Case with live primer stuck in expander die

[coondogger]

This is a toughie. Got a case with a live primer that’s stuck in a Lee powder through expander die. Any ideas to get it out safely?

 

[Stew0576]

I had that happen using a rock chucker, I pushed handle all the way up then used my other hand like a hammer, after I got it out took die apart and cleaned and lubed it, now when it gets a little sticky I put a little lube on a case mouth and that has kept it working for me

 

[9mmepiphany]

Couldn't you dismount the powder measure, insert a rod through the expander insert, and hammer out the case?

 

[Ireload2]

You might be able to rotate the shell holder to get another bite on it if you have pulled the rim off. If the rim is still intact just use both hands on the press handle. If that does not work take the die apart. Lock the die body in a vise and try to twist the head with Vise grips.

If that does not work set up the die outside. Mount a soldering iron to the die with wire, duct tape or modeling clay. Run extension cord to a safe place. Plug in soldering iron and remain in a safe location until the primer pops.

 

[cheygriz]

Squirt a little WD 40 down inside the die and leave it overnight

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

You said expander die I think. I use graphite on a Q tip to lube the inside of the case, then tap it on the container to remove the excess before running it through the die. Never had a problem unless I forget to lube.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[243winxb]

I like post 3

 

[coondogger]

Squirt a little WD 40 down inside the die and leave it overnight.

Has this worked for you?

 

[coondogger]

Couldn't you dismount the powder measure, insert a rod through the expander insert, and hammer out the case?

I’m afraid of that live primer in the case.

 

[Random 8]

WD40 isn't a very effective primer killer. Gasoline, penetrating oil such as liquid wrench, or charcoal starter will work better. I don't see the primer as a huge threat anyhow, but penetrating oil such as liquid wrench will help with the stuck case also. Bridge the die ring over an open vise, and drive it out with a flat rod or cut-off screwdriver filed flat. You could use a long nail, you may have to do some file work to put a decapping pin shaped end on it, or similar to decap the case also. Steady pressure with your palm should suffice to remove the primer.

 

[Stew0576]

Brute Force, worked for me, doing it with the press handle nothing can hit the primer

 

[243winxb]

I’m afraid of that live primer in the case.

Primers have went off when i used a Lee Classic (hammer) loader, when seating primers. A rod and hammer is used to seat them.

Put rod in. Put rag around rod. Wear gloves and eye protection.

Do not use a snug fitting rod. If primer fires, the pressure has to get by the rod.

 

[FROGO207]

Yeah use a rod or round chisel that has some air space to let it vent as 243winxb says. As long as you are not poking something down the flash hole the primer should not go off. Wear eye and ear PRO just in case.

 

[coondogger]

Combination of Stew and Cheygriz worked. (Was going the dowel route next) Got it out. Whew. Thanks to all here.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I’m afraid of that live primer in the case.

Why? Primers are made to ignite when struck hard from the bottom, not from inside the cup. Even if it did go off which is highly unlikely, so what.

How did a case get stuck inside a Lee powder-through die?

Edit:
Made this post from quoting yours above so I didn't see you got it done.

 

[Stew0576]

When mine got stuck I ignored the fact it was getting harder to bell my 10mm cases and one got stuck, won't ignore things like that again

 

[coondogger]

When mine got stuck I ignored the fact it was getting harder to bell my 10mm cases and one got stuck, won't ignore things like that again

What was going on? Was the expander set too far in? Case not lubed?

 

[FROGO207]

The expander portion was made rough by design so it would shake any loose propellant down into the casing when removing it. I use mine on a single stage press and do not charge my cases that way so I used some fine sand paper and smoothed up the punch portion a small amount. Do not remove enough to make the punch diameter smaller though. You could have some brass built up on the punch portion so should check it and if so remove it. In the future putting a bit of lube of some sort on/in the case mouth every so often will help prevent it as mentioned above. Dipping the neck in motor mica powder works well for this.

 

[Stew0576]

Frogo explained it better than I could have

 

[Varminterror]

Primers aren’t nearly as sensitive as folks lead on. If you can disassemble the die, tap the case out just like any other stuck case, or use a stuck case extraction tool set.

 

[coondogger]

I should have readjusted the expander. Instead I went ahead and flared about ten primed cases. Predictably, when I seated the first bullet, it got shoved all the way into the case. Now I've got more unpleasantness. I've got to resize the mouths, back off the expander, and re-bell all of them.

 

[Stew0576]

Sounds like the bullet seating die is out of adjustment

 

[9mmepiphany]

Sounds like the bullet seating die is out of adjustment

Usually when a bullet falls into a case, it is a sizing (neck tension) issue

 

[tightgroup tiger]

Squirt a little WD 40 down inside the die and leave it overnight[/QUOT

Has this worked for you?

WD-40 in most cases will kill a primer if left to soak long enough. I wouldn't bet my eyes on it though. I soak bad primers in it before I throw them away but it doesn't work 100% of the time.

 

[Mal H]

Primers have went off when i used a Lee Classic (hammer) loader

I've probably had 20 or more primers go off in a Lee loader back in the day. The first one is a shocker, but soon you just ignore it, and start over. Primers that go off in an unconfined space aren't all that dangerous, but they are loud. As 243win also said, wear ear and eye protection no matter which method you use to work on it. If you have one, a full face shield is recommended.

[Edit]
Should have read your post #14 before replying.

Still the eye/ear protection hints from several is a good reminder to all who read this in the future.