Cheap Press = Stuck Case?

[MCFLYFYTER]

This die was new prior to the 800 rounds I just sized. I just sprayed it out with brake cleaner, ran a bore snake through it and sprayed some lube inside. I guess it's a good thing I dont do much 223 other than neck sizing.

 

[AJC1]

This die was new prior to the 800 rounds I just sized. I just sprayed it out with brake cleaner, ran a bore snake through it and sprayed some lube inside. I guess it's a good thing I dont do much 223 other than neck sizing.

In a moment of honesty I get a few hydolic dents on the first few cases as I would rather that than a stuck case. I start from clean every time and I'm using setup brass for the first 5 or so. There fodder for a mini 14 so it really makes zero difference. After I get dialed I. Then I run my good match ammunition

 

[jmorris]

This die was new prior to the 800 rounds I just sized. I just sprayed it out with brake cleaner, ran a bore snake through it and sprayed some lube inside. I guess it's a good thing I dont do much 223 other than neck sizing.

"Squeaky" clean between two parts is defining friction between them.

Hasn't been mentioned yet and you say you are lubing the cases but some still get stuck, what about removing the decap/expander pin and see if that helps.

Might give us other clues to help solve your problem. You can't have sizing and expanding going on at the same time, that's asking for lock up, just thinking of what could be going on and how to eliminate variables.

Not to mention, if you are using a case gauge you might even find that your expander being pulled back through is distorting the case after the size process. Another good thing to know.

That last bit might be confusing, the expander must be below the neck, inside the larger bottom portion of the case, as the neck is sized. The neck is generally sized "under", then the expander is pulled back through making the ID of the neck consistent. This makes cases, that don't have the same wall thickness have similar neck tension.

If you have an "under" size going on with the neck, while the expander is in contact with the inside, that will lock up things in an instant. This is why straight walled size dies do not have an expander on the decapping pin.

If I am not describing that well enough, that its clear, I could post some photos.

 

[MCFLYFYTER]

I happened to be tooling around 300blktalk, and found their list of brass for converting to 300blk. There was a note on the PPU headstamp that said that brass might take extra force to size. Out of the 66 different headstamps they listed, only 3 had this note.

I am really thinking that it is just the brass. The funny thing is, I think it was my brass that I shot out of my bolt gun. I'll go pop some off tomorrow and see if this is correct.

If anyone wants to try a "sticky case challenge" I'll send you some.

 

[entropy]

It is the #4 that came with the lee dies.

I just happened to look a piece of lake city that got stuck and noticed 5 elongated dents just below the shoulder. I have read about excessive lube causing dents in the shoulder, but I'm not sure if that's what this is? Any ideas? Thanks for all the input.


View attachment 916247

Too much lube too high up.

<Flame Suit On!> I use One Shot and lots of it. Never had stuck cases after the only one I had, the first time I used One Shot, and didn't use enough.

I used to get those dents on .30-06 brass back when I used the RCBS Lube and pad.

 

[MCFLYFYTER]

Too much lube too high up.

<Flame Suit On!> I use One Shot and lots of it. Never had stuck cases after the only one I had, the first time I used One Shot, and didn't use enough.

I used to get those dents on .30-06 brass back when I used the RCBS Lube and pad.

Yeah, that one was after I had stuck several. Like everyone else, I was thinking a stuck case needs more lube. I'm thinking there was plenty.

 

[swagbrdr]

Are you cleaning your cases?

Clean them first.

Then you can read the umpteen posts about lubing your cases. I use Dillon lube. Grab an old cookie sheet. Lay them flat. Spray them, and then roll them around. Never a stuck case since I started this process.

 

[MCFLYFYTER]

Are you cleaning your cases?

Clean them first.

Then you can read the umpteen posts about lubing your cases. I use Dillon lube. Grab an old cookie sheet. Lay them flat. Spray them, and then roll them around. Never a stuck case since I started this process.

I'm tumbling in walnut first.

 

[Blue68f100]

If you have not been using any lube on the necks you may have some brass stuck to the expander too. This will also make it harder to pull the expander through the neck when lowering the ram. If this is the case, remove the expander (stem/assembly) and polish it back out using a drill and some fine sand paper (600 grit).

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

I have found that some of the Lee shell holders are designed to be used one multiple sizes of cases. The 9 mm and the 40 S&W is the same one. I bought a RCBS shell holder for the 9 mm and I no longer have a problem with a sloppy fit on it.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[entropy]

Ole Joe is right. I use Lee shell holders in my Lee hand primer, but I always use RCBS shell holders in the press. (Yes, my press is an RCBS, but they work in Lee presses also.)

 

[12Bravo20]

I have always used some type of spray case lube. I will spray them to include inside the neck then I usually will roll them on my RCBS lube pad. I then let the lube completely dry before resizing the brass. The only time I had a problem was when I got in a hurry and the case was still wet. I can tell the difference when I don't lube the inside of the neck, it takes more force to size.

 

[jmorris]

I have found that some of the Lee shell holders are designed to be used one multiple sizes of cases. The 9 mm and the 40 S&W is the same one.

This is true but the one for.380 ACP is different and the same one you would use for .223.

The 9mm/40 issue really shows up priming 9mm on there load master press though, I added another die to the process to make sure the case was centered.

 

[MCFLYFYTER]

I have found that some of the Lee shell holders are designed to be used one multiple sizes of cases. The 9 mm and the 40 S&W is the same one. I bought a RCBS shell holder for the 9 mm and I no longer have a problem with a sloppy fit on it.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

I thought you were crazy until I measured the cases and they were within 0.0005. Had no idea the cases were the same size. What is the term for the "rim" on a rimless case? Either way, you know what I mean, I think.

 

[12Bravo20]

It is still called a rim even on rimless cases. Here is a simple definition: rimless only means that the rim is either the same size or smaller than the base of the case. A rimmed case will alway have a rim that is bigger than the base of the case.

 

[Varminterror]

I’ve exclusively used One Shot for lubrication for about the last 10 years. I’ve honestly been at a loss to understand how folks get stuck cases with it. I can’t say I’ve ever even put conscious effort into letting it “dry” before use. I rack brass in a “spray box,” spray from one side, spray from the other, close the box and shake, then start pressing. It’s certainly not a matter of minutes between spray and press, but I don’t get the dreaded stuck cases everyone says I should.

I can’t typically count myself as “lucky,” so while possible, I have trouble believing I’ve just been lucky to accidentally avoid what is claimed to be such a prevalent issue with so many tens of thousands of cases.

 

[MCFLYFYTER]

It is still called a rim even on rimless cases. Here is a simple definition: rimless only means that the rim is either the same size or smaller than the base of the case. A rimmed case will alway have a rim that is bigger than the base of the case.

Ok, but more specifically what is the groove called? Obviously the rim is bigger on a 40, but the groove OD is the same.

 

[Varminterror]

Ok, but more specifically what is the groove called? Obviously the rim is bigger on a 40, but the groove OD is the same.

Extractor groove.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO use Imperial Sizing Wax and an RCBS #10 shell holder and your problems will disappear.

The sell a 1oz and 2 oz tin. The 2oz tin is only a dollar more than the 1oz and you last you a very long time!
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012768051

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

I size the inside of the neck with powdered graphite. I just stick the end of the neck down in the graphite and then bump it on the side of the container. Still enough graphite in the neck lube the neck sizer button.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[jhansman]

I can't read every reply, so I'll just throw in my $.02. I have used my Lee Challenger to resize several rifle calibers, and have never had a stuck case. Why? Because I use Imperial sizing wax according to directions. It's not the press, or even the dies. Lubrication is all when full resizing rifle cases.

 

[MCFLYFYTER]

Will this imperial wax significantly reduce the effort to size hard brass, or just keep it from sticking as easily?

 

[Ifishsum]

Both. It's good stuff and a little goes a long way.

 

[MCFLYFYTER]

I may try it some day, but for now I know how to keep a hard one from getting stuck. How often do you actually run across brass that is actually difficult to size? Not often I bet. The convenience of spray seems like it would outweigh fiddling with each case.

 

[wild willy]

Have you tried any of the suggestions given?Are you going to?I can't understand asking for advice when you really don't want it.