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LEE DIES ?

partisanpartisan Member Posts: 6,414
edited May 2009 in Perry Shooter Competition Shooting and Reloading Forum
I have a couple of sets of LEE handgun dies on backorder. I have always used RCBS, and have no experience with LEE. My question to all you LEE die owners is this. Do I REALLY need to spend $30 plus dollars on Lyman split rings to replace the LEE O-Ring locknuts???
Thanks for all the help!!!!!
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Comments

  • reloader44magreloader44mag Member Posts: 18,783 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Why do you think you need too replace the Lee O-ring lock nuts...I use Lee 4 die sets for 45acp and 40S&W....no issues in a single stage RCBS rockchucker.
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  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The O-rings work just as good as the split rings.
    The only thing I see on the ones I use, is that when taking the Lee dies out, use the nut, not the body.
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  • partisanpartisan Member Posts: 6,414
    edited November -1
    Reloader44mag- I also use the single stage Rockchucker (since 1974.)I have seen remarks from buyers say they hate the O-Rings and just throw them away and replace them with the Lyman split rings ($4.00 each at Midway.) You guys know about everything there is on reloading. If the actual users of LEE dies say I don't need to replace the O-Rings, I will NOT buy the split rings!! Thanks to all!!!!
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  • steadyeddysteadyeddy Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I went the split ring route because I did noy want it to move..............then I bought a Lee breachlock press so the Lees work great
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  • reloader44magreloader44mag Member Posts: 18,783 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dcs shooters
    The O-rings work just as good as the split rings.
    The only thing I see on the ones I use, is that when taking the Lee dies out, use the nut, not the body. +1
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  • reloader44magreloader44mag Member Posts: 18,783 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by steadyeddy
    I went the split ring route because I did noy want it to move..............then I bought a Lee breachlock press so the Lees work great
    When I use my RCBS, Hornady and Lyman dies...very seldom if ever do I tighten the allen wrench "screw" on the split ring...twist split ring down tight and good to go. my 2 cents.
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  • PA ShootistPA Shootist Member Posts: 691 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I find the Lee o-ring die nuts to be very inconsistent and things seem to easily move out of adjustment, e.g. crimping, bullet seating, case mouth belling. I want the adjustment made to the die to be rock solid and repeat the same each and every time. I use both split-ring nuts and also the Dillon die nuts wrenched down tight. The split ring may be unnecessary. I think the Dillon die nuts are $9.95 per set of 5. Nothing moves; all case operations stay exactly the same as I set them.
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  • AmbroseAmbrose Member Posts: 3,209 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Drill and tap the Lee nut and put in a set screw if it bothers you--a lot cheaper than replacing the nut. Myself; I just take a Magic Marker and put a reference mark on both the nut and the die body when I've got it adjusted. I make sure both marks line up when I tighten the die in the press and I'm good to go!
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  • RCrosbyRCrosby Member Posts: 3,808 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Can't use the Lee rings in my Co-Ax press so have gone exclusively to the split rings. Never cared for the set screws which tend to bugger the threads unless you put a small pellet of shot in the hole then put the set screw on top of it. (For traditional, no split rings.)
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  • partisanpartisan Member Posts: 6,414
    edited November -1
    It's not the set screw that bothers me. My RCBS dies are metal on metal, and form a solid setting. The LEE dies look like they have an O-ring that tightens down on the press, ie; rubber on metal. This would seem like it would be impossible to reinstall the Lee die to the exact same depth each time. This seems to be critical in bullet seating, and in the factory crimp die. Am I missing some gem in the info you guys are giving me? I guess I'm just looking for "the O-ring is fine." or the O-rings are garbage, toss them! Thanks again!!!!
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  • B17-P51B17-P51 Member Posts: 2,248 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    O rings are great. I have 5 brands of dies and no complaints about any of them from Redding (high $$$) to Lee.
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  • reloader44magreloader44mag Member Posts: 18,783 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by partisan
    It's not the set screw that bothers me. My RCBS dies are metal on metal, and form a solid setting. The LEE dies look like they have an O-ring that tightens down on the press, ie; rubber on metal. This would seem like it would be impossible to reinstall the Lee die to the exact same depth each time. This seems to be critical in bullet seating, and in the factory crimp die. Am I missing some gem in the info you guys are giving me? I guess I'm just looking for "the O-ring is fine." or the O-rings are garbage, toss them! Thanks again!!!!
    I've had no problems with the "O" rings on Lee dies.
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  • partisanpartisan Member Posts: 6,414
    edited November -1
    Thanks to ALL!!!!!!!!
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