Lee Collet style crimp die

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Billboard

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I thought i was buying a LFCD but when it came it was a collet crimp die. I never used one like this. Have any of you guys used this die. Its for a 357 sig bullet. Anyway when i was looking at it, i inscrewed the top and all the small pieces fell out. I cant find a diagram on how it goes back together. Can anyone tell me how? Also hows it work?
Chris
 
A "normal" sizing die comes at the brass from the end, along the axis of the case, and resizes the entire case length. A collet die works by sizing the case neck by closing in radially, from the sides. A collet die also limits its work area to the neck of the case.

The collet die is mainly comprised of 2 angled parts; the collet and cone. The purpose of the angled surfaces is to close the collet around the case neck as the case is forced upward, into the cone. Therefore to effect the closure, the collet sits below the cone.

Total case insertion depth is set by the external threads on the die body.
Total collet closure, and thus the resulting case neck diameter, is set by a threaded cap that limits collet travel.

Hope this helps.
 
If there are several parts inside, it looks like you have a Lee collet neck sizing die. I found a "cut out" picture online..
 

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rfwobbly said:
A "normal" sizing die comes at the brass from the end, along the axis of the case, and resizes the entire case length. A collet die works by sizing the case neck by closing in radially, from the sides. A collet die also limits its work area to the neck of the case.

The collet die is mainly comprised of 2 angled parts; the collet and cone. The purpose of the angled surfaces is to close the collet around the case neck as the case is forced upward, into the cone. Therefore to effect the closure, the collet sits below the cone.

Total case insertion depth is set by the external threads on the die body.
Total collet closure, and thus the resulting case neck diameter, is set by a threaded cap that limits collet travel.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Thanks, yes it does help. Appreciate iy
 
Billboard said:
No, its not a sizing die. Its a lee collet crimp die.
Click to expand...
The only real difference between those 2 is going to be when the die is used. That is to say, at what stage in your process.
  • If it's used to shape the case before bullet insertion, then it's a Sizing Die.
  • If it's used to shape the case after bullet insertion, then it's a Crimp Die.
 
I don't have a collet neck sizing die but I have 3 collet crimp dies; 30-06, .223, and 44 Magnum. All work quite well. I "adjusted" the crimp on my 44 die with a dremel and stone to narrow thr crimp a bit, but it worked great as made...
 
Lee factory crimp dies are a collet style die.

If you dig around on Lee's website or call them you might find/get something on how to put it back together. I seem to recall that if you activate it without a bullet inside the collets can get stuck closed and you have to do some disassembly or follow a process to get them opened up again. I looked anc couldn't find it so you might just give them a call.
 
As far as how to use it, you put a case in the shell holder and run the ram up to the top, then you screw the die in until it touches the shell holder. Back off the ram and run the die down another 1/2 turn and that's the starting point. Turn it in further and you get more crimp. If you look at the collets from above you can see how close they're coming together. If they close all they way you've probably done a LOT of crimp. Probably don't need that much.:)
 
Thanks. You can't see the collet during crimp time. Theres a top to it that adjust the crimp. Without it it looks like it will just push the inside parts out. Ill get it. On the .357 Sig. I take it, you only want a light to medium crimp. Ill make a couple of both and see what the FNX likes best. Ill also start loading at a medium high charge. I find the higher loads are more accurate if everything else is good. Atleast thats how it looks on my other FNX's & HK's .
 
Walkalong said:
For rifle yes, but they also make some in pistol calibers, although the standard ones in pistol are not.
Click to expand...
I think the difference is straight/taper wall versus bottle-neck/stepped-wall cases. The FCD for .44-40WCF is a collet die, for example. I could also be wrong.
 
Walkalong said:
The standard for .357 &.44 Mags is a roll crimp, but they also make a collet crimp for them. IIRC
Click to expand...
You're right. I checked Lee's site and they have quite a large selection of straight-wall case collet FCD's. I wonder what the advantage is over a roll-crimp in those cases? I like the collet FCD's I use - .44-40, .32-20 and all of the rifles - I just never really have any problems with them. They crimp. Mission accomplished! :thumbup:
 
In the Lee 45 Colt die set I bought, the FCD would constantly seat the bullet .010" deeper. Went with the Lee collet crimp die & problem solved. .010" is probably not a big deal,but still, I want it where I want it .
 
Yes, I use the collet crimp die for 460S&W; sometimes an extra secure crimp is required for big bores and particularly useful if the projectile has no cannelure. This one is for my 44 Mag which I haven't needed yet. This die has only two pieces excluding the lock ring, the die body and the collet; the collet cannot be removed by hand. It's open at both ends, there's no top to unscrew and no pieces to fall out. 20210618_194943.jpg
 
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