Help

[09cs]

So I am neck sizing my brass and decaping with the lee collet neck sizer, but even after running through that die, a bullet sill can just slide in and out of the neck. It is set up per Lee instructions.

Secondly, I am starting with 42gr of Varget (per Hodgon website for 175gr bullet) and the bullet just seems to sit on top of the powder when I seat the bullet, or drop it in since the neck wont grab it after resizing. Checked my scale to make sure its 42 grains.

[Bastard]

42gr is a compressed load if I remember correctly so you should be fine there.

as for the neck sizing - I am sure that there is some here with more experience with the collet die than me. though is should just something like you didn't tighten it enough.

[bsumoba]

im guessing you're loading 308?

i have no experience with the collet die..but this guy seems to have some good info: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhTUgytUGnM

42gr of varget in 308 (assuming its 308) should be fine. What brass are you using? I am running 43.5 gr of Varget in my .308 if that makes you feel at ease. 44-45gr on Varget will typically be a compressed load (YBMV - your brass may vary).

[J-cat]

Lee's instructions for the collet are stupid.

They only work if you set up the die to cam over slightly. The problem is neck thickness varies so if you cam over on one, it might not cam over on the next and the collet will not press the neck against the decaping rod. If you set it up to cam ove more than just slightly, you run the risk of tearing the threads off the aluminum cap.

My solution is to set up the die way way way past the cam over point, so the press cannot cam over. This way you reduce the leverage of the press to the point it cannot harm the aluminum cap. Then, pay attention here, FEEL the neck compress against the decaping rod under the pressure of the collet. You'll feel it bottom out against the decaping rod. Once that happens you'll have .002" or so of neck tension.

This feeling is subtle, kinda like bullet seating but more so. If you can feel the difference in bullet seating between different brass, or even within the same lot of brass, you'll certainly be able to feel the sizing effort in the collet.

[09cs]

Here are my first two rounds ever done! Both measure 2.800(+/- .001) with 42 gr of varget (tripple checked) Please let me know if everything look rights

[J-cat]

Looks correct, although your brass is unsightly. Needs more wet tumbling.

[09cs]

Looks correct, although your brass is unsightly. Needs more wet tumbling.

That was after 2 and half hours of tumbling, the rest of the brass came out nice and shiny.

[J-cat]

R u wet tumbling or dry?

[09cs]

Walnut media with a capful of nu - finish

[J-cat]

I wet tumble for 8 hours.

Have you tried readjusting your die my way?

[09cs]

Yes I did, got about 8 rounds loaded before I had to head out, thank you.

Tumbled some range brass (.223) for about 3 and half hours while I was gone and came out looking brand new

[Pauliedad]

Wet for 8 hours? Really?
Corncob with some goo for an hour gets mine shiny.

[J-cat]

I want my insides clean too. And I don't want to get up in the middle of the night.

[09cs]

Could just put it on a timer?

[Pauliedad]

I've been close to trying a wet tumbler with the world famous Stilly pins and am wondering if it also gets the primer pocket super clean too.

Thoughts?