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Thread: Lee 9mm decap die marked with U

  1. #1
    Boolit Master


    Alvarez Kelly's Avatar
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    Lee 9mm decap die marked with U

    I recently bought a lot of mixed dies. Included was a Lee 9mm carbide sizing/decap die. It has a random U stamped on one of the wrench flats. Anyone know if this is the infamous Lee U die? Their website says the undersized die is 3 thousands smaller.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master


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    Well... I kept digging online. I found a youtube video of a Lee U die. Sure enough, it had a big U stamped on the side. Still, I figured someone here might have more experience with the Lee undersized die.
    Last edited by Alvarez Kelly; 05-09-2020 at 12:14 AM.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
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    Be easy enough to check if you have a standard 9mm die.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master


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    Quote Originally Posted by onelight View Post
    Be easy enough to check if you have a standard 9mm die.
    I don't reload 9mm, so no. Its not easy for ME to check.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
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    It’s an undersized die, I have several that I got from an estate. Haven’t ever used any of them.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
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    Yup that would be it. I used when I loaded 9mm.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master


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    Thanks for the confirmation Gents. I figured someone here would know.

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy swmass's Avatar
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    It’s an undersized sizing die. I have been using them for a few years. I was having an issue with 38 special and 45acp brass a few years back. When I would size with the normal die, the bullet would have no tension and could easily be pushed into the case by hand. Typically a problem with Remington or thinner brass. The U die gets rid of that problem and allows me to
    use mixed brass and ensure there is proper tension on the bullet. Some of the most accurate hand loads I have produced have been with this die. You should have no problems with it.

  9. #9
    Boolit Buddy usbp379's Avatar
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    https://www.egwguns.com/undersize-re...-die-9mm-luger

    Sent from my SM-A505U using Tapatalk

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Just wondering, every problem I've ever had I have been able to work out without resorting to "special" dies. For my 9mm handloads, since 1998, I have often used mixed brass, range pick ups (every kind sold in my area and a few that I've never heard of). I have never had a problem with loose neck tension with several jacketed bullets from 115 to 147 gr, cast lead to .358", plated at .356", PCed and Hi-tek coated at ,356"-.357", and some European military pulls, in any brass I use. I only have 3, 9mm pistols, two of modern American manufacture and one older Tokerev, and every handload I've produced will feed, chamber, fire with zero problems as long as I do the plunk test checking workable OAL. So if one used decent components, why would an undersize die be needed?

    Edit on Sunday; not a challenge, or questioning anyone, just want to know. I understand a U die makes the case smaller in diameter, but why? In my experience (above) I have never had the need, or come close to need an undersize case sizing die...
    Last edited by mdi; 05-10-2020 at 11:15 AM.
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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check