View Full Version : Lee Collete dies
kbstenberg
11-22-2012, 12:42 PM
Are the Lee Collete dies specific to 1 caliber only? I know they are listed that way. But I was hopping that they were like the Lyman M dies.
I looked on the Lee site and I could purchase the parts to convert one die body to other calibers.
1hole
11-22-2012, 12:49 PM
"I was hopping that they were like the Lyman M dies."
They are not.
"I looked on the Lee site and I could purchase the parts to convert one die body to other calibers. "
I suppose you could but, given the low cost of the complete die, it hardly seems worthwhile to do so.
rtracy2001
11-22-2012, 12:52 PM
A single die body may be used on multiple calibers (30-06, 270, 25-06 etc.) but the collet itself and the depriming rod would be different for each. I am not sure how many different die bodies there are (don't know if 308 uses a different body than 30-06 for example), but purchasing one die body and multiple collets/depriming rods seems like too much hassle to me. I just buy the whole die (or set) and keep them with my regular die sets.
They are very specific to caliber. If you look at how they work you'll see that mechanically they are a one trick pony, that said, they are also the shizzle. I love them. Bench rest shooters may be able to get better necks/neck tension with turned necks and bushing neck sizers, but at 5x the cost for high end bushing dies and 10x the effort. I need to make too many bullets for that much work. My F-TR rifle will hold well below .5MOA at short ranges and about .5 at 1000 yards loading with one. For less than $30 each there is probably no better bargain in reloading.
Sonnypie
11-22-2012, 01:07 PM
Good question.
I only have, and use, one of their collet dies in 30-06.
If somebody has a few, maybe they could take the Collets out and see for you.
I suppose you were hoping to leave the die body in place and just change the guts?
Stands to reason Lee would make certain sized bodies be adaptable to a range of calibers.
Some of the parts have the same numbers for the couple of calibers I looked at HERE (http://leeprecision.com/parts/reloading-dies/rifle-dies/lee-collet-dies/)
And when I was looking into a bullet feeder caliber change, I was advised the 30 caliber, and the 9mm/35 caliber feeder forks were interchangeable. So some of their stuff will work for other needs.
I'd highly suspect a .270 and a 30-06 body would interchange parts, for example.
You could Email (http://www.titanreloading.com/index.php?route=information/contact) Titan Reloading (http://www.titanreloading.com/) and ask.
WyrTwister
11-22-2012, 02:56 PM
I only have the collet die in .223 .
I load for multiple AR's so , my first step is to de-prime & size with a .223 SB die .
Tumble & trim / ream primer pockets , as needed .
I use the turret press .
Next , the LoadMaster . Collet die in station # 1 to poke any media out of the flash hole and " true up " the neck and shoulder , to correct any thing that may have happened in the previous steps .
When I do things this way , the brass is happy in min to max chambers .
God bless
Wyr
o6Patient
01-11-2013, 04:50 PM
I want to try them in a few calibers but alas will have to get one at a time. :violin:
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