lee dies?? - The Firearms Forum

444 marlin · 10-20-2011, 11:51 AM

have any of you guys used the deluxe rifle dies with the collet neck sizer die? Does it work ok? any problems?
thanks for your time and advise
Wayne

Caneman · 10-20-2011, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 444 marlin

have any of you guys used the deluxe rifle dies with the collet neck sizer die? Does it work ok? any problems?
thanks for your time and advise
Wayne

Sizing was OK, had other problems. Overall I don't prefer Lee rifle dies, Lee pistol dies are fine for me. I had problems with the seating depth varying all over the place... just turn the seating die upside down, shake it around, and look inside and the seating steam moves all over... I switched to Forster and haven't looked back, rock solid... seats consistently within +/- 0.001 every time. I know RCBS, Hornady, etc. make fine seating dies as well.

444 marlin · 10-20-2011, 01:19 PM

I am looking at the forester dies,I have there coaxial press,it was a bonaza back when I bought it.
Thanks Wayne

LDBennett · 10-20-2011, 03:47 PM

I have some of the earlier LEE collet dies. Typical of LEE they used the wrong materials for the collet and the die body. The result was the two galled together and required regular stoning to get them to operate smoothly or at all. There is nothing wrong with a Neck Size only die from anyone else or even a Full Length Sizing Die backed off so the shoulder of the case is not touched by the die.

LEE regular dies internal finish is no match for that of others like RCBS, or Hornady, for example. You get what you pay for. The LEE collet die is a good concept but it must be implemented well or galling is one of the pitfalls. The same goes for the LEE Rifle Factory Crimp Die since it too uses collet action to work and I have had trouble with them too.

Buy whatever you want but just remember the saying "you get what you pay for".

LDBennett

312shooter · 10-20-2011, 06:48 PM

I can agree the lee dies are manufactured with lower standards and material. The galling is a factor in certain dies, and have proven themselves as such on my bench. However, the factory crimp dies are worth every penny. I reload some odd, low quantity cartriges such as 32acp and 50ae with them due to the infrequent and low use, it doesnt justify a more costly set.

old semperfi · 10-20-2011, 09:36 PM

i guess im the exception,the only problem ive ever had was a broken decapping pin. old semperfi

American Leader · 10-20-2011, 09:39 PM

Save your breath semperfi, been down this road. Used almost exclusively LEE dies for many thousands of rounds, no problems!

JLA · 10-20-2011, 09:53 PM

Youre not the only exception old semperfi. I have been using Lee dies since I took up reloading almost a decade ago. They make accurate and concentric ammo for me, both pistol and rifle.

heres some .30-06 ammo i just finished loading not 15 minutes ago for my M1, and a .589" group I fired with my .308 savage a few months ago. All loaded with LEE rifle dies on an RCBS single stage press.

I see no issue with Lee dies and think they are the absolute best bang for anyones buck. In fact the ONLY dies I can see justifying the extra bread for is Redding competition dies. Theres simply nothing better than redding IMO.

gdmoody · 10-20-2011, 10:07 PM

The only neck size die I have from Lee is one for 30.06 and I like it just fine. I don't particularly like the collet style but they do work.

Josh, those are some good looking loads for that old beat up M1 you own!!

American Leader · 10-20-2011, 10:16 PM

Loaded a 100 rounds of your bullets George and they are just as pretty as Josh's only they don't have those little red nipples!

JLA · 10-20-2011, 10:22 PM

I like nipples.

American Leader · 10-20-2011, 10:24 PM

Josh, remember the last time this happened? Everyone started posting about nipples!

gdmoody · 10-20-2011, 10:26 PM

There is nothing wrong with little red nipples!!

JLA · 10-20-2011, 10:26 PM

ha ha yeah. and we ran off a member from the chatroom..

American Leader · 10-20-2011, 10:29 PM

I'm hittin the ole F__t sac you guy's enjoy your evening!LOL And I most certainly remember!

JLA · 10-20-2011, 10:29 PM

mee too. I gotta work in the AM.

10-20-2011, 11:51 AM	#1
444 marlin Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 13	lee dies?? have any of you guys used the deluxe rifle dies with the collet neck sizer die? Does it work ok? any problems? thanks for your time and advise Wayne -->

10-20-2011, 01:19 PM	#3
444 marlin Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 13	Re: lee dies?? I am looking at the forester dies,I have there coaxial press,it was a bonaza back when I bought it. Thanks Wayne

10-20-2011, 03:47 PM	#4
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,711	Re: lee dies?? I have some of the earlier LEE collet dies. Typical of LEE they used the wrong materials for the collet and the die body. The result was the two galled together and required regular stoning to get them to operate smoothly or at all. There is nothing wrong with a Neck Size only die from anyone else or even a Full Length Sizing Die backed off so the shoulder of the case is not touched by the die. LEE regular dies internal finish is no match for that of others like RCBS, or Hornady, for example. You get what you pay for. The LEE collet die is a good concept but it must be implemented well or galling is one of the pitfalls. The same goes for the LEE Rifle Factory Crimp Die since it too uses collet action to work and I have had trouble with them too. Buy whatever you want but just remember the saying "you get what you pay for". LDBennett

10-20-2011, 06:48 PM	#5
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,148	Re: lee dies?? I can agree the lee dies are manufactured with lower standards and material. The galling is a factor in certain dies, and have proven themselves as such on my bench. However, the factory crimp dies are worth every penny. I reload some odd, low quantity cartriges such as 32acp and 50ae with them due to the infrequent and low use, it doesnt justify a more costly set. __________________ "Democracy is based on citizenship- perhaps the greatest gift the United States has given to the world- Power is vested in the people themselves, and government flows from the people" James M Henslin

10-20-2011, 09:36 PM	#6
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: lee dies?? i guess im the exception,the only problem ive ever had was a broken decapping pin. old semperfi

10-20-2011, 09:39 PM	#7
American Leader Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Contributor Posts: 1,630	Re: lee dies?? Save your breath semperfi, been down this road. Used almost exclusively LEE dies for many thousands of rounds, no problems!

10-20-2011, 09:53 PM	#8
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,308	Re: lee dies?? Youre not the only exception old semperfi. I have been using Lee dies since I took up reloading almost a decade ago. They make accurate and concentric ammo for me, both pistol and rifle. heres some .30-06 ammo i just finished loading not 15 minutes ago for my M1, and a .589" group I fired with my .308 savage a few months ago. All loaded with LEE rifle dies on an RCBS single stage press. I see no issue with Lee dies and think they are the absolute best bang for anyones buck. In fact the ONLY dies I can see justifying the extra bread for is Redding competition dies. Theres simply nothing better than redding IMO. Attached Images __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

10-20-2011, 10:07 PM	#9
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,313	Re: lee dies?? The only neck size die I have from Lee is one for 30.06 and I like it just fine. I don't particularly like the collet style but they do work. Josh, those are some good looking loads for that old beat up M1 you own!! __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

10-20-2011, 10:16 PM	#10
American Leader Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Contributor Posts: 1,630	Re: lee dies?? Loaded a 100 rounds of your bullets George and they are just as pretty as Josh's only they don't have those little red nipples!

10-20-2011, 10:22 PM	#11
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,308	Re: lee dies?? I like nipples. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

10-20-2011, 10:24 PM	#12
American Leader Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Contributor Posts: 1,630	Re: lee dies?? Josh, remember the last time this happened? Everyone started posting about nipples!

10-20-2011, 10:26 PM	#13
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,313	Re: lee dies?? There is nothing wrong with little red nipples!! __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

10-20-2011, 10:26 PM	#14
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,308	Re: lee dies?? ha ha yeah. and we ran off a member from the chatroom.. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

10-20-2011, 10:29 PM	#15
American Leader Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Contributor Posts: 1,630	Re: lee dies?? I'm hittin the ole F__t sac you guy's enjoy your evening!LOL And I most certainly remember!

10-20-2011, 10:29 PM	#16
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,308	Re: lee dies?? mee too. I gotta work in the AM. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!