1903Collector
NES Member
got a couple of questions...Maybe someone here can answer it.
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got a couple of questions...Maybe someone here can answer it.
When I say loose I mean I can actually move the bulet in and out of the neck with my finger and I am wondering if I should screwed the die in a little more?
Do you guys crimp on your rounds? I crimped my first batch because I was concerned that they would get pushed in during handling. This is .223 and my start up load is 24gr of 748 with a Sierra 69grHPBT seated .020" of the rifling.
Walter,I'm Using a Lee collet die for the first time, is it normal for the bullet to be "loose" in the case. When I say loose I mean I can actually move the bulet in and out of the neck with my finger and I am wondering if I should screwed the die in a little more? ...
Walter...
Walter,
The case neck should be about .003" smaller than the bullet.
Re-read Lee's instructions for setting the die and you will be allright.
If you can't get proper results by following the instructions, there may be a problem with the die.
According to what I have read on other forums, Lee's quality control is apparently a little lax these days.
You should not be able to move the bullet with finger pressure.
A Rifle bullet that is pushed back into the case can raise pressures dramatically. I have seen a rifle blown up because of this.
Jack
Walter,
If the crimping is tight enough to keep the bullets from being pushed back into the cases, even though you can turn them, it should be safe to fire them. Accuracy might not be great though.
I found a picture of the Lee Classic cast press and it looks like it is compound linkage, so it should work out OK.
Don't be shy about putting some force to the press handle when sizing.
I've only sized a few cases with the collet dies but found that it does require a firm hand to get results.
I'm Using a Lee collet die for the first time, is it normal for the bullet to be "loose" in the case. When I say loose I mean I can actually move the bulet in and out of the neck with my finger and I am wondering if I should screwed the die in a little more? Do you guys crimp on your rounds? I crimped my first batch because I was concerned that they would get pushed in during handling. This is .223 and my start up load is 24gr of 748 with a Sierra 69grHPBT seated .020" of the rifling.
Thanks,
Walter...
Ammo for gas guns should be full length resized (I forget the exact reason why).
There's nothing wrong with sloooowly punching out and reusing a live primer. Follow Lee's instructions - turn the die down far enough that you can't cam-over the press, or raise it to the top of it's stroke. Then, the amount of pressure you use will determine how much sizing you do to the neck up to the max.
I see. With the Redding Bushing Neck Dies you can take out the decapper and expander and just run the case into the die with the appropriate bushing. You can do the same with a full length RCBS or Redding die but you want to keep the expander on the mandrel, otherwise the die squeezes the case neck a little too tight to get a bullet in.
Cant you get another mandrel from Lee and grind off the pin and then resize the necks?
How many rounds did you load up?
B