6.5x55 dies

[bigbrowndog]

I have had issues with Lee and CH dies always the size die, and always the expander button. I push the expander button in with little effort and then sometimes cannot remove it without extreme considerable effort, sometimes having to disassemble the die or cut the case in half I order t9 remove the button. I have polished the button and even reduced the diameter a bit, to .262. Still it gets stuck with friction, it is the only Caliber that causes me grief, anyone use someone else’s brand without issue??? I’m up to trying something else.

Trapr

[z1r]

I've reloaded for the 6,5x55 for many many moons without issues. The dies I use most often are RCBS but I have Herters, Lee, and Redding as well. If you had this problem with only one set of dies, I'd think that the sizer was sizing too small, like for the next smaller caliber. but heck, I neck up .30-06 brass often to .338-06 and never have a similar issue.

Interested in other's experiences/opinions.

[Encore64]

I've used Lee 6.5x55 Dies for 40 years with zero issues. Started loading for a Swedish Mauser and now it's a Ruger #1 and Encore Pistol.

I did upgrade the Expander when Lee changed the design on those...

[bigbrowndog]

Well, I’ve polished it again and removed carbon grooves from the expander button, and I’ll lube the necks with graphite. Until my new set of RCbS dies gets here, I do not know why this particular set of dies gives me fits. But it’s aggravating as all get out, none of my other 6.5’s gives me this much issue, just the Swede.

Trapr

[bradshaw]

Trapr.... always treated neck expansion as a ver important reloading step. Prefer to lube inside neck with molydisulphide or graphite applied via Q-Tip or nylon brush in an evaporative medium. Have also applied by same method Brownells Dry-Slide as long as they’ve offered it, 30 years or so. Don’t cotton to a poorly shaped, sticky expander.
David Bradshaw

[bigbrowndog]

When needed I have found good results with #12 shot in a 35mm film canister and graphite powder added, stick neck in shot, up to shoulder and give a quick couple of turns. Shake the canister before starting and ensures powder coats all shot. Then reshake every 15-20 rounds, cases do require a quick wipe down once sizing is finished.
The expander friction is aggravating and keeps from keeping my mind on the reloading task.

Trapr

[revolvercranker]

I don't have that problem with either the 6.5 Swede, 6.5x54MS, 6.5 Japanese, or 6.5 Grendel. Must be your particular die and/or expander button.

[jack]

Has this always been with just one brand or lot of brass, or multiple brands/lots? I ask because I had a batch of 221 FB brass from Remington a number of years ago that was from some notoriously poor FB stuff they truned out at the time. It was far too soft and had a "tacky" quality to it that caused the same situation for me on sizing. When using brass formed from some LC90 surplus brass - no issue at all. THe Remington was just a flat fight every time. Neck thickness was an issue as well on that brass and might be worth looking at as well as that can cause excessive sizing issues

[x101airborne]

Wish I had caught this before you ordered new dies. I have two spare 6.5x55 Swede sets I would have given you your choice for free.

Really not sure how I wound up with three sets. Slippin in my old(ish) age.

[bigbrowndog]

Jack, I’ve had the issue with different brands and lots of brass. Over the last 15 years I’ve not loaded much 6.5x55 because the last time I did I’d loaded a lot. I only use one load for it for all of its needs. But now I have a new 6.5x55 to develop a load for and the issue reared it head again, I’d forgotten about my issue. The expander is the old style Lee, and I had polished and reduced it, plus was graphiting the inside of the necks. I’d simply forgotten due to not needing ammo for so long.
Trey, thank you for the offer, I know how those things can happen. I discovered I had two sets of 500jrh dies and wound up making a member happy when he could not locate any online.

Trapr

[revolvercranker]

May 14, 2024 9:55:45 GMT -5 bigbrowndog said:

Jack, I’ve had the issue with different brands and lots of brass. Over the last 15 years I’ve not loaded much 6.5x55 because the last time I did I’d loaded a lot. I only use one load for it for all of its needs. But now I have a new 6.5x55 to develop a load for and the issue reared it head again, I’d forgotten about my issue. The expander is the old style Lee, and I had polished and reduced it, plus was graphiting the inside of the necks. I’d simply forgotten due to not needing ammo for so long.
Trey, thank you for the offer, I know how those things can happen. I discovered I had two sets of 500jrh dies and wound up making a member happy when he could not locate any online.

Trapr

Trapr one thing you may try is to anneal your cases from right below the shoulder case wall junction and up through the neck.  I know you know about annealing cases so no other explanation is needed. The necks won't grab as much. 

[Lee Martin]

The other thing that could be happening is the brass is too thick at the lower portion of the neck. When sized, it pushes the thickness to the inside diameter causing the expander to grab (ie, it creates a donut). This is more prevalent with neck turned or formed brass when the shoulder is pushed back. Pull you expander plug, size a case, and see if you find a ridge at the neck/shoulder junction (pin gauges are useful here). I recently had the same thing happen on 6.5 Rem Mag brass I formed. Write-up below (March 15 post):

singleactions.proboards.com/thread/39200/6-5-rem-mag-round?page=2

-Lee
www.singleactinos.com
"Chasing perfection five shots at a time"

[revolvercranker]

May 14, 2024 12:25:54 GMT -5 Lee Martin said:

The other thing that could be happening is the brass is too thick at the lower portion of the neck. When sized, it pushes the thickness to the inside diameter causing the expander to grab (ie, it creates a donut). This is more prevalent with neck turned or formed brass when the shoulder is pushed back. Pull you expander plug, size a case, and see if you find a ridge at the neck/shoulder junction (pin gauges are useful here). I recently had the same thing happen on 6.5 Rem Mag brass I formed. Write-up below (March 15 post):

singleactions.proboards.com/thread/39200/6-5-rem-mag-round?page=2

-Lee
www.singleactinos.com
"Chasing perfection five shots at a time"

Lee I'm positive you know this, but I felt I would mention it for the benefits of other.  The 6.5 Swede has a tapered neck, of course fatter at the base of the neck. One will find that most military cartridge, especially the older ones are like this.  

You certainly are correct about the "dreaded donut" such as you describe. Especially when forming cases from another larger caliber as you found out with your 6.5 Rem Mag. 

[cmillard]

The only thing I use Lee dies for is straight wall pistol and use carbide. All other dies are L.E. Wilson, forster or C4HD. I am down to 1 redding die and that is a seater only. Having the ability to adjust or get a different size button is an advantage

[jeffh]

Any possibility that the expanding button is set too high inside the die? This can cause some serious drag coming back out of the die. I set mine so that they go as deep into the case as possible, without bottoming out in the case.

The maximum-diameter section of the LEE expander sits kind of high because of the long, tapered section going INTO the neck. If one is used to the expander being closer to the bottom of that rod/stem, then it's easy to get it too high inside the die.



LEE dies are different. Over the years, I've used most of the production die brands and even a few customs. I started my own collection with LEE, but "upgraded" to other die brands as I could afford it. Fifty-plus years in and I have sold, traded or otherwise retired all my other dies sets and have gone back to all LEE dies sets. I cannot remember ever actually experiencing an outright quality issue with any LEE dies I have or have had. I'm sure it happens, because I've had it happen with another brand a long time ago.