Stuck case in sizing die?

[Kingcreek]

I haven't had this happen in several years but now...
223 brass in full-length sizing die (Dillon. Carbide) with expander button stuck in neck and de-cap pin inside case of course. I can't seem to move the expander button down into the case and the end of the de-cap pin is flush with the flash hole so I can't drill and tap without damage to the pin. I used the tap and bolt trick years ago and I think I remember using a 1/4 bolt and spacers to draw it out.
How do I get this unstuck without damage?
Thanks

 

[rcmodel]

Well, if the expander button is stuck in the neck, that almost certainly means the depriming pin came out of it and is only stuck in the flash hole.

Take a small 1/16" punch and knock it back inside the case.

Then drill with a #7 bit, and tap with a 1/4"x20 tap.

I'll leave it to your imagination what to use for a spacer.
But you might look in your socket wrench assortment!

rc

 

[Kingcreek]

The pin is loose but will only go up to being flush in the primer pocket or extend 1/4 inch out. It won't or can't go into the case any further. I can re-attach the threaded top of the de-capping rod if I hold the pin in a needle nose plier but the dang expander button is stuck in the middle of the neck.
still stuck...

 

[rcmodel]

Well, screw it back in and whack it back inside the die with a plastic mallet or something.

At this point, I think you are beyond worrying about harming the depriming pin with a drill.

rc

 

[Kingcreek]

OK Thanks. I'll give that a shot tonight. but if I remember correctly, when it is assembled but not threaded into the die body, the bottom of the pin is only flush with the primer pocket flash hole and there wasn't much room between the de-cap and the top of the die. not enough for a pry-tool but maybe a screwdriver.

 

[ranger335v]

"Stuck case in sizing die....223 brass in full-length sizing die (Dillon. Carbide)"

I have to ask; did you lube the case or think carbide sizers don't need to be lubed?

 

[Tom488]

Don't the Dillon size dies have a built-in stuck case remover? According to their instructions:

In the event of a stuck case, the design of the depriming assembly allows it to function as a stuck-case remover. Simply remove the silver clip, loosen the stem lock nut and then spin it up to the top of the stem. With a wrench, turn the depriming assembly into the die. “Clockwise” turns will loosen the stuck case. Use pliers to remove the case from the depriming assembly.

 

[Kingcreek]

I got the expander button and rod/pin out with no damage (except to a cheap screwdriver and some slight buggered threads on the decap that I can salvage). I need to pick up a 1/4" tap today and all will be right again.
I was using lube on the cases but I had taken the decapping assembly out and cleaned the die and rod with a patch and solvent, shot some lube on the die as usual but forgot to lube the decapping rod before re-assembly. I probably got lucky enough to grab a case with outside lube and a dry inside neck (cases are lubed with Hornady One-shot in a flat metal tray). went in OK but tore rim off on the down-stroke.
Tom488, My Dillon FL resizing die has no silver clip or stem locking nut? just the die body and a central piece that threads male into the die body and also female into the top of the rod/pin that passes thru the expander button. There is no adjustment for depth other than down tight. the die is 25 years old or more.
Anyway, I'm almost back in business.
Thanks!

 

[popper]

I had same problem with spray lube on 308 - can't tell when there is no LUBE left. When this can is gone I'll use something else.

 

[ranger335v]

IMHO, the only time to use a spray lube is when putting pistol cases in a carbide die. Especially One-Shot.

 

[USSR]

IMHO, the only time to use a spray lube is when putting pistol cases in a carbide die. Especially One-Shot.

+1.

Don

 

[MtnCreek]

Dillon spray lube works great. I've sized over 50k rifle (5.56 & 7.62) cases w/o issue using Dillon spray lube. >95% of the 7.62 was MG fired and beat up pretty bad. Never used (or heard good things about) Hornady spray lube.

 

[praetorian97]

I just dealt with this a few weeks ago. Thankfully I had everything I needed in my garage. The homemade pulley works great. I did damage my expander piece earlier on trying to use a punch. Silly me :banghead: Wish I knew about the pulley prior to that.

I started usins the spray case lube over the One Shot and havent even come close to sticking cartridge.