Stuck brass, this is not good

you don't normally lube every case?

rcbs makes a stuck die remover set. cost you about $15, works very well.

i'm not a fan of lee stuff, but never had this problem before. don't know how you're lubing, but i submit it was more likely an operator error in this case than an equipment failure. either way, though, i don't like lee stuff.

hitting the die w/ a hammer won't solve your problem. just get a stuck case remover, and you'll be fine.

another issue... why is the fit so tight? i'm assuming this is a bolt gun - it shouldn't be that tight. possibly chamber problems in the rifle it was fired in?

imperial die wax is an outstanding lube. way overkill for sizing operations, but as long as you lube the case, stuck cases should be a thing of the past w/ imperial.

good luck!

hornady case lube

Click to expand...

One Shot works, but is very unforgiving if you don't use a very liberal amount and allow it to die. Other spray lubes are more tolerant.

The lube you are using is the single biggest contributor to the problem.

I'm no fan of Lee dies. But I don't think the result would have been any better in any other die. Your lube is not working. I use Break Free with a pad, but they tell me the imperial wax is also good.

Imperial Sizing Wax!

"Yes, I lube every case, I put them in a shell holder and spray them with hornady case lube. ...I am not happy with lee products."

Lee dies is not the problem. Nor, matter of fact, is it likely One Shot is the problem, not directly. Apply it according to the directions and things will probably get better, fast.

You shouldn't hit your dies so hard, get yourself a bigger hammer. Or learn to control your emotions.

I use old fashioned Lee lube when sizing rifle cases, been using Lee dies to do it for years, no issues. I quit using a spray on lube after it becanme apparent One Shot wasn't doing the job. OTOH, One Shot works wonderfully as a lube for fresh cast lead bullets being sized.

Your die is fine - well, except for the munged spindle.

I was getting stuck cases just like yours with .308 - all due to One Shot. Get the RCBS stuck case remover (the one with the threaded spindle) and then dump the One Shot and get sizing wax.

Why oh why would you force a case into a die that hard? Are you that new to reloading? Not putting you down, but I would have been checking things on the 1st stuck case.

Me or the OP?

The OP.

I use Dillon spray lube, shaken very well, and let it dry. Have never had a stuck case. Well,...except for that aluminum 9mm case that ruined my carbide sizer die.

I pretty much use only Lee dies,I do have a few Redding,RCBS also. If you get a stuck case in a die,99% of the time it is operator error not the equipment.
Like others have said,the lube is mainly the problem.The only spray lube that I've found that works is the Cabela's brand,and it will still let cases get stuck sometimes,but I also use a punch of the correct size to knock the sizing pin & case out of the die.I also keep several sizing pins around just in case you do bend one.
To me it has always been faster and easier than Drilling & Tapping the stuck case,and pulling it out with the Stuck Case Puller.

Get online with Lee and order a couple extra pins for your dies,they only cost a couple $,and next time don't loose your cool and beat the crap out of your dies.

Also,If you want to use the spray lube,put your brass in a ziplock bag spray some lube into the bag,and then just shake the bag around.It will coat all of your brass.I usually put 20-30pcs in at a time.

Lee says:

"Stuck Cases

We will remove a stuck case for $4; Return the die to the factory with an explanation. Our address is:

Lee Precision Inc,
4275 Hwy. U,
Hartford, WI 53027.

You can easily remove the case yourself, loosen but do not remove the decapper clamp with a 3/4 and 1/2 wrench. Then pound on the end of the decapper rod with a 3/16 drift punch, and use a heavy hammer for best results. You can leave the die in the press for this operation."

This may not be feasible if you have already hit it with a hammer and bent the spindle.

Not to pile on, but....
I agree with other posters. Nothing wrong with Lee dies, use better lube.
I use Hornady Unique lube, works great, and a tub will last nearly forever.

It's the lube. I've never found a spray lube I thought worked as well as just rolling the case on a pad with RCBS Case Slick. There was an RCBS spray lube I found, might have been also called Case Slick, which worked well, but I don't care for any of the other sprays I've tried.

And speaking as somebody who has removed a few stuck cases from LEE dies, it's a pretty sure thing when you follow the instructions. The most aggravating part IMO is hack-sawing through a mangled case to free the decapping pin. The rest is just wrenches, punches and judiciously applied force.

We will remove a stuck case for $4; Return the die to the factory with an explanation. Our address is:

Click to expand...

RCBS removed mine for free.

Imperial Sizing Wax!

Click to expand...

I use imperial and I love it. I have heard some reloaders complain about the wax causing a build up in the , but , I havent experienced that yet.

[QUOTEAlso,If you want to use the spray lube,put your brass in a ziplock bag spray some lube into the bag,and then just shake the bag around.It will coat all of your brass.I usually put 20-30pcs in at a time.

][/QUOTE]

This is an excellent method for using the spray lube.

Lee says:

"Stuck Cases

We will remove a stuck case for $4; Return the die to the factory with an explanation. Our address is:

Lee Precision Inc,
4275 Hwy. U,
Hartford, WI 53027.

Click to expand...

I'll bet if you'd return it to Lee with a return address you'd get a new die back, no charge. I've returned a press that I broke and it was my fault, The letter that was enclosed in the shipment explained that. Got a new press In less than a week with no charge.

They like to keep their customers happy like everyone else.

One Shot is a fine lube for use with carbide sizing dies and a progressive press, but it lacks the film strength for real heavy duty sizing. IMHO of course . Your results may vary. I've had 2 stuck cases in oh, about 35 years of reloading. Both were One Shot. This year. I learn fast. :banghead:

OTOH, after resizing big cartridges like .375 H&H and .375 Win, and reforming brass for a bunch of wildcats, I can affirm the RCBS stinky stuff and the pad.

Snot the die my friend.

http://thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=6074500&postcount=12

Homemade stuck case remover ^^^

Substitute a self tapping 1/4" Metal roofing screw for the tap and bolt and skip one step.

As already mentioned, I also use the Lee die and the Hornady Unique Lube.
I was looking for Imperial, but it was not available locally off of the shelf.
From what I have read, they are supposed to be a mirror image.

That said.... I have FL sized about 1,000 cases so far with zero issues.
Chamber checks are always a "go". (I am loading for a gas action)

I experimented with amounts of lube, how I lube, where I lube etc etc etc....

I kept a constant "feel" out for how things were sliding along. To me, personally, the press gave enough feed back to let me know what I needed to change.

I don't have any issues with the dies or the lube.

That being said, there is always the possibility that you got a lemon.
It happens. As we're all too aware of, we don't live in a perfect world.

P.S.
I've been interrupted 10 times since I started trying to reply to this, so I'm sure I've drifted off of target.

Sorry!