got the neck re-sizing blues

Status
Not open for further replies.
6

6pak

Member
Joined
May 20, 2013
Messages
17
Location
Orange county, California
I broke open my new Lee Collet 30-30 die set last night and sat down to do some reloading. After going over the directions (Lee Precision could use an upgrade to their tech writing staff by the way) I proceeded to re-size 20 cases trimmed to a length of 2.029. When I went to seat the Hornady 150 grain bullet and raise the ram the slug would slide nearly all the way into the cartridge case. I was actually able to seat and crimp only just six out of twenty. Whats' up with this? Did I just over-stretch my case mouth? Can I empty the cartidges, run them through a full length sizer and start from scratch? Any thoughts from more experienced re-loaders would be appreciated.
 
Using calipers, tell us the inside dia of your sized necks and outside dia of your projectiles


Did you rubber mallet the cases all the way into the sizing tool till the head was flush?
 
Measure the mandrel and make sure its under .308 near the area where the collet tapers into the manderel( you will need the take the die apart). If it is less than .308 make sure the collet is not collapsed in on its self. You should be able to see daylight between the "fingers".

If that didnt solve it: Screw the die in further than a fl die so that it will NOT cam over. Use at least 25lbs of force on the press handle.

Yes you can empty out and full length size. I'd suggest a FL on 30-30 in lever action.
 
6pak said:
I proceeded to re-size 20 cases trimmed to a length of 2.029. over-stretch my case mouth? Can I empty the cartidges, run them through a full length sizer and start from scratch? Any thoughts from more experienced re-loaders would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Did you FLS BEFORE you trimmed them> If so then there is no need to neck size them they are allready sized.

If you trimmed them before sizing then that's bass ackwards.

I would FULL size them all and then check your measurments.
 
Whoops. I miss read and thought he said "classic " loader instead of Collett.

The suggestion to measure the mandrel is a great one. Either it is off, or perhaps he didn't close the Collett.
 
You need to size your brass before trimming. I would also use a full length resizing die if shooting your loads in a lever action. Check the neck expander to be sure it's the correct size.
 
as an add.... when you full length size the harder the neck is the more it'll spring back - smaller. Lee's collet die in function is the opposite, harder brass will spring back more making the neck size larger than softer brass. You didn't state specifics as to the number of firings of the brass, even once fired can make a dif with the neck sizer. I've as well made p "special" sizing rods when I didn't get the result I wanted with a specific brass lot. I like how quick the Lee die is but I consider this "backwards" sizing spring back a negative. The only good thing is it doesn't require any type of lubing.
 
Hey, don't feel bad; the first time I tried neck sizing was on a piece of brass with a crimped primer. I broke the decapping pin and never tried it again.
 
Thanks to everyone for responding. I haven't had a chance to work with this since my OP because work keeps getting in the way. I will tackle it weekend. Since these rounds will be chambered in a Winchester 94 I am thinking I will just FL size them and go that route. In the meantime, I will dismantle my collet die to make certain it is the correct size and then try it again on another batch of brass.
 
It takes a good deal of pressure on the press handle to get the Lee Collet die to "squeeze" the case neck down. You obviously didn't read the instructions carefully enough.

I've never had problems with the Lee instructions. When I thought I did, I just hadn't paid enough careful attention to what they were saying.
There's a reason they say men don't read directions! (just like blonde haired women and driving... don't get mad at me! I'm married to one and have two "blonde" daughters...!).

Hey, it took me three readings to notice you said "Collet" die....
Welcome to the reloading fraternity, btw.
I started with a 20ga Lee 'hand-loader' 46yrs ago. Graduated to the .30/30 (bolt action Rem. 788) 44yrs ago. My reloading "stuff" occupies most of a two-car garage now...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top