Improving The Lee Collet Die M.L. McPherson
other lots. I know of no way to predict this. So, if you have not experienced this problem, wait. Chances are, you will. This is such a persistent problem
Left: The Lee Collet Die is a deceptively sophisticated and simple tool. I prefer this die for most neck-sizing tasks. With the simple modifi cation discussed in this piece, it is even better. Right: This view shows how the spring pushes against the decapping rod. This also shows that the spring is smaller than the end of the decapping rod, so the cap still positively limits decapping rod travel. (End of rod is larger than remainder, so rod cannot fall through die.)
Synopsis: The Lee Collet Neck-Sizing
Die just might be one of the all-time great handloading tools. It allows lubricant-free decapping and neck sizing of cases with almost no possibility of bending a case. By obtaining two extra decapping rods and polishing the diameter of those progressively smaller than the standard decapping rod, the handloader also can adjust neck tension to suit the need. I can fi nd only one fault with this tool and that is that it is no better than any other standard decapping tool when it comes to assuring that the primer does not stick to the decapping pin and subsequently be drawn back into the primer pocket suf- fi ciently to hang there. I handloaded my fi rst small-prim-
er case about 1973. Before that, I had always worked with cases using large primers. I still recall learning then that small primers are not as easy to work with as large primers. Specifi cally, small primers tend to stick to the decapping pin. This occurs because the inside of the
anvil must be a relatively small tapered hole and that hole just happens to fi t too closely over the decapping pin. Shape of anvil opening and of pin
tip matter. But, during the decapping operation, the pin drives far enough into the anvil opening of some primers hard enough to stick there. Then, as one pulls the case back out of the die, the primer (stuck solidly on the end of the decapping pin) pulls into the primer pocket hard enough to stick there before releasing from the pin. This makes it impossible to re-
move the case from the shell holder. Worse, when using a progressive press, this results in a serious problem when the shell plate will not turn or does turn and then a case with an old primer exists at the priming station. Either is more fun than one really wants to have once, let alone repeatedly. For whatever reason, primers of some lots are far worse than those from
that Dillon invented a spring-loaded decapping stem. This solves the prob- lem because before the primer begins to come free of the primer pocket it will compress the spring. Then, as the primer comes free of the primer pocket, the compressed spring rapidly accelerates the decapping pin. Then, the pin comes to an abrupt halt and the primer contin- ues on its merry way, which is a good thing! (RCBS now offers spring-loaded decapping rods for the same reason.) PERFECTING THE LEE COLLET DIE Consider the 22 Hornet: In my
opinion, the Lee Collet Die is the ideal sizing tool for the Hornet. When using one gun only, this is the only resizing tool I ever need. The only problem is that too many primers stick on the de- capping rod and subsequently hang in the primer pocket. This is a pain. (This happens just as oft en with other Hornet sizing dies.) Knowing what Dillon and RCBS
had done, every time I neck-sized a few Hornet cases using the Collet Die, I pondered adding a “primer-ejector spring.” Aft er a session where I fi red 484 rounds (for a primer-comparison test), I began to work those cases, using the Lee Collet Die. Aft er doing about 200, wherein at least 50 gave me grief with primers hanging in the case, I had had more than a lifetime supply of that fun.
Brownells’ Spring Kit #71 contains a useful variety of heavy coil springs. Kit #69 contains lighter coil springs. The fact that I have now bought three #69 kits and only one #71 kit suggests relative gunsmithing usage. However, I now intend to modify about one dozen Lee Collet dies, as discussed in this piece. This will require that I buy another #71 kit.
Page 174 Spring 2012
Brownells’ Kit #71 contains the needed spring. I suspect that other sources, such as a local hardware store, might suffi ce. Just look for a reasonably heavy spring that is about 0.2-inch in diameter and drill holes sized in the cap to hold the spring at the end and to allow the remainder to compress freely.
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