.223 Case (Really) Stuck in AR15

[RainDodger]

Anthony-white has the right idea. You can also buy stuck-case removers that have all the goodies you need, like the right drill bit and a tap. If you go to the ultimatereloader.com web site, Gavin has a good explanation of getting a stuck case out of a die. That same process may work for you as well.

 

[benzy2]

I think the stuck case remover for reloading dies would work here as well. Worth a shot. In reality you should be able to do the same thing with a screw, washer and socket as the case remover does.

 

[ONLY]

If you can get your hands on one a slide hammer maybe?

 

[IndianaUser]

FINALLY GOT IT OUT!

Took like three weeks. I had to go for the hardened steel rod and went through a few before it finally worked. I had to trim the last rod down to about 1cm longer than the flash suppressor because the rods kept bending from the force.

It looks like the extractor ripped off the steel rim too.

I see a bunch of crud on the outside of the round which I assume is carbon buildup. I had only shot maybe 100 rounds before this happened. I clean my guns thoroughly after every use as well so I'm a bit surprised that 100 rounds was sufficient to cause this case to seal like it did.

I'm not really sure what the takeaway lesson is here. Perhaps my bore is too small? Perhaps the case was too big? Perhaps I shouldn't use steel ammo (but wouldn't a brass round have expanded even more and therefore be more likely to do this?)

Your guys' help is much appreciated. I was just about to tap the case around the primer and try that approach; glad I didn't have to.

 

[Ratdog68]

Glad you finally got it out. Personally... I'd avoid that make of ammo. If my rememberer is working correctly today... the brass will expand and retract... m'be a bit more consistently than steel cases will.

Hopefully you didn't ding up your bore with the flex of the hardened steel rod during the pounding.

 

[Slamfire]

I am not shooting steel case .223 yet, but if I were I would put a couple of drops of motor oil on the cases.

Motor oil will break the friction between the case and the chamber and should help wash out the crud as you shoot.

If you don't like that, go buy more drill rod and have fun banging up your barrel with a hammer. Or buggering up the chamber using a claw hammer to pull on a tap.

 

[Walkalong]

Keeping the chamber clean will help immensely as well. All that crud on the case acted like cement, as well as decreasing chamber size.

 

[migkillertwo]

I've got just under 2,000 rounds left. They won't be going through my gun though....

send it to me!

 

[usmc1371]

you may want to have a smith check the chamber for spec just for fun. Glad to see that you got that case out.

 

[RonE]

Get an m-16 chamber brush and do a very careful job of getting the chamber clean, very clean. AR-15/M-16 chambers are notorious for being a little on the pickey side.