New to reloading.. Obviously

Cases were lubed with what??

Whatever it was, or how you used it is the problem.

rc

What kind of lube? How much?

That would be the dreaded "Stuck Case" caused by not enough lube or lube in the wrong places. I've never experienced it so hopefully someone will be along with various ways to 'save the day'. I have heard to disassemble the die and knock out the brass with a punch or brass rod after spraying with penetrating oil or wd-40 (if its all you have). If it can't be disassembled you may need to find and buy a "stuck case remover tool".

Best of luck.

I'd lay off the spinach. And lube the case necks a bit more. You might want to "pre-charge" the expander button before the first stoke also. Good luck.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/504741/rcbs-stuck-case-remover


Worth the money...Even if you never have to use it.

4895 said:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/504741/rcbs-stuck-case-remover


Worth the money...Even if you never have to use it.

Click to expand...

Hrm... but... that particular remover won't work with the case head ripped clean off.

bcb2 said:

RCBS case lube 2. Rolled across the pad where I put lube and below to remove excess. It was slick, but not excessive.

Click to expand...

Never tried that myself. I tried a few liquid/spray type lubes early on, didn't like them. Once I tried Imperial Wax, I never used anything else.

Man, I really hate the situation you find yourself in. But if you ever find a solution I hope you post about what you found.

There are several solutions posted around here somewhere for removing stuck cases(search the term). Worst case scenario is you'll have to send it off to Redding and let them do it.

A tiny amount in the neck is right, I'm guessing that wasn't the issue.

Sorry bcb2, but unfortunately you didn't lube correctly.

What I do is put the cases in a gallon-sized zip lock & pump 5 or 6 squirts of alcohol/lanolin mixture.
I then rub the cases & bag all over.
You're supposed to allow it to dry before sizing, but I'm too impatient.
I have never had a stuck case using this method.
(I did have a couple & used the stuck case remover linked in post 6 a long time ago)

Good Luck with figuring out what went wrong.

If you were actually lubing the cases enough the die may be defective. When you say the first two cases came out hard and the third stuck was this the first three when you used the die from new in box? Or was it for this session. If it was a new die the thing should have been taken apart and cleaned before first use. Then I take a SMALL amount of lube on a Q-tip and spread it around inside the die in the body area only before reassembly. I do this every time I clean (They need to be cleaned occasionally) my dies also. You can use a stuck case removal tool and lube/ put the die in the freezer to make the job easier. This time I would send the die back to the factory if it is indeed new. I generally find that 308 is easier to size than 223/5.56 so I think with your success in lubing 223 would remove that option. I think if the die is defective the inside would be galled at this point and just removing the stuck casing would not solve the problem. Yes you can use fine emery paper on a split dowel to removing galling but if the die is bad why? This is why I say send it to factory for inspection.

I do not see where the sizing button is in those pictures. If it is too high this can pinch the brass and stick it in the die. Just another thought.

Getting the right amount of lube is more art than science. Most reloaders will eventually stick a case, and that's why we pretty much all purchase or make a stuck case remover. I've never had to use mine, but someday I will.

Did you also lube the neck? I have never stuck a case in my many years of reloading and have always lubed the inside and outside of the neck and the outside of the body. It doesn't take but a very light film of lube on these areas to ensure no stuck cases, but to fail to properly lube will most certainly create a "sticky" situation.

GS

matworz said:

Hrm... but... that particular remover won't work with the case head ripped clean off.

Click to expand...

Doesn't look like the head is ripped clean off the OP's case, just the rim. If so, the RCBS tool that matworz suggested should work. Redding sells the same thing. Forster sells a tool set that works from the top instead of the bottom. No drilling and tapping required.

Here are a couple of helpful youtube videos for both types of tools. Hope it helps.

RCBS - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA39EI9ufOw
Forster - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J73to_462xI

Sucks bro, I've been there i used vicegrips and my raw animal strength to get it off. the tool works too. also i use one shot with good success!!!

stuck

the best sizing lube i have used is imperial sizing wax !just a dad rolled on the finger's ,roll the case between ,just a swipe of a little film on the case mouth from your finger and good to go .

Yep. Did I ever say I got exactly one case stuck? its been so long ago I don't know if I had the/a rig before the deed/need,