LEE Collet Neck Sizing die problem

[markm87]

I'm running Lee Collet neck size dies on several calibers and like the results.

On .308, however, when I run fired Lapua up into the die the collet jaws are scraping the outside of the neck and I have to jog the brass up into the die or it really chews up the brass.

I took the die apart and can see that when I insert a piece of brass into the uncompressed collet, the outer edge of the case is hanging up on the collet jaws instead of passing on up into them.

Deburring the outer edge of the brass helps some, but that's a pain. Anyone ever have this happen?

 

[jlow]

The problem is not with the die but because you fired your brass from a rifle with a generous neck clearance. When you do this, the brass will expand to chamber dimensions and this is why it is scrapping.

The way I deal with this is to first slightly size the neck down. The best way I have found to do this is to use a Redding Type S full length sizing bushing die. You put a bushing that size the neck half way when you use the die to bump the shoulders back. Now the neck is smaller in diameter, it will go into the LCD without scratching.

You can of course do the same with a regular FL sizing die but it will unfortunately significantly undersize you neck which will work harden it plus make it harder to push into the LCD mandrel. So a cheaper but not as good solution.

 

[Warren Dean]

^^^^^^^^
What he said.

 

[markm87]

Yep. You're correct. I may have to put a bushing into my die to get a slight squeeze. I have the Redding Type S bushing die and various bushings already... so I think I may be able to address the issue with existing equipment.

Thanks.

 

[savagedasher]

I would call LEE. it sounds like the fingers are bent in too far. Larry

 

[bigedp51]

As stated above the fingers have bent inward making the diameter of the collet mouth smaller. Just take a punch with a tapered shank and insert it into the collet mouth and spread the fingers outward.

If the fingers of the collet are opened up too much the collet will drag/rub inside the body of the die. Meaning you will have to find a happy medium. In collet die language your collet is a little "tight jawed".

As a side note, smart, good looking and modest people like myself no longer have this problem because we full length resize our cases.

Bazinga!

 

[RegionRat]

I believe you have a bad sample. I have no problems like that with any of mine, and I have some old ones and some new ones.

The .30-06 and .308 samples I have don't have those issues. Maybe you should give Lee a ring and ask them what the relaxed dimensions of that neck area should be and then inspect yours to see if this is a bad sample.

 

[bigedp51]

I believe you have a bad sample. I have no problems like that with any of mine, and I have some old ones and some new ones.

The .30-06 and .308 samples I have don't have those issues. Maybe you should give Lee a ring and ask them what the relaxed dimensions of that neck area should be and then inspect yours to see if this is a bad sample.

If force is applied to the die without a case in the die to reduce the collet travel the fingers of the collet will be forced inward more than normal and stay in that position. This problems happens all the time and is a common problem and all that is needed to force the collet fingers back into the "NORMAL" position. If you bend the fingers outward and the die does move freely then you have opened the collet jaws too far. This isn't rocket science and the OP has a "tight jawed" collet.

Below polishing your collet dies for smother operation.

If the slots cut in the collet have rough cut edges the collet will "grip" the case neck and cause the neck to pucker and gather.

 

[OrdellRobbie]

Biged
Any tips for polishing the dies? In particular the inside of the jaws.
Thanks

 

[JohnKielly]

Do a Google search for an article by John Valentine on maintaining, using & adjusting the Lee collet die. I know he posted it on BR Central but I'm guessing he's put it elsewhere.

Don't bother; I found it for you: http://benchrest.com/showthread.php?49899-Lee-Collet-Die-Adjustment

 

[bigedp51]

Biged
Any tips for polishing the dies? In particular the inside of the jaws.
Thanks

"IF" you can find the proper diameter rod that you can wrap some fine wet and dry sand paper around your half way home. If not then try strips of the same type sand paper and work these strips between the slots and remove any burs from the inside of the collet. The smaller diameter/caliber of the collet the harder it will be to clean up the cuts in the collet.

I thank JohnKielly for posting the link by John Valentine for the setup of the Lee collet die, using cam over and a mechanical stop works wonders and eliminates guessing about the applied force to the mandrel.

 

[markm87]

I did try prying on the collet jaws a little, and that didn't help.

All of this brass was fired in an FN Police whatever model bolt gun. I may have to sit down with the calipers and compare fired brass from that gun against another 308 to see what the numbers show.

 

[bigedp51]

If the case will not drop into the inverted die freely then the jaws need to be opened up. (more)

 

[markm87]

I seem to have solved the problem. The only bushing I had that was close to the fired O.D. of the neck was .010" smaller.... I tried one case and it was too much. Made the mandrel too tight/too much working the brass.

So after fighting the first half of a 50 round box of Lapua, I just body sized the second half with NO bushing installed. For some reason, that nearly completely resolved the issue. A few cases had some minor scratching, but the rest neck sized just fine.

 

[markm87]

Problem appeared again. And as much as it PAINS me to admit this. Bigedp51 was right.

I finally just got pissed and went at this thing with a GI cleaning rod section and didn't even open the jaws symmetrically. Put it back together and bingo. Works great and no runout in the necks.

 

[bigedp51]

And as much as it pains me to admit it I have had the same exact problem before. And if you gently tap a punch with a tapered shank into the collet mouth the jaws should open symmetrically. And feeler gauges inserted into the slots from top to bottom of each slot will let you know when they are evenly opened.

When it comes to a polished and well finished product the Lee collet itself needs more work done to it by Lee before they call it a "finished product". The last Lee collet die I bought was a .223 and I just didn't have the proper equipment to polish the inside of the collet. This die is gathering dust and reminds me how frustrating some of these dies can be because they are so roughly made. The cut slots are the collets failing and if these slots have burs and rough edges and the smaller calibers makes it harder to polish the inside of the collet. I'm not a big fan of the Lee collet die and after reading one of CatShooters postings I have a Lyman type "M" die on order to use after full length resizing with the expander and spindle removed for testing with my .223/5.56 cases..

 

[wapiti25]

I use a wooden dowel with 320 or finer emery cloth to polish the in side and make sure you do not see any burr's inside. I polish in my lathe but it can be done with in and out strokes turning the collet by hand. If the edges are rounded at the bottom edge of the collet neck area it will lessen the scrapeing on your brass but you are still working with an oversize SAAMI chamber.