Stuck brass, this is not good

I also started with some kind of spray lube. It might have been One Shot.

I had to fight two stuck cases. I'm not sure at this point why it took two...and even a stuck case remover isn't fun.

As others have related, I changed lubes. Even though RCBS Case Lube on a pad is messy, it works. And the pad method of application is surprisingly consistent.

Some details -

1. You can lube 3 or 4 cases at once by rolling them across the pad. The shoulders stay dry, so you don't have to worry about hydraulic dents. You should be able to see a uniform, thin film all around the cases.

2. You can drag a neck cleaning brush across one end of the pad to lube the case necks, (if you don't use something else like graphite or mica.) One drag gets enough lube for the handfull of 4 cases. It doesn't take much, just enough to get the tips of the bristles on one side. This lube is transferred to the neck expander button.

3. You can wipe it off after resizing with a damp paper towel, because it is water-soluable.

The problem with spray lubes is you have to spray them on the cases, then LET THEM DRY for a bit. The lube is dissolved in a carrier, typically some sort of alcohol, to make it possible to be sprayed. While the carrier is wet, the lube will not be slippery. Once it air drys, the lube will do it's job.
Every time I see cases stuck in dies with spray lube, the cause is people spraying and then immediately trying to size. Spray case lube is not WD-40; it needs to dry out first.

I use Hornady Unique lube, works great, and a tub will last nearly forever

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Ditto that. Plus it doesn't get in your lungs or stink up the place like the spray lubes.

I use Dillon spray lube, shaken very well, and let it dry.

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Same here. I put the cases in a gallon zip lock bag and give it a few shots of Dillon or Cabelas lube which is exactly the same except cheaper and available locally fpr pickup.

Hornady spray was a disaster for me and others.

It's not the dies. I've used them for years successfully along with every other brand. As stated, Lee will remove the case for a small fee.

Another vote for Imperial Sizing wax. I've never had luck with the spray lube,and there is nothing wrong with Lee dies..

All I have used in the last 30 years is Lee dies and Lee lube. Many calibers, many thousands of rounds, no stuck cases, no bent rims, no dimpled shoulders, no issues at all.
What can I say ?

Member



Join Date: June 30, 2010
Posts: 53 Quote:
Originally Posted by ranger335v
"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.

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Thanks Dr. Phil, my emotions are just fine. People that usually comment on others emotions are usually the ones with the issues.

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Well you ARE the one that used the hammer.

The die that was stuck was actually re-sprayed for a second time after having so many issues with the first 15 or so.

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I was under the impression that it was the case that was stuck in the die, not the other way around.

I reload for around 40 different calibers using mostly Lee dies and have only experienced 1 problem with a stuck case. This was a 30/06 case that missed getting lubed and as I deprime in a seperate step without having the depriming punch in the resizing die I just took a machinests pin punch and dislodged the case, no problem.

Lee makes a quality product for a VERY reasonable price, if their products were junk they would have gone the way of the YUGO years ago.

The die that was stuck was actually re-sprayed for a second time after having so many issues with the first 15 or so.

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I saw that the OP wrote the above. If i understand correctly he means that he sprayed the die itself with One Shot in addition to the cases.

In my brief but frustrating battle with stuck cases and One Shot, I did the same thing, figuring that a little One Shot up the die would help.

I did this three times (slow learner?) and each time resulted in a stuck case.

Some how, for me, spraying the die with One Shot seemed to increase the likelihood of sticking the next case sized.

Echoing what other have said: shaking the can of One Shot and letting it dry will avoid most problems. I am no longer a One Shot user....

Hope this helps!

Bob

Hey guys can we quit beating up on the OP (Gastitman)?

Sometimes things don't work as advertised and it is frustrating enough without being belittled.

Right now I have some .30-06 that is a bear to deal with. It is all one headstamp and the rest is no problem. I called Dr. Phil - he was no help!

Hey guys can we quit beating up on the OP (Gastitman)?

Sometimes things don't work as advertised and it is frustrating enough without being belittled.

Right now I have some .30-06 that is a bear to deal with. It is all one headstamp and the rest is no problem. I called Dr. Phil - he was no help!

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Switch to Imperial sizing wax, Lanolin paste "available from Walmart or drug stores", Mink oil "actually a paste" as used to waterproof shoes, any of these will work wonders, and make sizing easier, I don't like to work any harder than necessary. I also rinse my brass off on white gas, aka coleman fuel, aka naptha, as I do not like all the grease in my polishing media. Just use a little common sense, and do it outside.

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

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Pretty much.

Hey guys can we quit beating up on the OP (Gastitman)?

Sometimes things don't work as advertised and it is frustrating enough without being belittled.

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Well, the OP would have been far less likely to garner criticism if he hadn't blamed the brand of die for his issues but instead asked for advice on what caused the issue and how to fix it.

JC,
Already on the mink oil lubing regime. In fact I'm into the enhanced mink oil regime. I got lanolin but didn't like it as much as the mink oil.
Problem on the 06 is my die wasn't pushing the primer all the way out, even with the decap rod all the way down. The primers would stretch a good bit. I have 2 presses and would finish with a Lee universal decapper. The universal decapper would slip every time if I didn't start with the sizer. I just switched the shell holder from press to press as once the primer stretched the case was in the shellholder until it move one way or the other.
The Headstamp was KA73, IIRC. Primer crimp (& sealant?) was very effective. I almost tossed them.

Rbernie,
I agree on the lube and the hammer usage was over zealous. I think the OP got it after a certain point. It was starting to go overboard.

Now if someone had posted something like "Yeah, that is why I don't use Lee hammers, get a Dillon Blue Hammer" that might have been funny.

I have found lube to be one of the big factors in effecient sizing.

After loading many thousands of.223 and .308 and .30-.06 with zero stuck cases using Dillon case lube which is greasy and messy, I decided to try Hornady one shot lube. I promptly stuck two .223 cases in two different dies, and one .308 case. I ended up sending the .308 die back to RCBS for removal.

Now I know folks just love Hornady one shot and will be along to tell you how great it is. My advice throw the One-Shet in the trash and get soem other lube imperial sizing wax works best, Lee is good, and Dillon is good but messy.

Most stuck case threads here have one thing in common HORNADY ONE SHOT.

hornady case lube

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A Lee hardly reduces the case by much. Wait till you try small base dies. I use those for almost every caliber I can get them in, but you will 100% stick a case in a small base die if you use one of those crappy spray on lubes.

I have used Imperial and RCBS water soluble for my rifle die sizing. I prefer RCBS because I wash the lube off with hot soapy water.

Make my own lube

I'm the type of guy who has to do everything himself. Why purchase lube? I buy a bottle of Lanolin from a health food store, mix it 1/3 to 2/3's Isopropel alcohol (regular rubbing alcohol), put it in a spray bottle and shake it up well.

Put my brass in a plastic bag, the kind they give you at the checkouts, squirt a couple of sprays in there, shake 'em up and they're good to resize. Once the alcohol evaporates you're left with a very think lanolin coating. Done 1000's upon 1000's of rifle cases and never had an issue.

Much cheaper and lasts forever.

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.

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+1. Would never consider using One Shot on anything other than straight walled rounds in a carbide sizing die. Imperial Sizing Die Wax is THE lube for bottlenecked cartridge brass.

Don

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.

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I have no issue with the dies, and have never used the lube. I do know that a lot of those sprays take time to cure before they are ready to use. If you want to lube seconds before use, then get the RCBS lube pad and a can of Imperial. There's nothing quite like a thin, even coat of Imperial.

for rounds like that when things get tough i have a lube that works thousand times better than RCBS lube or hornady, go make a 50/50 solution of transmission fluid and marvels mystery oil. this is a very thin lube and helps a lot. sometimes that thick lube builds gunk in the case and makes things hard.

I have been reloading .308 with Lee dies for 3 years now and have never hade a stuck case. I use Lyman lube and the pad and it has always worked great. I do experience some type cases being harder to resize than others(can't remember which right now) but I just get a bit more firmer with the arm on those. Once you get that case out of your resizer you may want to try a different brass manufacturer. Just a thought.

I know how it is when things don't go my way. Stuff gets broken sometimes. Less often the older I get (and wiser I hope).

As for case lube I started with RCBS case lube and a pad. Worked great but messy and time consuming to clean up. I started using Imperial Die Wax over 20 years ago. Have not used the RCBS lube and pad since. Way better but still a bit slow. When I do a large volume of cases (mostly when I am doing a batch of .223) I use Dillion's spray lube. Works as good a the RCBS.

Never used the one shot stuff, not likely to with all the issues I have seen posted here about stuck cases. Never stuck a case. Don't want to start now.

KeithET

With my Redding and RCBS dies, you just screw out the rod holding the decapping pin (leaving the die in the press) and then slide a punch down the hole. Lightly tap and the stuck case slides out really easily. No harm to the case or the die. Relube and then give sizing another shot.

Whatever you did has to be operator error. You need to go back and read everything .... including the reloading manuals and the directions for your reloading tools.

I spent 2 weeks reading everything before I even tried to use my gear. Saved much heartache. Everything has gone smoothly and I am a novice reloader. I've only had one stuck case, and managed to get that out without having to call the firedepartment.