HELP! .45 cases stuck in Lee resizing die

[sqroot3]

I just got my lee pro 1000 and set it up according to lee's instructional videos and the ever-popular lee pro 1000 setup thread. i was having fun running the press without powder or primers to create some snap caps, which worked fine for about 20 rounds. i was in the middle of decapping/resizing a case with the lever already all the way down when i started pulling up on the lever, only to realize that the entire shell plate/carrier apparatus had come loose from the lever assembly--because my case, held tightly by the carrier, was now stuck inside my resizing die! (what!? this isn't supposed to happen with carbide dies!!)

i laboriously unscrewed the decapping/resizing die from the turret, which liberated the case and allowed the case and the shell plate/carrier to fall. i then reinstalled the decapping/resizing die into the turret (screw all the way down to the carrier, then screw in an additional 1/4 turn, then tighten locknut), and then ran the press with another case. it got stuck AGAIN!!!!! :banghead:

here are my questions.
1) is this happening all because i screwed in my decapping/resizing die too far? i did attempt to adhere to the "screw all the way to the carrier, then another 1/4 turn before tightening locknut" guidelines.
2) the papers that came with my lee pro 1000 tell me my dies are carbide, so no lubrication should be necessary--but should i lubricate anyway?
3) if neither of the above is causing the stuck cases, then what is??

 

[LiveLife]

It's not that your 45 case got stuck in the Lee sizing die, but your shell plate carrier hex bolt is not tight enough.

Just carefully push the ram back up to the shell plate carrier and tighten the hex bolt located on the right side using an allen wrench.

 

[jim147]

Did you clean your dies before you started?

You could have a small piece of die thread ect. in the die body.

A small amount of lube that doesn't have to be cleaned off before loading will make that lever easier to pull.

IIRC the carbide die does not get the extra 1/4 turn, only tightened to the shellplate.

jim

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, no extra 1/4 turn for a carbide sizer. In fact, it should be off the shell holder/plate a hair.

 

[sqroot3]

thank you all for the responses! bds, the hex bolt was indeed slightly loose, and tightening it solved my problem!!!

i didn't clean my dies before installation...i have read many threads online about cleaning them between reloading sessions, particularly when using lubed lead bullets, so i will certainly do so after i load some rounds.

oops...i will readjust my carbide sizing die per your instructions. lee's website is confusing, because the "Carbide Sizing die adjustment" video under "Die adjustment on single station presses" SPECIFICALLY states to screw in the carbide resizing die an additional 1/4 turn before tightening the locknut. is that because it's a single-stage press? anyway, i believe you guys and will adjust my press accordingly.

thanks again!

 

[Dcav]

It's not that your 45 case got stuck in the Lee sizing die, but your shell plate carrier hex bolt is not tight enough.

Just carefully push the ram back up to the shell plate carrier and tighten the hex bolt located on the right side using an allen wrench.

BDS you were exactly right for my Pro 1000 I was racking my brain all day one adjusting the resizing die, only to find out the hex bolt was loose lol

 

[greyling22]

Glad you got your press squared away and that it was as easy as tightening the hex bolt.

Can't say I've ever cleaned a die, and I've used thousands and thousands of tumble lube lead bullets. In fact, I've never run a jacketed bullet through them. not advocating that lazy position, just saying you shouldn't be having problems just because you didn't clean a die. I set mine according to the lee instructions.

 

[ranger335v]

Tbe carbide sizing ring should never be allowed to touch the shell holder. It's certainly not necessary to size straight wall stuff that far down and the carbide itself is brittle enough to break if it's subjected to ram pressure.

 

[noylj]

Regarding the sizing die adjustment: I was surprised to see Lee show the adjustment as "touch the shell holder and then turn in 1/4 turn," particularly for a progressive press. However, one should always do what the manufacturer tells you to do as you can blame them for any problems you run into...
On a progressive, you do not want to stress your shellplate that much. The shellplate is already doing multiple jobs at once and doesn't need the additional strain. Plus, it can cock the shellplate, if even slightly loose, and ruin alignment for other dies.
If you ever need to size any further down, get the Lee Bulge Buster kit, a Factory Crimp Die, and their $27.00 press

 

[1SOW]

2) the papers that came with my lee pro 1000 tell me my dies are carbide, so no lubrication should be necessary--but should i lubricate anyway?

FWIW I use the Lee Turret press but my son uses the 1000. I know "carbide" doesn't 'need' to be lubed, but both our presses run smoother with less ram pressure when we: 1. add NuFinish to the tumbling media OR 2. Use diluted-in-alcohol Lee case lube on "untumbled" range brass. Carbide means the die will take punishment without damage, NOT that it won't stick or require more force on dry rough cases.

 

[GLOOB]

The manual that came with my Lee single stage press says you do the extra 1/4 with steel dies, but not with carbide. And my first batch of .45 sized very easily with no lube. Easier than some of the 9mm cases I did WITH lube (Federal Champion cases, grrr).

If you're cleaning your brass and if your bench and arm can handle the pressure, I don't see why you should bother lubing. It might extend the life of your dies, but I couldn't find any info on the life expectancy of a sizing die. So my guess is that it'll still load a whole bunch of ammo before needing to be replaced. And what does that cost? If it's a Lee die, it's less than 20 bucks!

Here's my noob reloading screw up: I tried to use the Autoprimer shell holders with the press. Yeah, I'm dumb. There is no attachment on them. But they looked just like the picture. So out of frustration I went ahead and resized a .357 case (with no lube) just to verify how wrong I already knew I was. So I had a stuck case and no way to get it out!

 

[LiveLife]

Glad to help out fellow reloaders!

I love happy endings.