I just got the above die for my 300 win mag. I'm using a Rock Chucker press. My problem is I cannot get enough neck tension on the bullet to hold it in place it will drop all the way down in side the brass. I did a search and found a few topics how to properly set it up. I've tried the die every where from 2 turns down after touching shell holder to all the way down the die could go. I know too polish a little bit if not getting enough tension but I don't think I'm any where near that point. I went to Lee's website and they said put around 25 pounds of pressure on the handle when it bottoms out. I tried that I got enough neck tension then my run out jumped to around 4 thousandths. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Help with Lee collet sizing die
- Thread starter couesnut
- Start date
Re: Help with Lee collet sizing die
Take the die apart, the main die body is tapered at the top, when it bottoms out it forces the split fingers into the mandrel. Clean or polish all the parts that make contact. If you have precision calipers, measure the mandrel and make sure it is smaller than .308". There must be a simple explanation, I use
Lee collet dies with great results.
Take the die apart, the main die body is tapered at the top, when it bottoms out it forces the split fingers into the mandrel. Clean or polish all the parts that make contact. If you have precision calipers, measure the mandrel and make sure it is smaller than .308". There must be a simple explanation, I use
Lee collet dies with great results.
Re: Help with Lee collet sizing die
I polished it up when I got It. I just measured the mandrel .305"
I polished it up when I got It. I just measured the mandrel .305"
Re: Help with Lee collet sizing die
Are you using a standard shellholder? You should be.
Try sizing the case two or three times, turning the case 1/2 or 1/3 at a time between sizing strokes. This should help with runout.
Are you using a standard shellholder? You should be.
Try sizing the case two or three times, turning the case 1/2 or 1/3 at a time between sizing strokes. This should help with runout.
Re: Help with Lee collet sizing die
I also tried the 25lb guessing game with very mixed results. I now have mine set so the press cams over very lightly. Just turn your die in a little at a time until you feel the press start to cam over, then check by seating a bullet. Don't go overboard as you can break the die. Once i got the collet die adjusted the concentricity is equal or better than my redding bushing die and alot easier.
I also tried the 25lb guessing game with very mixed results. I now have mine set so the press cams over very lightly. Just turn your die in a little at a time until you feel the press start to cam over, then check by seating a bullet. Don't go overboard as you can break the die. Once i got the collet die adjusted the concentricity is equal or better than my redding bushing die and alot easier.
Re: Help with Lee collet sizing die
Like Rafael says, mike the mandrel,can put it in a drill and sand paper it down a little,go o.o2 thousand step at at time,try seating the bullet ,if not enough ,try another 0.02 thousand. If not up to this ,mike the mandrel and call RCBS,they will send you a correct part. Hope this helps.
Like Rafael says, mike the mandrel,can put it in a drill and sand paper it down a little,go o.o2 thousand step at at time,try seating the bullet ,if not enough ,try another 0.02 thousand. If not up to this ,mike the mandrel and call RCBS,they will send you a correct part. Hope this helps.
Re: Help with Lee collet sizing die
make sure the 4 separate collets are seperated. It isn't uncommon to have the collet still fused together from the factory. If you cant figure it out send it back to Lee and they will send you a new one.... Lee
make sure the 4 separate collets are seperated. It isn't uncommon to have the collet still fused together from the factory. If you cant figure it out send it back to Lee and they will send you a new one.... Lee
Re: Help with Lee collet sizing die
Back to the start...what is the thickness of your necks on your brass? If the brass is too thin you may not get optimum retention even though the mandrel is the right diameter. And...don't call RCBS, call Lee. JMHO
Back to the start...what is the thickness of your necks on your brass? If the brass is too thin you may not get optimum retention even though the mandrel is the right diameter. And...don't call RCBS, call Lee. JMHO
Re: Help with Lee collet sizing die
I use an RCBS press and set up the die to have a moderate amount of resistance at cam-over. I'm resizing Nosler 300WM brass and the necks are .015. The most tension I could get this way was .001". I had to turn the mandrel down to get .002 tension without breaking the die or popping the cap through my roof.
Take a look at this video (2 parts) perhaps it may help. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhTUgytUGnM
John
I use an RCBS press and set up the die to have a moderate amount of resistance at cam-over. I'm resizing Nosler 300WM brass and the necks are .015. The most tension I could get this way was .001". I had to turn the mandrel down to get .002 tension without breaking the die or popping the cap through my roof.
Take a look at this video (2 parts) perhaps it may help. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhTUgytUGnM
John
Re: Help with Lee collet sizing die
I do the same. I have my die set up just to cam over but not with a lot of force. I use a redding lock ring on the die so it's the same everytime. I mark the top of the die with a sharpie to index it and it ends up being a half turn deeper after contacting the shell holder. That's where I lock the die in.
After that I purchased about 3 standard mandrels directly from lee at 4.00 a piece. Each one measured .305". I took one and chucked it in a drill and turned it down to .304, .3035 and .302(didn't mean to go that low, I got carried away)
I ended up using the .3035 but I'm going to start turning necks so I might end up using the .302 or maybe turn down some more off the one I'm using now.
I do the same. I have my die set up just to cam over but not with a lot of force. I use a redding lock ring on the die so it's the same everytime. I mark the top of the die with a sharpie to index it and it ends up being a half turn deeper after contacting the shell holder. That's where I lock the die in.
After that I purchased about 3 standard mandrels directly from lee at 4.00 a piece. Each one measured .305". I took one and chucked it in a drill and turned it down to .304, .3035 and .302(didn't mean to go that low, I got carried away)
I ended up using the .3035 but I'm going to start turning necks so I might end up using the .302 or maybe turn down some more off the one I'm using now.
Re: Help with Lee collet sizing die
I do not set up the die to cam over. That is a sure way of breaking it. I use this die in a Lee hand press.
I screw the die in way past the cam over point (about two turns) and apply pressure using the press lever until I feel the collet pressing the neck against the mandrel. That way I get perfect neck tension without overstressing the die.
I do not set up the die to cam over. That is a sure way of breaking it. I use this die in a Lee hand press.
I screw the die in way past the cam over point (about two turns) and apply pressure using the press lever until I feel the collet pressing the neck against the mandrel. That way I get perfect neck tension without overstressing the die.
Re: Help with Lee collet sizing die
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 918v</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I do not set up the die to cam over. That is a sure way of breaking it. I use this die in a Lee hand press............ </div></div>
There are many ways to do it but ..........
Every one of the few thousand rounds I loaded on mine were done with the press camming over. I never broke my die. Most of those I know who have used this die set it to cam over.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 918v</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I do not set up the die to cam over. That is a sure way of breaking it. I use this die in a Lee hand press............ </div></div>
There are many ways to do it but ..........
Every one of the few thousand rounds I loaded on mine were done with the press camming over. I never broke my die. Most of those I know who have used this die set it to cam over.
Re: Help with Lee collet sizing die
There are many people who have.
With neck thickness variance of +/-.002" in factory brass, setting this die up to cam over is difficult. Some case necks will get squished more than others. You can see this when you examine the collet marks on the necks. Some are very pronounced, while others are barely visible. If you turn your necks, then it becomes a non-issue.
My way gives consistent results no matter how thick the neck is because I feel the collet pressing the neck against the mandrel.
There are many people who have.
With neck thickness variance of +/-.002" in factory brass, setting this die up to cam over is difficult. Some case necks will get squished more than others. You can see this when you examine the collet marks on the necks. Some are very pronounced, while others are barely visible. If you turn your necks, then it becomes a non-issue.
My way gives consistent results no matter how thick the neck is because I feel the collet pressing the neck against the mandrel.
Re: Help with Lee collet sizing die
Interesting idea.
I prefer to leave the Collet die in my past or I would try it.
Interesting idea.
I prefer to leave the Collet die in my past or I would try it.
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