Oldbloke wrote:Fairly happy with that for a 4 shot group & not bad for a cheap sporter. It already shoots better than I can in the field.
I just hope to squeeze a tad more out of it.
JimTom wrote:Anyone have any recent experiences or opinions on Lee dies. I have a couple of sets and they seem to be fine however I am not sure I like the idea of the collet neck sizer. I have no logical reason for this other than there is a possibility of varying neck tension from one batch of reloads to another if the die isn’t set in the exact same place.
bladeracer wrote:JimTom wrote:Anyone have any recent experiences or opinions on Lee dies. I have a couple of sets and they seem to be fine however I am not sure I like the idea of the collet neck sizer. I have no logical reason for this other than there is a possibility of varying neck tension from one batch of reloads to another if the die isn’t set in the exact same place.
I use the collect neck dies in every caliber I can, brilliant design.
Why would your die not be set up the same every time?
JimTom wrote:bladeracer wrote:JimTom wrote:Anyone have any recent experiences or opinions on Lee dies. I have a couple of sets and they seem to be fine however I am not sure I like the idea of the collet neck sizer. I have no logical reason for this other than there is a possibility of varying neck tension from one batch of reloads to another if the die isn’t set in the exact same place.
I use the collect neck dies in every caliber I can, brilliant design.
Why would your die not be set up the same every time?
The Lee dies I have don’t have a grub screw to lock off the collar in the same position as RCBS and Redding dies I’ve used do. Basically I am resetting my does every time I reload.
In saying that, I run the ram up, screw the die down, drop the ram then give the die another 1/2 a turn then screw down the collar so I guess the difference is negligible anyway.
sungazer wrote:Is your press a breech lock as the breech lock devices are very quick to change and lock up tight. But in setting the collet die I dont think it really matters how you set it the die just pushes the neck up against a mandrel. Reading back over the pages I think the dies may have better quality now as I havent heard of anybody doing much work to them.
JimTom wrote:I nearly purchased the lockable bushings today as well however think that I shall refrain after reading the input into this thread today.
Blade racer I have found that if I don't turn the neck sizer another 1/2 turn then there isn't sufficient neck tension.
Cooper wrote:You can buy lock rings for the dies. I have a Lee press with the breech lock system. So I pretty much have a breech lock on every die I own. Although it should be pretty easy to set the neck sizing die up the same every time? Simply screw in until it contact shell holder then turn 2 full turns for a Lee press. Think it is one full turn for other presses.
If your not getting consistent neck tension. I'd try cleaning and lubing the top of the collet. I had to polish the mandrel in my 223 collet neck die as it wasn't providing enough tension. Also after sizing case I usually spin case in shell holder and size it again. Effectively sizing it twice. seems to work for me.
Cooper wrote:You can buy lock rings for the dies. I have a Lee press with the breech lock system. So I pretty much have a breech lock on every die I own.
JimTom wrote:Mate I am just using a single sage simplex press. In all honesty the Lee dies seem to be fine for my purposes, however I still have much to learn and I guess that has contributed to me allowing the seed of doubt to be seen by others who don't seem to like Lee dies.
JimTom wrote:Only difference is I only go a half turn once the die touches the ram.
Ziad wrote:I mark all my dues.. but I have a turret press.
The other question I came up with yesterday is my buddies say they don't crimp their brass and primers. So just seat it and fire. As the proj doesn't have any cranuls.
I was going to reload some with crooks and some without and check
bladeracer wrote:I crimp .38 Special and .44 Magnum, because I load them in tubular mags where they get banged about by recoil.
Ziad wrote:Makes sense. Also edited my post and apologies about my phone autocorrect going crazy.
bladeracer wrote:Ziad wrote:Makes sense. Also edited my post and apologies about my phone autocorrect going crazy.
I've only moved to a smart phone a few weeks ago and last night I tried using it to read the forum. I now understand what the problems are with autocorrect