Lee Loader problems

[Skoodifoo]

Hi,

I bought an used Lee Loader kit for cheap along with other accessories for .223. It seems that the die seems to be modified slightly. I don't know the purpose of the modification but the upper part of the threads have been aligned to conical shape and the gap gathers some gunpowder when loading, this is an easy to fix by lathe as there is enough threads left after repair.

Other thing I noticed (as I've never handled Lee Loader before) is that the kit only partially neck sizes the case, maybe about 60%-70%, is that supposed to be so? Also the case isn't very snug fit to the die, and there's about 0,5mm play when inserting the case to the body. I know the kit shouldn't fully size the case so some play seems to be ok, but as the kit seems to be altered I'm concerned is everything alright to start loading. Also the sizing body has some scratches inside but I quess that's just Lee quality

I don't know if it matters, but the kit has Lee-22-F9 stamps on it, is that supposed to be .223 kit for sure?

 

[2506]

The Lee hammer job loaders only neck size. If you did not shoot the case you are loading in your rifle it most likely will not chamber in your rifle. Unclear what your other question/problem is. ???

 

[fdshuster]

Although I'm no fan of Lee equipment I have to come to their defense and say that scratches inside the sizer (?) die body are not their fault. They are caused by someone sizing brass that was dirty. Could happen with any dies, even the high quality Redding, Forsters, etc. Get yourself Redding, RCBS, Lyman, Hornady or any one of the higher quality products and never look back. JMO

 

[Tozguy]

I would write off that kit you bought. Pitch it and get a new one that has not been messed up. Otherwise you will always be wondering how much of your poor accuracy to blame on the die.

 

[Skoodifoo]

Thanks for the replies, the kit may end up in the recycling pot after all. Here's some pictures to clarify the problems mentioned, sorry for the large size.

The 'mouth' of the die has been formed to conical shape for unknown reason.


Here's the neck sizing somewhat visible, I don't know if it's supposed to size it lower to the shoulder.


This pic rather poorly demonstrates the 'play' on the die with a case on the decapping die and the sizing body over it. The body can be moved around about 0,5mm and you can see with flashlight through the upper hole that the case neck is tilted few degrees when the die is moved around.



And yes, I only reload my own cases, there's plenty of them.

 

[2506]

I am not sure that you are not using the wrong end of the sizing die. It looks like your case necks have been driven into the the end that is to be used as the neck to bullet crimping station. Other wise, yes I would scrap the whole works. Lee does make some good dies that you use in a press. I have been loading over 30 years and have used about every makers dies and all have their good and bad points. As far as loading accurate ammo for the average rifle they all will do that. I would get a good cast iron or steel press, easy to find used for less $$. A set of NEW dies from your choice of maker, and as soon as possible I would upgrade to a better powder scale than that Lee (poorest excuse I have ever tried to use of a powder scale) a friend of mine that would not listen to my advice and got. He learned the hard way that cheap price usually means far less quality and usability and ends up costing you more in the long run.

 

[Tozguy]

Skoodi, Did you get instructions with the set? If not, lets start by sending you some to see if you are using the kit as intended. Also, call Lee to ask what caliber your set is for!

There is no operation that requires the case to be inserted in the conical end of the die as 2506 said. The conical recess on the end is OEM.

 

[Skoodifoo]

Tozguy, No I didn't get instructions along the set but I've printed one out from Lee's homepage. The instructions must be the worst ever, and I think I understand the operation of the kit but those things above just concerns me. Are you sure the recess is OEM? I mean the outer / \ recess on the picture above, not the inner funnel -like \/. This pic was the reason for my questioning https://factorysales.com/html/xcart/images/T/t-1438.jpg ,the image shows the threads straight to the end. An why there would be the outer cone, because it just gathers powder during loading, at least mine did

The cases have been neck sized at the right side of the sizing die, at least the leftmost one, others have been through some experimenting to see the effects of crimping etc., that's why the loaded ones may look confusing.

 

[Tozguy]

Skoodi,
What say I take some pictures of my loader kit parts (either a 22-250,25-06 and 30-60) along with the instructions and email them to you?
BTW the caliber is very clearly stamped on the main body of the die. The inner funnel like V goes all the way out to the threads on the 22-250 and 30-06 (like in the link you provided). The 25-06 is different. It has a nose that extends beyond the threads and the inner V has a fairly wide flat rim around it. Weird! Can't imagine how powder would flow well through that set up but it has been almost 30 years since I used it. For sure there should not be any lube where the powder goes. Have you considered pouring the powder directly into the case with a separate funnel?
Oh, and they all have some scary looking tool marks on the inside.

 

[BoydAllen]

I would suggest that you add an inexpensive priming tool to your kit, and a powder funnel. With those, you can decap, hammer the case into the die, knock it out, prime with your tool, use the funnel to put powder into the case, and then seat the bullet. As to whether you have the correct die, I would call Lee. It is only designed to size the neck, not bump the shoulder. I started with a Lee Loader, and was delighted when I graduated to a cast iron press, and regular dies.