Resizing .223 Brass for AR15

[wgaynor]

When resizing my brass today, it felt as if it required too much pressure to lower the arm on the single stage press.

I lubed my brass, had no trouble raising the brass into the sizing die, but took alot of effort to lower the brass out of the sizing die.

I checked the brass afterwards, and it still had lube on it. What am I doing wrong?

I am using a single stage RCBS.

For what it's worth, it was chilly in my workshop (about 50 degrees). Will that have any effect on sizing the brass (fluctuations of metal or viscosity of the lube)?

I appreciate any help you can give.

Wesley

 

[jfdavis58]

Some lube on inside case mouth?

They make a dry lube, but a little over-spray works, as does some lube on a (synthetic) bore brush stroked into the neck.

I've used all three-frankly the one you can make work first will probably be the one that hooks you. Lube pads are messy, sprays are messy, sizing waxes and graphite or powders are messy---messy is good. Most modern lubes are inert wrt propellant-they don't usually contaminate/neutralize or interfere-they just burn away in the firing. Excessive lube on the neck exterior is the one place to be careful. An excess here will dimple the shoulder, sometimes deeply and extending into the body.

 

[rfwobbly]

Lubrication is the key. Lots of different "case lubes" out there, but IME only one works: Imperial Sizing Lube. And you'll want to apply the thinnest coat of lube over the entire case surface. This is best done with a lube pad, such the one by RCBS.

You might also apply 1 drop of motor oil to each pivot point on your press.

Hope this helps!

 

[JDGray]

I grease my fingers, and palms with Imperial Sizing Wax, and roll 5 or 6 cases at a time, in my hands. Kinda like if you were rolling clay into a cigar. A little goes a long way.

A little in the neck, and your good to go

 

[wgaynor]

great tips! Thanks. Lubing on the inside of the case is what I have not been doing. I'll do it ASAP!

 

[250-3000]

Crimped Primers???

 

[longdayjake]

Sometimes lube builds up inside the die. At times it can get sticky.

 

[wgaynor]

Nope, not a primer problem. They decap fine. It's the upward stroke (the brass moving out of the die, that is where it feels almost stuck at times). I use some type of RCBS lube that came with the green pad. I usually just squirt some lube on the pad, rub it around, and roll the cases over it. I also wipe off the shoulders and neck to ensure it's not lubed up (just in case). Everything else is working great thanks to you guys! Before I started loading, i'd just read this forum daily for about a month. You all have given me a wealth of knowledge. Thanks!

 

[giggitygiggity]

Go with Imperial Case Lube or at least some kind of wax-like (non spray lube). I had trouble getting .30-06 to resize. Every piece of brass would get stuck with about 1/4-1/2 and inch to go. I was using One Shot spray lube. Someone suggested Imperial and now the brass slides in and out of the dies like butter. I did not think that different lubes would make a difference, but amazingly, they do.

 

[Walkalong]

Lubing on the inside of the case is what I have not been doing. I'll do it ASAP!

While that will help keep from possibly stretching case necks, it has nothing to do with the brass being hard to pull from the die. You did not lube thoroughly enough, or need to use a better lube.

RCBS Case Lube II or Imperial Sizing Die Wax.

 

[dawico]

Check out your press.

I have a Rock Chucker and noticed it was harder to size cases also. Same thing you describe. My press was getting very dirty, so I totally disassembled it. The arms that tie the handle part to the ram were very rough and dry where the bolt goes through. They looked like they were wearing a lot. I degreased and cleaned every part on it. Then I greased everything and put it back together. I couldn't believe the difference. I guess at the point where the most stress is when sizing cases, near the top of the ram stroke, the arms were grinding together and causing a lot of extra friction.

Now the kicker- my press is only 2 years old. It has loaded a lot of ammo, but apparently these parts are not greased at the factory. Atleast mine weren't. They were totally dry. As I said, the difference was amazing. Maintenance is a wonderful thing.

 

[wgaynor]

Thanks for the tip. I'll try that too. I haven't had a chance to go through all of the trouble shooting due to my work schedule. I plan on getting out there tonight.

Thanks for the replies! I'll send a quick post when I figure out what the problem was.

 

[TX1911fan]

I spray One Shot at an angle and it gets into the case mouth. Works just fine, and is much quicker than hand lubing or using a mat. I can spray 50 at a time.

 

[rcmodel]

If you are using a lube pad and RCBS case lube, just "dab" a case mouth on the pad every 3-4 rounds or so.

That will apply just enough lube inside the neck to do the trick and it will carry over on the expander button for 2-3 more cases until the next "dabbed" one.

Myself?
I use a nylon bore brush and roll it on the lube pad. It will pick up just enough lube on the bristles to Get-R-Done without any excess.

I then clean and lube every case with the bore brush.

rc

 

[bullseye308]

Maybe hit the expander button with a little emery cloth to smooth it out? Yep, I think I would try that too.