Mandrel die vs Lee Collet Neck die

[old_heli_logger]

Not much love for the Lee Collet Neck die around here. It's funny though, that I see a lot of folks using mandrel dies as their final step to set their neck diameter. The Lee Collet Neck die IS a mandel die that also centers the neck and reduces run-out.
Let the beatings begin or help me understand what I'm missing.
Using these cheap Lee dies are working for me...

 

[Fuj]

I use the collet dies on a few. All the old style type. I had my .284 ELF
cat shooting in the two's. A good anneal is key. Again, it's all what you
plan on using the rifle for.

 

[SKWERLZ]

I use Lee collets for every application I can
I evem modified some so do 7 saum and 338 edge

 

[centerlineseal]

I've had good luck with a 7mm RM. Not so much so far on the 22-250.

I think my technique needs refinement.

 

[CharlieNC]

It seems most of the negativity is associated with neck sizing only.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Actually it's the LEE brand name that the ELITE object to.

 

[old_heli_logger]

It seems most of the negativity is associated with neck sizing only.

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks!

 

[old_heli_logger]

Actually it's the LEE brand name that the ELITE object to.

I hope not, but you might be right. I think LEE is a good made-in-America company with great customer support

 

[SKWERLZ]

It would be an interesting head to head test but getting clean results with all the variables might be tricky.
Either way is far better than pulling a button out of the case like in standard dies.

 

[SKWERLZ]

I hope not, but you might be right. I think LEE is a good made-in-America company with great customer support

I love my Lee collets and classic turret.
Pistol dies are decent as well.

 

[Chuckhunter]

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks!

As a 1000yd, BR. shooter, I started with a Harrel's Fl bushing die and slightly under sized my dasher brass and then used a mandrel for my final set but found out that a honed forester die gave me much les runout, so I now have three honed dies in case I want to change tensions. A lot of the shooting disciplines' might not require that type of control. If a lee collet dies gave me a better result, I would have no problem using one as cost is not my first consideration. Test and decide for yourself.
P.S. CharlieNC is correct, nobody that I know of that shoots at Williamsport neck sizes only. Everyone FL sizes.

 

[Ruger15151]

As a 1000yd, BR. shooter, I started with a Harrel's Fl bushing die and slightly under sized my dasher brass and then used a mandrel for my final set but found out that a honed forester die gave me much les runout, so I now have three honed dies in case I want to change tensions. A lot of the shooting disciplines' might not require that type of control. If a lee collet dies gave me a better result, I would have no problem using one as cost is not my first consideration. Test and decide for yourself.
P.S. CharlieNC is correct, nobody that I know of that shoots at Williamsport neck sizes only. Everyone FL sizes.

THIS ^^^^^^

 

[BoydAllen]

The issue of neck sizing is eliminated when a two step sizing procedure is used. For unturned brass, combining a Lee Collet die with a Redding body die, or anyone's FL bushing die, sans bushing, will produce very straight brass and ammunition.

Some time back, I picked up a collet die for 6PPC knowing that it could be used to neck size 6BR brass, and guessing that it would also work with 6BRA brass. My purpose was to have an inexpensive method for doing repeated neck sized firings of a few cases to send to Harrell's when ordering a custom FL bushing die. It worked just fine for that.

One of these days, just for fun, I need to take the Lee die to the range and use it to load for a few groups. The plan would be to remove the bushing from my FL die and use it like a body die, and size necks with the Lee.

Afterthought: One thing that collet dies have over other neck dies is that cases are lined up better before the neck is sized because the decapping pin is in the flash hole before the collet starts sizing the neck.

 

[Homerange]

LCD neck tension consistency can be improved using the Valentine cam over setup.

"Lee Collet Die" Experience

Hello, I just purchased a Lee Collet Die in 6.5 Creedmoor to mill down an use for a 6.5x47 Lapua... I've heard a lot of great ammo can be had by using this low cost die.. It would make scents because all the die does is act like a mandrel plus "irons" out the brass neck.. Have any of you guys...

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[markm87]

I love the Lee Collet neck die. My only complaint is that they're made so cheaply that they wear out. I'd gladly pay triple or more for the same thing built to last 10000 rounds.

 

[SeabeeKen]

Not much love for the Lee Collet Neck die around here. It's funny though, that I see a lot of folks using mandrel dies as their final step to set their neck diameter. The Lee Collet Neck die IS a mandel die that also centers the neck and reduces run-out.
Let the beatings begin or help me understand what I'm missing.
Using these cheap Lee dies are working for me...

I do the same thing with a redding body die and wilson arbor neck die and no mandrel of any kind.

 

[DShortt]

Perhaps I'm simply restating the obvious, but here it goes.

I think the best situation is to have a FLS die that has been either created to produce the best fit for your chamber, or has been honed and polished to fit correctly.
As there is a cost associated with having someone perform that for you, or the proper skills/equipment required to modify an off-the-shelf die to work for you, it can get expensive and time consuming.
For the casual shooter who likes to dabble in accuracy, a Lee neck sizing die can and often will give you an 'easy' button to push, until a full length sizing is necessary due to case expansion. Then the process begins again for an incalculatable number of firings.

That's my take on it. Just my opinion and worth exactly what you paid for it.

 

[TTE]

Not much love for the Lee Collet Neck die around here. It's funny though, that I see a lot of folks using mandrel dies as their final step to set their neck diameter. The Lee Collet Neck die IS a mandel die that also centers the neck and reduces run-out.
Let the beatings begin or help me understand what I'm missing.
Using these cheap Lee dies are working for me...

Can you change the neck tension with the Lee ?
I think it is a one size mandrel. The "others" have different diameters available.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Lee sells a standard and an undersize mandrel for most.
If that doesn't work they can be sanded down to what ever you want.

I use a body only die (leaves the neck as-fired) then size the neck with the LCD.
Works the neck as little as anything.

 

[Chris Edmondson]

No matter what, preparing a fired case neck for bullet seating requires compressing the neck ID less than the bullet OD. The bullet is the ultimate expander mandrel. Any approach which accomplishes the mission, and doesn't introduce it's own problems, like reducing coaxiality, is good. Some methods may work the brass more than others but a lifecycle question is worth asking; are 10 reloads which average 1" groups better than 5 reloads which average 0.5" groups?