[MoreIsLess]

I have Lee dies on my Dillon 550b. This morning, I decided to lower the OAL on the 9mm rounds I was loading by increasing the seating depth on the bullet seating die. On the very next cycle, the round got stuck in the Lee factory crimp die and I can't get it out.

Any ideas before I call Lee

[Sam1911]

What exactly is stuck? Can you not pull the press arm down? Did it tear off the rim? Can you unscrew the turret on the FCD?

Most folks would say you could unscrew the FCD out of the tool head and drop it and the stuck round in the trashcan -- problem solved. ;)

I do still use one with the 550B in 9mm, as a kind of substitute for chamber-gaugeing all my 9mm rounds, but they aren't really otherwise very helpful. Any problem it is solving for you can (should) be fixed other ways.

[MoreIsLess]

What exactly is stuck? Can you not pull the press arm down? Did it tear off the rim? Can you unscrew the turret on the FCD?

Most folks would say you could unscrew the FCD out of the tool head and drop it and the stuck round in the trashcan -- problem solved. ;)

I do still use one with the 550B in 9mm, as a kind of substitute for chamber-gaugeing all my 9mm rounds, but they aren't really otherwise very helpful. Any problem it is solving for you can (should) be fixed other ways.
I've already unscrewed FCD from the toolhead with the round still stuck in the die. I've tried grasping the round by the lip with a pair of channel locks but I can't get it to budge. I thought about spraying some One Shot or WD 40 in there to try and loosen it but I didn't have time, had to leaave for work.

[Sam1911]

If nothing else, grip the body of the die with your channel-locks padded with a little leather or something, and then use another set of pliers to unscrew the top stem. Should come free.

[hentown]

I just can't visualize a round's getting stuck in a FCD. I've loaded a few hundred thousand rounds using FCDs, and never had a stuck round in one. Hit's befuddlin!!! :scrutiny:

[1KPerDay]

Sounds like it must have ripped the rim off. Twist off the top and use a punch to drive out the round from the top, IMO.

[Certaindeaf]

It sounds like your shellholder was/is improper? Lee shell holders often are ill fitting as they use/offer an abreviated number of shellholders.. picking a sweet spot between quite a wide range that'll probably do the job. never know

[Sam1911]

It sounds like your shellholder was/is improper? Lee shell holders often are ill fitting...

He's using a Dillon 550B, so he's using the Dillon 9mm shell plate.

[Certaindeaf]

^
Ah, I hear you.

[hang fire]

This is what inside the die looks like. Speaking only for myself, at this stage with adjusting screw removed, I would drill through the bullet (use of a little water might be prudent) and dump the powder out. Then take a punch and drift the cartridge case out of die.


http://leeprecision.com/userfiles/images/38_FCD.jpg

[Walkalong]

I wonder if the carbide ring slipped and is crooked now? The brass should come out of the carbide ring relatively easily.

I stuck a bullet in a seater die not long ago. I drilled a hole in the bullet and ran a screw in it. I clamped the screw in a vice, gave the die a little tap, and presto.

Perhaps something similar with the case. You already have a flash hole to start a screw in the case.

[Certaindeaf]

Perhaps after you take out the seater assembly, soak the thing in some serious bore cleaner.. then do the poundage with tongs and armor.

[FROGO207]

How about sending the thing back to Lee so that they can see that it failed and let them replace it for you.:)

[Uniquedot]

Twist off the top and use a punch to drive out the round from the top

Your answer was right there in post number six. The crimp ring is hollow in the FCD's so all you have to do is remove the adjusting plug and drive the round out.

[MoreIsLess]

How about sending the thing back to Lee so that they can see that it failed and let them replace it for you.:)
I did talk to them a short while ago and they told me a couple of things to try and told me to send it back if that doesn't work. Problem is, it has a live round stuck in the die, so I can't put it in the mail

[1KPerDay]

Sure you can. Ammo ships all around the country every day. ORM-D sticker on the package. Or did you mean MAIL when you said mail? :D

[ranger335v]

"How about sending the thing back to Lee so that they can see that it failed and let them replace it for you."

Improper use does not constitute a "failed" tool.

[243winxb]

a live round stuck in the die Waiting for KABOOM :uhoh:

[FROGO207]

IMHO there is a problem with SOMETHING. Lee if they get it back can see IF it is a die problem and if not be in a better position than the posters here are IMHO to explain to the OP what the problem is if they actually have the die. I have used several FCD's and never had that type of problem in any of mine either rifle or pistol dies. You DO NOT want to start hammering a live round that is stuck in ANY die EVER.:eek: Yes the die may not be defective but it sure is not any good the way it is now. FWIW I only use a Lee FCD for tube fed firearms ammo these days as that seems to be the only one time it is an advantage to me, now I do not have to trim the 30-30, 32 WIN SPL, etc. brass every time if I use FCD to crimp and that saves some time.

[MoreIsLess]

I've given up on trying to get the bullet out of the FCD. I am just going to order a new one from Midway.

How can I dispose of the one I have now since it has a live round in it.

[john16443]

How can I dispose of the one I have now since it has a live round in it.

I'm guessing that the suggestions in posts #6 & 10 didn't work fo you. Live round, maybe call your local PD or Sherrif's office, ask them to dispose of it or tell you how to properly/safely do it.

[Flintknapper]

I've given up on trying to get the bullet out of the FCD. I am just going to order a new one from Midway.

How can I dispose of the one I have now since it has a live round in it.


How much of the base of the cartridge is showing? I'm guessing not a lot?

If there is enough case showing (above the primer/rim) you simply hack-saw the bottom of it off. You might even be able to salvage the die after that.

If you can not do that you would need to drill out the bullet from the top.

[kingmt]

If you could get a air nipple to seal against the top maybe compressed air. Drilling out the bullet seems like the best way tho. Did that fail?

[Sam1911]

I've given up on trying to get the bullet out of the FCD.
The pliers trick didn't work? That's surprising. If nothing else, the top adjuster piece is aluminum and hollow. You could hacksaw through that in about 20 seconds and drive the round out. The replacement part would be only a couple of bux from Lee.

I am just going to order a new one from Midway.And, why? What's to say this won't happen again? What are you using the FCD to do, exactly? Again, conventional wisdom says it is an almost completely unnecessary step.

How can I dispose of the one I have now since it has a live round in it. Trash can. It's one cartridge, not a bomb or a mason jar full of nitroglycerin.

[FROGO207]

Heck send it to me and I'll deactivate it and send it back if you want.:scrutiny: Just let me know and I'll PM my address. I still think sending it back to Lee is best, at least they will do what needs to be done with it to make it safe after they get it.:)

[James2]

My recommendation would be to toss the die and stuck round in the garbage can.

(You can see I don't like that die?)

[dickttx]

I can see there are some people who don't know what the FCD is for, and how they work.:D

[Sam1911]

I can see there are some people who don't know what the FCD is for, and how they work.Exactly -- and ironically, that can be taken two ways! :D

"... there are some people who don't know what the FCD is (not) for, and how they (don't) work."

[jim243]

A Lee FCD?? I would say there is No WAY you can get a stuck case in that die, but what do I know, I only have 14 of them.

If you were using cast lead bullets that were not sized or lubed properly, it might happen.

ALL Lee pistol (9mm) FCD's have a stem on the top that un-screw and should let you punch the round out of the die, the internal crimping stem inside will not pass through the die, but you could damage the carbide ring on the die doing this.

My suggestion is to get a "Stuck Case Removal Kit" (RCBS or Hornady) it will come in handy when you get a stuck case in the resizing die as well.

Jim

[Walkalong]

Anything can go wrong at any time. The finest machines in the world break sometimes. The simplest gadgets mess up occasionally.

Sounds like the OP doesn't want to fool with calling Lee, and is just going to replace it.

Saying he could not have possibly done what he did doesn't help.

[rcmodel]

My suggestion is to get a "Stuck Case Removal Kit"I assume the case stuck in an FCD is a loaded round, or it wouldn't be stuck in an FCD.

As such, I would not recommend drilling into a live primer and case full of powder to use the RCBS kit on it.

rc

[918v]

The reason you stuck your round in the die is due to the cases not bring clean enough snd the carbide being too dry. The carbon fouling on the cases transferred to the carbide ring and imbedded itself in the pores.

While I never stuck a case this way, I almost stuck a case this way in a Redding sizer. I had to clean the ring with solvent and the lube it afterwards. I later traced the problem to dirty brass- I torture tested some 9mm brass and had to resize it without cleaning. Within a week the sizer started getting sticky, almost to the point where I had to hammer out the case.

I know this doesn't help your problem, but might prevent a repetition in the future.

[Sky King]

I had a similar problem with a Lee sizer die in my 650 only the base ripped off. The way I got the case out of the die was to get a small triangle file and file three notchs in on the case, then get a screwdriver and knock the sections to the center then knock the case out with a wooden dowel rod.

[rcmodel]

Still, it's hard to envision how a loaded round could get stuck in a Lee FCD crimp die.
There just isn't any friction to speak of when crimping.

Dirty cases or not.

rc

[MoreIsLess]

A Lee FCD?? I would say there is No WAY you can get a stuck case in that die, but what do I know, I only have 14 of them.

If you were using cast lead bullets that were not sized or lubed properly, it might happen.

ALL Lee pistol (9mm) FCD's have a stem on the top that un-screw and should let you punch the round out of the die, the internal crimping stem inside will not pass through the die, but you could damage the carbide ring on the die doing this.

My suggestion is to get a "Stuck Case Removal Kit" (RCBS or Hornady) it will come in handy when you get a stuck case in the resizing die as well.

Jim
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/751/20120605194235.jpg

I removed the stem from the die but the round would not budge. I tried a ball peen hammer and a brass rod to try to get it out to no avail

[rcmodel]

I'd unscrew the adjustment rod in the center by whatever means necessary and get it out of the way.

The set the die body on something with a hole in it, or open vice jaws and knock the round out with a punch and hammer.

rc

[1KPerDay]

Great idea! :D

[Uniquedot]

Still, it's hard to envision how a loaded round could get stuck in a Lee FCD crimp die.
There just isn't any friction to speak of when crimping.

Dirty cases or not.


What i have assumed from the start of this thread is that he adjusted the crimp stem down so far that he has actually swaged the case and bullet into the hollow crimp ring. I see absolutely no way for the carbide ring to have anything to do with it.

[Flintknapper]

I still think sending it back to Lee is best, at least they will do what needs to be done with it to make it safe after they get it

There most likely is nothing wrong with the die (unless its new and he just started using it).

From his description, he most likely bulged the case below the bullet. The 9mm Luger case is tapered anyway and the LEE FCD can give you problems under certain conditions.

It remains a useful tool however (though there are those who can't wait to disparage it).

I agree that in a 'perfect' world you should be able to taper crimp your rounds such that the FCD is not needed. BUT...case lengths vary, thickness varies, bullet diameters and length vary, you can short stroke the lever on your press.

Any of these things have the potential to produce a loaded cartridge out of minimum SAAMI spec, it happens.

So, by using a LEE FCD as a "check gauge", you accomplish two things.

1. You are alerted to the need to reset your crimp die (or look to see what the problem is).

2. The Die will correct oversizing, and IF 'slight'... the cartridge can still be used.

The FCD should not be used to correct gross over-sizing problems, I agree with that, but it is not a 'useless' tool as some suggest.

We can argue all day about taper crimps (which is somewhat a misnomer) but if someone wants to use a LEE FCD in conjunction with a reasonably set up Seating/Crimp die, then let them.

It speeds up the process especially when using mixed brass by eliminating the need to use a chamber gauge or do the 'plunk test' in your barrel.

If you don't like the LEE FCD for whatever reason, don't use it.

For the OP, I hope he gets his problem resolved and I would look carefully to see if when he readjusted his die, he didn't inadvertently set it so that it was crimping (too much) while seating the bullet. That is how you crush cases.

[918v]

Still, it's hard to envision how a loaded round could get stuck in a Lee FCD crimp die.
There just isn't any friction to speak of...

Oh yes there is. If you short stroke the press, the case won't be sized all the way down to the base. The FCD will then engage the case during crimping. Remember, we are dealing with a tapered case and a tapered carbide insert.

[rcmodel]

Well maybe it's just me.

But I have never torn the rim off a handgun case in 50+ years.

Even back in my steel sizing die days.

The unsized tapered 9mm case would release from a FCD sizing ring much easier then a straight wall revolver case from a steel sizing die.

It's just got to be more going on here then just case friction.

rc

[Tom488]

How can I dispose of the one I have now since it has a live round in it.
http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc361/tlawrence488/bbdud.png

[Uniquedot]

we are dealing with a tapered case and a tapered carbide insert.

The ring in the FCD is not tapered so like rc said it should release easier than a straight walled case in normal carbide or steel sizer.

From his description, he most likely bulged the case below the bullet.

This is the only other possibility, and even to bulge the case that much it would take some serious misadjustment unless that die is severely defective. If this is the case the carbide ring won't survive pounding out the round...in fact it would be impossible to pound it out without disarming it first.

[Master Blaster]

Do you live near a really deep lake or the Ocean???:p

[T Bran]

Smacking the bullet with a hammer may just be making it wedge tighter in the case as it folds and wedges ever tighter in the die. Sounds like you just reinvented the rivet.
I have other unsafe ideas that I wouldnt post on a bet.
Send it back to Lee or continue with your plan of chuck it in file 13 and order a fresh one.
As an aside there is no way I could let it be. I would have to get it apart regardless both out of curiosity and stubborness.
Luck

[hang fire]

One thing to remember here. With the round firmly stuck (chambered) in the die, one would not merely shipping live ammo. Some headline grabbing prosecutor could say it was a loaded weapon, or even an explosive device that was being shipped.

[hentown]

One thing to remember here. With the round firmly stuck (chambered) in the die, one would not merely shipping live ammo. Some headline grabbing prosecutor could say it was a loaded weapon, or even an explosive device that was being shipped.

I must have missed the post where the OP said that he was going to mail the die to a prosecutor??? :cool::rolleyes:

[Uniquedot]

I must have missed the post where the OP said that he was going to mail the die to a prosecutor?

You can bet that's who's hands it would end up in if the postal inspector discovered it if he indeed attempted to mail it. It would have to be sent by a carrier such as ups or fedex with an ORM D label on it.

[918v]

The ring in the FCD is not tapered so like rc said it should release easier than a straight walled case in normal carbide or steel sizer.

Unless it is tapered.

[higgite]

You can bet that's who's hands it would end up in if the postal inspector discovered it if he indeed attempted to mail it. It would have to be sent by a carrier such as ups or fedex with an ORM D label on it.
That's a 10-4. Ammunition is on the USPS list of non-mailable items. The fact that it is stuck in a die would be immaterial to a postal inspector.

[Flintknapper]

Without seeing a side view...I can't really tell, but it looks to me as if you might have enough room to slowly hacksaw the base of the case off. That way you would be rid of the primer (the main concern).

You could then remove the bullet and remaining case any number of ways.

Brass will not spark (though the die itself could) and you are not going to generate enough heat to set anything off, but DON'T use a dremel with a cut-off disc.

If you don't have enough case sticking out...disregard.

[jmorris]

I seat and crimp in two steps so I never have had anything like that happen. Could be done several ways but I wouldn't post that you should hammer on any part of a round that is live. You got where you are by doing something you shouldnt, really want to risk escalating your problems?

[918v]

You could remove the bullet with a slidehammer, then punch out the case with a rod.

[superbee922]

I just now got a 303 Savage cartridge unstuck from a 30-30 LFC die. It had not occurred to me that the 303 Savage case would be bigger in diameter than 30-30 cases.

After removing the adjustment screw, I put the die in a vice and tapped on the cast lead bullet with a punch pin. This drove the bullet down into the case but did not budge the case from the die.

Then I inserted the handle of the punch pin into the die body. It was a very snug fit, and when I tapped on the pin with a hammer the cartridge finally dropped out.

I have since learned that the 308 Win LFC die can be used to crimp 303 Savage rounds.

[Otto]

Do you live near a really deep lake or the Ocean???:p

After reading 54 posts, I was curious to hear what Lee Precision had to say about this.
The official response from Lee's technical advisor "Bill", was to 'throw it in the nearest lake'.
Those were his exact words.
I asked about pounding it out and he said absolutely not.
I asked about mailing the FCD back to Lee and he said 'No! It was a hand grenade at this point'.
He said the only safe way to remove the round was pulling it out by the rim using the proper shellholder and single stage press.

[Flintknapper]

He said the only safe way to remove the round was pulling it out by the rim using the proper shellholder and single stage press.

And he would be wrong of course, but I understand his constraints (liability to company if he gave any other answer).

[Sam1911]

Hmmm...that is a heaping helping of hyperbole. Shame he has to cover his employer's butt quite to that degree, but I guess it is what it is.

A "hand grenade" it is NOT. :rolleyes: Sheesh, run for the hills, boys!

[Flintknapper]

A "hand grenade" it is NOT. Sheesh, run for the hills, boys!

Yeah, and don't forget the serpentine fashion......! ;)

We're all gonna DIE...! :D

[38riverrat]

I wonder if you could "pull" the bullet kinetically. The die would need a handle, like a kinetic puller. Maybe a piece of bar stock with a hole. You would need a second adjusting nut, from another die. Slam the top of the die on a block of hard wood. Repeat! "Deal" with primer!
In my case, I have a boat, and frequently cruise in 100 fathom deep water.


Rick

[wingman]

Never seen anything that kroil oil would not loosen,this has been an interesting thread to say the least.

[steve4102]

Put it in the freezer.

[JSmith]

I wouldn't give up until I had it out of there either, even though I would probably get a new die in the meantime (because if it happened once...)

In #35, it looks like you have enough rim sticking out to saw it off - I'd probably use a ceramic hacksaw blade and make a fast, dirty job of it. Once that's done, how heavy is your ball-peen? I have a 5-pounder; that, and a short piece of #3 rebar for a punch, WOULD get it out.

[gamestalker]

I don't know how it happened, but I would never drill or hammer on a live round, and one that is confined inside of a die is a hand grenade if it detonates. If anything, I would try and devise a puller of sort. Making a puller of the type used for pulling bearings is really easy to do, and very effective. A shell holder, 1/4" bolt and 3 pieces of metal with a small jaw edge filed into them will do it. Or devise a slide hamer using the shell holder and a 1/4" threaded bolt long enough to provide some room for necessary inertia force.

GS

[GLOOB]

The Lee engineer gave the right advice.

There's plenty of rim left on that round to pull it out in a single stage press. I think your shell plate fit is marginal, if it couldn't pull a round out of an FCD. In fact, the rim looks barely mangled, at all.