Something is still not Kosher

[TonyAngel]

Send them to Lee. It's the dies. I'm not trying to start a war or anything, but sometimes you do get what you pay for. Don't get me wrong, I have a few sets of Lee dies myself, but Hornady and Dillon are much nicer. It would be harder to explain beyond that, except to say that if you load a few rounds with the Lee dies and then switch to the Hornady or Dillon, you can tell the difference.

The last set of Lee dies that I got was the four die set in .45 ACP. While I was loading, something kept binding. Something similar to what you are experiencing, but not to that extent. It turned out that the FCD was binding. Maybe it was sized too small. I swapped it for a Hornady and guess what. The problem went away. The Lee dies are inexpensive because corners were cut someplace. That's not always a bad thing, but sometimes it shows.

Lee is a good company. They'll make it right.

 

[LiveLife]

I'm not trying to start a war or anything, but sometimes you do get what you pay for.

Try telling that to Toyota owners now ... and Lexus owners next ...

Very satisfied customer of Lee products. Great customer service by the way - Yes, call Lee about the dies.

 

[Walkalong]

Call Lee. They will make it right. I have had more problems with a "better" name brand than I have with Lee. I have only had one Lee die over the years that had a problem.

Every maker has been "can to cain't" every day for a couple of years trying to keep up. They have surely made more mistakes than usual in that time, all of them.

 

[JimKirk]

Lee the Best Reloading products made.

 

[jfh]

Well, brand name issues or otherwise, the discussion consensus seems to be that this is likely something wrong with the die. So, let's see what happens with a change there.

Jim H.

P.S. The 2002 PT Cruiser I own had a general level of fit-finish-reliability, etc., beyond my former benchmark for car quality, a 1985 Accord. And, I was so paranoid about buying my first Chrysler product I bought the 100K warranty.

 

[jcwit]

Now we have a conspiracy theory regarding the auto industry. ssshhhhheeeeeesssss!!

 

[The Bushmaster]

I agree with Walkalong. Something is wrong with that die or it's the wrong one. 9mmX19 is a tappered case and shouldn't get stuck. I have a die set that is over 25 years old and has done thousands of 9mmX19 cases and has never had any stick...

 

[JimKirk]

Lee The best Reloading products made.

 

[LiveLife]

All you have to do is look at this board, I would bet that at least 80% or more of the problems discussed relating to mechanical reloading products, are Lee based.

This may be due to greater number of new THR members buying the Lee products.

I found many new to reloading (due to cost as a primary factor) start out with the Lee products. And as money flow improves, will add other higher priced brand components and products.

This is The High Road where I see newbies to reloading with newbie questions/problems get very pertinent and timely solutions. Some posters at other forums often laugh off and make fun of the new reloader posts (and the poster never get the answer they need or often get the wrong information).

My bet is that many of these posters left other forums and posted here because they see the quality of responses to other posters' problems.

BTW JimKirk, I do enjoy your "quality" posts

 

[Hey_Allen]

The only real fault I have with a set of Lee dies I purchased seems to be a designed in quirk on Lee's part.

I haven't had issues with them sticking, other than the case neck expander die, as it's a powder through design that 'sticks' for a moment on the beginning of the down stroke, supposedly to give the internal funnel a tap to shake free any powder that may be bridging in it or sticking to the sides.

 

[navyretired 1]

I alway's lightly lube cases even in carbide, just because they can be used dry don't mean you should.
Sounds like a lube problem, I've been using range pickups for most of my life and only subgun brass is expanded even enough to see a bulge. What's this about Glocks expanding brass, I've had a 17 Glock since early 80's and never noticed any over expanded cases. A good spray lube should be all thats necessary.

 

[JMatters]

Maybe I'm older than most of you guys, but if I remember correctly, Blazer ammo used NOT to be re-loadable. If after 300 mixed cases, only 3 gave serious issues, and ALL were Blazers, I think you got some old cases...

 

[jcwit]

What's this about Glocks expanding brass, I've had a 17 Glock since early 80's and never noticed any over expanded cases. A good spray lube should be all thats necessary.

Some if not all glocks usually leave a bulged case, have no idea which models or how many but this has been discussed here many times. This is why Redding and Lee are making special dies to correct this problem in 40 cal. IIRC Redding is only offering their die in 40 cal, and I believe Lee is offering theirs in a few different cal 9mm being one.

 

[rozziboy18]

i had a prob, like that about 2 months ago with 308 brass with both hornday dies and lee dies, my .02 on the matter is disasimble the die and polish the main body, ie the parts the contact the brass, dont sand, just polish with a goods metal polishing compound, not to much though you dont want to over heat the die. then clean until your fingers bleed then clean some more. this wont affect the resized casings diamiter, but will aid in smooth operation, and help the die prosses the bullet. the easyest way i have found to do this is to use a mop that you would clean a barrel with and ad compound and afix it to a drill to do the hard work. be carfull not to over do it. if it dosent work after 20 seconds of polishing then its not going to

 

[LiveLife]

Some if not all glocks usually leave a bulged case, have no idea which models

The Gen1/Gen2 Glocks are the worst with both loose chamber and deeply cut in chamber/ramp area. 40S&W and 45ACP models seem to be the biggest offenders. The chamber/ramp area has been improved for Gen3/Gen4 Glocks, but the loose chamber still bulges cases about 2/3 way down from the neck.

I believe Lee is offering theirs in a few different cal 9mm being one.

Bulge Buster kit uses Lee Factory Crimp Die (with guts removed) to "push all the way through the case" to remove any Glocked bulge and comes in 380 Auto, 40S&W, 10mm, 41AE, 45ACP, 45GAP, 45WinMag.

They are beta testing the 9mm die kit.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6245465#post6245465

 

[jcwit]

Thanks for the info bds, I was going from memory and didn't take the time to look every thing up.

Again thanks
jcwit

 

[1SOW]

All you have to do is look at this board, I would bet that at least 80% or more of the problems discussed relating to mechanical reloading products, are Lee based.

I wonder what percentage of board users use LEE equipment/dies?

I also wonder what percentage of first time reloaders use LEE.?

I suspect LEE enjoys a large percentage of the reloading equipment market.

 

[jcwit]

I would bet

That phrase in itself is the begining of a profound statement.

 

[JimKirk]

OK guys ..... I am going back and edit my post so you all can "Have Your Way"!

Lee has got to be the best reloading products made!

Will that make it "OK" with you all?

I will refrain from making any more comments about Lee products or threads.

Thanks
Jimmy K

 

[Epicurean]

I was out of the Internet loop last night but did have have a chance to work on my problem. I used the Hornady wax to finish off all my clean 9mm brass. No runs, no drips, no errors! The difference in the resistance in the die was truly amazing. I just kept wax on my fingers (about very fifth case I put more on) and processed twice as fast as before. I now hold the assertion that "carbide dies don't need to be lubed" in very low regard. I'm gonna try rozziboy's idea - apparently the surface of my die is lacking or perhaps the die was made on the low side of tolerances. Anyway, I processed the brass and have regained my warm and fuzzy feeling.

This is The High Road where I see newbies to reloading with newbie questions/problems get very pertinent and timely solutions. Some posters at other forums often laugh off and make fun of the new reloader posts (and the poster never get the answer they need or often get the wrong information).

My bet is that many of these posters left other forums and posted here because they see the quality of responses to other posters' problems.

Amen! This is indeed The High Road. I used to lurk several other forums but never posted in fear of humiliation. You guys are in a league of your own and this forum is the only one I visit any more. Thanks for all the help and the wonderful attitude in which it is offered.

 

[jcwit]

Iusually spray my cases with Blaster "brand name" teflon spray. Have done it this way for years not necessarly to lube for the die or case, but just because it makes it easier, and I'm old and lazy. lol

 

[smoking357]

Man, that's tough to diagnose. I see you're doing .38s. I have never had a case stick so solidly that I couldn't raise the arm. Lee carbide dies usually don't grip cases too tightly.

Shoot a video and post it to Youtube. I need to see this.

On another point, don't waste your time decapping. On a Lee turret, you decap and size in the first die, then move on. It's a very quick process. There is no advantage to decapping prior to continuing the loading process. In fact, it slows you down, as you have to manually advance the turret for each round.

 

[smoking357]

I now hold the assertion that "carbide dies don't need to be lubed" in very low regard.

They don't. Seriously. Your problem is very rare. 9mms size extremely easily on the Lee. I know. I have those dies. Check the side of the die to make sure it's the right caliber. <- Sorry if that's insulting.

 

[Maj Dad]

I had Lee dies but didn't like the results I was getting. I switched all my sizers to Hornady Titanium Nitride and they are slicker'n greased owl feces - never had a problem in almost 20 years, and I have loaded a boat-load of ammo of all manner. 9mm, 38/357, 44spl/mag, 45lc - superb performance. This is MY experience & MY 2 cents - not a putdown of other brands...

 

[Epicurean]

Smoking-

I'm decapping because Midway had the Lee Safety Prime on backorder and I don't want to handle the primers. I'm using the RCBS APS system which is OK since I'm new and taking my time. Right now I'm using the turret like a single stage to help me develop good skills and safety.

I checked the markings on the die early on in the problem. I'm convinced I have a rare problem with a rough finish on the face of the die bore. Before I tried the lube I occasionally had to use two hands to start the lever up and the case would jar loose from the die. My bench was actually flexing. The lube made the problem disappear and the resistance was about the same as my .38 die.

I happened to buy a less than perfect but ultimately functional product. I own a small manufacturing business and strive for zero defects. In a perfect world the goal would be attainable; but in reality it's impossible. I don't hold Lee in any lower regard - I'll buy more of their products.