30-06 neck sizing help.

[Biddle1990]

The cases I broke a little were all done with the FL sizer. It successfully sized the case neck, however a little too much and pulled the mandrel out of the die. Tried screwing that down tight also to no avail.

[Parashooter]

Technically, the Lee full-length sizer die doesn't have a mandrel. I does have an expander/decapper rod. Trick to keep the rod from pulling out is to tighten its collet ("clamp nut") very tight using two stout wrenches and a lot of muscle. Degreasing the rod and the hole in the collet can help, as can roughening the portion of the rod that fits inside the collet.



Here's advice from Lee's website -

Remove / Replace Decapping Rod
Posted on 19 January 2017 11:00 AM
To loosen the Decapper Clamp, you will need a 1/2" Box Wrench on the Clamp Nut and a 3/4" Open End Wrench on the die body. Loosen the Decapper Clamp until the Decapper is free to move. The Pin and/or Clamp should be cleaned and left to dry. The end of the Decapper Rod is to be flush with the top of the Decapper Clamp. The trick is to hold the Pin flush to the top and at the same time tighten the Clamp. Once you have the Pin aligned flush, tighten the Clamp in the die using both wrenches. Now tighten it again. It needs to be TIGHT. The pin may move back a short distance with the first case you deprime, but it should stay in that position now. You know it is tight enough when the primer pops out, the Pin did not move and the case pulls free without pulling out the Decapping Rod.

Collet die pressure exertion
Posted on 01 September 2015 04:02 PM
All of the sizing in the Collet die takes place at the very end of the stroke, when the ram/shell holder appears to bottom out against the base of the die. If you lean into the handle at this point, you will force the collet up into the die body, and cause the collet to squeeze the case neck down against the mandrel (the very end of which pops out the spent primer). About 25 lbs. of force is sufficient to resize most cases. If you are sitting in front of your press, just leaning your upper body weight into the lever is about right.

A good way to determine how much is necessary is to start the case into the die and feel the die remove the primer. Start using pressure and work up to what you think is about 25 lbs. Remove the case from the die and attempt to place the intended bullet in the case neck. If there is little or no resistance, repeat the process with slightly more pressure. When you have reached a point where there are vertical striation marks on the outside of the case neck or the intended bullet does not fit easily into the case neck, the correct amount of pressure has been achieved.

See also Collet Dies on Rockchucker Press - Powered by Kayako Help Desk Software

[Patrick Chadwick]

Well I long since gave up on Lee decapper rods staying put by friction, and simply threaded the top ends and screwed on a nut.

If you have just once had the miserable experience of a Lee decapper rod stuck in a partially sized case with the decapper pin sticking out through the bottom of the case, so that you can't get the case out of the shell holder and thus out of the press, then you will know how annoying those rods are.

[browningautorifle]

Well I long since gave up on Lee decapper rods staying put by friction

RCBS doesn't have those problems. Yes, tap and thread would sort it out...

[Biddle1990]

I've contacted lee to see what they say about it. I've used more than enough pressure while using the collet die. As much so that I moved my table which my press is mounted! Still nothing. Bullet just falls into the case.

I wrenched down the nut on the full length resizer. Still did the same stupid thing. Hopefully lee will replace the set, otherwise I'm getting a refund and buying a Redding set.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

[Brian Dick]

I grew up working in a Gun and Pawn shop that was a Redding jobber/dealer in the late 70's, early 80's and learned reloading from the "gun guy" behind the counter. I never cared much for Lee reloading equipment. I bought and still buy from Redding. They are excellent folks to deal with and the quality of their equipment is top of the line. Go with the Redding and you'll never look back.

[browningautorifle]

No matter how many times there's trouble with Lee stuff, no one understands they're cheap for a reason. Next post is someone swearing by them.

[USGI]

Next post is someone swearing by them.

Jim, good guess on your part! - Bob

[Patrick Chadwick]

Er.... should that be swearing AT them?

[browningautorifle]

swearing AT them?

Ummm, yes...I could go with that. I just avoid them and let those who believe they work well to carry on. I just have too many stories of failure in them to ever go there again.