Lee neck size dies crushing 223 Rem??

[Rule3]

OK this is weird! I have used this die many times, same brass, same press same Bat channel

Brass is Hornady fired formed to my Savage Varmint rifle. Trimmed to 1.750 fits in a Wilson case as fired. Only thing I did different is I did reset the die to be sure it was per instructions. I have a mark on it and it went back to the same spot. Touch shell holder and one more turn.
What is weird is it worked fine for about 20 cases then start crushing. I took apart. cleaned, even though it was not dirty. It worked OK then started again?? I even put some lube in the case mouths and neck (not really needed) but no luck. I sent LEE a email, copied below so some of this is a repeat.

Any ideas??? Thanks

Email to LEE:

I was neck sizing some Hornady 223 Remington. Did about 20 and then the die started crushing the shoulder of the case. Looks like the top was hit with a hammer and the shoulder looks like a rivet? These are fire formed cases from my Varmint rifle.

I have used the die before and no problem? I did reset the die per instructions. Let it touch shell holder and one more turn. I took die apart and made sure it was clean. It was. But cleaned anyway with brake cleaner. Put back together and it worked for a few more cases then started to crush the shoulder again?? I even tried some lube on the neck and mouth but still destroying my brass!

Any ideas as to what is going on?? I have the 308 Win dies also and no problem with those.

 

[rcmodel]

The split collet is sticking in the die body and remaining clamped shut.

http://leeprecision.com/collet-223.html

Take it apart again and clean & lube the collet and insure it can move freely..

rc

 

[Rule3]

The split collet is sticking in the die body and remaining clamped shut.

http://leeprecision.com/collet-223.html

Take it apart again and clean & lube the collet and insure it can move freely..

rc

Yes, I read and did that, but why will it work for a few and then start messing up? I was thinking perhaps not setting it as deep. Maybe a 1/2 to 3/4 turn??

Should there be lube on it? Maybe Rem oil or a light "dry" lube?

 

[rcmodel]

Setting the die too far down could be forcing the collet too deep in the die and clamping it so tight it can't release when the end taper pushes it back down.

I use Gunslick graphite grease on my Lee .223 collet crimp die.

It was sticking and doing the same thing when new.
I do believe I polished the infamous Lee machining rings out of the die body and collet shoulder too.

rc

 

[ironworkerwill]

Are you letting your press cam over? If so that may be the cause. They(Lee) say it takes only 25lbs of force to size in that die.

 

[jim243]

Are you sure you are using the correct die? Do you do 22-250 as well and maybe switched dies? Did you get the Deluxe die set and are maybe using the FLS die?

I get cases looking like that, but only when using the seating die to far down.

Anything is possible double check your dies first.

Jim

 

[10 Spot Terminator]

looking at the photos shows not only the shoulders severely crushed but if my eyes arent deceiving me those necks look to be expanded well over .22 calibre which isn't possible to do with a Lee neck sizing die . The sizing mandrel in the die is nothing more than a straight rod with a tapered tip just above the milled decapping rod and the rod milled along it's remaining length to .225 diameter . Are you positive of the stamping on the die case being for .223 calibre ??? This is reaching I know but other than that all I can speculuate is the case necks may be too thick as to allow the case to slide inside of the collet and it is catching them on the ends of the cases . That is come pretty hefty crush depth on those cases . If the collet is moveing freely with the die out of the press and in your hand you should be able to shake it from top to bottom and hear the collet rattle back and forth.

 

[Rule3]

Setting the die too far down could be forcing the collet too deep in the die and clamping it so tight it can't release when the end taper pushes it back down.

I use Gunslick graphite grease on my Lee .223 collet crimp die.

It was sticking and doing the same thing when new.
I do believe I polished the infamous Lee machining rings out of the die body and collet shoulder too.

rc

I took it apart again and polished the collet and I guess what they call the collet sleeve with 600 wet dry and they polished with a felt pad and compound. Cleaned it up and used some Teflon/Silicone spray.

Reinstalled and only screwed in 3/4 turn. It sizes the neck and bullet will not fall in so it appears tight.

I believe what was happening as you say, the sleeve was not coming loose and keeping the collet wedged in there. I can now spin the sleeve around. Will have to do another batch to be sure. Thanks.

Ironworker, it is a Lee Turret press , it does not cam over. On these little 223 Rem necks you can feel it size or crush, doesn't take much.

Yes and yes, it is 223 Rem, have used it many times. It wasn't broke so I decided to fix it and screw it up. I really think I just had it too tight. But heck the destructions said one full turn which I did.

It's raining all day all week I have nothing better to do,

 

[ranger335v]

"... the destructions said one full turn which I did."

"Instructions" for reloading tools can only get us close, not perfect. Final adjustment has to be based on results.

 

[Rule3]

"... the destructions said one full turn which I did."

"Instructions" for reloading tools can only get us close, not perfect. Final adjustment has to be based on results.

Very true, but before I started I loosened the die and re set it to be sure it was set correctly, I had a black sharpie mark on it and it returned to the same place. That is why I am befuddled. I had not used it for a while . I did not see any rust on it but somehow it appears it was sticking. It's still a mystery to me.

 

[morcey2]

I think you actually got the rare forward-rimmed 5.56 NATO. I thought it was still classified.

 

[Rule3]

I think you actually got the rare forward-rimmed 5.56 NATO. I thought it was still classified.

I have "connections" Now everyone is gonna want one!

 

[witchhunter]

Please take your die apart and clean and lube the area that RC described. Then try this: mark a stripe on the neck of your brass with a sharpie, adjust your neck sizer die until it sizes about 3/4 down the neck. Lock it there. You are smashing the shoulder and it is unsupported in a neck die.

 

[Rule3]

Please take your die apart and clean and lube the area that RC described. Then try this: mark a stripe on the neck of your brass with a sharpie, adjust your neck sizer die until it sizes about 3/4 down the neck. Lock it there. You are smashing the shoulder and it is unsupported in a neck die.

OK, but how do I tell it is going down 3/4? Will it remove the marker stripe? Like smudging or smoking a bullet to see when it hits the lands?

 

[Rule3]

Just as a follow up. I took the die to my neighbor who is a Master Machinist and Gunsmith. He put the collet and sleeve on his big ole machine and polished it to a mirror like smoothness, No machine marks on this die now!. Should keep it from hanging up.

 

[witchhunter]

You got it, it will scrape the stripe off down to where the sizing ends exactly like smoking a bullet for for seating, a marker works fine for that too ...hope you get it squared away.