Lee Collet Die Method -- Rotate Case?

[Lee Whitsel]

Is it a good idea to run your case into the Lee Collet Die and then back it out and turn it 180* and then run it back up into the die again? Like they do with brass cases full length sizing? Will that give you a neck that will be more round and even????

 

[Eagle Six]

If I remember correctly (I'm old) Lee directions say rotate 1/8 -1/4 turn. Just enough to offset the collet splits. However, if it works well for you, why not.

 

[boltman13]

Eagle Six is correct. The old Lee CD's still produce very low numbers for case concentricity for me, doing this.

 

[Lee Whitsel]

Thank you for the thoughts. I never thought that the cheaper brand of loading dies could be so good but it is true. Their 4 die sets are great. God Bless and Happy New Year to all.....

 

[Rocketvapor]

I use a LCD with a polished down mandrel to give me right at 0.002" Grip with a .224 bullet.
I get a little spring back, less with an annealed neck.
I can run the mandrel in several times and get NO touch (by feel).
Does that mean it's pretty concentric?

Rotating almost 90 degrees and almost 180 doesn't align the collet gaps over and over.

 

[Fuj]

I turn my cases very little. maybe only less then 30 degrees.

 

[Tesoro]

Take your die apart and put a case neck in the collet. Then you will understand how much you need to turn the case to get a new crimp in between the first one.
And while at it inspect the lip of the cup the collet fits into with a loupe. Half of them have nicks on the rim which will engrave a gash onto the collet. Easy to fix. Shouldn't have to fix but that is Lee. And while you are at it might as well polish out the nasty machining rings on the mating surfaces!

 

[Fuj]

I'll dust the conical mating surfaces that do the work with just a
touch of Lubri-Plate. Don't need much.

 

[Murray Brook]

I'll dust the conical mating surfaces that do the work with just a
touch of Lubri-Plate. Don't need much.

Good advice. I use lube ( light grease ) on the collet fingers. Does a good job.

 

[SSL]

Good advice. I use lube ( light grease ) on the collet fingers. Does a good job.

Anti-seize does the trick.

 

[jepp2]

And while you are at it might as well polish out the nasty machining rings on the mating surfaces!

For a while they came out really rough, but the last several years the ones I have received were much better.
As bad as this


With some polishing

 

[Fuj]

Now get them hard chromed.

 

[Tesoro]

Now get them hard chromed.

Yes that is my plan. The quality is same crap and before. I just bought some collets and cups to do this with and they were no better. Where does Lee have these made? Their dies are not close to being this badly finished.

 

[Murray Brook]

Keep in mind that the new collets, I believe, don't size the very top of the case neck. Another "improvement" from Lee.

 

[Lee Whitsel]

Thanks for all the great tips you guys gave me....

 

[Tesoro]

Keep in mind that the new collets, I believe, don't size the very top of the case neck. Another "improvement" from Lee.

true. I think they made it that way for cast bullet guys. Dosent matter unless you short short bullets hanging out the end. Which is a % of shooters.

 

[Murray Brook]

It was made that way at the suggestion of some gun writer. I believe his name was McPherson . What I don't like is when you trim your cases. It doesn't work good and turning case necks are impossible, not to mention when loading long you may need every .000 of neck length to make things work. I have to use a washer/shim with collets made this way to get this portion of the neck sized and it adds an extra press stroke.

 

[Tesoro]

It was made that way at the suggestion of some gun writer. I believe his name was McPherson . What I don't like is when you trim your cases. It doesn't work good and turning case necks are impossible. I have to use a washer/shim with collets made this way to get this portion of the neck sized and it adds an extra press stroke.

Huh? trim and turn your necks before you use the die, or am i missing something?. I just did 100 wildcats and finished them off in the lcd after sizing/bump and no issues. 90% of my neck is sized and 60% of my neck is under the bearing surface of bullet, which means 50% or so is grabbing the bullet.

 

[Murray Brook]

I always turn after I fire form my cases, and trimming is after sizing or that is the way I have always done it. I am not aware of any trimmer that works on a fired case I have 6br Norma that need every .000 of neck to keep enough of bullet in the neck to make things work. The new set up just doesn't work for me .

 

[Tesoro]

Why wouldn't a trimmer work on a fired case? It is round as round can be? I use a Wilson.