Sticking Cases

[Tensaw]

I wet tumble and used to have a problem with cases sticking on the expander. I was using Dawn and Lemshine. I was thinking about using a lubricant then learned about using Armorall Wash and Wax. I started substituting the Dawn with Armorall and the sticking problem went away. . .until yesterday. It seems the cases from the last two batches that I tumbled want to stick to the expander. I wish I could say that I precisely measure the Armorall and Lemishine but I don't. Could I not have used enough Armorall? The cases feel slick like they normally do. I had some cases from an older batch and they didn't stick. I'm going to re-tumble the problem cases and try them again. Anyone else ever have this problem?

 

[lightman]

I don't precisely measure my wet tumbling recipe either. I use the cap thats on the Armor All jug for a measure and a 9mm case for the LemiShine and that seems to work well. This is for an 8# drum. I have polished the expander ball on a few die sets using 1200 grit emory cloth. Theres not too much worry about reducing the diameter with that fine of emory cloth but a polishing is all that you want to do. You can also lube the inside of the case neck. Any lube will do. Anything from a Q-tip with conventional case lube to a dry lube like graphite. I splurged and bought carbide expander balls for the bottleneck cases that I load the most. Expensive yes, but well worth it to me.

 

[Rule3]

delete

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

 

[Blue68f100]

Check your expander for brass. More than likely it has brass embedded/stuck on it. You can use gun solvent to see if it comes off easily but most cases it want. You will need to use steel wool (0000) and oil or sand paper. Best if you can spin the expander in a drill, makes it easier to polish out. The higher the polish the less likely brass will stick, but it will if some kind of lube is not used.

 

[243winxb]

Starline has info on reshaping expanders under FAQ.

 

[jeeptim]

Just a thought...
The crimp or bullet last fired may be different causing sticking.

 

[rfwobbly]

Hard to imagine, but your wet tumbling is getting the brass too clean. As I see it...

• You can change your tumbling formulation... which you are already trying.
• You can use a spray-on case lubricant in such a way that a small amount gets inside some of the case mouths. This lasts for about 10 cases, so it doesn't need to be thick or on every case.
• If your Expander is exposed, like on a Dillon, you can reach up and manually apply a tiny amount of Sizing Lube every 10 or so cases.

Any of these will effectively cure your issue.

 

[Tensaw]

I wet tumble and used to have a problem with cases sticking on the expander. I was using Dawn and Lemshine. I was thinking about using a lubricant then learned about using Armorall Wash and Wax. I started substituting the Dawn with Armorall and the sticking problem went away. . .until yesterday. It seems the cases from the last two batches that I tumbled want to stick to the expander. I wish I could say that I precisely measure the Armorall and Lemishine but I don't. Could I not have used enough Armorall? The cases feel slick like they normally do. I had some cases from an older batch and they didn't stick. I'm going to re-tumble the problem cases and try them again. Anyone else ever have this problem?

So I ran the problem brass back through my FA wet tumbler for about 1.5 hours. I used about a quarter cup of Armorall and a teaspoon of lemishine. I spread them on a towel under a fan until they were dry. Late this afternoon, I loaded 100 of them on my Dillon 550 and the difference was incredible! Absolutely no sticking on the powder funnel. In fact the whole press ran smooth as butter. Lesson learned - I don't need to get cheap with the Armorall.