full length sizing die and factory new cartridge cases

[browningautorifle]

I use RCBS dies and don't bother with Lee. I size my new brass just like fired brass and there's no troubles or issues.

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[pocketshaver]

I use RCBS dies and don't bother with Lee. I size my new brass just like fired brass and there's no troubles or issues.

I have no fired case, OR fully sized case to use to get my die set up, the technique I learned with LEE email support was to install the die body into my hand press. attach the shell holder, and adjust so the arm is in the correct position. Then insert a sized empty cartridge, or a fired empty cartridge into the shell holder and drop the resizing mandrel into the empty case and run it up into the die and use that to adjust the mandrel into the die body so the stupid thing doesn't bottom out early on the cartridge case and pop out.

[butlersrangers]

I've had good luck with Lee Dies in .45 acp (carbide), 6.5X55mm Swedish Mauser, 8X50mm Lebel, 6.5X50 Arisaka, and (I use) a 7.5X55mm Swiss 'Collet-Die' to partially neck-size .30-40 Krag 'fired' cases.

I have stuff from various makers.
IMHO - No 'brand' is totally free of mistakes, with some calibers and on special order stuff.

Some military chambers have generous dimensions and were not made with Re-loading or Commercial Standards in mind. This makes Re-Loading Dies a challenge to manufacture!

Sometimes, you have to depart from the manufacturer's 'Instructions' to make ammo that will work and also give adequate cartridge-case life.

With 'bolt guns', Full Length Resizing usually 'over works' brass and 'throws away' the virtue of having 'fired' brass that is custom fitted to your rifle's chamber.

New brass usually comes F.L. Sized and ready for reloading. The case mouth will tension a projectile. Distorted case mouths are easily made right. They can be run slightly into a Die to just accept the 'expander ball'. IMHO - There is no need to run a new case fully into the F.L. Die.

Creativity and problem solving is part of the Fun!

p.s. I set the position of my 'decapping-pin, expander-ball & rod' by eye. I leave a bit of clearance to allow for variation in different makes of brass. (The decapping-pin just has to protrude enough to push out the spent primer).

BTW 'pocketshaver', what Mauser cartridge are you reloading?

[Ovidio]

I've had good luck with Lee Dies in .45 acp (carbide), 6.5X55mm Swedish Mauser, 8X50mm Lebel, 6.5X50 Arisaka, and (I use) a 7.5X55mm Swiss 'Collet-Die' to partially neck-size .30-40 Krag 'fired' cases.

I have stuff from various makers.
IMHO - No 'brand' is totally free of mistakes, with some calibers and on special order stuff.

Some military chambers have generous dimensions and were not made with Re-loading or Commercial Standards in mind. This makes Re-Loading Dies a challenge to manufacture!

Sometimes, you have to depart from the manufacturer's 'Instructions' to make ammo that will work and also give adequate cartridge-case life.

With 'bolt guns', Full Length Resizing usually 'over works' brass and 'throws away' the virtue of having 'fired' brass that is custom fitted to your rifle's chamber.

New brass usually comes F.L. Sized and ready for reloading. The case mouth will tension a projectile. Distorted case mouths are easily made right. They can be run slightly into a Die to just accept the 'expander ball'. IMHO - There is no need to run a new case fully into the F.L. Die.

Creativity and problem solving is part of the Fun!

p.s. I set the position of my 'decapping-pin, expander-ball & rod' by eye. I leave a bit of clearance to allow for variation in different makes of brass. (The decapping-pin just has to protrude enough to push out the spent primer).

BTW 'pocketshaver', what Mauser cartridge are you reloading?

I agree.
I have some LEE dies I love, like the .38/.357M, carbide ones. Best die I have. Smooth, perfect.
I don't like my couple Lees for 8x57 and 6.5x55, both collet dies. Difficult to set the collet tension in a way that is somehow constant.
RCBS is generally very good in my opinion, but I have some issues with the 7,63x53. No idea why, but that one makes me curse in ancient, forgotten languages...
7,62x54R, 7x57, 30-06...al wonderful. Still have to try the .303.
I have one Lyman for the .44 Magnum. Not sure if I like it. The direct comparison is with the Lee .38/.357 and there is no match.
More like the 9x21 Lee...
And I'm forgetting a few...
In the end, I have some good and some bad. RCBS is actually my favourite in general, but if all my dies were like the .38/.357 carbide from Lee...