New lock nuts from Lee

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RealGun

RealGun

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I just received a Lee 3-die die set for 38 Colt and found then to have the new lock nut. I like them since they are easy to turn by hand, while Lee offers a special wrench for them, able to fit on a die that is in a tight turret cluster.
 
i just got a new set of lee dies myself. the locknuts are definately different. i like them. real easy to tighten.
 
Ugh... Not my style! Ditto Catpop on the repeatability. I like the Hornday split pinch nuts... very tight grip without dimpeling the die threads like RCBC set screw locking nuts.

I really like Lee collect crimp dies... But I throw away their non-locking o-ring nuts. If I remove a die I want to be able to put it back in the press exactly where it was without worrying if I am going to inadvertently index the die in the nut when they are out of the press.
 
I'll keep an open mind on the new Lee lock nut. I haven't seen once in person yet. I DO like the idea though, the wrench looks easy to use and you can use it at any angle, something you can't say about the others especially the Hornady. I've tried about every brand, and they all have their pluses and minuses.

The Hornady ones are harder to use on a progressive with die plates....so are the round Forsters. Too big a circumference. The old Lees work fine on a Progressive with a die head because you set it once and leave it alone.

The RCBS ones don't bugger threads anymore since they changed to brass set screws....I like them just fine on my single station presses. The Dillon ones are the smallest circumference, but they don't use set screws at all....and don't need them if you set them once on a progressive die head and leave them alone.

The new Lees look like an improvement over their old ones....I'll give them a try. Looks to me like they have the "O" ring still....and I don't have a problem with that ....the screw is like the Forster/Hornadys.....the wrench is all Lee. the outside diameter? That's the question.

Picture is from Lee's picture packet for promotion of their product. 575065.jpg
 
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Time will tell. But I don’t know why they didn’t just loose the oring!

Their idea is somewhat like the close quarter bolts that use reduced 12 point heads for use with small diameter socket drives; like hydraulic line split flanges, hydraulic pump case bolts, exhaust header flange bolts, etc.

I foresee a very thin wall deep socket for these special nuts in the very near future!
 
Catpop said:
I, a mechanic, have always thought Lee’s o-ring die locknuts su-k! Jmho They have no repeatability!
Their dies; on the other hand, perform quite satisfactorily.
Click to expand...
Yes, someone is always triggered by mention of Lee. I think the O-ring is fine, certainly these new ones, if the die is dedicated to a load and stays in a turret or on the press otherwise.
 
GW Staar said:
I'll keep an open mind on the new Lee lock nut. I haven't seen once in person yet. I DO like the idea though, the wrench looks easy to use and you can use it at any angle, something you can't say about the others especially the Hornady. I've tried about every brand, and they all have their pluses and minuses.

The Hornady ones are harder to use on a progressive with die plates....so are the round Forsters. Too big a circumference. The old Lees work fine on a Progressive with a die head because you set it once and leave it alone.

The RCBS ones don't bugger threads anymore since they changed to brass set screws....I like them just fine on my single station presses. The Dillon ones are the smallest circumference, but they don't use set screws at all....and don't need them if you set them once on a progressive die head and leave them alone.

The new Lees look like an improvement over their old ones....I'll give them a try. Looks to me like they have the "O" ring still....and I don't have a problem with that ....the screw is like the Forster/Hornadys.....the wrench is all Lee. the outside diameter? That's the question.

Picture is from Lee's picture packet for promotion of their product.View attachment 884180
Click to expand...
The new nuts on the die set are not the split rings with set screw. There are two versions.
 
Appears you are right......the picture shows such a thing.....and of course the "O" ring is visible.....

https://leeprecision.com/sz-carb-die-only-40-s-w.html

Guessing, I'd say the split ring would work best for a single stage.....and the one without for a die plate you can adjust once and leave alone.

I'm still curious.....would like to thread an old nut below it and see which one is the smallest diameter. Betting on the old one, but who knows.....surely RealGun has an old one, can do that and tell us.....picture of it would be added gravy. ;)
 
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GW Staar said:
Appears you are right......the picture shows such a thing.....and of course the "O" ring is visible.....

https://leeprecision.com/sz-carb-die-only-40-s-w.html

Guessing, I'd say the split ring would work best for a single stage.....and the one without for a die plate you can adjust once and leave alone.

I'm still curious.....would like to thread an old nut below it and see which one is the smallest diameter. Betting on the old one, but who knows.....surely RealGun has an old one, can do that and tell us.....picture of it would be added gravy. ;)
Click to expand...
Too late...my 38 Long Colt setup is all adjusted and in use on a turret, a good example of how one could use the nuts and then leave alone...not true "lock nuts" beyond holding a setting on the press. They work for that. Good thought, but sorry.
 
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I recently bought some Lee U dies and factory crimp dies. One came with the new ring, the rest with the old, I swapped them out for a forster ring like I always do :)
 
I never had a problem with the old Lee lock rings. I just turned them upside down and moved the ring and nut together when they were close to being tight. Measured crimps and bullet length after inserting the dies every time for years and came to the conclusion they stay in adjustment if you break the joint with a wrench on the nut and hold tension on the die at the same time. I will take all the lee die nuts you guys want to send me.:thumbup:
 
GW Staar said:
Appears you are right......the picture shows such a thing.....and of course the "O" ring is visible.....

https://leeprecision.com/sz-carb-die-only-40-s-w.html

Guessing, I'd say the split ring would work best for a single stage.....and the one without for a die plate you can adjust once and leave alone.

I'm still curious.....would like to thread an old nut below it and see which one is the smallest diameter. Betting on the old one, but who knows.....surely RealGun has an old one, can do that and tell us.....picture of it would be added gravy. ;)
Click to expand...
Near as I could measure without disturbing the new dies is that the new nut is the same .300 (thickness) as the old nut. Diameter is 1.240 compared to 1.257 on the old nut at the corners. I would consider that insignificant.
 
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