I just received a Lee collet neck sizer die for my .22-250. Do I need to lube the necks when using this die? I can’t see why I would but thought I better check.

I was also surprised that the directions say not to use the cam-over function of my RCBS RockChucker press. That kind of makes sense.

No, you do not need to lube using the Lee Collet neck sizer.

Best results are obtained by rotating the case when sizing and doing it twice.

No, you do not need to lube using the Lee Collet neck sizer.

Best results are obtained by rotating the case when sizing and doing it twice.

Part 1: Are you saying that you don't need to put any lube inside the neck - so if you are not using a full length die you don't use any lube on any part of the case? I have been putting lube on the interior neck and the exterior of the case because the instructions say to (I also do not have FL die) but is seems unnecessay. But I don't know anything so I just do as I am told.

Part 2: Are you saying to size the case, then turn the case and size it again?

Your case neck is oversized when you put it in the collet neck sizing die. As you push the die into the case, the sleeve inside the die presses up against the split-finger collet to squeeze the case against the internal mandrel. When you release and withdraw the case, the sleeve releases the pressure on the collet. Usually, it takes rotating the case and doing it again to obtain the proper neck reduction for bullet seating. The sizing mandrel is a solid bar and never leaves the neck during this operation and doesn't need lubed for extraction.

The directions for lubing the case pertains to FULL LENGTH resizing. Here, the expander ball enters the neck with the upstroke, penetrates the neck and continues into the body of the case to punch the primer out and then has to be withdrawn on the downstroke, re-entering the now sized neck and must be pulled through. A very slight amount of lube (wet or dry) should be applied to the interior of the neck or case mouth before sizing to lube the expander ball and reduce friction. Otherwise, sticky extraction from the sizing die will result. Exception to this is a set of carbide dies, as used by handgun reloaders. Some of these folks use no lube at all.

Another couple of things that are nice to know about the Lee Collet dies: the die sizes only a very small part of the neck, as opposed to other neck dies which may size all the way to the shoulder. This works the brass less and improves case life.
Because the sizing is done by a collet/mandrel, there is less mechanical advantage so the dies work best with new cases or case necks that have been annealed. If you let your case necks become work hardened, they will not size properly or at all.
Pete

Thanks for the information. I neck sized and loaded 25 rounds and will compare them to identical loaded full-length resized ammo.

Turning the necks to about 80%, cleaning the neck inside with a nylon brush with a slight amount of Imperial wax (a little dab on the first two fingers and thumb, then rubbed together, then form a triangle with the digits to form a hole and run the brush in and out of the hole lightly works great) will make the use of the collet die much more effective and the ammo much more accurate. You might not see much of a change unless you "benchrest prep" the ammo and work up a load. Loading dies are only one aspect of the system. and may or maynot show any difference without other accuracy improvements. There is no "magic bullet" or magic die in this case to accuracy improvement. :(

I use the collet dies on several calibers, 17 Rem, 223 Rem, 308 and 30-06 and 375 H&H. I have just about every brand and type of die going back before god was born and the collet dies do as well a job or better or almost equal to my fancy high dollar benchrest type, but I also "bench prep" my brass, accurize my rifles and know how to shoot well. They are a good, cheap beginning to learn all the nuances of reloading and accuracy. :D;)

'Njoy