Bullets very loose in neck after resizing

[GooseGestapo]

Not a "slam" against the Challenger, but I had one when they first came out back in the '80's. They are Aluminum castings and flex a great deal. I gave mine to my younger brother. He loads little, and shoots less, so he's satisifed with the Challenger.

I typically use one of the Lee "Classic" cast Iron presses. It is the equal of the RCBS RockChucker and Lyman Orange Crusher.

I think that you're also getting a lot of flex from the press.
I'd think that the AL press and Collet dies aren't a good match. BTW I've also "broken" two Lee JR's. These are decent little presses but aren't up to extensive loading. (like reforming 8mm to .257Roberts.....). BTW I also have some Collet dies, but seldom use them. I'd suggest ordering a Lee FL die to complement your Collet die. There are places and times for the collet die, but they aren't the only "fish in the sea"....

Save up and get a stronger press. Save the Challenger for loading pistol ammo, ect....

 

[Redbearded1]

Not a "slam" against the Challenger, but I had one when they first came out back in the '80's. They are Aluminum castings and flex a great deal. I gave mine to my younger brother. He loads little, and shoots less, so he's satisifed with the Challenger.

I typically use one of the Lee "Classic" cast Iron presses. It is the equal of the RCBS RockChucker and Lyman Orange Crusher.

I think that you're also getting a lot of flex from the press.
I'd think that the AL press and Collet dies aren't a good match. BTW I've also "broken" two Lee JR's. These are decent little presses but aren't up to extensive loading. (like reforming 8mm to .257Roberts.....). BTW I also have some Collet dies, but seldom use them. I'd suggest ordering a Lee FL die to complement your Collet die. There are places and times for the collet die, but they aren't the only "fish in the sea"....

Save up and get a stronger press. Save the Challenger for loading pistol ammo, ect....

I do have the fl die as well. Came with the collet die and bullet seating die. I just figured if I have the collet die, and have paid for it, I might as well be able to use it.
I do plan on upgrading most if my equipment eventually. But so far other than this hiccup the lee stuff has worked pretty well for the price.

 

[rupe01]

Wow.....this thread REALLY shows how great the guys and help is on these forums, doesn't it? Its great to be a part of this community! We are never on our own with a problem here.

 

[Blue68f100]

rupe01, Welcome to THR

You said it, a wealth of knowledge on his site.

 

[rupe01]

Thanks Blue

 

[Certaindeaf]

Red,

That's great! First rule of reloading is have stout upon stout.. unless you're Tongtooling etc. lol.

 

[x_wrench]

im not sure where you are, as there are 3 pages of reply's now, and reading all of them would just hurt my eyes. did you go to the lee website and watch their video on how to set up the dies? the videos are actually pretty good. the trouble i have had with the lee collet is i kept adjusting it to far, and the cap would loose its treads. and yes, the lee collet die does take a lot of pressure. i like the hornady neck sizers much better.

 

[918v]

That's why you should set it way past that point. That way no amount of torque from the handle will rear the cap off. There is no rule that mandates we work within the maximum leverage window of the press.

 

[popper]

Certaindeaf - I dumped my challenger press and got a Lee cast, turns out that is not the problem. Yes, I emory'd the parts and lubed. Once fired Fed brass, same force, some bullets (Hornady AMax, 243, FTX 30-30) drop into the case, some are OK, won't push back into the case. Bullets mik's OK, so now I just use the F/L sizer and barely push the shoulder back. Yes, I annealed some and it made NO difference. I just use it to de-cap now and use the F/L without the expander, 'M' die to expand.
Red - did you check the units on the digital mik? Inches vs mm.

 

[kingmt]

I have been watching to see where you are with this die also.

 

[Redbearded1]

I did watch the videos on the lee site as well as a few on youtube. They are pretty good but I tried setting my die up exactly the way they show before but to no avail. Once the die was cleaned, shined up, oiled, bench rebuilt and more force was used it started to work fine. I cant say what exactly the problem was. I havent bought new calipers yet. I use the exact same brand at work and its not that they arent zeroed or in the wrong scale. The calipers are just faulty. They are still accurate very accurate........if you want to multiply all the readings by 2 all the time.