Lee collet dies

[burntmuch]

Anyone use the collet dies. Im looking to buy a set for my 35 whelen. Wondering if you guys are happy with them . Any info good or bad would be appreciated. I dont see them on midways website or catalog for the whelen. I can pick up a used set. just wondering if lees still making them. & if not why.  Thanks  Jay

[goodconcretecolor]

I've been using Lee collet dies for my Howa 30-06 for about 5 years and love them. No need to lube cases. After 2 or three reload runs through the collet die I have to full length resize or the cartridges chamber hard. I found the help accuracy with most loads

[rbergum95]

right now im using them for my .22 hornet and .223 and love them both. no lube no problems. if you can get your hands on a set for the whelen pick em up, otherwise the only way to get one is through the custom shop.

ron

[myarmor]

I use them for my 223, 270, 30-06, and 308 and love them.


-Aaron

[burntmuch]

I just picked up a used set on Ebay . Any one have directions  they could send me or Should I be able to figure them out by playing with them a little bit.

[Grumulkin]

I use a bunch of Lee Collet dies.  I like them for most applications but for some cartridges I get better results with traditional dies.

They're easy to use.  Just keep adjusting the die up until the neck is sized enough to hold a bullet firmly.  Don't use excessive press pressure though since it is possible to break these dies.

[chutesnreloads]

I use the Lee collet dies on all my rifles.Only grouch is the 6.5 swede needs full length resize after only two shots.

[MnMike]

burntmuch said "I just picked up a used set on Ebay . Any one have directions  they could send me or Should I be able to figure them out by playing with them a little bit."

If you have a Lee press, just screw in til it contacts the shellholder, then 1 turn more. If you have a press that toggles over, screw in one turn more to prevent the toggle over from wrecking the die.

Pull the handle down and put about 25 pounds pressure on it. I then usually the turn the case 150 degrees or so and press again.

good luck,

mike

[Old English]

If you go to the Lee website they have videos on how to set up most of their stuff. I love their collet dies, use them on 5 calibers. Make sure that the case neck is tight enough, I have reloaded some where the bullet can be pushed into the case. MnMike made a good suggestion, rotate them and press again.

[jedman]

Whats not to like about them ?  I use them for many standard and wildcat cartridges. I find they are very easy to modify to suit whatever cartridge you are working with, the mandrel diameter and O D of your case neck is what you working with, the rest of the sizing body just needs clearance. The metal they are made from is quite soft and easy to machine, you can shorten them or if you need to size a case longer than what the die is made for you can use a collar that will slip over the base of the brass casing and make up the height difference between the shell holder and the die body so the neck only of your casing is sized.                                                Jed

[mountainview]

Nice dies, use 'em for all my loading. The directions can probably be had by calling or emailing Lee in Hartford, WI (nice, helpful folks). Directions provided with the dies are ok but info posted above is about all that is really required to use them.

[ihuntbucks]

I use them for .3006,.223 and .308.They do a good job...........Rick

[burntmuch]

Got my collet dies. Reloaded 20 rounds 35 whelen. Not much to it. So far I like

[DDelle338]

Yep