Thread: Collet Dies

At present I am reloading 22 Hornet and .223 with conventional dies. I mainly neck size only.
I am looking at changing to a collet die because of what I read about less working of the brass.
But I have no first hand experience of collet dies so I am looking for comments and advice from those that are using them.
Are Lee the only manufacturers of collet dies or do others make them.
Looking forward to your replies

What exactly do you want to know about them?

I use lee ones never had a problem. I size then turn the shell 1/4 turn then size again and do that one more time just to make sure its good. May be unnecessary but keeps peace at mind

I love them for high volume cartridges like 223. No lube just bang them through. I use them on my 708 too and find them giod. Never had a problem with them

They are great for bolt actions.
I do body size the brass and then neck size them after 5 firings or so to bump the shoulder back. In between, its just neck size. No lube, and less working of the brass = longer brass life.

If you are having trouble with neck tension, ie not enough, do as Toby says or lightly anneal the case necks, as that helps.

For semi autos, you should full length the brass or body then neck size each firing.

Originally Posted by Toby

What exactly do you want to know about them?

I use lee ones never had a problem. I size then turn the shell 1/4 turn then size again and do that one more time just to make sure its good. May be unnecessary but keeps peace at mind

I do this also.

I'm reloading for 223 and 243.

I have Lee collet dies .. they're really good.

However, I have recently purchased some Forster Neck and shoulder "Bush and Bump" dies that offer significant advantage in my opinion over Neck only dies.

The thing I found with neck sizing only is that after 2-3 reloads you need to push the should back. You can do this using the Full length dies, but the best way is with a neck and shoulder die.

The big advantage with the Forster die is that it resizes the neck in a very consistent way using one of 3 different bushings with which you can set the precisely neck tension .

Gunsmithing &Reloading Tools - Forster Neck Bushing/Shoulder Bump Kit, Dies

I hasten to add, that (most) all of the above you can probably achieve with your existing dies, but a neck and shoulder die is very easy to use and produces a consistent result.

Thanks for replies so far.
For more information. All my rifles are bolt action.
I have two 22 hornets. One is a 1949 Brno ZKW 465 which I will keep as original. The other is a Brno Fox which I am thinking of K-ing.
I also have two .223,s. My retirement present to myself is a CZ 527 American which I have just bought. And the other is a Remington 700 varmit.
I have no interest in playing bowls or golf so my intention is to go and do some pest control and walk my gut off that way.
So my main interest is accuracy and on reading some postings on various sites collet dies get a good airing on being kind to brass and less run out.
My main interest at the moment is before I go out and buy a set what are the options and what are the drawbacks.

Still further information.
My press is a Redding Boss
22 Hornet dies are Foster Bonansa Bench Rest Full Length Die which I only use as much stroke as I need to.
.223 dies are Hornady Custom Grade New Diemension full length and Bullet seating and a Lyman Neck Sizing Die.
I check every powder throw over the balance scales and make sure it is exact.
On the Hornet I use Lilgun. And on the 223 Win 748 although I am thinking about going to cfe223 so comments would be appreciated.

I use the FL die with out expander ball to bump the shoulder then I neck size with my Lee collet die. That way my brass is the same every round I fire and should aid in consistency.

Originally Posted by Normie

I use the FL die with out expander ball to bump the shoulder then I neck size with my Lee collet die. That way my brass is the same every round I fire and should aid in consistency.

Wouldn't that size it way under size?

Barny the dies you have should be good enough for what you are doing .22 Hornets are not noted for extreme accuracy your Foster die set is a pretty good system, I have a 1949 ZKW 465 a great little gun but it's not as accurate as my .222 or .223, The Hornady dies have a good reputation for loading accurate ammo, I find the primer pockets get sloppy before the necks fail,
I used my .223 for Full bore shooting from 300 to 1000 yds and only used a Redding neck size die and a body die when the cases got tight shot well enough to give the .308 guys a fright.Robert.

Using 223 Collect dies for the Maximus and they are working really well.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Wouldn't that size it way under size?

The neck? Haven't noticed an issue.

Originally Posted by Normie

The neck? Haven't noticed an issue.

The full length die without expander will size the neck right down.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

The full length die without expander will size the neck right down.

Then he runs it back up in his collet die. . ...

You miss that bit? Lol

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