Mornin Fellers,

I Just bought a new set of Lee dies and started using them last night, and noticed that the sizer dies was sizing them down A LOT. I was using plenty of lube and they were moving easily, but on some cases little dents would form. They're older cases so I didn't think much of it, just threw them away. But after I seated the bullets you can really see that the cases are smaller. Is this normal?

Hello Woodwright - The sizing down is typical, depending on the chamber size of your rifle (of course) or if your brass came from an unknown source, which could be from a larger chamber. According to Lee's product information, their dies are normally cut toward the "high side". You can just "partial" resize your cases by screwing out the dies just enough to hold the bullet in the neck, but still chamber. (Recommended if you feel your die is "over working" your brass.) If you do this, just make sure you check to insure you can chamber every loaded round before going into the "field". The "denting" problem is usually caused by too much lube, especially on the "shoulder" area. Even if you get too much lube on the case, just wipe it off, load up, and shoot in your rifle; the dents will come right out and you can do it right next time. Have a "blast" and keep your powder dry. And Happy Easter! Regards, Riley

Look in your load manual at the dimentions of the cartridge you are loading. Then take a few mearsurements of a few before and after sizing cases.

Too much lube is the cause of dents.

Cheezywan

What cartridge are you loading?

I am loading 45-70. Sorry, I thought i mentioned that

You might find this link interesting. I have heard folks say some sizing dies are more aggressive than others but have no experience in this that I can relate to what you are seeing. You will see from the link that I load 45-70. My sizing die is a Hornady die. I can tell the case is being sized it's full length during the sizing process but I've not noted that I can visually see the difference between a sized and unsized case. And I agree the dents are from too much lube. If you haven't tried it yet I suggest Imperial Die Sizing Wax. It's the best and very easy to use with a case like the 45-70.

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/49

Flash, You did a good job showing the reload process. This should be a sticky. Q

It's in the archives.

What kind of rifle are you loading for? How old is it?

Have you ever reloaded for it before, using other dies?

When you seat a bullet in a Lee-resized case, does it form a bulge in the brass outlining the seated bullet? This may be a sign that the brass is sized too small.

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I'm loading for a marlin guide gun and a bfr revolver. My friend has some rcbs dies that I've loaded a lot of rounds for my guide gun with, and it didn't size them down near as far. Does anybody else use lee dies? Is this normal or should I contact lee?

Can you post a picture showing the degree of sizing, a sized die next to an unsized die?

I don't think it would show very well. The inside dimension after sizing is .439"

Woodwright what kind of lube are you using? I would recommend a spray on lube from rcbs as it has eliminated dents on my shells by 99.9 % . If your using a jelly type lube I would suggest that you wipe out any access lube in the die as you only need a very little amount on the sides. I never put it on the neck of the shell. I use lee dies and have had no problems with them resizing. I do not think that you have a problem unless the resized shell does not fit or is very loose in the chamber. I think your okay.