Collet dies?

[longwinters]

Have a buddy who asked me about the ins and outs of collet dies.  Had to admit that I have never used one and did not know anything about them.  I have read where some people have trouble with them, and it seems that there are a few things you gotta know about them to get good results.

Can you fill me in?

Long

[ron haralson]

I have Lee collet dies in 257 rob, 6.5 x 55, 30 - 30 and 30 - 06. Mine have all worked well and have been used for several years. Seem pretty simple, just adjust the neck tension to fit your bullet size. Brass seems to last longer before the necks split.

[Ahab]

I won't use anything else on .243, 7mm-08, 7x57, 7mmMag. Wish I could use them on my   257WBY. Very easy to set up. Instruction included.

[longwinters]

All I use is the standard RCBS dies.  Never had a problem with them.  But my buddy got these dies to load for a 356 lever.  Got em used so no instructions.  Any more info from those of you that are "in the know"  will be appreciated.

Long

[crawford769]

are they lee dies?  if so the instructions say to screw in the die until it touches the shellholder plus 1 turn more.  after you run the case into the die, apply firm pressure (min. 25lbs.) to close the collet and size the neck.  you can also add 1/4 turn more for more grip, and for greater accuracy you can turn the case 180 degrees and size again.  also for non lee presses screw the die in until it touches the shell holder then 2 more turns.   i have some lee collet dies and they are great to use. 

[MnMike]

They are the real deal. They work. I tried a neck sizing die from Hornaday. It was worthless. The Lee dies are easy to use and really improve accuracy. If you shoot a Contender or a bolt, give them a try. The instructions from crawford769  are right on for a Lee press. I don't have another brand press so I don't know about the two turns adjustment.

JMHO

mike

[jgalar]

Best bet is just go to www.leeprecision.com and look under FAQ. They have the collet dies listed.

[bigjeepman]

I use the Lee Deluxe Die Sets for .223, .243, and .308 reloading. For $34.00 per caliber, you get 3 dies, a shellholder, and a Lee dipper and for me that's a good deal because they are quality products that work well for me. They are the only Lee products I use because I use RCBS in my other reloading tools. They come with easy to understand instructions that were well explained by crawford769. I necksize for my bolt rifles and the accuracy improvement is very noticeable.

[**oneshot**]

I use the Lee collet dies for both of my .308's.  The only thing to remember is that you'll have to keep your brass seperate for each rifle since the brass will be fire formed to your chamber.  I use two different manufacturers just not to mix them up.

[wncchester]

To know the difference requires that we have used both conventional NS and Collet NS dies.  I have.  I use the Lee collets when ever possible.  'Nuff said.  (And Lee's FCD crimpers too.)

[tree rat]

need help --- lee collet neck size die, in a lee classic press, with the ram at the top of the stroke, when the instructions say screew die in to touch plus one turn. here is my question --- does that mean with the collet hanging down in the open position just touching the shellholder plus one, OR turn the die in to take up the slack, freeplay out of the collet, plus one? the latter is what I tryed, but I felt that was too much because it looks like a small ring, that you can catch your fingernail on, at the junction of the shoulder and neck. help me set it right because I want my brass to last as long as possible!

[wncchester]

Generally speaking, we must take out the "slack" and turn in the extra turn.  Like cooking a roast, following instructions will get us there but once we learn what we are doing it becomes an art and we vary things a bit to suit our needs. 

I assume the "small ring" you speak of is a bulge at the point the neck sizing starts.  If so, don't worry about it, that's what it is supposed to do.

However, if it's a ring that actually cuts into the brass, you need to send the die to Lee for correction.

[tree rat]

the ring is a very small cut, that you can just catch a fingernail on. I just tryed ajusting it again by taking the slack out plus 1/2 turn in, and the ring went away and you cannot push a bullet in by hand, so I think I was over doing it, or the die is slightly out of spec. is there any reason I should be one turn in if 1/2 will grip the bullet tight?

[wncchester]

Nope.  That's the "art" part.  When neck tension is good, you're done.