new reloader question on Lee Collet die set

[mxa]

I was reading a little bit about the Lee Collet Die and I ran across the following statement that I would like for someone to explain: "This set is designed for assembling the most accurate ammunition, but is not recommended for hunting rounds as the case is neck sized only and the bullet is not crimped in case."

Can someone explain why it is not recommended for a hunting round?

Thanks.

 

[Lee Roder]

maybe cause hunting cartridges aren't likely treated with kid gloves and get knocked around alot so bullet could change seating depth?

 

[Rolando]

Maybe because if you neck size vs. full length size you may have a feeding problem because if you only neck size the fit to the chamber is so tight.??

 

[mxa]

Maybe it has something to do with recoil also but hopefully someone will come around with the exact answer.

 

[MNPyro]

Funny, I was reading the exact same info today.
My understanding of the posts that I found, collet vs full length, is if it is shot out of a bolt action, and only that rifle, then collet will be fine for hunting IF you put a decent crimp on the bullet, as otherwise it could change seating due to a number of factors.
If you are shooting out of an auto, lever action etc, then you may have seating problems because the case wasn't full length resized.

I too, am trying to figure out the ins and outs of rifle dies so I can add that to my order, so once I get around to reloading rifles, I will have the stuff I need and get going...

One post suggested in a bolt action, using the collet resizer and the FCD to make a nice snug crimp to prevent change in seating.

Lets learn together!

 

[woods]

I use a lot of Lee Collet Neck Sizers in combination with the Redding Body Dies. A Lee Collet will not give a lot of bullet grip. They have a lot going for them since the mandrel is free floating and will self center and will not push the neck around. When you thread one into the press you can reach up under the press and wiggle the depriming pin around and that indicates it will not push your neck around. When your case comes out of your chamber it is very concentric because chambers are reamed very concentric (at least all that I have seen are).

I went through a phase where I wanted more bullet grip with the Lee Collets. I ordered some mandrels from Lee ($5.00 ea but minimum order)



and during the correspondence with them, they said that they did not recommend smaller mandrels that lead to a heavier bullet grip since in their tests the heavier grips lead to more runout. That is one of the reasons they recommended their Lee Factory Crimp Die to solve the problem of low bullet grip. Crimping with the LFCD is the only crimping I recommend and the dies are cheap and essentially fool proof. Just set the amount of crimp you want by adjusting the gap between the collets on top



In 3 separate tests, I have proven to myself that crimping with the LFCD will increase velocity an average of 10 fps and decrease group size by 1/8". Here is an example from one of those test with a more dramatic result




YMMV