Have you ever had a stuck case like this?

[CLP]

I've heard that using a water based tumbler will cause tight expansion. The carbon residue inside the case mouth acts as a lubricant of sorts, and the water based tumblers removes it all.

Did you switch cleaning methods recently?

Then you'd expect to see that with virgin brass...

Edit: Hmm, I see the guy above mentioned having a similar problem with Starline. I know what he's talking about, but this is a different beast altogether. I solved that Starline problem and 'light sticking' on the Dillon expander by ensuring a little bit of FA spray case lube got in the case mouths. Didn't need the lube in all of them either. But I think other posters are spot on about the case being on top of the shell holder.

 

[MEHavey]

Brass expansion 10.4E-6 in/in°F
Steel expansion 5.5E-6 in/in°F (half that of brass)

Put the expander head in a vise, put visegrips lightly on case head, ...and pull while playing a torch lightly all around the stuck case wall to heat it.

 

[Mike 27]

I think the torch would be your best bet. The brass is going to melt quickly and fall off.

 

[Walkalong]

No it won't. Use rcmodels advice. It will come off easily. Heating it lightly while pulling can work if you get it off before the steel heats up.

 

[jmorris]

If it happened because you put it on top of a shell holder on a single stage, how about putting it all back together, align it with the shell holder and snap it into place (they rotate 360 degrees), and bring the ram down. Then carry on like it never happened.

Simple and you don't have to beat or heat anything.

 

[Grassman]

Well, took the expander to the shop and put the brass head in a vice, took a little doing but it came out. Definitly had the brass on top of the shell holder. No way it would have been set that deep otherwise. What a weird circumstance. You would think the brass would fall off shell holder, but it was set there perfect and slid right in the die. Just one of those things......

 

[dalv]

Is that a "clingon"?
Maybe call Capt. Kirk

 

[mtrmn]

If it happened because you put it on top of a shell holder on a single stage, how about putting it all back together, align it with the shell holder and snap it into place (they rotate 360 degrees), and bring the ram down. Then carry on like it never happened.

Simple and you don't have to beat or heat anything.

Here's your winner, although I know you've already got it off by other means.