Lee collet die problems

[BobSki]

Hi folks,

I have some once fired GGG 7.62 cases I am preparing for when my new .308 Accuracy International AXMC arrives.

Although I already had Redding dies for .308, having read marvellous things about them, I purchased a full set of Lee collet dies that consists of both neck size and full length sizing dies, dead length seating die and a crimp die.

As these cartridges were fired in my old Parker Hale 7.62, in order to prepare the cases for the new rifle, I decided to full-length resize and de-cap them.

I thoroughly read the instruction sheet that is supplied with the dies and proceeded to resize and de-cap the first cartridge. Horror of horrors - the decapping pin was pushed up through its collet and when I lowered the ram, the case neck had been pushed down into the case body.

I read the instructions again, reset the decapping pin and tried a second case - the same thing happened again aaarggh

I have taken a coupe of photos of one of the cases, one showing the error, the other the head stamp, which can be seen HERE

Can anyone tell me why this might be happening please.

All the best
Bob

[Sim G]

Did you screw the die into the press with the ram of the press all the way up, with a shell holder holder in place?

[BobSki]

Did you screw the die into the press with the ram of the press all the way up, with a shell holder holder in place?

Yes, certainly, and after the first disaster, I read the instructions and step by step, followed them with another case and the same thing happened.

[mag41uk]

Are you using the full length die?

[farmer7]

Did you lower the press handle with no case present whilst setting the die up? If so you have maybe squeezed the collet shut.

[Sim G]

Take the decapping pin out of the die and set the die back in the press. Run a case through it. If it crushes again, problem with the die. If fine, insert expander pin, but not too deep, only enough so that the primer is popped out at the full extension of the press.

If it then crushes, problem with the expander pin.

Or go with a well lubed case on the ram. Screw the die into the press a little. Raise the ram till the case starts entering the die. Lower, screw it in a little further, say 1/4 of a turn. Raise the ram again, screw 1/4 turn again. Keep going till the case is FL resized at the top of the ram stroke, that should then give you how deep into the press the die should be screwed in.

Seeing the two posts above, yes, you are using the FL die aren't you? I know you said FL size but the title of the thread is collet die.....

[mag41uk]

That's why I asked as the pin ,in theory cant be pushed out of the collet die.
It sounds to me like he is using the full length without case lube.

[phaedra1106]

Buckling of case shoulders if using the Collet die,

"BUCKLED SHOULDERS
If your Collet Die buckles the case shoulder, it is due to the collet being closed and the case cannot enter.
This is caused by closing the press without a case in the die and/or the die adjusted too deeply.

Remove the collet from the die and spring it open
It is best done by pushing a tapered drift punch into the collet neck. If none is available,
use the round shank of a Phillips head screw driver to pry the collet open. Cases that have been excessively
annealed into the shoulder area may buckle even though the collet is open"

However, as been said it sounds like it's full length sizing die as the collet die can't have it's decapping pin/shaft pushed up.

Here's the photo of the case you linked to,



I've never seen a FLS die push a case neck down like that, are you certain the shell holder was in the ram and fully raised when you set the die height?

[Sim G]

As these cartridges were fired in my old Parker Hale 7.62, in order to prepare the cases for the new rifle, I decided to full-length resize and de-cap them.

I'm sure it's the FL die Bob is referring to..

[BobSki]

Did you lower the press handle with no case present whilst setting the die up? If so you have maybe squeezed the collet shut.

Hi Farmer7, yes I did, as that's what the instructions told me to do.