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Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) Lee Collet Die Set (Read 6349 times)
kkid66
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Re: Lee Collet Die Set
Reply #15 - Jun 6th, 2018 at 1:02pm
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I use the largest pin gage that will drop into a fired case and a FL size die to pinch the case mouth. Lower the die a little at a time and lube the case.
I started this when I tumbled some brass too long and peened the mouths.
  
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Red Cent
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Re: Lee Collet Die Set
Reply #16 - Jun 6th, 2018 at 3:02pm
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$70.00 for a neck sizing collet die and special seating die. They also sell different sized mandrells for $10.00. 
Just talked to them.
Gotta have one of them.
  

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CW
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Re: Lee Collet Die Set
Reply #17 - Jun 7th, 2018 at 12:01pm
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That seems like a fair price for the above. I think my 38-55 collet set is great! Also no need for sizing lube either.

The $160 posted on the other thread for extra large sets was pricey, but I would pay that too if it was for a cartridge case I loaded a lot of.  I would guess that the 45-70 is in that extra large $160 class too but for me, that would be handy collet set to have.

I have an old LEE collet set for the 375 H&H which might be adapted to the 38-55 too.
 
Unless you need the seater that comes with the 38-55 set, it is an unnedded extra. However, it can be set up for a second bullet design, and that would be handy also.
  
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Red Cent
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Re: Lee Collet Die Set
Reply #18 - Jun 7th, 2018 at 7:06pm
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I use a RCBS Competition Seater Die. The price on the Lee Collet set is $70.00 with or without the seater die  Huh Not a difficult choice. 
I was expecting the $160.00 amount. The break on the Small Series and the Large Series: " Cartridges with a bullet diameter larger than .375" or base diameter .555" than those listed above can be made in our Large Series Dies, which have 1 1/4x12 thread. Please see listing below for cartridges we can not make. Note that these Large Series Dies will only fit into our Classic Cast press, and some competitors larger presses. The cost for our Large Series Dies is $160.00 per set plus shipping and handling. Large series dies can be made for cartridges ranging in size up to and including the 50 BMG."


As soon as I asked about the 38-55 he said $70.00.
  

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ireload2
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Re: Lee Collet Die Set
Reply #19 - Jun 13th, 2018 at 7:04pm
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Lee made die sets for the 38-55 in the past. I have a set of them.
If you want a set just set up an automatic search on ebay.
There is nothing special about them. I prefer RCBS, Redding and others. The LEE dies do work though.
Lee cut corners with the .38-55 dies. Only the sizer is marked .38-55.
The expander and seater are both marked .375 Win.

[b][/b][quote author=6B495C777F40415B584D5A4D5A280 link=1528077406/1#1 date=1528077711][quote author=192E2F082E253F4B0 link=1528077406/0#0 date=1528077406]Since they don't make 'em for the 38-55, what can I use. Really was impressed that so many use them and they are a LEE!! Apparently they work well.
[/quote]

38-55 and 375 Win are NEARLY the same.
[/quote]
  
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Red Cent
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Re: Lee Collet Die Set
Reply #20 - Jun 13th, 2018 at 10:41pm
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Ireload 2, the collet die is not the same as the "reloading dies". Besides, I use RCBS dies with a competition RCBS seater.
 
The collet die resizes a small portion of the neck by fingers colleted around a precise mandrell. They told me that I would get .002 neck tension or a little over. I would think a mandrel could be made to order locally. One can read a lot about the Lee Collet die rendering a case with, usually, less than .002 runout.

The 38-55 case is difficult to size for neck tension and I believe the Lee will out perform the neck expanding mandrels because it will resize the same amount of length every time rather than guessing or adjusting your FL die to work.

I believe the OP is under the impression they do not make the collet die for the 38-55. They don't list the 38-55 but they will make one for you.Well, they checked on the ability to do so and took my money. 
Looking forward to trying it out.
  

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ireload2
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Re: Lee Collet Die Set
Reply #21 - Jun 14th, 2018 at 6:38am
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I am familiar with the collet neck dies. I had several sets and I did not like them. I do not consider them worth the trouble and expense to mess with since I get excellent results with conventional dies.

In order to minimize sizing I use a RCBS trim die to size my brass. The RCBS trim die is .010 larger in the neck than the standard .38-55 RCBS sizer die.
With WW brass and a .380 bullet my brass is sized just enough for use in a single shot.

I have standard RCBS .38-55 Win/Ballard dies, RCBS Cowboy dies, Bonanza dies and a Redding seater plus expanders from .373 to .380..
The Redding seaters are excellent. 
I normally size with the RCBS trim die, expand with a custom plug in a Lee expander and seat in the Redding micrometer competition seater. 
I do use a Lee collet crimper to remove any remaining mouth belling.
« Last Edit: Jun 14th, 2018 at 6:48am by ireload2 »  
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