[Ignition Override]

Have only done any reloading steps-once-on a friend's gear, which is different and already in place.

Was able to learn how to attach the handle to the press on this Lee Ann. Kit, and punch out the old primers, but the same neck-sizing die (British .303) does nothing to the case neck.

Nothing else has been done (no powder/primers in place yet etc), but when inserting a bullet into the case the bullet can easily be pushed into the case. Took the die out to learn how it works and can't reattach the upper part, which has screw threads. The inside section won't go in very far.

The original directions said to let the die contact the shellholder, then tighten one or two turns.

Will be lucky to have any reloading done by this summer.

[qajaq59]

Read the instructions one more time, and if that doesn't help, then call Lee. They should be your best source, as they hear of every problem anyone ever has, I'm sure. They'll probably straighten it out in 2 minutes for you.

[JDGray]

Did you put it back together with the bushing upside down? The flat part goes up, and recessed part goes toward the collet. Then the decapper sets on the flat surface. Keep adjusting the die down till it sizes the neck, it kinda feels funky.:)

[NuJudge]

A Full Length rifle die, with the press ram all the way up you screw the Full Length die down into the press to contact the shell holder, and if you actually want to full length size, you run the ram down and screw the die in some amount further, usually something on the order of a QUARTER turn, not one or two turns. Die and press manufacturers will suggest how much further that might be, but your rifle or your gauge would give much more useful information. If you size a case too much it will fail much more quickly.

Carbide straight wall pistol Full Length size dies are screwed into the press until they contact the ram, then backed up a little.

There are various methods of locking the die where you need it. You are using a Lee press, so you are probably using Lee dies with Lee "lock" rings (which actually don't lock at all). You will have to reset them each time, which is not a bad practice even with other lock ring types.

There are other types of dies: Belling dies, Expander or "M" dies, Seating dies, and Crimp dies amongst them. For rifle calibers, using jacketed bullets, you are only likely to use a Seating die, but you might use a Crimp die also. With all but the last two, the position of the die body is not important, it's the guts that are important. The variation in these is so much you should look to the manufacturer's instructions, either those that came with the dies or at their website.

Before Sizing (be it Full Length sizing, Neck sizing, or other) a projectile should slip easily into the case mouth and neck. If it does not, you have one of a number of serious problems. After case sizing (and expanding if necessary), the neck should be .002" to .004" smaller than the bullet, so it will grip it like grim death. For most pistol and some rifle applications, it is necessary to slightly "bell" the mouth of the case to get the bullet to go into the case.

[JDGray]

the same neck-sizing die (British .303) does nothing to the case neck.


He's clearly neck sizing:)

[Blackrock]

The LEE die uses a taper lock on the dacapping rod. The nut takes a 1/2" wrench and hold the body with another wrench(I think 3/4") Take the nut out and slip the decapping rod in then install into the main die body fairky tight. Adjust the depth of the pin to knockthe primer out but allow the cartridge case to fully enter the die body.

[1SOW]

The Lee site also has some 'how to' videos, and as has been said, email Lee and they'll send advice..

[hogshead]

I love Lee reloaders but to the novice their directions might as well be written in Chinese.Post your questions here someone will know.

[Seedtick]

UltimateReloader is a member here and he has some super quality instructional videos on his site that will help get you going. Spend a little time over there looking around.

UltimateReloader.com (http://ultimatereloader.com/)

ST

:)

[janobles14]

snap a picture and youll have your answer within minutes

[Blackrock]

OK I was able to talk IGN through his problem. Those LEE collet neck sizing dies are a little hard to get used to.

[wankerjake]

Does this help at all?
http://www.leeprecision.com/html/HelpVideos/video.html

[Ignition Override]

Thanks again Blackrock, and other fellow shooters.:)
Still struggling but will post results in a while. Standby: will watch it.

WankerJake-Eureka! :) Perfect video. If I had a Mauser, it would be "Wunderbar"!

The Lee Precision video on Single Stage Press, "collet die adjustment" was perfect. Without a table (as Blackrock described) and Not knowing that hard force at the end of the stroke (it had felt like no more movement) Was Possible and critical, it would not have been obvious, at all.
Now, will mark the nut position with my red fingernail polish:scrutiny:: already used (only) to mark Jungle Carbine versus LE #4 cases.

[soloban]

+1 on the videos on the Lee website. Most of the dies you will run down until it touches the shellholder. The tricky on is the bullet seating die. What I do is insert an empty case in the shell holder, run the ram up, screw the die down until it touches the case. Once it touches the case, lock it down. Next unscrew the bullet adjust WAY out. Next insert a charged case with bullet and run it up the die. Tighten down the bullet adjustment slowly until you get the right seating depth.

[Ignition Override]

soloban:
Thanks. Have about forty cases neck-sized/primed.
Should get to bullet-seating in a day or two, after watching more videos combined with your procedures/techniques.