Redding will size down only the top 2/3 or less of the neck.

 

[spclark]

Sizing the entire neck is not really needed with a long neck round.

Indeed not, or with 'conventional' length necks either, for that matter!

I use bushing dies as much because of the opportunity to select which bushing to use for a given case neck dia. as because I've found I don't need to size the entire neck length on the cartridges I shoot for predictable, accurate performance!

Sometimes it's as little as the first 1/16", sometimes as much as 1/8" or more but rarely if ever more than 3/16". The unsized portion still chambers smoothly once reloaded and I believe that portion helps 'center up' the case neck in the chamber as well.

The proverbial 'rat turn in a violin case' body clearance is preserved while the important end is ready for it's job.

 

[jepp2]

I suspect the Redding model is more versatile because you can vary the Bushing size whereas the Lee Collets are preset to specific size (possible factory specs) as opposed to changing collets that vary by .001 as is the case with Redding/Wilson Bushings. Clarification would be appreciated. Thx!

You can buy the Redding S die either as a neck size die, or FL sizing die. With the Redding S die, you can size only a portion of the case neck if you wish.

The Lee collet die produces straighter case necks for me (always less than 0.001" TIR). If you want more neck tension, you can buy an undersize mandrel as mentioned, or you can just spin them in a drill and sand them down to the exact diameter you want. The mild steel can be reduced in diameter quite easily. I also use the Redding body die in conjunction with the LCD for most of my loading.

 

[JohnKielly]

I've use the Lee collet die now for at least 15 years & frankly think that it beats any bushing die hands down unless you're talking about a turned neck in a precision chamber. Anything with a factory or skim neck - Lee.