.223 charging die question

Letus · May 30, 2018

This part is inside the Lee .223 charging die. I took pictures of both ends. I wonder if which end is up?

po18guy · May 30, 2018

Cell phones are for taking pics of things as you disassemble them. It is intended to be a funnel, so let that guide your reassembly.

ageingstudent · May 30, 2018

Bottom pic is right side up

Letus · May 30, 2018

I got the bigger opening end up but it seemed to spill powder. At first, it was OK, then it spilled a little (my charge was 24.0 and about 19-22 left in the case when it's spilled) Then it spilled 1 every 5-10 cases. I machined a more angled cone with a section that hold the case mouth and it doesn't spill any more. I also got powder leakage from the lee auto drum powder measure but got it fixed.

DizzyJ · May 30, 2018

Letus said:
I got the bigger opening end up but it seemed to spill powder. At first, it was OK, then it spilled a little (my charge was 24.0 and about 19-22 left in the case when it's spilled) Then it spilled 1 every 5-10 cases. I machined a more angled cone with a section that hold the case mouth and it doesn't spill any more. I also got powder leakage from the lee auto drum powder measure but got it fixed.

That's not good. Maybe give Lee a call in the morning.

Member 5605 · May 31, 2018

Sounds like something is wrong.

I had issues charging .223 with leakage then I realized I was raising the case too much and was causing some flare making powder ride the rim of the case.

Raised the powder drop a couple of turns and problem solved.

Letus · May 31, 2018

I tried to adjust the die up and down many times. It seemed to spill more when I raised it a little. I machined a new powder actuator piece. Made it longer with steeper angle and a section to position the case mouth, problem solved.

Member 5605 · May 31, 2018

Letus said:
View attachment 464669 View attachment 464670
I tried to adjust the die up and down many times. It seemed to spill more when I raised it a little. I machined a new powder actuator piece. Made it longer with steeper angle and a section to position the case mouth, problem solved.

Yes, that was/is the problem.

I have the same type of drawing when I had the issue. Lol.

My taper in the bushing was ever so slightly crimping the neck when ran too high. Powder sat on case mouth and would logjam there. Powder everywhere.

Glad you were able to fix it that way.

Caveman Jim · May 31, 2018

Dyjital said:
Sounds like something is wrong.

I had issues charging .223 with leakage then I realized I was raising the case too much and was causing some flare making powder ride the rim of the case.

Raised the powder drop a couple of turns and problem solved.

You mean like this, these happened when I was first starting out in reloading with my newly-acquired RCBS single stage press. What can I say I was a newbie.