Argh!! Stuck 223 Case

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

cwbys4evr

Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2013
Messages
153
Lee Pro 1000 Press
Lube: Lyman spray on case lube
Problem: At the top of the press cycle on my very first round, the case stuck along with the shell plate assembly, and the shell plate assembly separated from the ram on the down stroke. Tried screwing the sizing die out but it won't turn after a certain point. Ant suggestions? I tried a hammer on a screw driver as a lever.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2
 
What brand of sizing die? If it's a Lee, you just back out the expander/decapping stem and drive the case out with a hammer and punch. If it isn't a Lee die, you may need to buy a stuck case removal tool. Also don't understand not being able to screw the die out. :confused:
 
At the time the shell plate wasn't detached. I managed to free the shell plate and unscrew the die. Gonna try the tap out method tomorrow at work, there is a tap and die set there.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2
 
Also it's an RCBS die so no built in stuck case remover

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2
 
I failed to put a caliper on the case to get a case length before I put it in the press. I was just setting up the dies so my mind wasn't mindful of the process. Totally my fault.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2
 
I failed to put a caliper on the case to get a case length before I put it in the press.
Click to expand...

Never seen case length to cause any problem with a sizing die ... I believe that your lube failed ... either you did not allow it to dry or you used too little .... read the direction on the lube and follow them .... better yet get some Imperial Case wax ...
 
cwbys4evr said:
I failed to put a caliper on the case to get a case length before I put it in the press. I was just setting up the dies so my mind wasn't mindful of the process. Totally my fault.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
You do not need to measure (calipers) the case until AFTER you re-size. That is when the case will "Grow".

I have a "Feeling" that the root cause is a lube (Or lack of) problem?? Bill.
 
I probably didn't lube it enough. A couple of quick sprays front and back on the 5 cases I was setting up to work with. I also had the cases mouth down because I read something about spraying it and letting it drip down to the mouth. Did I do wrong with that?

The idea about the case size was something I read somewhere else on the net, so I think you're right. The fact still remains that I let myself get complacent because "all I was doing" was setting up dies.

In a sort of side question though, most of the case mouths are dented, some severely. Is that something the sized is supposed to fix or are those throw aways?




Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2
 

Attachments

  • uploadfromtaptalk1366370060183.jpg
    uploadfromtaptalk1366370060183.jpg
    34.8 KB · Views: 44
All you need to do is to use something to spread that dent out enough for the expander to get through the case neck on the way down when sizing.
 
Also based upon everything I have read, I am not going any further with rifle loading until I get me some Imperial.
 
You need to lube the case mouths. I have used RCBS spray and Hornady Spray. They work ok, but I get my best results using a RCBS case lube pad. Sizing is buttery smooth. I lube inside the neck with a qtip.
 
I'm sure there are better ways, but in a pinch if you have a vice you can always lock the die down with the stuck case up. Use a sheet metal screw to tap into the primer pocket lower the die more into the vice until you can get leverage with a hammer and pull it out just like pulling a nail.
 
Does RCBS have a case removal service? I have tried everything including the drill and tap method and it won't come out of there. I am at the point of ruining the case so as to never be able to get it out. Re-tapping it is out of the question entirely.
 
They would fix it for you.

I don't know what tools you have but I'd cut the bottom off, take out the expander, & drill the case till it was thinner than paper. Then the case neck could be driven out.
 
What size did you tap it ... I would use a 1/4" x 20tpi .... use a deep socket to set over the case head ... add a flat washer, screw a grade five> 1/4" threaded bolt and tighten with a wrench ....
 
Don't worry about getting spray case lube in the case mouth. Lay the cases down flat in a box. Spray the cases. The lube will migrate around the cases.

Try some pump-bottle spray next time. ;)
 
This is why I don't use aerosol spray case lubes.

Yes, RCBS will pull it out for you at a fee. I'm sure if you search RCBS's site you'll find out the particulars.

And you need to ensure the inside of the case mouth has lubricant in it. That's why it got stuck.


I use Lee lube mixed with rubbing alcohol in a generic plastic spray bottle, unless I'm case forming that is.
 
I clean my cases by running them through the tumbler for about an hour or two and then I put them in a plastic bag with some RCBS glycerin lube spread on the brass in the bag. I tumble the bag to help spread the lube and let the brass set for at least over night (2 days is better) and the glycerin migrates over the cases including inside of the case mouths. Just don't be cheap on the amount of lube you use. When you take the cases out of the plastic bag look at them and handle them to make sure they have enough lube. They don't have to be soaking wet but they need to be damp with lube. After resizing put them back in the tumbler untill they are clean.

To get a stuck case out I use a propane tourch to burn out any lube and get the die hot. This squeezes the brass. I then put it in the deep freeze over night. This shrinks the die. I then make a hook on the end of a stiff wire, something to grab the end of the case while it's in the die. I hold the die in my hand and at some point there will be a maximum distance between the die and the brass. The hooked wire will pull out the case when there is enough clearance between the die and the brass. kwg
 
Last edited:
Those dents in the necks almost look like the expander was off center and didn't go down too far. On my .223 die, I bought a carbide expander bead from Midway and eliminated fooling with neck lube.
 
Just FYI, you don't always NEED to use inside neck lube for rifle cases, even with a steel expander. It depends on your how far your die undersizes the neck.
 
cwby....I feel your pain....I had a case stick in my Hornady die when I first started reloading rifle after many years of pistol....I was using One Shot at the time....My case and die were f*^$ed....I sent the whole thing back to Hornady and for 5 bucks they removed it....it is futile to try and do it yourself....I now use RCBS no issues and a few thousand rounds into rifle loading....I do not lube the necks or inside the necks, no issues.....call Lee and see if they have a service....my guess is that they do
 
Well just to update.... I tries the recommended method but it didn't work because the case was too tight. I then went to the machine shop at work to see if my guy could press it out. He could find a lunch if the right size and ended up putting a vise grips on the case head and mangling it pretty good. I had enough and placed a die on backorder but along comes my buddy who brings me an easy out, which did the trick. I'm keeping that mangled case as a grim reminder

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
HELP! .45 cases stuck in Lee resizing die
Replies
11
Views
2K
LiveLife
LiveLife
M
  • Locked
Case stuck in die
Replies
20
Views
1K
brasskeeper
brasskeeper
JussRight
  • Locked
Reloading .308. Stuck case in Lee. Bought Lyman Deluxe Carbide.
2
Replies
28
Views
807
AJC1
AJC1
MoreIsLess
  • Locked
Case stuck in shell...need help
Replies
20
Views
1K
CSA 357
CSA 357
C
  • Locked
Lee pro 1000 decamping die
Replies
7
Views
535
kingmt
K
Back
Top