Mandrel die vs Lee Collet Neck die

[wright brothers]

Are Lees' intended use of their collet dies also wrong.

 

[Rocketvapor]

You can get a false shoulder by using a slotted shim.

 

[Murray Brook]

What I don't like about the new collet dies is I find it doesn't trim/chamfer well nor is it good when you want to clean up a neck with your neck turner. I also want every .001 of neck when I'm chasing the lands with a short bullet. JMO

 

[old_heli_logger]

Thank you all for the replies! Great info here, I'm still learning...

 

[Fuj]

The internet is wrong most of the time.

Most of us that compete in benchrest and long range competitions prefer not to size the entire neck down to the shoulder for several reasons.

But yet most everyone will say up front, they full length size.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Amazon.com

One shot with a shim and you get a false shoulder.
OR
Neck size then add a shim to get the end of the neck sized.
I call that an extra one half operation since the case is already in the shell holder and press and one more handle movement.

 

[Ringostar]

The internet is wrong most of the time.

Most of us that compete in benchrest and long range competitions prefer not to size the entire neck down to the shoulder for several reasons.

What you’re talking about, is the base of neck by shoulder. The complaint about the new collet die, is that it doesn’t size the case mouth. Some say that they get a flair at case mouth. I read that it was supposed to help with bullet seating. I don’t have a new style one, so haven’t seen the flair. But as mentioned, a washer between shell holder and die will keep case mouth lower in collet. I’ve been using a washer for years to size 284 brass in a 7x57 die. It beats buying a custom die.

 

[WSnyder]

What you’re talking about, is the base of neck by shoulder. The complaint about the new collet die, is that it doesn’t size the case mouth. Some say that they get a flair at case mouth. I read that it was supposed to help with bullet seating. I don’t have a new style one, so haven’t seen the flair. But as mentioned, a washer between shell holder and die will keep case mouth lower in collet. I’ve been using a washer for years to size 284 brass in a 7x57 die. It beats buying a custom die.

The reason for the flare is many were using Lee’s flaring tool to intentionally flare the neck (slightly) as a second operation. Flaring the neck can and will help even out seating pressures. Try it and see. I am one that flared necks with the flaring tool. Mic McPherson I believe is the one that asked Lee to modify the die to leave a slight flare and eliminate the extra flaring tool step.

 

[Rocketvapor]

The neck mouth diameter will be as -fired (less spring back.
If your FLD without a mandrel sizes the neck down then the Lee probably will not flare the end.
Is this more internet quarterback complaining?
Someone size some brass and measure.
The old style 223 LCD allowed me to shave the base and size all the way up on a 22 Nosler neck.
The new style doesn't.
a 1/16" shim does this: Ole style and new style

 

[WSnyder]

If your FLD without a mandrel sizes the neck down then the Lee probably will not flare the end.

I typically use a Redding bushing die without a bushing to size the body when using the collet die for the neck.

 

[RegionRat]

Is this more internet quarterback complaining?

I'm like the previous users in that we feel like if Lee had a few folks asking for a flare, then let those folks do the flare as required, or have their die modified.

The way the new LCD run, they are a lousy flare, and they don't prep the mouth for a trim/chamfer, loose-loose in my view.

When I size a neck, I expect to be able to trim or chamfer properly. When I want to, I apply a flare.

I secured my Lee Collet dies long before their unilateral changes and grabbed old models for the ones that I wear out before they disappeared.

Put me down as a complainer then, since I found their reasoning lame. All things being equal, I can't say I know anyone who thinks it made the die better. YMMV