I am like the Bushmaster. I have a Lee .44 Mag sizer I have been using going on 25 years. Works great. Same for the Lee 9MM sizer I bought 23 plus years ago to replace the Hornady I wore the Nitride coating off of. 
Lee Die Question
- Thread starter Blind Bat
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MMCSRET
Member
Never had a problem with Lee dies. Had the carbide ring pull out of Hornady and RCBS sizing dies, but Lee, Lyman, Redding and CH keep doing their job.
MMCSRET
Member
I was able to clean up the ring and seat in the dies and reseat the ring with a bonding agent from the Caterpillar Tractor Co. chemical catalog.
ranger335v
Member
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- Dec 3, 2006
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"I agree with ranger335v to some extent. I don't believe that brass will imbed in steel."
Don't misunderstand, I din't mean brass could imbed IN steel, but it for sure will gall - stick to - ON dry steel as firmly as if it were weilded.
Most dissimular metals will gall the softer onto the harder under heavy sliding pressure. That's why some folks get case scratches from carbide sizers too, the dry brass will gall and stick to carbide too, then scratching will start. A good case lubing for steel dies is the preventitive. And an occasional lubed case for carbide dies goes a long way to keep them working without scratching too.
We can safely polish the brass off a case hardened die at home because it's quite hard to cut that super hard surface with common materials. We CAN'T damage a carbide sizer ring because it takes diamond grit to cut it, even a little bit!
Don't misunderstand, I din't mean brass could imbed IN steel, but it for sure will gall - stick to - ON dry steel as firmly as if it were weilded.
Most dissimular metals will gall the softer onto the harder under heavy sliding pressure. That's why some folks get case scratches from carbide sizers too, the dry brass will gall and stick to carbide too, then scratching will start. A good case lubing for steel dies is the preventitive. And an occasional lubed case for carbide dies goes a long way to keep them working without scratching too.
We can safely polish the brass off a case hardened die at home because it's quite hard to cut that super hard surface with common materials. We CAN'T damage a carbide sizer ring because it takes diamond grit to cut it, even a little bit!
The Bushmaster
Member
Walkalong...I'm in trouble again.
Should have been lubing my handgun cases...
Ranger335v...I have never lubed any of my pistol or revolver cases and have been running them through these dies for all those 22 years. They are not brass galled or scratched. I know to be a fact as I cleaned and inspected them last week. Again...dirty or gritty cases are what scratch dies... The only cases I lube are my rifle cases...You must have cheaper dies then my Lee dies...
Should have been lubing my handgun cases... Ranger335v...I have never lubed any of my pistol or revolver cases and have been running them through these dies for all those 22 years. They are not brass galled or scratched. I know to be a fact as I cleaned and inspected them last week. Again...dirty or gritty cases are what scratch dies... The only cases I lube are my rifle cases...You must have cheaper dies then my Lee dies...
pilot teacher
Member
Came across that issue with a 45 expander. Sent it back and they replaced it with a non defective die and no comments.
I also have 2 other sets of Lee 45ACP dies and thay are o.k.
I also have 2 other sets of Lee 45ACP dies and thay are o.k.
jcwit
member
Well I guess the die issue got fixed one way or another. Wonder if everyone gets this worked up over a $20/$30 dollar item. Bottom line is Lee makes a VERY good product at a VERY reasonable price, and they stand behind their products. There are probably 1,000's of reloaders out their that wouldn't have ever gotten into this hobby if not for Lee and their reasonable prices. Just my 2 cents.
Dang. I rarely lube a case going through a carbide die either, and never did for over 20 years, and mine are still scratchless!
If you are running a LOT of cases through a carbide die, a touch of lube on every 10th case or so makes it easier on old shoulders.
If you are running a LOT of cases through a carbide die, a touch of lube on every 10th case or so makes it easier on old shoulders.
pilot teacher
Member
Blindbat said he called Lee and they said,
reading between the lines, Lee admitted they have no quality control plan and therefore no QA. That's why they have an admirable warranty service.
It's more economical to have a warranty service than to implement quality control.
I've returned "lots of stuff" and they always made good.
,
reading between the lines, Lee admitted they have no quality control plan and therefore no QA. That's why they have an admirable warranty service.
It's more economical to have a warranty service than to implement quality control.
I've returned "lots of stuff" and they always made good.
jcwit
member
Now I understand why RCBS has a full replacement warranty. Because their product is lacking in QC. With that said I believe Lee represents excellant value for $ spent.
jcwit
member
Just got to thinking about how worked up people get over a $20/$30 set of dies. My God, do they get this upset over a $100 pr of athletic shoes that only last a year?
The Bushmaster
Member
They do don't they. I don't mind paying the price for quality, but when you can get quality at a cheaper price, why pay extra for the name.
In contrast...I have no cheap weapons. At least they were not cheap when they were purchased and some were gotten 48 years ago. The cheapest firearm I have is a 1949 Winchester .30 WCF that I paid $50.00 for when I was 18. It was old when I bought it. You want to price it now? I bought a Colt SAA .357 magnum in 1966 brand new in the box for $136. and change. Want to price it now?
The tools I used for over 45 years in my chosen ocupation were rather expensive (S&K). I had very few of the other tool manufacturers in my tool boxes. Some Proto, some Williams, and some Snap-on, but about 90% S&K. Some were even S&K Wayne.
Lee presses work for me. I'm not brand loyal in that sense as I have RCBS, Midway and other brand names mixed in on my loading bench.
Most of the other press and accessory manufactureres are just as good or maybe better, but not by much...
In contrast...I have no cheap weapons. At least they were not cheap when they were purchased and some were gotten 48 years ago. The cheapest firearm I have is a 1949 Winchester .30 WCF that I paid $50.00 for when I was 18. It was old when I bought it. You want to price it now? I bought a Colt SAA .357 magnum in 1966 brand new in the box for $136. and change. Want to price it now?
The tools I used for over 45 years in my chosen ocupation were rather expensive (S&K). I had very few of the other tool manufacturers in my tool boxes. Some Proto, some Williams, and some Snap-on, but about 90% S&K. Some were even S&K Wayne.
Lee presses work for me. I'm not brand loyal in that sense as I have RCBS, Midway and other brand names mixed in on my loading bench.
Most of the other press and accessory manufactureres are just as good or maybe better, but not by much...
SSN Vet
Member
do I get worked up about them... no
do I buy them.... no!
SSN Vet
Member
that's exactly the policy at the company I work for....
and the company is doing very well..
we tend to do very well during tight economies when our competitors go belly up and we cherry pick their assets at auction. Or when our customers are looking to cut costs.
SSN Vet
Member
1,001 counting me
Sorry for not updating this post earlier i needed to get my hands on a camera. Four business days after calling Lee a new expander plug showed up in the mail. The machining and finish on the replacement expander is much nicer than the original (prior to polishing). To the naked eye there are almost no machining marks, very similar to the pic from Lee's website (see the middle of page 1). When I run my finger nail across the machined end of the plug I can feel light machining groves. It's not polished but well machined. By comparison, the old die came from the factory with a surface that looked like the surface of a record with regular, deep, spiraling grooves.
In use, the new expander plug feels just like the polished one. You get a very light snap or pop as you lower a cartridge from the die. On the original die, there was a very noticeable bind/tug when your removed the brass, almost like using the factory crimp die. I noticed that with the same adjustments the new die plug expands the case mouth about an extra .001" which is to be expected being that I sanded and polished the old plug. After expanding 50 cases I noticed some light brass residue on the tip of the expander. Surely caused by the plug's slight machining marks. I inspected the expanded cases and couldn't find any scratch marks or brass shavings on the press.
It's obvious that not polishing the expander plug is cheaper for Lee but it might also help people who dispense powder through the expander die as a slightly rough surface on the expander plug might serve to jiggle powder in the hopper. Since I use my powder measure separately from the press, I'll probably polish the surface of the expander plug but that's just because I'm anal retentive and I love to play with my polishing wheel.
Long story short... No, you don't need to polish Lee dies under normal circumstances but their QA isn't the best and if your new expander die scratches the inside of the case mouths you should inspect the plug and possibly contact Lee for a replacement. If you want a silky smooth expanding operation a little polishing will be necessary.
Attached are two pictures. One is a close up of the new plug after expanding 50 rounds, and the second is a comparison show between the old (now polished) plug and its replacement. Unfortunately, they aren't that great pics because I used the wrong camera settings. Thanks again to Lee for superb customer service. Cheers!
In use, the new expander plug feels just like the polished one. You get a very light snap or pop as you lower a cartridge from the die. On the original die, there was a very noticeable bind/tug when your removed the brass, almost like using the factory crimp die. I noticed that with the same adjustments the new die plug expands the case mouth about an extra .001" which is to be expected being that I sanded and polished the old plug. After expanding 50 cases I noticed some light brass residue on the tip of the expander. Surely caused by the plug's slight machining marks. I inspected the expanded cases and couldn't find any scratch marks or brass shavings on the press.
It's obvious that not polishing the expander plug is cheaper for Lee but it might also help people who dispense powder through the expander die as a slightly rough surface on the expander plug might serve to jiggle powder in the hopper. Since I use my powder measure separately from the press, I'll probably polish the surface of the expander plug but that's just because I'm anal retentive and I love to play with my polishing wheel.
Long story short... No, you don't need to polish Lee dies under normal circumstances but their QA isn't the best and if your new expander die scratches the inside of the case mouths you should inspect the plug and possibly contact Lee for a replacement. If you want a silky smooth expanding operation a little polishing will be necessary.
Attached are two pictures. One is a close up of the new plug after expanding 50 rounds, and the second is a comparison show between the old (now polished) plug and its replacement. Unfortunately, they aren't that great pics because I used the wrong camera settings. Thanks again to Lee for superb customer service. Cheers!
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goose2
Member
Sometimes the old saying "you get what you pay for" is true.
Need we say anymore.
Need we say anymore.
jcwit
member
Sometimes the rule of value for dollar spent holds true also. Never had trouble with LEE Products, excellent value.
True, many times you pay for what you get. I picked Lee Dies because I had heard good things about the FC die and it included the necessary shellholder. Frankly the price of these dies is half the price of other (non-match) die sets and I could figure out the justification for the extra expense. The only difference I could find between the Lee,RCBS, Hornady and Redding dies was cheap or non-existent lock rings. After playing with these dies I'd say the quality of the ammo they produce is excellent but certain aspect of the dies feel cheap. Like the sloppiness in the adjustment knob on the seater die. I still think Lee makes great dies for people who want to produce factory(+) quality ammo without spending a lot of cash.
It would be awesome if someone with lots of different pistol die sets would come up with a chart comparing the different features between the different die manufacturers.
It would be awesome if someone with lots of different pistol die sets would come up with a chart comparing the different features between the different die manufacturers.
Lee dies are a good value and load good ammo, but every expander I have from them was rough. I polished them all, and they do fine.
I much prefer the Lyman Two Step style expander. I have replaced several expanders from different companys with that style.
I much prefer the Lyman Two Step style expander. I have replaced several expanders from different companys with that style.
The Bushmaster
Member
That's wierd...None of my expanders collect brass like that.
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