Need help

[redneckturkeycaller]

I received my Lee Collet die and want some help from the members here. I am not a bench rest shooter. I am a varmint hunter but I want to load accurate rounds. I really don't like the idea of dragging the expander ball back through my brass. What is the correct way to use the collet. Should I take the expander ball out of the FL die and then neck size with the collet. I don't turn necks but I do anneal my brass.This is for a 22/250 with a factory barrel. There are some wonderful and knowledgeable people on this site and any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

To limit your steps and limit chances to introduce concentricity i suggest you just use a fl bushing die with no expander. Send 3 fired cases to whidden for the best results

 

[Catgunguy]

To limit your steps and limit chances to introduce concentricity i suggest you just use a fl bushing die with no expander. Send 3 fired cases to whidden for the best results

What do you use to expand the necks with out the expander button?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Why would you size the neck then drag a ball back thru it? No precision shooter has an expander ball in their die

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Why would you size the neck then drag a ball back thru it? No precision shooter has an expander ball in their die

I don't think they understand how the bushing setup works. I don't use bushing dies and I had to read up on this site and a few others on using bushing dies and how they work..

 

[22BRGUY]

The proper way to use the Lee collet dies from my experience, is to screw them down into the press to almost touching the shell holder. then with a case to be resized inserted into the collet die, adjust the die so that at the end of the stroke with the press handle down and the press ram at the upward most place, adjust the Lee collet die by screwing it either farther down or unscrew it up, so that at the end of the stroke, the press handle barely cams over at the end of the stroke. Then lock the die in place with the locking collar.This keeps the pressure consistent on each case neck by the collet fingers. I also like to rotate each case about a third of the way around once or twice and cam the handle over again each time but that's just me. Hope this makes sense and helps.

 

[IrishJim]

Yes, you can remove the expander/decapper rod from your FL die and it will full length size and compress the neck and bump the shoulder. Then the Collet die will insert a mandrel and again compress the neck against the mandrel. I run a case into the collet one-time, then rotate the case one-half turn and run it up a second time to ensure a concentric case. It does not take a lot of pressure on the arm of the press, about the amount of a firm handshake. I find the collet produces very concentric cases, but there is still bullet seating to provide runout challenges! On the other hand, the collet die allows you the option to skip full-length sizing a time or two if you do not need to bump the shoulder, and just use the collet to squeeze the neck one time giving better longevity. You have options!

 

[ireload2]

You need to take the collet neck die apart and look at it. There is no expander ball in the collet die.
If you use the collet die why do you want to use the FL die?

Why do you want to use both the FL die and the collet? Why do you mention both the FL die and the neck die in the same sentence?

Why don't you size a few cases and load a few dummy rounds to try out the dies.

I received my Lee Collet die and want some help from the members here. I am not a bench rest shooter. I am a varmint hunter but I want to load accurate rounds. I really don't like the idea of dragging the expander ball back through my brass. What is the correct way to use the collet. Should I take the expander ball out of the FL die and then neck size with the collet. I don't turn necks but I do anneal my brass.This is for a 22/250 with a factory barrel. There are some wonderful and knowledgeable people on this site and any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[DanSavage]

I'd just buy a body die to size and bump the shoulder if your not a fan of using fire formed brass,, it won't touch the neck then run them into the collet die for the neck size.