[grsjax]

I was running a few cases through the sizing die this evening when one got stuck. The case that went through before the stuck one didn't give any trouble and I didn't notice anything when the case was going in but when I tried to extract it it wouldn't budge. I tried tapping on the handle with a rubber mallet but that didn't work. Any ideas?

[BigJakeJ1s]

What brand of sizing die?

Most will work if you do this: remove the die and cartridge from the press. Drill and tap a 1/4-20 threaded hole through the primer pocket. Be careful if you cannot get your expander/decapper out of the way. If you can't, and you have an RCBS or Forster die, they make a kit to pull the expander back out through the top.

Get a deep socket that will go over the bottom of the case, and a bolt long enough to reach though the drive hole of the socket and thread into the hole in the case you just tapped. You may need a washer depending on the size of the bolt head and the drive hole in the socket.

Tighten bolt until your case comes free.

Andy

[Grassman]

I had one happen the other day break the rim off the bottom of the case. It's still stuck in the .308 die. Do I need to buy a case puller to get this out? Drill it, tap it?

[USSR]

You guys with the stuck brass should stop using One Shot for a lube.:D

Don

[eagleseeker]

go with drill an bolt works for me all the times ive had one stuck an do get a better lube.we all have our pref as to what we use i like rcbs #2 had the best luck with it.

[grsjax]

Managed to get the expander out of the top of the die. Came right out, no problem. Would it work to stick a steel rod of the right diameter down through the die into the case and wack it with a hammer to get the case out?

[Shoney]

Here is what you need to remove the stuck case, and instructions on how to use it.

13/64" drill bit to drill out flash hole

1/4" Tap to tap the inside of the flash hole

1/2" Socket (1/4" drive) goes up against die and allows stuck case to be pulled into it

1/4" x 1 1/2" Washer on top of socket (keeps bolt from gouging the top of the socket)

1/4" x 1" Machine bolt goes into threaded flash hole and is turned to pull case out
If you need extra insurance, get the setup ready, leave the die in the feezer over night, then pull.

[NCsmitty]

Would it work to stick a steel rod of the right diameter down through the die into the case and wack it with a hammer to get the case out?

Yes, that may work, but you have to avoid damaging the upper threads in the die.
Shoney's and BigJakeJ1s suggestion is much safer.

And guy's, start using good case lube. I still use Lee's case lube and have for the last 30 years or so. I've never stuck a case.

NCsmitty

[rcmodel]

I am at a total loss trying to figure out how an expander button can come back out of a case that is stuck in a sizing die?

By design, the case is .002" .003" smaller then the expander button while the case neck is still inside the die.

????????????

rcmodel

[grsjax]

"I am at a total loss trying to figure out how an expander button can come back out of a case that is stuck in a sizing die?"

Not sure myself. It came out with some resistance but not that bad. I did get the case out and it has some scuff marks around the lower end. Die looks clean and I can't see any scratches on the interior surfaces.

[carbine85]

I have had this happen twice with the RCBS dies and 5.56 shell. I removed the die and clamped it it a vise, got a hold of the base of the shell with vice grips and turned the cased back and forth working it out.

[cracked butt]

Once you get your dies unstuck, do yourself a favor and buy a tin of Redding Imperial sizing die wax. If you stick a case while using this stuff, I'll eat the remaining lube that's in your tin.:p

[USSR]

...do yourself a favor and buy a tin of Redding Imperial sizing die wax.

+1.

Don

[Historian]

+2 on Imperial sizing wax. I used RCBS for a long time and switched. One tin will probably last three or four years and I'm loading about 250 rounds per week.

Historian

[grsjax]

I have some imperial on order. I was looking for information on it and ran across a mention of Kiwi mink oil paste being the same thing at a cheaper price. Anyone tried it?

[USSR]

The Imperial Sizing Die Wax costs all of about $5, and it will last you for years. How much money do you think you're gonna save?

Don

[GaryL]

I picked up some Imperial Sizing wax about a year ago after reading about it on this forum. The guy at the gun store didn't seem too excited or have much to say when I put the little tin on the counter. He probably knew he wasn't going to be selling me any more One-Shot, or any case removal tools for that matter.

[joesig]

I've been using a 50/50 mix of Lanolin and Castor oil though you can use either one straight. A little goes a long way. Lanolin can be mixed with dry gas for a spray-on lube ala Dillon.

[Strongbad]

Here is what you need to remove the stuck case, and instructions on how to use it.

13/64" drill bit to drill out flash hole

1/4" Tap to tap the inside of the flash hole

1/2" Socket (1/4" drive) goes up against die and allows stuck case to be pulled into it

1/4" x 1 1/2" Washer on top of socket (keeps bolt from gouging the top of the socket)

1/4" x 1" Machine bolt goes into threaded flash hole and is turned to pull case out
If you need extra insurance, get the setup ready, leave the die in the feezer over night, then pull.

You can go do all of that (which is 100% correct) or just spend the $10 or so and get the kit, in a bag, from RCBS. You'll use it again later. I promise. :)

[Saabman]

I was given some dillion case lube in the old style pump bottle . this ctuff works great and is not messy.

[qajaq59]

You can go do all of that (which is 100% correct) or just spend the $10 or so and get the kit, in a bag, from RCBS. You'll use it again later. I promise. I had one in the drawer for better then 30 years. Last month I screwed up and didn't lube a case so I finally got to use it. It's like the Scouts say, "Be prepared." :D

[jjohnson]

Many of us just buy the kit.

RCBS and others offer a kit to do this, for the price of $20 or less. It contains the tap, drill, and other parts you need to remove a stuck case.
It's well worth the money.

I've tried doing it the hard way - using penetrating oil, a squib rod, and all that. I reload a lot, and a couple times a year I get a stuck case, and the kit takes you only 10 minutes or so before you're home free. Just buy the kit if you're still struggling. It's one of the best buys in reloading equipment you will ever make.:evil:

[454PB]

I started using Imperial Sizing Die Lube about 20 years ago.....great stuff. However, I found that boot waterproofing works exactly the same, and can be purchased just about anywhere shoes are sold. What I'm using now is called "Smiling Mink", and cost $1.50 for 3 ounces. That's probably enough to lube 10,000 rifle cases.

[WNTFW]

Mink oil is not only cheap but available a lot of places. It does work well.

[TEDDY]

I notice no one mentions Lymans spray case lube.I use it and I am resizing and making cases.6.5 jap from 35 rem and 348 win to 8 mm lebel.:D:rolleyes:

[Grassman]

I used Shoney's recipe above for my stuck .308 case.....WORKED LIKE A CHARM.......Thanks!

[ar10]

I got mine out the really cheap way. I used a hammer and punch, worked fine for me anyway. Mine were .308 as well.

About One-shot. Let it dry first then run the resizing step. As for lubrication, I first run everything in a tumbler, lizard litter, and a cap full of Nu-Polish. This puts on a nice bunch wax that helps when resizing. Then I trim to length, insert primers, powder, then bullet.
Forgot to mention. On about every 5th or 6th case sizing I dip the mouth into a plastic lid that holds some Break Free, this keeps the ball lubricated while resizing.

[xer0]

-1 for One Shot, +1 for Shoney!


Here is what you need to remove the stuck case, and instructions on how to use it.

13/64" drill bit to drill out flash hole

1/4" Tap to tap the inside of the flash hole

1/2" Socket (1/4" drive) goes up against die and allows stuck case to be pulled into it

1/4" x 1 1/2" Washer on top of socket (keeps bolt from gouging the top of the socket)

1/4" x 1" Machine bolt goes into threaded flash hole and is turned to pull case out
If you need extra insurance, get the setup ready, leave the die in the feezer over night, then pull.


I had a stuck case in a Redding .308 small base sizer die yesterday and tried everything short of a dremel to get the dumb thing out. As a last resort, which should have been my first, I checked THR for some advice and came across this thread. (By this time, among other things, I had tried heating the die with a torch and using carb cleaner to cool the brass so it would constrict and break free... didnt work... and had also damn near driven a screwdriver through the flash hole of the brass with a hammer... and a sledge hammer... feeling pretty stupid now ) Using Shoney's method the case poped out with such ease that I actually thought I had stripped the taped threads in the case. Good stuff and for a fraction of the price of the RCBS stuck case remover. It cost me $4.00 at a local hardware store to build the kit Midway is listing it for $17 plus shipping. Thanks for the advice guys... BTW, the Redding die is fine... they stand up to even the most block-headed of reloaders :banghead:

[kestak]

Greetings,

Imperial sizing wax is the way to go.
I am using that wax since 3 weeks and I have some liquid lube left that I threw in the garbage can.

I can't stress enough HOW GOOD IS THE IMPERIAL SIZING WAX. This is a cheap and simple product that works incredibly well.

It is like the kinetic hammer of the lubes.
It is like winning the lottery each time you use it.
It is like falling in love again and again each time you use it.
It is like having Ronald Reagan coming out of his grave and getting elected instead of O.

Anyway, I hope you get the point. :D

Thank you

[tjj]

"It is like having Ronald Reagan coming out of his grave and getting elected instead of O."

Damn!! That would be better than sex! I wouldn't go that far! :D