RCBS Carbide Dies in a Lee Turret Press

[PolarFBear]

Ben Snow, never did hear what your displeasure with the Lee dies. Just curious. I did try a set of Hornady dies with .380 this afternoon. With the Lee dies on the Dillon 550b press I was "crunching" every 5th case. I suffered through 50 rounds and finally gave up with extreme frustration. That was Dec of '15. I am still using the 550b, with the Lee powder measure, and had only one crushed case (my visible error). The Hornady bullet seating die was EXCELLENT. I had to use very little flare on the powder stage. The 95 gr LRN would just sand up on the case. The Hornady's bullet guide took over from there and every bullet seated with ease. I am going to be looking for more Hornady dies. Especially for the little bullets like .223. My clumsy fingers crowd the press. Hornady solves a BIG problem for me. But I still get great utility from Lee.

 

[Ben_Snow]

Polar:

I wouldn't say displeasure with the entire die set, mainly just the auto-drum and associated feed-through die. Since I have switched to a separate powder feed setup, the Auto-drum is disconnected and sitting on a shelf, and since I was having also problems with the flaring function I decided to just swap out the die with a RCBS. Real Gun suggested a workaround for the die issue, but if the RCBS die functions properly I can avoid the extra hassle.

The Lee Turret works great, I prime with a Lee standalone Bench priming tool which also works good. The only reason I was going to swap out the decapping and Bullet seating die was due to sale on the RCBS three die set.

Overall I think the Lee is a great value for the price, although I wonder about their quality control. Just from reading various complaints on the forum some people never have a problem with their Lee equipment, while others experience constant headaches. I did send an email to Lee Support and explained the problem I was having; their response was less than helpful, they pretty much just referred me to the manual.

 

[Real Gun]

the hopper would jam every other throw.

When you get down as low as 2.5 gr of Bullseye, you may have the powder volume adjustment in so far that it binds up the measure. Be sure to use the small insert or the conversion plug for the large. Either way, the AutoDisk might be better for that low a charge, and it is not a lot of money invested to keep around as an option.

 

[Nick_C_S]

Was loading 38SP with 2.8gr (148gr HBWC), the hopper would jam every other throw.

Interesting. I don't have that problem; and I've thrown as little as 1.8 grains of Bullseye (for 38 Short Colt, 100gn lead slug).

When you get down as low as 2.5 gr of Bullseye, you may have the powder volume adjustment in so far that it binds up the measure.

Hmm. Doesn't with mine. I'm starting to wonder if we're talking about the large cylinder assembly unit. I'm using the small one: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/917289/rcbs-uniflow-powder-measure-cylinder-assembly-small. Back when I bought mine (part of a starter kit), they came with both assemblies. Somehow, I just instinctively knew to use the small one - have never used the big one. At any rate, I believe they only come with the large one nowdays; and if you want/need the small one, they're sold separately.

 

[Ben_Snow]

Nick Wrote:

Hmm. Doesn't with mine. I'm starting to wonder if we're talking about the large cylinder assembly unit. I'm using the small one: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/917...assembly-small. Back when I bought mine (part of a starter kit), they came with both assemblies. Somehow, I just instinctively knew to use the small one - have never used the big one. At any rate, I believe they only come with the large one nowdays; and if you want/need the small one, they're sold separately

BINGO -- Your the prize winner


https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/uniflow-powder-measure-and-small-charges-of-bullseye.94385/

I Checked the box - "Includes large metering cylinder assembly 3.5gr - 110gr" - That explains why the Bullseye started flowing freely @ 3.5gr.

Good news - the problem is easily fixable, bad news - another purchase. Will follow Real Gun's advise and reattach the Lee Autodrum until the new part arrives. Thanks guys !

 

[Real Gun]

Don't miss that the large includes an onboard adapter that coverts it to small. Pull that little flare off the side and press fit it into the end of the adjustment bolt.

 

[Ben_Snow]

Real Gun:

Are we talking about the RCBS Uniflow?
http://rcbs.com/RCBS/media/RCBSMedia/PDFs/Instructions/English%20(EN)/Uniflow_Powder_Measure_Instructions.pdf

I dissembled the unit and cannot find anything with a flare? The only parts are the Cylinder, adjustment screw, Bushing which screws into the cylinder, a lock ring, and a washer that fits between the lock ring and the bushing. The cylinder is one piece with nothing to adjust, and cant find anything on the other parts that can be removed or adjusted.

Maybe I am missing something, can you explain further? Thanks..

 

[Real Gun]

I was off on the Lee Auto Drum. Which will proably work while you wait for the RCBS, or may be the fall back if you find the Uniflow makes the turret top heavy.