Lee Die is Collapsing Case Necks -- Advice?

[Petros284]

Theyre still new and thats just the ones in stock from testing. @Petros284 will make you any size

Hey all. Let me know what sizes you are looking for. The listed sizes were from our initial run. We can make any size you need.

This system works great. I’ve been using it for years with my Dashers and .284s. Yes adds an extra step but imho it’s worth it. I size with a body die or a bushing fl die without a bushing. I will then run through our neck due system and then set final tension with a mandrel. In testing this system has shown great results with case runout and consistent neck tension as proven through consistent seating pressure in the hydro. I thought that I had more sizes available in .22 and I’ll double check our list with what I have on hand tomorrow.

Please let me know if you have any questions at all

 

[Rocketvapor]

Thanks for the comment.
The products sound great and I'm sure they work as advertised.
I looked again and the sizes do cover 22 pretty well. In your available size chart there is a gap from 0.249" to 0.258" but not needed/
The .245 would size a 0.012" neck wall to 0.003" under a .224 bullet. A .246 to 0.002" under.
The .247 would size a 0.013" neck wall to 0.003" under a .224 bullet. A .248 to 0.002" under.
The .249 would size a 0.014" neck wall to 0.003" under a .224 bullet. A .248 to 0.004" under.
A 0.2215" Mandrel would open the I.D to 0.0025" under a .224 bullet.
To be sure I would likely need a .247, a .248, and a .249 bushing, and .221, .2215, and a .222 mandrel for the 22N.
Brass working would be minimal and the Nitride bushings would leave a smoother surface on the O.D. than the LCD (oh those dang little lines )

I use a Redding body die for most of my calibers. Some just aren't worth a lot of effort like a M91/30, Chinese M53, or a few SKSs. For the wife's 6.5X55 Swede and my .30-06 and a few .223s I do want to try for precision ammo.
For 22N (Dogtown) brass that has been fired in an AR several times I use a RCBS FL Small Base Die that I reamed with a 0.2505" Carbide Reamer. Polished and chamfered the neck shoulder edge a little to size/bump. It just barely sizes the fired neck a little before I run into the LCD with an undersize mandrel.

I also use the body die to resize 6mm HAGAR to 22NOSGAR then finish neck down with the LCD.
You can see the shiny neck passing the 6mm case through a 0.260" hole in the body die. You can also see a Donut in the middle case that disappears after final neck sizing


I had to modify a .223 LCD Collet by shaving about 0.040" off the bottom just to get the full length of the 22N neck up into the die. The neck sizing area of the New and Improved .223 LCD is too short to modify.
That means I take great care with the old one I have. A custom LCD just doesn't seem worth the extra $$.
The neck length of a 22-250 LCD is the same as the 22N and a major shaving of the collet should allow it to neck size a 22N case. Less than $20 with my Birthday discount @ Midway so no big loss if it doesn't work.

EDIT:
Unbelievable. UPS says my Midway order will be here 11/26/22.



Most of my reloading lately has been for His and Hers 22N @ 600yd monthly local matches.
(no prize tables ).



Again, thanks for jumping in with info (and thanks Dusty).
For the present time, until I wring out all the precision from my current equipment and the wife and I get good enough to out shoot the Body Die and LCD I'm going to pass on upgrading for now. Not ready to spend the extra, even though the 20% sale was tempting.
Best with your business.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Even thought the OP hasn't been back since Monday this has turned into an informative thread.
I hope he got a good answer for his .308 problem, and his 9mm problem in another thread.
Maybe some others were helped.

 

[Andy Work]

^ I have found this thread to be informative.

 

[Tesoro]

And a Lee 4 die set is how much ?

Few use one colour for everything. I have 21c, Lee, Wilson, redding just for one cartridge. I am just a hobby shooter. About the only thing I know is that I try to set up my process so I mess with the necks the least. 6br 223 '06. 95% comes out 1 tho runout. good efuf for me.

 

[Homerange]

Few use one colour for everything. I have 21c, Lee, Wilson, redding just for one cartridge. I am just a hobby shooter. About the only thing I know is that I try to set up my process so I mess with the necks the least. 6br 223 '06. 95% comes out 1 tho runout. good efuf for me.

Sure if you're a range competitor trying to cut groups to well under 1/2 MOA however the average hunter getting 1 MOA at the bench can be happy as it's hard to do better in the field.
You certainly don't need the flashest/latest dies to make perfectly good ammo that well meets a 1 MODEER requirement for hunting. I've done so with just LEE dies and all except a Model 7 in 6mm Rem can do a 3 shot clover leaf at 100 yds from the bench.
Do I need throw more money into dies, NO as they are not the only requirement to make good ammo.

 

[6MMsteve]

you have to do a polish job and keep it extremely clean, once polished and adjusted correctly they work well, there is something else that needs to be done maybe a couple things, but I quit using it pretty quickly. That was when I got back into shooting, I forgot everything I knew from 25 yrs before I got back into it.

 

[Tesoro]

Got nothing to do with turning necks. Its all about infinitely adjustable neck tension. You can pair it with a mandrel die if you go along with the imperfections pushed to the inside school of thought

The lowly $30 Lee Collet obviates that 'pushing' debate! For $5 Lee will send you fatter mandels for less tension or the reverse.

It is hard to generalize this topic when there is potentially everyone from benchers to sharpshooter hunters on this thread. All I know is I was never able to get my 3 quality field rifles to ALL shoot in the 2's until I quit pressing down on my necks. I think that rolling super straight ammo makes up for alot of other things in non custom chambers.

 

[Rocketvapor]

My Midway Birthday order came in today (and my new X-Caliber barrel ).
Here is my problem with the New and Improved LCD.
The New .223 collet is too short for the longer 22N neck.
The center one is the Old style .223 modified for 22N.
The 22-250 collet will need a LOT taken off the bottom but it will size the entire neck.
It'll be a spare in case I screw up the other one.

 

[Homerange]

The 22-250 collet will need a LOT taken off the bottom but it will size the entire neck.

It's only a lot when you haven't got a lathe.