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Lee dies in Co-Axle press

Posted: 15 Apr 2019 13:29
by Kaiser
I prefer Lee dies over other brands because of their precise dimensions, "tapered" expanding stems, and ease of getting cases "unstuck" if I make a mistake. Likewise, the "finger" adjusting rings beats the "heck" out of having to use an "allen wrench" to tighten and loosen the rings for adjustment! Which brings me to a subject I read on another site that states, "one must use some other brand of die rings, other than Lee, in a Co-Axle press". I have been using Lee rings in my Co-Axle for decades and have never encountered a problem. Am I misinformed or "functionally" incorrect (I know I'm asking for some rude comments to the latter :oops: )?I realize that using "neck" sizing dies would have little effect in the process if there were any "slop" in holder; however, I have not encountered a problem with "full length" resizing cases either. (I do run all my reloaded ammo through my rifle, especially before a hunt to make sure it functions smoothly and has sufficient room in the magazine.) Thanks.

Re: Lee dies in Co-Axle press

Posted: 15 Apr 2019 17:26
by daboone
My old Bonaza CO-AX has no problems with Lee dies even their neck sizing dies. I've even used Lee lock rings successfully.

Re: Lee dies in Co-Axle press

Posted: 16 Apr 2019 03:14
by GasGuzzler
I'm not sure what difference the brand of press makes. Lee doesn't have lock rings, just big nuts. :)

Re: Lee dies in Co-Axle press

Posted: 16 Apr 2019 13:53
by mikld
I have a fairly new Co-Ax and I did buy several Forster and Sinclair lock rings for my dies, but I still had some Lee dies to use but ran out of Forster rings. None of my reloading, or press use would put too much pressure on the aluminum rings so I removed the O-ring and drilled and tapped the ring for a set screw (nylon tipped). Yes, the rings are narrower than the slot and they will move upward a bit. But, they will move the same distance every time, so there is no variation. I have been using some of my "modified" rings on my Lee dies for several months and several hundred (thousands?) of rounds with no variations, no trouble. I keep fergitin' to buy more Forster rings... :roll:

FWIW; the Lee lock rings work on a "pressure-jam" principle. The nut is finger tightened and the O-ring applies upward force, "jamming" the male/female threads together with enough friction to hold the nut/ring in place. Same principle as a spring washer between the nut and fixture/press surface.

Re: Lee dies in Co-Axle press

Posted: 17 Apr 2019 04:42
by Ranch Dog
mikld wrote:FWIW; the Lee lock rings work on a "pressure-jam" principle. The nut is finger tightened and the O-ring applies upward force, "jamming" the male/female threads together with enough friction to hold the nut/ring in place. Same principle as a spring washer between the nut and fixture/press surface.
If you want to secure your Lee Lock Rings, use a Titan Reloading Lock Nut Finger Wrench. I've gotten them so tight that, months or a year later, I'm not so sure I'm going to get them loose when I start trying to remove the die.

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Re: Lee dies in Co-Axle press

Posted: 17 Apr 2019 07:03
by RBHarter
If of course your concerned about hard contact between the press , nut and die you can simply flip the nut over and the 0ring becomes a friction device and the nut a solid stop on the press and dies .

Re: Lee dies in Co-Axle press

Posted: 17 Apr 2019 10:38
by mikld
From my last job (heavy construction equipment repair) I have a handfull of 7/8-14 nuts, a few grade 8, in my toolbox. One or two I have drilled and tapped to use as a lock ring where I have room, but during my 25 years on that job I had a lot of formal training, some on fasteners. There's a lot more about bolts nuts, and screws than just "righty tighty, lefty loosy"! :lol: