Lee Collet Die question

[old_heli_logger]

This is my opinion of the Lee Collet Die. CRAP!

I sized 6 new Lapua brass - all OK - but this happened to the 7th.

Also the mandrel was over size.

Try adding some lube to the inside of the neck...

 

[BHP9]

What case are you sizing

6.5 Creedmore.

 

[BHP9]

Can you provide a closer photo of the case?

Just click on the picture and scroll to enlarge.

I am out of the country now.

 

[SeabeeKen]

This is my opinion of the Lee Collet Die. CRAP!

I sized 6 new Lapua brass - all OK - but this happened to the 7th.

Also the mandrel was over size.

Were the case properly annealed? I've never had that happen before with a collet die.

Also, I have used a number of parent cartridges collet dies for ackley improved cases without any issues

 

[Pirate69]

Can you provide a closer photo of the case?

Tried that but could not get the definition that I was looking for. I believe you stated that this was new brass.

 

[charlie b]

This is my opinion of the Lee Collet Die. CRAP!

I sized 6 new Lapua brass - all OK - but this happened to the 7th.

Also the mandrel was over size.

Lapua recommends only running an expander mandrel into the necks of new brass to even out any dings from shipping. I've crushed a few trying to resize new brass using a std FL size die (Forster).

I had a lot of trouble with new 6.5CM Peterson brass with my Howa. Trying to FL resize them resulted in several destroyed cases. I got a Lee collet die and put a long taper on the mandrel. That got me some brass that would chamber, barely. Fireformed and then they would go into the FL size die.

FYI, the mandrel on the Lee collet die does not have a nice gradual taper. It is more of a step. If you use a FL die with an expander ball first it works fine. If you size down the neck too much without an expander it will 'stick' on the mandrel.

 

[ELR LVR]

This is my opinion of the Lee Collet Die. CRAP!

I sized 6 new Lapua brass - all OK - but this happened to the 7th.

Also the mandrel was over size.

at least you know you got good neck tension

 

[Pirate69]

Something is strange here. If this was new brass, the neck does not just snap off when you are only compressing it against a mandrel. The brass should be soft, not brittle. How do you explain this?

 

[BHP9]

Something is strange here. If this was new brass, the neck does not just snap off when you are only compressing it against a mandrel. The brass should be soft, not brittle. How do you explain this?

I can't, 6 went through perfectly but the 7th broke off.

 

[Pirate69]

I can't, 6 went through perfectly but the 7th broke off.

That is what is "strange".

 

[Kyler1985]

Curiosity killed the cat …. Anyway, just ran a 6 GT and 6 CM case up into my 6 ARC collet die, the body diameter fits fine!!

I think you ll be able to neck size your 6 BRA case just fine.

Good luck!

Did you just check the body clearance, or did you size necks with each of those cartridges?

Thinking I’ll grab the 6ARC collet for for dasher neck sizing

 

[Frankm]

Should work fine…. Maybe a spacer to keep 6 BR out of ARC die if necks slightly longer but I don’t think you ll even need it. Both cases roughly 1.5” long