Case Stuck In Sizing Die... Ouch!

[jmorris]

The Lee dies are interesting. I had not seen that method,

The Dillon die uses an even better built in stuck case remover.

 

[lordpaxman]

I would really appreciate any hints the collective can share that will help me avoid this in the future.

The Dillon .223 die has a built in method for stuck case removal. Just sayin....
A brand new sizing die, especially if it’s clean should be lubricated as well before the first case goes through it when you use the lighter lanolin mixture. I use imperial wax on a single stage for larger cartridges and even there I notice the first case is harder to size but they get progressively (sic) easier once there’s enough lube on the die. I’m not suggested you over lubricate it, but there is a happy medium. Good luck.

 

[CMB]

Maybe I missed is if already mentioned in all these great responses but, how much pressure did it take to get that case that stuck? Variances in arm pressure can tell ya alot. I know it's your first case and there are no other references from case #1. Things happen fairly easily when done correctly.

Cheers

 

[ducky123]

Even with carbide pistol dies, I use One Shot.

I do not understand the "no lube with carbide dies" advice. I used to get cases stuck in carbide dies until I started touching my case lube every 7 to 10 cases while resizing. Might just be coincidence, but I don't get stuck cases anymore.

 

[garandsrus]

Carbide pistol dies are designed to not need lube. Carbide rifle dies still need lube. I don’t think I have ever stuck a pistol case in the die but have stuck rifle cartridges. Stuck case removers work fine for the occasional oops.

 

[entropy]

I vigorously spray the cases, bases up first, in a pair of old wood Midway loading blocks (which are very coated with One Shot), let them dry, flip them, then spray the necks and into the case mouth. Sometimes the ones in the middle don't get as much lube as the others, and I will touch up the One Shot when that happens. I have had one stuck .223, and one stuck .30-06; The nice thing about RCBS dies (and probably the others, too) is the decapping/expander rod is sacrificial; Take the nut off, turn it down as far as you can, and pound it out with a good hand sledge and a punch just bigger than the rod. Then just put a new decapper/expander in. The steel of the rod is way softer than the steel of the die, and should not harm the threads in the die. (mine didn't anyway.)I learned that one the hard way, figured I'd lose the die and the rod the first one (.30/06) that happened to me. when I inspected the rod, the threads were flattened out, but the threads in the die were fine.
I now keep a spare decapper/expander set up for .223, ready to go.

 

[JFrank]

I recently converted my Dillon XL750 to from 9mm to .223 with the intention of loading some rounds for my new AR15. This would be my first foray into loading for rifle. Unfortunately, in spite of my best efforts to prepare, things went south immediately.

My process...

1 - Decap once fired brass
2 - Wet tumble with stainless media, dish soap, and Lemishine; Let brass dry over the course of several days
3 - Sort by head stamp; Check for crimped primer pockets, and set the cases requiring a swage job aside
4 - Prior to sizing, I applied Lanolin/alcohol case lube to 50 cases, and set them aside (cases and three squirts of lube from a spray bottle into a zip-top plastic bag, shake vigorously to coat)
5 - While the case lube was flashing off, I set up my Forster full length sizing die. This was done per Forster's printed instructions

After all of this, the first case into the die stuck.

As I type this, the die and stuck case are en route to Forster for removal and repair (I may or may not have boogered up the decapping rod while attempting to remove the case... there are no witnesses).

I would really appreciate any hints the collective can share that will help me avoid this in the future.

THANKS!

Without being overly critical, I would suggest spending a bit more time comparing your chamber to the dies capability to size further than needed.

 

[Dale Alan]

Why is that? Is it because someone is using gorilla force on the handle?

Properly lubed 223 slides right in and resizes perfectly on my simple leverage JR3 press. Takes no more pressure or effort than large pistol cases. So if I get one that by the time it's 1/2 way into the die and then gets very tight I just back it out and pitch it in the scrap pile. I see absolutely no reason to have to stand on a handle to get it to size. From my view that is just silliness looking for something bad to happen. But then I get all the 223 brass I would ever want for free so I do not need to save every single piece of brass. Again in my minds view brass is a consumable.

Sometimes it takes a manly approach ,...Like using a small base die to make sure range brass gets sized where some ARs leave it large .

 

[JJFitch]

Thanks! The Forster instructions had the die all the way to the plate... perhaps that was part of the problem. I will back it off 3/4 of a turn when I get the die back.

Follow the instructions for the die you are using. Backing the die out WILL create another problem!

 

[JJFitch]

Having an extra die on hand sounds like very good advice... I ordered a Dillon, and then bought the Forster to use until the Dillon gets here (in time for Christmas, 2025...). My intention was to sell the Forster after the Dillon arrives, but I think I'll hang on to it.

My lanolin is a 10:1 ratio with 99% isopropyl alcohol. I'll thin out a batch and see if that helps. Thanks!

I use 20:1 so you are good to go!

 

[JJFitch]

Sometimes it takes a manly approach ,...Like using a small base die to make sure range brass gets sized where some ARs leave it large .

Small base dies are rarely required! Sometimes it takes more than a "kiss" when adjusting the size die. I've got mine adjusted +1/2 turn to get full length sizing! (Hornady .223 dies!) This took hours of testing and chambering to find the sweet spot.

Smiles,

 

[Saluki91]

Without being overly critical, I would suggest spending a bit more time comparing your chamber to the dies capability to size further than needed.

Thanks... don’t worry about being critical. I’m quite new to loading bottle neck, and have much to learn.

I’m afraid I’m not following what you are saying. Are you suggesting loading a round or two without sizing, merely to see if it fits?

 

[Soonerpesek]

Are you suggesting loading a round or two without sizing, merely to see if it fits?

I don't think he is saying to attempt that, but stating that trying to size too much will aid in sticking the case in the die.
Minimal sizing to fit your chamber is what is required. That COULD mean that you don't need the die to touch the shellholder.

 

[Saluki91]

I don't think he is saying to attempt that, but stating that trying to size too much will aid in sticking the case in the die.
Minimal sizing to fit your chamber is what is required. That COULD mean that you don't need the die to touch the shellholder.

Got it... and thanks. Sometimes it you have to draw me a picture... ;-)

 

[Walkalong]

It doesn't take much to stick a case if there is not enough lube, very easy actually. I stuck one years ago trying to get one more sizing before "wetting" my finger with some more lube. *Sigh* Came close a time or two before that. It can be a PIA to remove stuck cases, so the lesson tends to stay with you.