Lee dies question
- Thread starter Lavan
- Start date
Here's a tip....after you get them adjusted , take them out and replace by only turning the big hex nut ( the one that should have the set screw) and don't turn the die body or stem. The rubber O-ring holds them fairly well, but you can't twist them without messing up the settings.
I hated Lee Dies until I finally got the hang of how to install and remove them without messing up the settings.
I would buy locking rings but I bought Lee's to save money....that don't make sense.
They will work without the lock screw...you just have to be careful.
And I'm not buying into that locking breech Bull....just more stuff you wind up buying.
Gary
I hated Lee Dies until I finally got the hang of how to install and remove them without messing up the settings.
I would buy locking rings but I bought Lee's to save money....that don't make sense.
They will work without the lock screw...you just have to be careful.
And I'm not buying into that locking breech Bull....just more stuff you wind up buying.
Gary
From the beginning there were reloaders that could not keep up with their die settings so they locked the ring to the die. And then there were reloaders that adjusted their die ever time they used their dies. Those that locked the ring to the die had to purchases a new set of dies for the 357 Mag cases and the 44 Remington Mag cases.
Reloaders that did not lock the ring to their dies used the 38 Special dies for the (new at the time) 357 Mag cases; because that was all that was necessary, same for the 44 Remington Special dies. It was not necessary to purchases a new set of dies. It was necessary to adjust the he 44 Remington special cases to crimp; after that it got worst.
Again, I do not secure the lock ring to the die, I secure the die to the press with the lock ring.
F. Guffey
Reloaders that did not lock the ring to their dies used the 38 Special dies for the (new at the time) 357 Mag cases; because that was all that was necessary, same for the 44 Remington Special dies. It was not necessary to purchases a new set of dies. It was necessary to adjust the he 44 Remington special cases to crimp; after that it got worst.
Again, I do not secure the lock ring to the die, I secure the die to the press with the lock ring.
F. Guffey
I've been using a Lee single stage press for 4 yrs now. I have grown to like the breach lock quarter turn die removal. Set it and forget it. I load everything from 9mm to 30-378 on it. The additional bushing thing is the same as Hornady's setup, a bushing for each die, if you want quick change dies. I would assume one could pick up a thread adaptor to make it not a quick change setup. I like lees set up with the locking button better than hornadys because it stays put much better. I only have experience with the hornady bushing in my powder measure. I am constantly twisting the thing to keep it tight. wouldn't want that with a sizing die. As for your set up, what is done is done, but don't knock Lee, its not a bad system.
m&p45acp10+1
New member
I had a Lee Breach Lock Challenger press for 5 years before I gave it to a friend that was starting to reload. I never bought another bushing for it. Die set up never took longer that a minute or so. The second owner of that press is still using it 5 years later. He has not changed the bushing out either.
I have the breech-lock single stage but use a Hornady LnL adapter and the supply of Hornady LnL die adapters I already owned. I use a variety of lock rings, including Lee, and am not having issues with loss of die settings.
On my Hornady LnL press, however, I may need channel locks to grab the base of the breech-lock or LnL to get it to come loose instead of the die.
On my Hornady LnL press, however, I may need channel locks to grab the base of the breech-lock or LnL to get it to come loose instead of the die.
The only reason one would need/should tighten down the die to the breech lock bushing is if yo are using to bushing system as designed which is the quick change application . If you're threading in and out each die like you would on a standard press . Finger tight is all you should ever need .
On product descriptions regarding reloading equipment - I have yet to buy any reloading product that I thought came with ANYTHING like a full instruction set. Most often missing are complete safety instructions or any kind of gotcha or FAQ file worth a damn. A whole BUNCH of reloading is self taught, searching out youtube videos and reading forums as we are doing here. Willing in person teachers are few and FAR between. I have taught a reloading basics class myself in the past with a 7 page syllabus I put together from years of hands on experience and STILL could have put in more.
On dies and press setups in general - nothing will stay static over time. Basic reloading presses can generate forces of 15000 to 35000 PSI pressure in the press at full stroke. So things move. So things require adjustment. Swaging presses typically start at 60000 PSI and can reach 125000 PSI in the more severe point forming dies.
To assume you can set it and forget it can work on a press you use for only one caliber or purpose for a few 1000 rounds on occasion but you should never assume it.
So my gear - you won't find a single locking nut on anything - I tune it each time I do a setup for reloading. Now with that said my .40 pistol dies practically live in my lee classic turret press and only typically require a tweak here and a tweak there as I go from JHP to cast lead.
So don't sweat it - incomplete instructions are VERY MUCH the norm in this hobby - and you are doing great just popping in and asking this bunch of rogues as you are.
On dies and press setups in general - nothing will stay static over time. Basic reloading presses can generate forces of 15000 to 35000 PSI pressure in the press at full stroke. So things move. So things require adjustment. Swaging presses typically start at 60000 PSI and can reach 125000 PSI in the more severe point forming dies.
To assume you can set it and forget it can work on a press you use for only one caliber or purpose for a few 1000 rounds on occasion but you should never assume it.
So my gear - you won't find a single locking nut on anything - I tune it each time I do a setup for reloading. Now with that said my .40 pistol dies practically live in my lee classic turret press and only typically require a tweak here and a tweak there as I go from JHP to cast lead.
So don't sweat it - incomplete instructions are VERY MUCH the norm in this hobby - and you are doing great just popping in and asking this bunch of rogues as you are.
