Problem Sizing 223 Brass

[2 Horse]

Never had this happen before, was sizing a bunch of range pick up 223 brass. Most sized as you would expect but I ran into some that would require a lot of force to get them into the die and would result in a stuck case. It's not a lube problem, used Imperial, Lee, Lanolin mix and One Shot, All did the same thing. When I came upon more of them I just stopped and set them aside.
How I'm thinking maybe they were fired in a AK type rifle and resulted in a bulged case.
Any one else ever have this problem ? Cause and fix ?

 

[243winxb]

RCBS claims wax lube is a problem.

RCBS lube on a pad and/or screw the die down more. Then small base die.

 

[Reloadron]

Never had this happen before, was sizing a bunch of range pick up 223 brass.

The problem with range pickup brass is you really don't know what it was fired in or how many times it may have been fired. Maybe the stuff was fired in an oversize chamber. If you really are curious use your calipers or a micrometer and take a few measurements on the stuff at a few key locations. Compare them to a SAAMI Specification Sheet. That will at least give you some idea of what you have and what some of the case dimensions are before you try and resize them.

Ron

 

[steve4102]

I am going to have to disagree with your assessment that it is not a lube problem. Regardless of the condition/size of the case it should be able to be sized without getting stuck if lubed properly.

When switching lubes, did you clean the Die and remove the previous lube?

Here is and example of an oversized case and an undersized die. They were lubed with a clean die and an RCBS pad. Although these were indeed hard to size, they did NOT get stuck.

 

[Led66]

I agree it's a lube problem. More is not better. I've switched from the lube pad and went with a spray lube I haven't had a stuck case since.
Dave

 

[UziLand]

I also went to spray lube and went 1 step further and bought the RCBS "AR" series dies.
They cost a little more but make sizing soooo much easier. I finally found some reasonably priced once fired brass at I think is was everglades ammo in florida. Almost all the brass was LC and NO berdan primed cases!

UL

 

[carbine85]

I've had problems with machine gun fired brass but I have to agree with the others, it sounds like a lube problem.
Is the brass cleaned prior to resizing?
Have you separated by the head stamps?
Another thing that helps after you clean the die is to spray some lube up into the die, allow it to dry and spray again as needed.

 

[Trailduster79]

I have only had this problem when trying to size steel cases. Never had the problem with brass cases.

 

[rcmodel]

Check them with a magnet and make sure they are brass, not steel.

rc

 

[Otto]

Suggest you polish the inside of your sizer....Redding provides instructions.

 

[ironworkerwill]

Today, 08:35 AM #2
243winxb

RCBS claims wax lube is a problem.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RCBS lube on a pad and/or screw the die down more. Then small base die.
__________________
http://www.photobucket.com/firearmsreloading

With the rash of sizing issues with range picks lately, this may be sticky worthy.^^^^^^^^^

 

[Jesse Heywood]

One thing 2 horse hasn't stated is how and where he applied the lube. It needs to be thin to avoid bubbles on the shoulder and applied down to the web to avoid stuck cases. Here are some good instructions.
http://www.redding-reloading.com/tech-line-a-tips-faqs/169-lubricating-cases

 

[2 Horse]

So everyone knows the brass was wet tumbled. The Imperial was applied using a pad, all others were in a zip lock bag, Sprayed then rolled around in the bag, twice. Dies are Lee and have been flawless for several thousand rounds

Case will go in until the last 1/4". They are .378 at the case head, should work.
Just for fun I ran them thru a .380 bulge buster, took them down to .374, now they work fine. Go figure, would still like to know if anyone else has ran into brass like this.

Had about 75 out of about 450 cases. As I said I think it was a AK that shot them.

 

[steve4102]

Clean the inside of your die and try again.

 

[KingM]

I have noticed that brass that I have wet tumbled is a bit sticky. I get the grit off but stopped tumbling before sizing.