I got a Lock N load AP, but wanted to size about 4000 rounds of 223, it seems most guys do it on a singe stage then load them on the progressive. I tried a cheap lee press and broke the head off on about the 30th round. It seemed a Little weak. what kind of singe stage do you use? or one that is best.
decapping/sizing press??
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jameslovesjammie
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Broke on about the 30th round??? Doesn't sound like you have the sizing dies set right. I have the SUPER cheapo Lee press ($20). I do 7mm Remington Magnum, 270 WSM, and a thousands f .38's and .357's. Haven't had a problem yet. (Don't tell the wife, but I'm trying to break it so I can get a Rockchucker Supreme!)
The Bushmaster
Member
I resize .30-30 and .30-06 besides all my handgun cases on one of those "cheap" "C" ($20) presses and prime all of my cases on the same press. Make sure you are lubing the case properly including a little inside the mouth using a bore brush. If this one ever breaks I'll get one of the "O" presses...
If 'broke' means the wooden handle came off of the Lee, that's normal, get some epoxy.
But it does sound like your doing something wrong. Sizing a 223 doesn't take that much force.
Recommend you get a cookie sheet and some Dillon Spray Lube. If your sizing die has an expander ball, make sure you get the insides of the necks as well when you spray it.
Let the lube dry and try again.
Your full-length sizing should take little or no pressure if done properly. If your getting stuck, it's most likely a lube problem. If all else fails, try Imperial Sizing Wax.
Oh, you did clean and pollish the inside of that sizing die didn't you?
But it does sound like your doing something wrong. Sizing a 223 doesn't take that much force.
Recommend you get a cookie sheet and some Dillon Spray Lube. If your sizing die has an expander ball, make sure you get the insides of the necks as well when you spray it.
Let the lube dry and try again.
Your full-length sizing should take little or no pressure if done properly. If your getting stuck, it's most likely a lube problem. If all else fails, try Imperial Sizing Wax.
Oh, you did clean and pollish the inside of that sizing die didn't you?
I didn't clean the inside of die, they are new hornady custom-grade new dimensions dies, in 223, I took case lube and lubed every 3rd case inside and out and they all made the press shake some what, it was a old lee I got at a sale for 10.00 with a few sets of dies so I'm not out anything. I was thinking of the hornady lock n load classic because of the inserts matching my lock n load AP. I have a hand press by lee that also came with the box, I might try. They are LC brass with military crimp.
bigbird1,
You do need to clean your dies, but you also should lube every case. Like everyone said there really should not take much force to resize a .223 case. It could also be your case lube, not sure what you are using but if it is the old RCBS or LEE lube I am not a big fan of either of them. They are too stiff IMO and can gum up dies and cause pressure dents if applied to heavily. I like personally like the spray lubes like Hornady, Dillon, or Midway. I now make my own: A solution of 1 part liquid lanolin and 4 to 5 parts parts 99 percent isopropyl alcohol. It is basically the same as the Dillon lube. I lay the brass out on a cookie sheet and spray them once, roll them half way over and spray them again.
You do need to clean your dies, but you also should lube every case. Like everyone said there really should not take much force to resize a .223 case. It could also be your case lube, not sure what you are using but if it is the old RCBS or LEE lube I am not a big fan of either of them. They are too stiff IMO and can gum up dies and cause pressure dents if applied to heavily. I like personally like the spray lubes like Hornady, Dillon, or Midway. I now make my own: A solution of 1 part liquid lanolin and 4 to 5 parts parts 99 percent isopropyl alcohol. It is basically the same as the Dillon lube. I lay the brass out on a cookie sheet and spray them once, roll them half way over and spray them again.
Jake in TX
Member
Imperial sizing wax:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=519525&t=11082005
A little goes a long way.
Jake in TX
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=519525&t=11082005
A little goes a long way.
Jake in TX
aka108
Member
Old RCBS Rockchucker. I resize quite a few 8mm and 30-06 to 7.65 Argentine. Not much effort required. Been using one of the spray lubes and never had a problem.
OK, I set the lee hand press up in the vise and here is what I found, I put lube on every case inside and out, I read I can use Mobil 1 Atf for case lube, I dip the lower 1/8 inch into it then rub it all over the outside of the case. I seem to be having the most trouble with cases with HCC , CJ and upside down UU then Y (UUY) are these non-reloadable cases? I did about 300 with only 6 stuck cases.
IMHO...
You should only have two case lubes in your box. Imperial Sizing Wax and Dillon Spray Lube (or homemade version).
Throw everything else out, don't pass go, don't collect 200 clams.
Imperial for low volume stuff, use a little on each case.
Dillon for high volume stuff.
You can over lube a case, but these don't usually stick, just dent the brass. Make sure you lube from the neck all the way down to the base.
I don't think there's any such thing as a 'non-reloadable' BRASS case. Except those with those wierd primers. Even crimped primers can be handled with a swag. In either case, these issues don't effect sizing.
You may be having issues with the heaver brass cases. Thicker being harder to size. Try one of the recommended lubes and call me in the morning.
You should only have two case lubes in your box. Imperial Sizing Wax and Dillon Spray Lube (or homemade version).
Throw everything else out, don't pass go, don't collect 200 clams.
Imperial for low volume stuff, use a little on each case.
Dillon for high volume stuff.
You can over lube a case, but these don't usually stick, just dent the brass. Make sure you lube from the neck all the way down to the base.
I don't think there's any such thing as a 'non-reloadable' BRASS case. Except those with those wierd primers. Even crimped primers can be handled with a swag. In either case, these issues don't effect sizing.
You may be having issues with the heaver brass cases. Thicker being harder to size. Try one of the recommended lubes and call me in the morning.
The Bushmaster
Member
Motor oil and ATF are for autos and trucks. NOT reloading ammunition!! Buy the proper lube for this task. Most lubes and lube systems, like RCBS lube and pad, are very cheap and last a long time. Most lubes will not react with gun powder. You need to lube each and every case very sparingly. That's each and every one...Only lube the inside of the case neck and again, very sparingly. Use a nylon or bronze bore brush for this task. After resizing clean by hand or tumble the cases to remove access lube.
Your LNL AP will resize .223 just fine if you lube the cases as you should, it has as much or more leverage than most all of the single stage presses. I've resized many thousands of .223s in mine. The trick is getting a good lube.
I used to use the Hornady one-shot, worked so so and expensive. I'm finishing up 5K of .223 as a winter project and these days I use some carnuba wax, just rub a little on my left hand and hold the cases in that hand, pull the lever with my right, works much better than the hornady spray lube and I've used maybe 50 cents worth of the wax in 5000 cases.
One thing, if it feels like the case sticking on the downstroke, go REAL slow and often it will ease out instead of yanking the rim off.
I used to use the Hornady one-shot, worked so so and expensive. I'm finishing up 5K of .223 as a winter project and these days I use some carnuba wax, just rub a little on my left hand and hold the cases in that hand, pull the lever with my right, works much better than the hornady spray lube and I've used maybe 50 cents worth of the wax in 5000 cases.
One thing, if it feels like the case sticking on the downstroke, go REAL slow and often it will ease out instead of yanking the rim off.
Smokey Joe
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Sizing...
Big Bird 1--The lubing issue has been covered by posters above. I like yr idea of sizing first, before loading with a progressive. Now, as to yr original question re: what press:
I was going to say get an RCBS Rockchucker; it is the original and genuine "press that will size everything." And it's true. However (there always is that darn "however"!) any of the single-stage, O-frame, cast-iron presses by the major makers will do what you want. And so will most of the older-style C-frame ones. They are available pretty commonly, used, either as trade-ins at gun shops that sell reloading equipment, or on the I'net. There is nothing to break or misalign on this type of press, short of running it over with a dump truck, so you have very little to worry about, buying it sight unseen.
Your comment, though,
And as always, the journey is part of the destination.
Big Bird 1--The lubing issue has been covered by posters above. I like yr idea of sizing first, before loading with a progressive. Now, as to yr original question re: what press:
I was going to say get an RCBS Rockchucker; it is the original and genuine "press that will size everything." And it's true. However (there always is that darn "however"!) any of the single-stage, O-frame, cast-iron presses by the major makers will do what you want. And so will most of the older-style C-frame ones. They are available pretty commonly, used, either as trade-ins at gun shops that sell reloading equipment, or on the I'net. There is nothing to break or misalign on this type of press, short of running it over with a dump truck, so you have very little to worry about, buying it sight unseen.
Your comment, though,
decided me--go with the Hornady single-stage, just for the interchangeability.
And as always, the journey is part of the destination.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Ed's Red on a cleaning patch. Wipe every round with it, put a tiny amount on the rim of the case mouth.
I got a few stuck cases resizing .223 case using the Hornady spray. I switched to Dillon and all has been good. The difference is HUGE. I've used the RCBS lube die which works nice as well but I used my single stage so it was time consuming... but if you set up a progressive to do lube then size it would be very fast IMO.
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