tight chambering handloads
 

Maybe i need lessons from lee. I ran the resizing die down to the shellholder and .25 a turn more and locked it down. i roll lube the outside and throat. resize and then trim to specs and de-burr before tumbling.Did i do something wrong or should i use rcbs dies?

RE: tight chambering handloads
 

I have had problems with lee before. I suggest comparing fireformed cases to your reloads. Measure the dimensions of the shoulders and body.

Go another quarter turn befor eyou lock down too. It shouldn't hurt anything.

Are you useing pacesetters or collet?

RE: tight chambering handloads
 

I usually refrain from bashing products, especially when I have no experience with them. But, I hear of too many problems with Lee products. I personally only use RCBS or Redding products. I know a lot of people have really good experience with Lee but you hear or read several times a year of people having problems with reloading, the one constant it seems is Lee. I just think that its more than coincedence.

I would bet that a set of RCBS dies would solve your problem.

RE: tight chambering handloads
 

More info please. What type of Lee Dies are you using, neck size(collet) or FL size? What caliber, cartridge? What kind of firearm? Is this brass new, fired from your rifle or someone elses used brass? Are you having problems chambering just the resized brass or is this a completed round with bullet seated?

RE: tight chambering handloads
 

I owned one set of Lee Dies, and they will be my last. Good luck

RE: tight chambering handloads
 

I was havinga problem with my bolt being stiff to close on my reloadsand I was using a RCBS FLS die. I screwed my FLS die out 1/2 turn and my bolt closed like it should but then my casings started showing some signs of a excessive headspace issue I assume because of the extra 1/4 turn out wassetting the shouldersback a little bit too far on my brass, nothing dramatic but my primers were flatting out just a tad and I was no where near any kind of load that would develope high pressures. I change to a heavier all iron and steelpress because I was using a flimsy aluminum Lee's Challenger press to resiae my cases and I seen where it had quite a bit of shell holder slop and could actually feel the press flex a little when resizing. I adjust my FLS die the standard 1/4 turn out in the new much heavier press and my cases chamber like brand new ones at the same FLS die adjustment that made my bolt very stiffto close usingthe flimsy press.

RE: tight chambering handloads
 

If you did not lube the inside of the necks,it will pull the shoulder back up,as you pull the sizer ball up thru!!!!
Just what i have found,over the years,with the dirt in the necks of fired cases.To brush them and dry lube ,is a big help,with this problem,if it isn't the die!
I would venture to bet that it isn't all of the cases,doing this,is it????
KEEP TRYING,you will figure it out!!!!!

RE: tight chambering handloads
 

There is nothing wrong with the Lee dies,most of the problem is operator
head space..If you don't set them up right then the first thing is they are
no good..You have to remember that when you tighten the lock nut to
hold the die body..Other wise you will back the die out a little..I love Lee
dies.I have never had a problem with them..