lcd neck sizing die ?

[rebs]

I have the Lee LCD neck sizing die and have found I get a more precise sizing with it. It also appears to be removing the donut in Lapua 223 brass. Also after using the neck sizing die I run the brass through a body sizing die.
What are your experiences with this die ?

 

[Murray Brook]

I've been using the LCD along with the Redding body die for years. Loads the straightest ammo I ever made and doesn't over work the brass. You can also use different mandrels for different neck interference fit.

 

[6Creed73]

I love the LCD and have one for every caliber. I body size first with a bushing die without the bushing, then do the neck with the LCD.

I get the lowest ES/SD with this method. Especially compared to using a bushing...I've completely abandoned using bushings.

 

[chop house]

roh roh... now you've opened the box again. next thing you know we will be arguing discussing whether perfectly straight loads are required

 

[Rocketvapor]

I use the Redding Body Die, followed by a Modified LCD 223 die (old style shortened about 0.040") to size 6mm HAGAR brass to 22 NOSGAR.
Neck diameter going through .223/5.56 Body Die touches the 6mm neck. See shiny on middle case.
Comes out about 0.260".

 

[Conaso]

I've used the Redding Type-S Bushing Die (without expander) and Redding Titanium and SAC bushings (to be tested). I've also tried the Redding Body with the Lee LCD for neck sizing - .002". Need to test the SAC but so far I do not see any significant difference.

 

[rebs]

does it make any difference if you neck size first or body size first

 

[Rocketvapor]

I'm sure there are opinions, but which operation Body or Neck sizing gives the best chance of a concentric bullet seating?
Maybe do that one last.

 

[Murray Brook]

What I have found is that if you body size first bumping your shoulder these dimensions can change when you use the LCD. What I found is that your shoulder bump ( on some cases-not all ) can change up to .001 when you use the LCD last so what I do is use the LCD first then the body die last JME

 

[Rocketvapor]

I'll have to try it and see if shoulder moves any at all with mine.
The LCD collect touches the shell holder with the case free to float inside.
No contact or pressure is applied to body or shoulder. The collet squeezes the neck.
Lots of body/shoulder clearance inside. Case just sits there.
If the cases are long then maybe collet is touching the shoulder.
Could this be an issue with AI type cases in a standard die?
Or a shaved shell holder pushing the case up further into the die?
You could set the shell holder/case/and collet on the table to see if the collet is riding on the shoulder.

I use the .223 die with a larger diameter case that still fits (22 Nosler).
I did have to shave the bottom of the 'old style' .223 collet to size the entire neck of the 22N.
30 degree shoulder (60 degree total included angle) of the 22N still doesn't touch 223/5.56 collet.

If the collet is sticking, any resistance felt seating the die, then pressure could be applied to shoulder with neck dragging on collet.

 

[SeabeeKen]

I use the collet die on my AI cases with no issues. I do the same with the crimp die also no issues

 

[Rocketvapor]

Since the design change (2018/2019) the collet contact doesn't reach the end of the neck.
Can't modify new style for my 22N cases as the neck is longer than 5.56.
Modified a 22-250 LCD by shaving the bottom.


Worked it down, checked, worked a little more, etc.

 

[Murray Brook]

Not sure if I explained it well in my first post. What I noticed with my cases was that after bumping the shoulder my usual .002 and then using the LCD that some ( not all 1/5 ) would have a slight resistance upon bolt closure. Took a while for me to figure out what was going on, but it led me to check shoulder bump after using the LCD and found that appx 1/5 cases the bump had lengthened by .0005-.001. JME

 

[Rocketvapor]

Shortened cases or less /shortened bump (base to datum lengthened) caused slight resistance upon bolt closure?

 

[Murray Brook]

My .002 bump went to .001 after using the LCD last or if one was .0015 it would go to .0005. Posted it wrong in my last post. Will correct

 

[Rocketvapor]

Sounds odd. But whichever way gets the best precision is what matters.
What happens to bump when you chamber with body sized only case and skip LCD?

 

[Murray Brook]

If I use only the body die I get my usual .002-.0025 bump but still need the neck somehow sized. It didn't matter much to me to do the LCD first then the body die.

 

[Murray Brook]

I know what you mean when you say it is odd, but I can imagine that squeezing the neck could somehow move the shoulder a little. What do you think could cause this.

 

[Rocketvapor]

If the LCD moved the shoulder when squishing down the neck I would think any movement of the shoulder would be inward and increase bump.
To decrease bump (lengthen case) would be due to drag?
You get a "Click" when removing case from the LCD?

 

[Murray Brook]

I just done a very informal test. I took some old 22/250 cases I had and measured the shoulder bump with my Hornady comparator. I then very very gently squeezed the neck a little without touching the shoulder and the bump changed.