Case separation..... in my carbide sizing die.

[Docendo Discimus]

I was sizing some Norma .357 this evening and and had a case separation. 1/2 of the case is now securely stuck in the carbide sizing ring. I would like some suggestions on how to remove it without damaging the die. This is a Lee die and I have already removed the decapping pin before taking the photo. Thanks in advance.

 

[captain awesome]

if its a carbide die, i would use a small nail(or other small sharp mild steel object) and gently wedge it between the brass and the carbide ring if there is no way to push or pull it out from the top after disassembling the die.
Create a gap by bending the brass with the nail then start working it out with needle nose pliers.

Carbide is tough stuff and you likely wont damage it with mild steel if you are careful.

 

[deputy bruce]

just a suggestion a little lube on the brass might be in order

 

[Ferris]

if it's infact carbide you gotta go ham with something harder damage it. But it were me and I was unsure i'd start with soaking it oil to get oil between the die and brass. Then from the top I'd use something soft first like a wooden dowel trying to catch the rim and drive it out, with the die sitting in the press. I that doesn't work you can work up using a large mild steel screw trying to catch the case and using a slide hammer or a nail as suggested above to deform the case enough to free.

One crazier idea is brass and steel have different expansion rates. You could try the old upside down duster can to freeze the brass hoping to contract it before the carbide does.

 

[kidneyboy]

if its a carbide die, i would use a small nail(or other small sharp mild steel object) and gently wedge it between the brass and the carbide ring if there is no way to push or pull it out from the top after disassembling the die.
Create a gap by bending the brass with the nail then start working it out with needle nose pliers.

Carbide is tough stuff and you likely wont damage it with mild steel if you are careful.

What he said. Had this happen to me once. If you can't get it out from the top peel it out from the bottom. A little wax, polish or lube in the cleaning process will keep the issue from happening again.

 

[Ferris]

One other "shower thought" before going ham with the nail or deforming the case. Plug up the neck end with something like a piece of foam. Then take some jb weld putty and fill the case and let it set and bond to case,obvlously don't get any of this in the die. This should make a solid hard surface then use a dowel or whatever to drive it out from the top.

 

[The Glockodile]

1. Penetrating Oil
2. Insinuate a nail to “lift” part of the case up away from the sides of the die, be slow and gentle
3. Needle - nosed Pliers

 

[edwardware]

Into the freezer to shrink the brass relative to the carbide, and I'd start with a tap that bites into the brass just a bit.

Failing that, slot the brass with a saw. A carbon steel saw (like a busted off coping saw blade) is much harder than the brass, and much soft than the carbide.

 

[runner3264]

Like mentioned, I would go from the back with a wound dowel or brass rod and knock it out. I suggest using case lube regardless of it being a carbide die. Makes sizing so much smoother and less stress on the press. Also it doesn't look like the case was cleaned. I would always clean my brass too before sizing.

 

[BigBoreBubba]

Try taking a 23/64” drill bit and twist it in by hand without actually cutting, just using the flutes like a screw. Put the die back in the press, then clamp a set of vise grips on the shank of the drill bit and tap the vise grips downward with a light hammer.

 

[Rule3]

Try taking a 23/64” drill bit and twist it in by hand without actually cutting, just using the flutes like a screw. Put the die back in the press, then clamp a set of vise grips on the shank of the drill bit and tap the vise grips downward with a light hammer.

Yep, like an ezee out

 

[Caplock]

I had a case seperate like that in my chamber once. It was a 300 winchester magnum. I used a large "probably 50 cal" bronze brush. Pushed it in to the neck inside the chamber. When the bristles were pulled out they hung up on the case and pulled the piece of brass with it.

 

[BigBoreBubba]

Yep, like an ezee out

Yup. I didn’t want to suggest an eezout because the exert too much outward pressure and could easily crack the carbide.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

How many times was that casing loaded before?

 

[Slamfire]

I had that happen with balloon head 45LC cases. Luckily I was using a very old RCBS die, one that had a huge opening for the decapping spindle. Do this off your press, preferably in a vise, so you don't damage your press. I recommend brass punches not steel. I was able, from the top, to get some of the case mouth to bend in. And then worked my way around the case mouth, knocking the case mouth down a bit at a time. Once I had a firm "ledge", and a drop of oil about the inside, I used a larger punch. That removed the case. Expect to spend about a half an hour doing this, be patient, and don't grab for a bigger hammer. If things don't work out, go away, mow the lawn, etc, and a better solution will come to you.

I recommend for the future, lube your cases. Yes, yes, that is why you purchased a carbide case, so you don't have to lube. But if your cases are that deteriorated, or so ballooned that they pull apart in the sizing die, lube them. Notice how effortlessly lubed cases are in a carbide sizing die, the difference in sizing effort is surprising.

 

[mdi]

I'd think twice about using a punch/nail near the carbide ring. Carbide is hard but brittle. My first thought was soak with Kroil then use a proper fitting tap to wedge in the case ID then either turn the brass until it gets loose or pull it out by grasping the tap and pulling...

 

[Docendo Discimus]

How many times was that casing loaded before?

It was a range pickup so the number of firings is unknown. I was using a small amount of sizing die wax on every 6th or 7th case. It pulled apart pretty easily on the downward stroke, but the rockchucker has alot of mechanical advantage.

Thanks to all for the input!

 

[Slamfire]

I'd think twice about using a punch/nail near the carbide ring. Carbide is hard but brittle. My first thought was soak with Kroil then use a proper fitting tap to wedge in the case ID then either turn the brass until it gets loose or pull it out by grasping the tap and pulling...

either way it is done, tap and pull, or tap down with a punch, that insert could come out. If the case mouth is above the insert, I think the punch is a lower risk procedure.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

When i pick up range brass. I look for the empty box to match the head stamp. Not a 100% sure way to check if it's one time fired. But it's better than not finding matching boxes. I won't let my worn brass lay. I smash it before it goes in the scrap bucket. It is strange how the case separated the way it did. They mostly split length wise.

 

[Docendo Discimus]

Try taking a 23/64” drill bit and twist it in by hand without actually cutting, just using the flutes like a screw. Put the die back in the press, then clamp a set of vise grips on the shank of the drill bit and tap the vise grips downward with a light hammer.

These ideas are all great and I tried this one with success! No damage to the die that I can detect. Thanks to all!

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Good too see you got it. A tip. From now on inspect casings very closely. A cheap pair of reading glasses from the dollar store. Make a handy magnifier.

 

[flatsticks]

congrats . the ideas here do help one when we are stuck .

 

[Slamfire]

These ideas are all great and I tried this one with success! No damage to the die that I can detect. View attachment 1021687 Thanks to all!

Nothing beats success!!

Great job!

 

[mcb]

Next time just go between the die and case with a thin nail or dental pick and collapse the case. It will fall out after that.