Lee sizing die problems?

[TBL65]

Hello all,
Been absent for a while between work and family, and loading pistol rounds.

I sat down the other day to tinker on making a DIY modified 223 case. Well that didn’t go as planned.

so I lubed up a 223 case with Horandy one shot both outsized and in the neck. Let it dry, set up my Lee sizing die and ran it in. Went in a little harder than I remember, and well wouldn’t come out. Stripped the sides case head from the shell holder. So I go to disassemble the die and take the decapping/expander rod out and it wouldn’t come through the case mouth.

Ended up having to ruin the entire decapping rod so that I could drill and tap the case head to use the RCBS stuck case remover which was a PITA as well (tap snapped off two thread cuts in) had to dremel it out. Lucky i got it out and has enough case material left and got a new tap from menards. (Still waiting on a reply from RCBS on why they include a crap tap in their kits...)

so the case is out and now I’ll have to replace the decapping rod on my Lee die, or just but a different brand. Wondering if anyone else has been having issues with the expander not coming through/getting stuck?

 

[beeenbag]

Lots of stories of stuck cases using hornady oneshot. I recommend using imperial sizing wax and not looking back.

It's 10-1 odds of the problem being the case lube as opposed to a defective die.

 

[ATLDave]

I, too, have stuck cases in dies (of various makers) using the spray lube. Switched to a manually-applied paste/gel lube and haven't come close to sticking one since.

The spray stuff is like Sex Panther cologne... 60% of the time it works every time.

 

[Rod47]

Hornady Spray Lube....works great on straight walled pistol cases before sizing in carbide dies. Saves the old shoulder.

 

[badkarmamib]

If your neck is still in the sizing part of the die, the expander does not have enough room to come through. Remove the collet, and tap on your expander/decapper to push the brass out of the die.

 

[PapaG]

Still using the stuff I bought years ago. Thick oily stuff in a small bottle, put it on a stamp pad, roll the case, size the case, clean the case. Never stuck one. Think its Hornady.....A little goes a long way. Oh, yeah. Clean and lube the inside of the case neck....more stuck there than on the outside.

 

[Reeferman]

I use One Shot on pistol brass going through progressive press. Hornady Unique is a very good lube for rifle brass. My BIL who has been using Imperial for 50 years tried some and is using it now.

 

[FROGO207]

Yeah you can just loosen the collet nut on top of the sizing die and using a brass punch drive the brass casing out of the die. Then snip the neck with metal shears down to the shoulder and remove the decapping assembly. You can buy another decapping rod for 223 from Lee. I would also clean the die body as well. I use a homemade lanolin and alchohol case lube. The One Shot seems to give lots of trouble IMO. Search here for case lube and be prepared to read some.
Did you shake the lube? It will settle in the can fast.

 

[ThomasT]

I switched over from Lee Case Lube to Kiwi Mink Oil leather sealer and the stuff works great. One time I ran out of the Lee case lube and used suntan lotion. It also worked fine. But I don't remember the SPF number before some wise guy ask me.

I put a little of the Mink Oil one my fingers and twirl the case in it before I size. I also use the tip of my finger to wipe a little on the edge of the case mouth to lube the expander button.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Many loaders have no problem with One Shot yet almost every stuck case story starts with One Shot.

Imperial Sizing Wax works extremely well, you use very little so it lasts a long time and it doesn't cost much. A 2oz tin is just under $10. There is a 1oz tin which costs almost as much so be sure what you buy.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012768051

 

[frankmako]

i still just the old school lube pad when i size rifle cases. just works. what is even better is the nylon inside neck cleaner bush with old school lube on it. push the brush inside the case to lube the inside of the neck. throw in can with others. the lube will travel to the out side of the case and i don't have to roll the brass on the lube pad.

 

[TBL65]

Appreciate the reply’s everyone! I’ve use the hornady one shot mostly for pistol cases to make them slide a little easier in the carbide sizing die. Only used it a couple times for 223, probably about 25 cases and had no problems before the other day. I’ve got the rcbs lube and pad but have only used it once. Was hoping the one shot would allow me to get them all lubed at once. Oh well I’ll keep it for the pistol stuff

looks like I’ll need to order a new lee decapping rod and either some unique or imperial case lube

 

[rdnktrkr]

I also use the alcohol/lanolin mix on rifle cases, spray 3 pumps in a gallon bag and roll around, I also have a brush to apply some if I notice it getting harder, be sure to allow time for the lube to dry before sizing. I like to decap, clean, size, and clean again all my rifle rounds, sometimes I also anneal the necks. I have had stuck cases but none since I started using alcohol/lanolin. Also I like to polish the expander when new with polish compound.

 

[edwardware]

. . . and take the decapping/expander rod out and it wouldn’t come through the case mouth.

Didn't read the directions eh?

The shining innovation of Lee's FL dies is that you use the solid decapping rod to drive the stuck case out. Loosen the lock nut, use a punch, out she comes.

 

[desmobob]

I've heard some horror stories regarding Hornady One-shot case lube. I've always used the Frankford Arsenal brand aerosol case lube and although I hate to tempt fate and mention it, I've never stuck a case in a die with it.