resizing military brass - idea to make it easier

[bdkolb3]

I resized military brass for the first time and was surprised at how difficult it is. After getting on here, I see that's common. I was thinking of placing my brass in a hot box (a low heat box for welding rods) before I resize it. Has anyone ever tried anything like this or have any info or feedback?

 

[jaguarxk120]

The hot box won't do any thing except dry the brass out.

What you need is a very good sizing lube that has a high film strength. One like Imperial, or a wax based lube.

Right now I'm using a lube mad from a wax bowl ring from the plumbing dept at Home Depot/Lowes mixed with some Mobil 1 oil to soften the wax.

 

[LiveLife]

I resize once-fired LC .308 using C-H single stage or Lee Classic Turret. My C-H press is even mounted on a portable 2'x3' castered bench!

No issues.

Perhaps you want to try different lube? Many are happy with Imperial Case Sizing Wax but I use various lanolin based creams that's easy to clean up (I wipe off with paper towel). BTW, the creams keep my hands nice and soft.

 

[moxie]

I reload once fired Lake City 5.56 brass all the time. Lube with One Shot. RCBS standard dies. No problems. Not difficult at all.

 

[rcmodel]

It normally ain't that hard to do.

What caliber?
What kind of press?
What brand of dies?
What brand of case lube?

You got something there that isn't working right, and fresh from the oven brass isn't going to fix it.

rc

 

[50 Shooter]

Because no one said it yet, the primers are also crimped in and the ring type that they use now is worse then the old stakes. Try resizing 50 BMG, not fun, imperial and or Hornady's Unique lube make it easier but some times a Cheater bar comes in handy.

 

[helotaxi]

The ring crimp isn't that difficult at all to push a primer past. The only primers I've had problems with are the crimped and sealed primers in PMC ammo.

 

[FROGO207]

It really should not be that hard to do. I resize 30-06, 7MM MAG, and 300 WSM with about the same effort I do with 30-30 or 357 MAG. A good lube correctly applied and it should not be a big chore IMHO. For rifle rounds do not forget to lube the insides of the case mouths (I use powdered motor mica) for trouble free case removal from the die.

 

[longdayjake]

Its only hard compared to pistol stuff.

 

[Chawbaccer]

If it was machine gun brass, I can understand that it may be a little more difficult.

 

[ranger335v]

I've FL sized quite a bit of military stuff in several calibers and have found no signficant difference in any of it. ??

 

[saitek]

military brass

should be no problem at all .just wo0rked on a batch of lc 08 7.65X51 nato .tumble clean resized with rcbs x-dies ,used imperial sizing wax just a little on the two finger's ,swipe a little bit over the case neck to put a little bit inside the neck .trim the case's if nessary , i used a rcbs bench mount primer pocket swager cleaned the case's with laqure thinner to get all the trash and lube off ,prime with cci large rifle primer's ,powder and push bullet's and fire !

 

[MrCountyCop]

+1 Imperial Wax

 

[W.E.G.]

You are using the wrong (or not enough) lubricant if you are having so much difficulty resizing brass that you think you need to run it through a "hot-box" before resizing.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

Is the OP using Hornady One Shot case lube? If so stop it immediately. I used it and thought it worked okay, until it was suggested that I try Hornady's Unique lube instead. I will never go back to One Shot again. RCBS Case Slock isn't bad either but Unique is much more convenient to use.

 

[Elkins45]

Machine gun 308 takes a little more (but not a lot) of force the first time, but you only have to do that once. After you fire it in a normal sporting chamber it shouldnt be much more difficult.

 

[moxie]

I'll have to try Unique.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

moxie, I highly suggest you do try Unique. A little $8 tub of it lasts so much longer than a can of One Shot. You just get a little on your finger tips, roll the case in your fingers while placing in the shell holder/plate, and pull the handle. It really doesn't take a whole lot. You'll just have to experiment with it until you get a feel for it. It may work slightly better for you if you put a small dab on the expander every now and then, but doing so also builds up some crud in the die. I usually take a q tip and clean the die out every 100-200 rounds of .223 and then lightly lube the expander.

 

[moxie]

I'll try it but I've got 3 cans of Oneshot on the shelf and they are each good for over 3k rounds of .223 brass. My problem is I don't have a problem. Oneshot works perfectly for me.

 

[fehhkk]

I resize .223 using a Lee Single stage, swage the crimps with a Dillon Super Swage, and trim to length using a Hornady Cam Lock trimmer. It's actually fun to do it.

 

[blarby]

Dunno- never found military any harder to resize than commercial.

I have great hand and forearm strength though, and have no objection to liberally applying case lube.

 

[Slamfire]

Imperial sizing wax or RCBS water soluble case lubes. They are the best to date.

I have small base sized 308 military cases that were so difficult to size that I slipped a cheater bar over the press handle.

You have to use a good lube when doing this or you will have a stuck case.

 

[ranger335v]

I've tried a lot of commercial and some substitute case lubes; many work very well but I like Imperial and LOVE Unique. I can't imagine needing a cheater bar on a press to size anything!