Sizing die gremlins

[coondogger]

I set up a 30-30 sizing/decapping die and it seized the brass. I extracted the now, dimpled brass, tossed it, and then took apart the die to see what's what. It was pretty gummed up with a build-up of old lubricant. Nothing a good cleaning wouldn't solve. So I thought. Even when clean as a whistle, with a light coating of Rem oil, and adjusted exactly as it was, it still was too tight for the casing. What gives?

 

[BBarn]

What are you using for case lube?

 

[Demi-human]

Wax doesn’t migrate as much as oil does, try using that to avoid lubrication dents.

Lube dents are mostly cosmetic and will be ironed out in the subsequent firing. They are not a good thing to have repeatedly happen though, as it can weaken the brass, but one dent doesn’t kill cases.

REM oil is a good lubricant when there is clearance for it to float between the materials. However, in the sizing operation the wiping motion of the case could cause it to push the oil or be wiped off the spots in the die that need the lube.
This can make it collect and cause dents. Wax sticks better under pressure. I don’t think REM oil is a very good high pressure lubricant, but so many products will work, I don’t feel like faulting it outright, though I don’t like it even for firearms lubricant.

Also a plugged vent hole can cause air pressure to build up in the sizing die, though I doubt it made sizing difficult, ensure that this was cleaned out too.

In addition, some brass can be very blown out in some chambers. It may take some good muscle to get it. But stop if it squeaks!

 

[Blue68f100]

Also a plugged vent hole can cause air pressure to build up in the sizing die, though I doubt it made sizing difficult, ensure that this was cleaned out too.

^^^^^ This. Some times the vent hole is under the locking ring so the ring needs to be moved to clean.

Decades ago I had a RCBS die where the vent hole ended up under the lead shot used to lock the locking ring in place. Once I removed the locking ring it was obvious, but it took some effort since the lead got pressed into the vent hole.

 

[Walkalong]

Clean the die, use a good sizing die lube, not Rem Oil.

 

[jmorris]

I extracted the now, dimpled brass,

That is a sign of too much lube or not properly applied (some have to "flash" or dry before proceeding with sizing) or using something thats simply not a good choice for case lube.

 

[garandsrus]

There is no way air “trapped” in a sizing die is going to do anything. There is simply not enough pressure to matter. The sizing die isn’t changing the volume of the brass case by much and then the primer gets knocked out, putting a hole in the case, releasing any pressure that might be there.

 

[AJC1]

30-30 is the case most oversized. I would say your first issue is likely the amount of sizing. If you are using a comparator and bumping I don't end up sizing 30-30 for many firings for my 94 including range pickups. When these cases end up being oversized the vent hole sometimes ends up inside the press preventing proper venting. As said previously the lock ring also blocks the vent sometimes as well. I only use Redding sizing wax so I can't point to the lube issue other than dents is always to much.

 

[coondogger]

What are you using for case lube?

Lee's proprietary case lube. Been using it for years; never had a problem with it. Anyway, it's not the case lube because I cleaned the die of all residue and it's still malfunctioning.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I set up a 30-30 sizing/decapping die and it seized the brass. I extracted the now, dimpled brass, tossed it, and then took apart the die to see what's what. It was pretty gummed up with a build-up of old lubricant. Nothing a good cleaning wouldn't solve. So I thought. Even when clean as a whistle, with a light coating of Rem oil, and adjusted exactly as it was, it still was too tight for the casing. What gives?

Check the spacing and lubrication of the expander. It’s the most often overlooked part of the rifle/necked case sizing operation. If the expander is not set deep enough, it will grab the neck where it meets the die and act like a wedge. If it’s set too deep, and isn’t lubricated enough, it will grab the shoulder and deform it.

 

[coondogger]

For what it's worth, the brass is once fired. And when I say hard to size, I mean you couldn't budge it with a D-8 caterpillar. Now I reload a metric crap ton of 45-70, a fairly large hunk of brass and it sizes as easily as a 38 special. Also, the die is now clean. It's been cleaned with both a degreaser and Rem oil, and wiped. The vent is clear. There is almost certainly something wrong here that I'm still missing.

 

[Soonerpesek]

Follow @GeoDudeFlorida advice.......
Also, remove the expander ball and see what happens.......

 

[MEHavey]

OOC:
Is this the first use of that sizer ?
And if so, what brand ?

 

[coondogger]

OOC:
Is this the first use of that sizer ?
And if so, what brand ?

No, I've run countless cases -- all without problems -- through the sizer.

 

[coondogger]

Follow @GeoDudeFlorida advice.......
Also, remove the expander ball and see what happens.......

It's a Lee die; there's no expander ball, per se.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

It's a Lee die; there's no expander ball, per se.

This is the standard decapping pin. Lee calls it the EZ Expander.

Lee Precision, Inc.. Ez X Exp 30/30

Part SE2163 for product RGB DIE 30/30 (Code=90878)

leeprecision.com

Post a picture of your sizing die along with a separate picture of the decapping pin and it might help. The more info we have to go on, the better the odds someone here can help.

 

[243winxb]

Apply RCBS 2 lube fron a pad. Lube the inside of neck with a RCBS nylon brush.

A clean die needs a bit extra lube on first case.

The expander can be hard to pull out of the neck. Donuts.

My 1st & only/never again, Lee 223 die could not deprime crimped primers. Kept slipping.

RCBS fl die, no problems.

 

[N555]

If you don have any proper case lube motor oil or cooking spray will work.
You need thicc oil to keep that case from sticking to the die.