Author Topic: Lee Dies marking my cases (Read 376 times)

mudriver · « **on:** October 13, 2004, 03:57:55 PM »

Quick question for anyone. I got some Lee 30-30 AI dies to use recently and noticed that the resizing die left a circular mark on the shoulder of each of the cases. I looked inside the die and saw and small hole in the shoulder that is making that mark. Now I have Lee 300 WM and 30-06 dies and never noticed this mark so I called Lee. They said that hole was a vent for the case lube to go so it doesn't build up. The guy on the phone said when he loads his Lee dies make a mark on his cases. Now, is this correct? Should I have marks on my cases?

Thanks for any help.

rickyp · « **Reply #1 on:** October 14, 2004, 02:48:17 AM »

I have several lee dies and have yet to see a mark from them.

are you sure they are 30-30 AI dies and not just 30-30?

josebd · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2004, 07:12:42 AM »

ive used lee and rcbs and they leave a circular mark all the way around the brass,doesn't hurt a thing,if it bothers you send it back in,they will fix or replace it!

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2004, 12:47:32 PM »

The vent hole is spozed to be there and can cause dented cases if it gets clogged. The mark only shows up when extreme pressure is needed to resize cases. Try backing your dies off a bit to size only enough for the action to close on a chambered case.

This should eliminate the mark and will also give you much longer case life. Wildcat chambers vary and Lee has to make the dies to size for the shortest chamber that is likely to be found. When you have a longer chamber and are sizing for a minimum chamber, the shoulder is being moved back and forth several thous with every firing and reloading.

Adjusting your dies to suit your particular chamber eliminates this.