Neck Sizing Die

[CJK8]

I was planning on getting an RCBS neck sizing die. Then I saw a couple of places recommend the Le collet necksizing die. Lee's website sure makes it sound good, but would I notice a diferrence in accuracy between it and RCBS? I was just planning on all things RCBS. Thanks.

http://leeprecision.com/xcart/Lee-Collet-Dies/

 

[Walkalong]

The Lee collet die works very well.

 

[kingmt]

I like mine.

 

[gamestalker]

I don't currently use a collet neck sizing die for any of my cartridges, but everything I've read about them, puts them in a class above all other sizing dies. According to one manufacturer of a collet die, brass life will be extended almost double that of a conventional neck sizing die. Now I don't know how that number will equate with my personal reloading style, considering I load for maximum obtainable velocity, and am constantly pushing pressures to the absolute maximum, but I don't honestly think double is a realistic estimate for my loading style. Currently I manage to get about 12 -15 loads from my 7mm RM brass depending on the head stamp. To increase that to even 15-20 cycles would be well worth the investment, but to think I could possibly see 25-30 loads from my brass seems unrealistic. But having heard some rather reliable claims that brass life spans are as high as 30 plus reloadings, makes it a plausable possibility.
Regarding accuracy, if the collet die isn't going to take away from the concept of what a neck die accomplishes for me, which I feel is unlikely, it should be a rather worthy investment. If I were you, having not already purchased the set up I currently use, I would certainly buy the Lee collet die.

 

[ranger335v]

I got my first Lee collet neck die years ago just to test it. Soon had one for each of my cartridges and haven't used a conventional neck die since.

The collet is a moving part so it isn't a simple 'Push the case in, pull the case out' thing. It takes a bit of understanding and feel that some just can't seem to master so they are best served with conventional dies. But those of us who take the time to learn to use it correctly love it.

Case life with neck sizing is mostly a matter of how hard the case necks are plus how large the chamber and die necks are, not chamber pressure. Lee's collet only moves the metal down to the proper size, meaning the brass is worked the absolute minimum necessary to reload the case. When fired, once the necks are pressed against the chamber additional pressure means nothing because they can't be stretched any further ... unless it's a KABOOM!

 

[Walkalong]

According to one manufacturer of a collet die, brass life will be extended almost double that of a conventional neck sizing die.

I don't see how, as other neck dies only squeeze the brass down just enough as well. Neither system needs to size more than needed and then expand. They only squeeze the neck down enough for adequate neck tension. They just do it differently.

 

[ranger335v]

All common neck dies do the same thing as a FL die; squeeze the necks down too much and then expand back to what is needed. That's the only way they can make sure necks of varying thickness get sized down enough. Lee's collet squeezes to a central steel mandral and no matter how hard we may push on the press that's as small as the necks are going to get. And a good plan that is.

 

[Walkalong]

Agh, I was thinking of bushing style neck dies, which are the only kind I have. The regular neck sizing dies don't make sense to me at all.

 

[kingmt]

I bought mine because I like the name of the kit better "Deluxe". After using it I decided I like not having to lube or put as much force on the press. I don't know about the extra life because I have nothing to compare it to. I only have about 10-15 firings on my brass. I FL all new to me brass then only NS after that.

 

[PreMod70]

I bought the first Lee collet die in my neighborhood and after years of use I'm still a fan. If I told you how many reloads on hot .243 Winchester brass I have done you would be calling me a liar so all I can say is try one and see. The first thing you will like is not having to lube the case, just an occasional detail strip and clean of the die. Enjoy.

PS: I throw the rubber o-rings away first thing and replace with a RCBS lock ring.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Another vote here...

For the success of the Lee Collet Die!

Agree with fine accuracy with it. Agree with long brass life with it. LOVE not having to lube and then de-lube cases after sizing.

Got one for each bottle-neck cartridge for which I reload.

Never use any other kind of die unless i can't help it, like a magnum case that needs to be FL sized back to normality.

You DO have to RTFM when you get it. Then read it again. Gamestalker stated the collet-die case eloquently above. Ranger 335 V correctly pointed out that there is a little technique to using the LCNSD correctly, but it's easily mastered.

BTW, the CS folks @ Lee Precision are good at helping you with a problem should you manage to develop one.

Lee Precision, Inc: www.leeprecision.com 4275 Highway U, Hartford, WI, 53027 1-262-673-3075

 

[brickeyee]

All common neck dies do the same thing as a FL die; squeeze the necks down too much and then expand back to what is needed.

Bushing style neck sizing dies do not have (or use) and expander.

You select the bushing based on case wall thickness and desired neck tension.