Cottonseed Posted November 23, 2011 Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 This is so basic, but I'm pulling my hair out... I bought a set of RCBS dies second hand. Decapping pin and 'chuck' faulty, so replaced them. Still won't work. Whatever the adjustment of the pin it crushes the case and doesn't decap. So bought a set of Lee dies. My press is a Lee so I thought go with what it's made for. As for RCBS, followed the factory instructions to the letter. It didn't decap and mashed the case. You need to adjust the central core of the Lee die with two spanners. Scared of putting too much pressure on, but they won't budge to make any adjustment to pin. Is the Lee decapping and sizing die for .22 H factory set? Or do you have to undo the nut at the top and reset 'length' of pin? No book, website or video appears to be able to tell me what I'm doing wrong? Can anyone explain this to an idiot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted November 23, 2011 Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 (edited) sounds to me as though the dies are adjusted wrong in the press. where abouts are you. Edited November 23, 2011 by markbivvy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted November 23, 2011 Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 (edited) Edited November 23, 2011 by markbivvy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonseed Posted November 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 Mark, Thanks for posting the vids. I have seen both of them and have followed the first one to the letter. Looking again at the second video, I notice he does not follow Lee instructions and turn the die in a a quarter turn or full turn (I've read instructions which say both) but just 'kisses' the ram. I also noticed that the whole case goes inside the die when he raises the ram. This hasn't been happening with my RCBS die or the Lee die. So it seems the internal device needs adjusting, but as I said, the top nut on the Lee die won't budge. I'n near Chorley in Lancs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted November 23, 2011 Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 (edited) Seen this with the newer type le dies but never with rcb ones. Give em a blast of wd inside see if it helps. or if you fancy a ride to leeds bring the lot over here. see pm. Edited November 23, 2011 by markbivvy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonseed Posted November 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 Just tried again, ignoring the Lee instructions to turn in the die further. I've just let the ram touch the base. It looks like I haven't been putting enough pressure on as I've just sucessfully sized and decapped two fired cases. However, the flash holes are now torn and much bigger than the original size. Is this acceptable, or am I still getting it wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted November 23, 2011 Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 (edited) What brass is it please. I would still be tempted to strip the dies and give them a good clean, more so the FLR ones as the lube tends to clog them up a bit, also clean the mandrill,s with wire wool. strip the FLR dies while they are in the press, big spanner ,little spanner, they will go. Edited November 23, 2011 by markbivvy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonseed Posted November 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 What brass is it please. I would still be tempted to strip the dies and give them a good clean, more so the FLR ones as the lube tends to clog them up a bit, also clean the mandrill,s with wire wool. strip the FLR dies while they are in the press, big spanner ,little spanner, they will go. The Lee dies only arrived from Hannams today! Do they still need the WD and wire wool? The success I've just had (!) was with Hornady brass, but I tried with RWS as well. And some old CBC and Kynoch stuff I mentioned in another post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted November 23, 2011 Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 Thanks for the thread - I was just about to ask something similar. I've just bought a Lee full length sizing die for the Hornet, but no instructions and it's ages since I used one. Can anyone confirm that for the full length die (which sounds as though that's the one you're talking about, CS), the over-ride is one full turn (with the option of a further 1/4) as is shown in Mark's referenced video for the collet die? Cheers, Phil PS I'm using the older type press similar to the one in the video - no primer thingy in the ram. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted November 23, 2011 Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 (edited) Thanks for the thread - I was just about to ask something similar. I've just bought a Lee full length sizing die for the Hornet, but no instructions and it's ages since I used one. Can anyone confirm that for the full length die (which sounds as though that's the one you're talking about, CS), the over-ride is one full turn (with the option of a further 1/4) as is shown in Mark's referenced video for the collet die? Cheers, Phil PS I'm using the older type press similar to the one in the video - no primer thingy in the ram. Hi P. I use really old cast iron presses, and the distruction on the dies do not work with them. A bit of trial and error will sort it out, plus you should re size to the chamber not sammi speck.?? Adjustment of the full length die calls for the die body to be screwed down in the press until it contacts the shell holder at the top of the ram’s stroke. If the ammunition is to be reused in the same gun the cases were originally fired in, back the die off 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn and size a lightly lubricated case. Wipe the case dry, and chamber it in the gun. If any resistance is felt, lower the die body another 1/8 of a turn (or less), and repeat the process with another fired case. This is repeated until the action will just close without resistance. When this has been accomplished, set the lock ring to secure the die in place. This method will ensure that the fired cases are resized with a minimum amount of headspace. This case has now been “custom fitted” to that particular chamber. Edited November 23, 2011 by markbivvy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted November 23, 2011 Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 (edited) The Lee dies only arrived from Hannams today! Do they still need the WD and wire wool? The success I've just had (!) was with Hornady brass, but I tried with RWS as well. And some old CBC and Kynoch stuff I mentioned in another post. Had a chap here the other week with brand new 223 lee collet dies and could not for the life of me get them working right until they had been stripped and cleaned and the collet adjusted( it was far to tight and the necks would not go into it.). Also had a good few very tight flash holes with various hornet brass. Edited November 23, 2011 by markbivvy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted November 23, 2011 Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 And dont forget about Squaring the Dies. :look: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted November 23, 2011 Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 Mark, Thanks, I'll read what you said shortly - I have a need to full length re-size a few to Spec - just posting for the OP as I suddenly twigged that if he has the full sizer, until you just mentioned it, I saw no reference to any die lubricant. Cheers, Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonseed Posted November 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 Mark, Thanks, I'll read what you said shortly - I have a need to full length re-size a few to Spec - just posting for the OP as I suddenly twigged that if he has the full sizer, until you just mentioned it, I saw no reference to any die lubricant. Cheers, Phil Yes, Phil, lubricant used every time! The Lee stuff, not KY! :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted November 25, 2011 Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 I dont use the collet die myself, nor do i use my big press with the hornet but have extensive experiance with other cals using various dies. what this needs is a good run through in person if you cant suss it. Give us a pm if you cant sort it yourself or find someone very local. I am a few miles North of Clitheroe Lancs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted November 26, 2011 Report Share Posted November 26, 2011 Hi P. I use really old cast iron presses, and the distruction on the dies do not work with them. A bit of trial and error will sort it out, plus you should re size to the chamber not sammi speck.?? Adjustment of the full length die calls for the die body to be screwed down in the press until it contacts the shell holder at the top of the ram’s stroke. If the ammunition is to be reused in the same gun the cases were originally fired in, back the die off 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn and size a lightly lubricated case. Wipe the case dry, and chamber it in the gun. If any resistance is felt, lower the die body another 1/8 of a turn (or less), and repeat the process with another fired case. This is repeated until the action will just close without resistance. When this has been accomplished, set the lock ring to secure the die in place. This method will ensure that the fired cases are resized with a minimum amount of headspace. This case has now been “custom fitted” to that particular chamber. Mark, Thanks for that, mate. I've been meaning to do this but ever since I got the Hornet I've been scratching my head trying to figure out how the bolt comes apart. No mention in the handbook. However, I got it sorted this morning at last. I dropped it while fiddling and it "fired". When you remove a bolt it's obviously cocked and mine has an indicator protruding out of the back. When I picked it up in the "fired" condition and with the indicator not visible I noticed that this protruded through what is actually a drilled Allen headed cap. Just break the stiction and you can then unscrew the back half of the bolt and remove the firing pin/spring. (Just put the explanation in in case any other Weihrauch shooters are equally tormented.) I've done what I wanted for a different rifle but will try your procedure at the next reloading session. Cheers, Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted November 26, 2011 Report Share Posted November 26, 2011 No worries P. glad your getting there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonseed Posted November 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2011 I dont use the collet die myself, nor do i use my big press with the hornet but have extensive experiance with other cals using various dies. what this needs is a good run through in person if you cant suss it. Give us a pm if you cant sort it yourself or find someone very local. I am a few miles North of Clitheroe Lancs Thanks. I actually managed to load 20 rounds in the end. All I have to do is try them. It's good to know there's help close at hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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