Do Lee Collet Dies (neck sizing only ) decap too?

[MartinBrody]

I want to reload 7mm-08 and would prefer to neck size only so I can use the brass longer. The Lee Collet Die set includes a neck sizing only die and a bullet seating die. Do these neck sizing only dies decap too, or do I need a universal decapping die as well?

 

[mswestfall]

On MidwayUSA it says yes.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=676070&t=11082005

 

[fineredmist]

The Lee Collet Neck Sizing die does both sizing and decapping and it works very well. Clean the cases and put them through (no lube needed) and you are ready to load.

 

[stovepipe699]

You can get a Deluxe die set that has a F/L resizer die as well as the collet neck sizer, and the dead length bullet seater die(not capable of crimp). When you get new brass you may want to run it through the F/L die, and when you get once fired stuff you have to resize. Just thought I would mention it in case you hadn't thought of it.
Rob

 

[gandog56]

My Lee .223 dies have both the FL sizer and the Neck only sizers. Works great. Like the man above says, new brass or used brass not fired through my rifle, F\L resize. Ones fired through my rifle, neck sized only.

 

[MartinBrody]

You can get a Deluxe die set that has a F/L resizer die as well as the collet neck sizer

I saw that set, but don't think it is available in 7mm-08. I will only be using once fired brass from factory loads I run through my Remington 700 bolt action, so I don't think I will have any trouble with neck sizing only. I have 100 pieces of once fired brass I already put through it, I figure that should last me a while, especially if I am only neck sizing. I love 7mm-08, I bought it in case I want to hunt deer, but will primarily just use it at the range, the round is expensive but reloading made cost less of a factor and a reason to try reloading for a rifle round.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[SSN Vet]

I'm not nearly as 'in the know' as others....

but when reloading .30-30, if I back out the full length sizing die ever so slightly, it no longer sets the shoulder back.

is this affectively neck sizing??

I've done this with once fired factory brass that was fired in my Marlin and have not had any problems chambering my reloads.

I figure I'm working the brass less and am gaining some of the advantages of shooting fire formed brass.

 

[ForneyRider]

I have Lee Deluxe rifle set in 7mm Mag, .22-250, and .270Win:

It comes with:

1) Collet neck-only sizer die with decapper
2) Full length sizer die with decapper
3) bullet seater die
4) Load Data
5) shell holder
6) powder dipper

The top of the neck-only sizer die looks quite a bit different from the full-length sizer die. Doesn't look like you can adjust the decapper pin, like you can with the full length. Not sure why I need to adjust the decapper anyways. But I am still in newbie stage.

I would have preferred it came with crimp die instead of the shell holder and powder dipper, as you can get the those in a set or a press kit.

 

[robertbank]

I shoot mostly lead in my rifles and use the Lee neck sizing die for all my bolt guns. Semi-autoas have to be full length sized. The Lee FCD for rifles is excellent and works great particularily for cast bullet shooting.

Take Care

Bob

 

[Ol` Joe]

The collet die works great but at some point the shoulder may move foreward enought that you will want to "bump" it back slightly with a FL sizer to help ease chambering. This is true with all neck sizers. I`m not saying run out and buy a FL die , but letting you know of possibilities of a future problem.

I'm not nearly as 'in the know' as others....

but when reloading .30-30, if I back out the full length sizing die ever so slightly, it no longer sets the shoulder back.

is this affectively neck sizing??

SSN Vet you doing what is known as "partial sizeing" and it does with sharply tapered brass such as the 30-30 effectivly neck size. Keep an eye out for shoulder movment here too. This time though it can come from the expander ball pulling the shoulder foreward. I do this quite often, although I set my dies with a case shoulder "sooted or colored with magic marker" and screw the die down until it just touches the shoulder for about 1/2-2/3 of its surface. The soot or ink will smear as the die touches it and this point is easy to find. Lock the die in this position and you`re set to go. The body of the case might see a touch of sizeing doing it this way, although it will be more likely with a straighter walled case such as a 308 or 223,, so be sure to lube. This also helps keep the case runout at a minimum, IMO, as the body is slightly supported when the neck is sized.

 

[stubbicatt]

The benefits of neck sizing for most bottleneck cartridges are greatly overstated, and the possibilities of function issues often understated. Those cartridges which headspace on a rim, such as 30-30 and 7.62x54r, where the shoulder dimensions between differing chambers tend towards the long side, and where shoulder setback upon use of the full length resizing dies decreases brass life, the neck size or partial full length sizing keeps the cartridge in greater conformity with the given chamber.

For all the rest of the bottleneck cartridges, full length sizing with a quality die will assure better function and, for factory rifles with standard chambers and necks, will provide similar accuracy.

Most folks don't like full length sizing because of the mess and inconvenience of lubrication.

I have developed a method of applying quality case lube which is much easier and less messy. Take you a 1 cup atomizer you buy at the local big-box store, and squeeze one tube of Lee case lube from the toothpaste tube into the atomizer. Add a 50/50 mix of tap water and isopropyl alcohol to the atomizer, and shake well. Voila!

When you are ready to do some reloading, take a ziploc freezer bag, add a few handsful of brass to the bag, and squirt 5 to 10 squirts of your lube into she bag. Zip it shut and roll the cases all around so that they are all evenly coated with the mixture. Pour the cases out onto a towel to dry for about 20 minutes or so. They are now ready for resizing.

After sizing, it is easy enough to remove the lube by tumbling your cases for about 10 minutes or so.

Additional benefits to this lube include: non tacky, so it doesn't attract grit or lint, and cases can be stored indefinitely in a lubed condition in a sealed tub; the insides of the case necks also get lubed so no expander ball drag; and you don't have to clean the lube off the cases to shoot them.

Best of all it is really cheap.

YMMV