Lee Collet Dies

[Fellas]

Hi guys

I am buying my new equipment for rifle reloading and a lot of searching i done about reloading dies for neck sizing. There are high end dies which without doubt are a great tool for reloading high match ammo but lee makes a collet dies wich is no less. I am planing to load for my Remington 700 police in 308 win and any input from the expertise will be appreciated before i buy cause i only want to buy reliable equipment from beginig

thanks and happy Christmas to everyone

 

[crewchef]

I use one for my .308. Check out this link, good discussion on die use, setting up, etc.

http://benchrest.com/showthread.php?48671-lee-collet-dies-neck-tension

 

[arizonajake]

Merry Christmas!

I am a convert to Lee collet dies and use them to neck size cartridges in the following calibers: 30-06, 260 Rem., 7mm-08 Rem. and .222 Rem. I have noticed that with all these calibers, the collet sizer will usually leave the inside diameter of the cases a couple of thousands wider than normal neck dies will and bullets will go into collet-sized cases with a lot less resistance when seated. As far as improved precision, I have not noticed a significant difference. HOWEVER, the use of collet dies eliminates the need for lubricating the inside and outside of the case necks, as well as the need to clean them later. There is also a lot less work-hardening of the necks, which makes the brass last longer.

I recommend disassembling the dies, removing any burrs with a stone and adding a tiny amount of gun grease to the collet shoulders that come in contact with the die body. This will make operation smoother and grease lasts a lot longer than oil.

My only complaint is that Lee does not offer these dies in 6.5X .284 or in .284 Win.

Regards,

Make sure to follow the directions provided with the die set.

 

[roninfl.]

Give Lee Precision a call they will make you a custom collet for most any cartridge. 55 bucks or so.
Ron

 

[jonbearman]

I wouldnt be afraid of the lee collet die,just make sure you dont over adjust it and leave marks in the neck.If this happens you are way to tight on the adjustment and need to measure as you are trying it on junk brass to make sure you size it just enough to have .002 thou difference in the inside neck measurement than the od of the bullet.

 

[amlevin]

I like my Lee collet dies a lot. When I compare finished cartridges the ones necked sized with the Lee seem to have less overall run-put than those neck sized with my RCBS neck size only die.

If one wants more neck tension, just chuck the mandrel in a drill press and "polish" it with some fine wet/dry sandpaper. By removing .001"-.002" it will increase neck tension just enough.

 

[Hugh204]

I've got RCBS, Lee, and Redding 'S' type full length dies that I use to partial resize various calibers. I would rather use my Collet die because I hate lubricating and measuring to ensure I get between a 1 and 2 thou bump on the shoulder.

I seem to get tight cases very quickly (hard to close the bolt) when I use my Collet die. When I feel a tight bolt I have to go though the bumping exercise so I have wasted even more time. To be sure I don't get to the field with a bullet that is so tight I can't load it, do I have to check that each new brass will load after neck sizing with the collet die?

I've gone back to partial sizing everything because then I know everything works.

Any help out there? I'd really like to be able to just neck size over and over and not worry about the fit and cleaning up. I'm a lazy guy. Am I doing something wrong? I don't load to the maximum so I thought I would be able to neck size alot.

Hugh

 

[DogPatch06]

If you want to neck size only over and over in a bolt gun with a Lee Collet die in 308 WIN it can be done, but you need to spend the $ for Lapua or other premium brass, and find an accuracy node at the LOW end of the spectrum. Generally one would seek this combination for a short to mid range load with barrel life extension in mind. Not a great scenario for longer ranges but shooter skill varies. Even medium loads can work the brass enough to require full length sizing early on.

For example, I've had great success neck sizing only all the way up to 7X and 8X Lapua in reduced range non registered F/TR matches at 300yrds with 42.1 gr Varget pushing a 175SMK at 2507 ft/sec avg. out of a 24inch Remy 5R. Some choose not get the premium stuff and that's fine, but you do pay for less time with case prep that way.

 

[crewchef]

Just to clarify, I do two sizing steps for each loading. Neck size with Lee Collet and then Redding body die for full length case sizing and to bump shoulder .001.

 

[sdneil]

Fellas--Lee collett dies work great on brass that has been fired in your bolt rifle already, if bolt closes easy on you fired brass, collet dies will work just fine and are easy, if bolt is tight to close a sizeing is in order, I have several collett dies from Lee, they work great, for the right job! Lee will make a custom collett die for your odd sizes also, they usually require 2 fired cases and a bullett or 2.... Neil

 

[Johnboy]

one other thing that has not been said about the Lee collet die.when set up right I have found that it is best to deprime before resizeing the neck.this has allowed me to feel the collet working while resizeing the neck.so I try to mention this to all who wants to try the die out.it has helped many who have tried the die for the first time.useing the die can and will make some great ammo if one will give it a chance.

just as one has already said.useing mid to low range loads with good if not brass such as Lapua will be the best offer with that die.I have been able to load my 223 brass well over 10 times before I have had to bump the shoulders.with my 308 and a high end load I like the 3 times fired then bump and anneal.it's just how you use the loads for what ever reason that tells you what you will need to do to the brass.the Lee collet die I think is one of the better ideas Lee came up with.one more thing.I too keep grease on top of the collet and polish all matting parts.this will be the number one thing to do when or if you choose to get the die.after that just take your time to learn how to set it up in your press allowing you to get the feel of useing it.then you may be hooked.

 

[Jim Buck]

I have the remington SPS Tactical and use the Lee Dies, the neck sizing works great! I am using Winchester Brass and Winchester Primers, not as good as Lapua but it works. I Turn the necks, and with 43 grains Of varget pushing a 168 Sierra BTHP 1/2" groups at 100 yards.

 

[MrMajestic]

Just to clarify, I do two sizing steps for each loading. Neck size with Lee Collet and then Redding body die for full length case sizing and to bump shoulder .001.

Atta boy!
I was a Crew Chief on F-4E's back in the 70's but what's a crew chef?

 

[superlight93]

Merry Christmas!

I am a convert to Lee collet dies and use them to neck size cartridges in the following calibers: 30-06, 260 Rem., 7mm-08 Rem. and .222 Rem. I have noticed that with all these calibers, the collet sizer will usually leave the inside diameter of the cases a couple of thousands wider than normal neck dies will and bullets will go into collet-sized cases with a lot less resistance when seated. As far as improved precision, I have not noticed a significant difference. HOWEVER, the use of collet dies eliminates the need for lubricating the inside and outside of the case necks, as well as the need to clean them later. There is also a lot less work-hardening of the necks, which makes the brass last longer.

I recommend disassembling the dies, removing any burrs with a stone and adding a tiny amount of gun grease to the collet shoulders that come in contact with the die body. This will make operation smoother and grease lasts a lot longer than oil.

My only complaint is that Lee does not offer these dies in 6.5X .284 or in .284 Win.

Regards,

Make sure to follow the directions provided with the die set.

Send Lee fired cases and they can make a die for you. I believe the last time I had it done it was $60.

 

[Tozguy]

Another nice thing about Lee's collett die is you can easily size only part of the neck. Just use a spacer (washer) on the case holder of the thickness equivalent to the length of neck you want to leave unsized.

 

[crewchef]

Just to clarify, I do two sizing steps for each loading. Neck size with Lee Collet and then Redding body die for full length case sizing and to bump shoulder .001.

Atta boy!
I was a Crew Chief on F-4E's back in the 70's but what's a crew chef?

Some years ago a friend and I did a lot of drag racing and I was the Crew Chief but also ended up being the cook most of the time too thus, Crew Chef. Side note on the military piece. Few years later than you (early 80's) I spent 3 years on CVN-69, cryptologist.

 

[MrMajestic]

Just to clarify, I do two sizing steps for each loading. Neck size with Lee Collet and then Redding body die for full length case sizing and to bump shoulder .001.

Atta boy!
I was a Crew Chief on F-4E's back in the 70's but what's a crew chef?

Some years ago a friend and I did a lot of drag racing and I was the Crew Chief but also ended up being the cook most of the time too thus, Crew Chef. Side note on the military piece. Few years later than you (early 80's) I spent 3 years on CVN-69, cryptologist.

I like it! Bet you were "Da Man".

 

[Jim Buck]

I use the Lee Collet dies on my Remington .308 SPS tactical and get 1/2 groups at 200 with my pet loads.

 

[OKIE2]

Atta boy!
I was a Crew Chief on F-4E's back in the 70's but what's a crew chef?
[/quote]
I was the machinist that made the parts for them
Mcdonnell Douglas Tulsa Oklahoma 13 years

 

[okbob51]

lov the lee