Dented Cases

[D.B. Cooper]

So, I just ruined about 60 cases. It appears I used too much lubrication (Lyman spray-on case lube and Hornady One-Shot) while trying to FL size in a brand new RCBS FL sizing die. I was so focused on not sticking a case, I didn't notice the denting until it was too late. Tossed them all in the trash. Fortunately, I have plenty of cases.

But what is frustrating me is there seems to be no correct answer to this problem. I got a case stuck in the die to the point that I just returned it to Cabela's for a new die set. That was obviously not enough lubrication. But the cases are passing in and out of the die so hard I had to do something. I could only get the case in a small fraction of an inch before it would stick and I'd have to remove it, add some more lube, raise it another fraction of an inch, stick, withdraw it, repeat. It makes a hell of a noise you can hear throughout the house, andI reload in the garage.

It's ridiculous. Darned if you do, darned if you don't. Case stuck in die or case ruined by too much lube. Pick your poison.

 

[NMexJim]

I keep a stuck case remover on hand all the time. Not too bad to get out. I think they are only 30 maybe 50 bucks.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

I keep a stuck case remover on hand all the time. Not too bad to get out. I think they are only 30 maybe 50 bucks.

Yeah, I'm looking into that. The more read about this, the more I realize that this is apparently very common.

 

[kmw1954]

What caliber cases are these? There has to be some sort of discrepancy going on. I primarily load 223 and I use the Hornady Unique wax and not the One Shot and so far have not stuck a case. Though when I first started with this I too was getting some shoulder denting but I also didn't worry about it as it shoots out.

The rare occurrence when I run into a case that is unusually difficult instead of forcing it I just toss it. Just isn't worth the trouble and effort to try and save a 25cent pcs. of brass. Now if this were $1.00+ each Lapua I might sing a different song.

 

[armoredman]

Oil dents don't bother me very much, unless it's so deep it compromises the brass. Little ones? No big deal, they blow right back out. If I start getting oil dents, I run a rag up into the die and get the excess lube out. However, using One Shot has almost completely eliminated this problem, at least for me.

 

[2ndtimer]

I used to use the original RCBS case lube with pad, then switched to the RCBS2 which was water soluble. But for the past 5 or 6 years, I have used the Hornady Unique lube exclusively. I have only stuck one case out of thousands resized over 40+ years of hand loading (in a Hornady F/L .223 Rem sizing die). Keep lube off the shoulder of the case and use it sparingly on the inside and outside of the neck to avoid the dents. Lack of lube is the cause of cases sticking, and too much lube (particularly on the shoulder) causes the dents.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

So......what I'm hearing is I should go pull those cases out of the trash and load them?

 

[D.B. Cooper]

What caliber cases are these?

243 Winchester.

The rare occurrence when I run into a case that is unusually difficult instead of forcing it I just toss it. Just isn't worth the trouble and effort to try and save a 25cent pcs. of brass. Now if this were $1.00+ each Lapua I might sing a different song.

It wasn't rare, it was almost every single one. It was a mixed lot of Barnes, Winchester, and Herter's brass (mostly Barnes, only a Few Herters.) Almost all of the ones that were sticking part way in were Barnes. The others were easier, but it didn't seem to matter what the cases were regarding the dents; they all got it.

 

[SingleActionAndrew]

So......what I'm hearing is I should go pull those cases out of the trash and load them?

You mean the scrap bucket? Brass mangled still isn't trash.

 

[dredd]

So......what I'm hearing is I should go pull those cases out of the trash and load them?

Pull them out of the trash and take some pics & post them.
I'd be willing to bet that they will be fine.

 

[JerkyFreak]

So......what I'm hearing is I should go pull those cases out of the trash and load them?

Yes

 

[JerkyFreak]

If you are getting dents you are using far too much lube. Remove the decapping pin assembly, clean your die out and wipe the inside with a rag. Then reassemble.

To lube your cases you just need the cases to feel slightly greasy; sort of like the skin on your nose after a long day. Basically just take the shine off the case.

 

[ballman6711]

But the cases are passing in and out of the die so hard I had to do something. I could only get the case in a small fraction of an inch before it would stick and I'd have to remove it, add some more lube, raise it another fraction of an inch, stick, withdraw it, repeat. It makes a hell of a noise you can hear throughout the house, andI reload in the garage.

This sounds to me like a brass/die problem. Could it be possible that you have the wrong brass or an incorrect sizing die? I've had some brass that was a little tougher to size than other brass, but never anything that would only go in a "small fraction of an inch" before it would stick and have to be removed.

Another possibility (if you didn't get your brass new) is that it was formed to a different caliber.

Dents are caused by too much lube.

To lube your cases you just need the cases to feel slightly greasy; sort of like the skin on your nose after a long day. Basically just take the shine off the case.

This is how I do it as well.

chris

 

[JDeere]

So......what I'm hearing is I should go pull those cases out of the trash and load them?

If the dents are shallow then load and shoot as they will fix themselves. Take those dies and clean with brake kleen and then give them a light coat of One Shot internally...

 

[Howa 9700]

Are these small base dies?

I use a very light smear of Imperial die wax on cases plus a dry graphite on neck brush on inside of necks, numerous calibers and they all go in and out with ease. Never had a stuck case.....never had a dented case.

 

[Blue68f100]

With spray on lubes you need to allow the carrier to evaporate off before sizing. I use OS when I'm loading on my AP. You need to shake the can for a full minute to before using. Remember there are 2 different OS's. One is a case lube the other is a cleaner/lube. use the correct one. If I recall the cans are a different color.

 

[jmorris]

Stuck cases are only a problem during the learning curve. Once you learn enough, the problem goes away.

That said, Dillon dies are the best design for those that stick cases because they have a built in stuck case “ejector”. Lee dies cost a lot less and are easier than the remaining brands to remove stuck cases.

Hornady’s one shot is the worst lube I have tried, I still have most of a can because I don’t even use it on pistol brass. Try their Unique case lube, it’s almost as good as imperial. I will say this about spray on lubes, you must let them “flash” or allow the carrier of the lube to evaporate off, leaving the lube behind. If you spray and go right into the die, they are not effective. The most effective spray lube one can buy is Dillon’s.

 

[Laphroaig]

So......what I'm hearing is I should go pull those cases out of the trash and load them?

I would.

I've used the Lyman spray lube in the past, and like you have dented some shoulders. It's crazy stuff, quite the opposite of Hornady One shot. With One Shot you have to take care to get enough coverage, with Lyman I almost always got too much and resorted to wiping the shoulder with a paper towel before sizing when I started to see dents. I haven't seen the Lyman for sale in some time.

Remember there are 2 different OS's. One is a case lube the other is a cleaner/lube. use the correct one. If I recall the cans are a different color.

There was a thread recently where a poster claimed both One Shots are the same stuff (can't remember which one or I'd link it). I have both and did a informal comparison test. I think that he is correct.

 

[doorman]

I started making my own case lube. One part lanoline to ten parts 99% alcohol. I spray this mixture on a blue shop towel and roll the cases so as to not get lube on the case necks or shoulders.
No more dented cases.

 

[jmorris]

There was a thread recently where a poster claimed both One Shots are the same stuff (can't remember which one or I'd link it). I have both and did a informal comparison test. I think that he is correct.

If you know what they are specifically labeled as (Hornady has lots of “one shot” products) you can Google the MSDS and see all of the contends as well as amounts.

https://press.hornady.com/assets/si...ces/OneShot_Sonic_Clean_Gun_Parts_Formula.pdf

 

[bfalcon00]

I use Hornady Unique lube as well. It is more of a hassle to apply, but I don't stick cases. You can still dent cases with it, but in my experience, it takes an incredible amount of it to do so. Used in the right quantity, a tub of that should last you for years.

 

[gwpercle]

Lube dents will iron out oh firing , dents don't really harm a case ... pull them out the trash bin ...
As long as there isn't a sharp fplded crease , a simple dent does no harm .

Something is very wrong ... I'm not sure what but try another lube , I use STP Oil Treatment on the hard to re-size jobs and Lee Case Lube on regular re-sizing jobs ...let the Lee Lube dry before use ... it is a waxy metal forming lubricant that works best when dry .

If the dies still make the screeching noise ... That Ain't Right .
The brass should slide into and out of the sizining die with no noise and moderate pressure .
Next ... lets look at the brass you are re-sizing and the dies ...
Are both standard 243 Winchester ... could the dies be miss-marked ?
Could the dies have missed the final inside polishing and be rough ... or is there a defective area inside the die , like a score or heavy mark not polished smooth ?
Somthing isn't right somewhere ... keep looking for the problem !
Gary

 

[gifbohane]

Constant concern for me. Goldilocks answer. Too much and the neck bulges, too little and the case is stuck. Just right happens most of the time. I tried the commercial lube but got about the same percentage of wins and losses with my home brew stuff. So, I go with home brew.

 

[lightman]

Lube dents don't really hurt anything but the looks. They will fireform out. Stuck cases are not that common. I only remember sticking 2 in 50 years. I'm not sure why you have so much resistance getting the case to enter the die. Maybe remove the decapping assembly and clean the die? Verify that the die is for the correct caliber. Maybe look into a different lube. I use the Lanolin/Alcohol mix like what Dillon sells.

When I'm resizing bottleneck cases I keep a rag in the hand that operates the press handle and I wipe off the case neck and shoulder. This still leaves enough lube on that part of the case to work and I don't get lube dents.

 

[The Bushmaster]

1. Get away from spray on lube (One Shot and the like). 2. Use hand applied lube (like lanolin or lube pads). I used RCBS lube pad for many years with out and problems. I have a small container of lanolin that I have been using for a few years and NO stuck cases. Make sure you are lubing the inside of the of a case every once in a while to insure that the resizing plug is also lubed.

I tried One Shot several years ago and had nothing but stuck cases. I did find out that One Shot worked wonders on my noisy squeaky rocking chair though.