The Art and Science of Precision Reloading: The Lee Collet 2-Die Set for .22-250 Remington (90708)

The art and science of handloading ammunition allow shooters to achieve unparalleled accuracy, customize loads for specific applications, and significantly reduce shooting costs. For those dedicated to precision and long brass life, especially when reloading cartridges like the versatile .22-250 Remington, the choice of reloading dies is paramount. The Lee Collet 2-Die Set for .22-250 Remington, identified by its product number 90708, stands out as an exceptional solution designed to meet the rigorous demands of serious reloaders.

The Foundation of Precision: Understanding Reloading Dies

Reloading dies are the heart of any ammunition handloading setup. They perform critical functions such as resizing spent cartridge cases, seating new bullets, and crimping. While various types of dies exist, the Lee Collet Die system offers a unique approach to neck sizing that sets it apart for precision rifle ammunition.

What problems does the Lee Collet 2-Die Set solve for reloaders?

• Extending Brass Life: Full-length resizing, while necessary for semi-automatic or lever-action rifles, can overwork brass, leading to shorter case life. The Lee Collet Die primarily neck sizes, only working the portion of the case that holds the bullet. This minimizes brass stretching and fatigue, allowing cases to be reloaded many more times.
• Enhancing Accuracy: By only sizing the neck, the body of the cartridge case maintains its custom fit to the rifle's chamber. This "fire-formed" fit ensures perfect alignment of the cartridge with the bore, significantly reducing bullet runout and contributing to superior accuracy.
• Simplified Reloading Process: The Collet Die eliminates the need for case lubrication during the sizing process, a messy and time-consuming step required with traditional full-length sizing dies. This simplifies and speeds up the neck sizing stage.
• Consistent Bullet Seating: The accompanying Dead Length Bullet Seating Die ensures that bullets are seated to a precise depth every time, without relying on case length. This consistency is crucial for optimal ballistic performance.

Who is this reloading die set for?

This Lee 90708 Collet 2-Die Set is an indispensable tool for:

• Precision Rifle Shooters: Those who demand the tightest groups from their .22-250 Remington rifles, whether for competitive shooting or target practice.
• Varmint Hunters: Shooters who rely on consistent accuracy for humane and effective pest control at extended ranges.
• Cost-Conscious Handloaders: Individuals looking to maximize the number of reloads from their expensive brass, reducing long-term ammunition costs.
• Handloaders Seeking Simplicity: Those who appreciate a cleaner, more streamlined neck sizing process without the hassle of lubricants.
• Bolt-Action Rifle Owners: The benefits of neck sizing are most pronounced in bolt-action rifles where the fire-formed case perfectly matches the chamber.

Diving Deep: Features of the Lee Collet 2-Die Set (90708)

The Lee Collet 2-Die Set is a two-die system specifically engineered for the .22-250 Remington cartridge. It includes the innovative Collet Neck Sizing Die and the highly precise Dead Length Bullet Seating Die.

The Lee Collet Neck Sizing Die

This is the cornerstone of the set, offering a revolutionary approach to case preparation:

• No Lube Required: Unlike conventional sizing dies, the Collet Die uses four segments that are compressed around the case neck by a tapered mandrel. This camming action sizes the neck without metal-on-metal friction against the case body, eliminating the need for messy case lubricants. This saves time and reduces potential for dust and grit to adhere to lubricated cases.
• Minimal Case Work: Only the case neck is sized, leaving the fire-formed body of the cartridge untouched. This preserves the case's custom fit to your rifle's chamber, promoting concentricity and reducing stress on the brass.
• Reduced Brass Fatigue: By not resizing the entire case body, brass is not stretched or compressed unnecessarily. This significantly extends the life of your precious .22-250 Remington brass, often allowing for dozens more reloads than with full-length sizing. This translates directly into cost savings over time.
• Enhanced Concentricity: The Collet Die's design ensures that the case neck is uniformly sized around a precision mandrel. This results in superior bullet seating concentricity, a critical factor in achieving minimal bullet runout and optimal accuracy. Reduced runout means the bullet exits the barrel perfectly aligned with the bore, leading to tighter groups downrange.
• Universal Shell Holder: The die is designed to use a standard shell holder, making it compatible with most reloading presses.

The Lee Dead Length Bullet Seating Die

The second die in the set is a masterclass in precise bullet seating:

• Direct-Touch Seating: Unlike crimp-style seating dies, the Dead Length Seating Die seats the bullet without simultaneously applying a crimp. This design ensures that the bullet is seated to its exact desired depth, irrespective of variations in case length. This is particularly beneficial for precision loads where consistency in seating depth is paramount.
• Optimal Bullet Alignment: The internal components of the die are designed to guide the bullet and case perfectly straight during the seating process, further minimizing bullet runout and ensuring true alignment with the bore.
• Micrometer Adjustments (Optional Upgrade): While the standard die offers precise adjustments, some reloaders opt for a micrometer seating stem upgrade for even finer, repeatable adjustments without disassembling the die. (Note: this upgrade is separate from the standard 90708 set).

Real-World Applications and How-To Scenarios

"How do I achieve sub-MOA accuracy with my .22-250 Remington?"

One of the most effective ways to improve the accuracy of your .22-250 Remington handloads, especially for bolt-action rifles, is to utilize neck sizing with the Lee Collet Die. By leaving the case body fire-formed to your specific chamber, you ensure perfect alignment every time the round is chambered. This eliminates variances that can cause bullet yaw or wobbling as it enters the rifling, leading to more consistent and tighter groups. The precision of the Dead Length Seating Die further contributes by ensuring uniform bullet seating depth, which impacts pressure, velocity, and barrel harmonics.

"What are the best tools for maximizing my brass life for a .22-250 Rem?"

The Lee Collet Die is a top contender for maximizing brass life. Traditional full-length sizing dies resize the entire case, including the body and shoulder. This constant stretching and compressing of the brass, especially at the shoulder-body junction, leads to premature work-hardening and cracks. The Collet Die only works the neck, drastically reducing stress on the rest of the case. For a .22-250 Remington, known for its high-pressure loads and inherent accuracy potential, extending brass life is not just about saving money but also about maintaining consistency with a batch of brass that has already proven itself in your rifle.

"I'm new to reloading. Is the Lee Collet Die system beginner-friendly?"

Absolutely. While it might seem advanced, the Lee Collet Die system is surprisingly straightforward to use, especially because it eliminates the need for case lubrication during sizing. New reloaders often find lubrication messy and prone to errors. With the Collet Die, you simply clean your brass, run it through the Collet Die, and then through the Dead Length Seating Die. The process is clean, efficient, and produces high-quality ammunition with minimal fuss. Lee Precision also provides clear instructions with their products, guiding users through each step.

Why Choose Lee Precision? Topical Authority and Value

Lee Precision has a long-standing reputation for manufacturing innovative, high-quality reloading equipment that offers exceptional value. Their commitment to making precision reloading accessible is evident in products like the Collet Die Set.

• Innovation: Lee Precision pioneered many reloading innovations, and the Collet Die is a prime example of their creative problem-solving, addressing issues like brass life and runout in a unique way.
• Value: Compared to many other premium die sets, Lee Precision offers competitive pricing without compromising on performance or durability. This makes high-precision reloading accessible to a wider audience.
• Durability: Lee dies are built to last, constructed from hardened steel that withstands years of use. Their design is robust, ensuring consistent performance over countless reloading sessions.
• User Outcomes: Reloaders consistently report significant improvements in accuracy, extended brass life, and a more enjoyable reloading process when using Lee Collet Dies. Testimonials often highlight reduced group sizes and the satisfaction of maximizing their reloading investment.

Integrating the Lee 90708 Collet 2-Die Set into Your Reloading Bench

To fully utilize the Lee 90708 Collet 2-Die Set, you will need a few other essential reloading components, all available at DEGuns:

1. Reloading Press: A sturdy single-stage or turret press (like those offered by Lee Precision, Hornady, RCBS, or Redding) is essential. The Collet Die is compatible with most standard presses.
2. Powder Measure: For precise and consistent powder charges.
3. Priming Tool: To seat new primers into the cases.
4. Case Preparation Tools: Including a case trimmer (to maintain uniform case length), chamfer/deburring tool, and a primer pocket cleaner.
5. Calipers: For accurately measuring case length, overall cartridge length, and bullet seating depth.
6. Reloading Manual: An indispensable resource for load data and safety procedures.

The process typically involves:

• Cleaning Brass: After firing, cases should be cleaned (e.g., tumbled) to remove residue and dirt.
• Neck Sizing: Run the clean .22-250 Remington cases through the Lee Collet Die to resize the neck and prepare for bullet seating.
• Primer Removal/Pocket Cleaning: The Collet Die decaps, but further primer pocket cleaning might be desired.
• Case Trimming/Chamfering: Trim cases to the specified length and chamfer/deburr the case mouth for smooth bullet seating.
• Priming: Seat a new primer.
• Powder Charging: Dispense the correct powder charge into the case.
• Bullet Seating: Use the Lee Dead Length Seating Die to seat the bullet to your desired overall length (OAL).

Advanced Considerations for the .22-250 Remington

The .22-250 Remington is a high-velocity cartridge popular for varmint hunting and long-range shooting. When reloading this cartridge with the Lee 90708 Collet 2-Die Set, consider:

• Bullet Selection: The .22-250 Rem excels with a range of bullet weights, typically from 35-grain varmint bullets to 70-grain target bullets. The Dead Length Seating Die accommodates various bullet profiles and ensures consistent seating regardless of bullet design.
• Powder Choice: Fast to medium-burning powders are generally preferred for the .22-250. Experimentation within safe load data is key to finding optimal accuracy.
• Neck Tension: The Collet Die provides excellent, consistent neck tension. This is crucial for consistent ignition and optimal bullet release, leading to better accuracy. If you find too little or too much neck tension, an optional mandrels can be purchased to adjust it for specific needs, though the standard mandrel typically provides ideal tension for most applications.
• When to Full-Length Size: While neck sizing is preferred for maximum brass life and accuracy in bolt-action rifles, cases may eventually become difficult to chamber after numerous firings due to slight expansion of the case body. At this point, a full-length sizing die will be necessary to bring the case back to SAAMI specifications. However, with the Collet Die, this will be far less frequent than with traditional methods.

Conclusion

The Lee 90708 Collet 2-Die Set for .22-250 Remington is more than just a set of dies; it's an investment in precision, efficiency, and longevity for your reloading endeavors. For any .22-250 Remington shooter seeking to unlock the full accuracy potential of their rifle, extend the life of their brass, and simplify their reloading process, this die set offers an unparalleled combination of innovation and value. Its unique neck sizing approach, coupled with the precise Dead Length Seating Die, provides the foundation for producing consistent, accurate ammunition that performs reliably in the field and on the range. These dies, and a full range of other reloading supplies, are readily available at DEGuns, your trusted source for all handloading needs.

Product Specifications & Compatibility

Feature	Detail
Product Number	90708
Cartridge	.22-250 Remington
Die Type	2-Die Set (Collet Neck Sizing & Dead Length Seating)
Sizing Method	Neck Sizing (Collet Die)
Lube Required?	No (for neck sizing with Collet Die)
Bullet Seating	Dead Length (no crimp, precise seating)
Manufacturer	Lee Precision
Compatibility	Most standard reloading presses (7/8"-14 thread)
Benefits	Extends brass life, improves accuracy, reduces runout
Availability	Exclusively at DEGuns.com
UPC	022188907081