stuck case
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OP
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it's a 5.56 lake city case stuck in a lee rifle FL sizing die. Stuck way worse that what was shown in the video, I have removed the decapping pin and top collet, and tried using a punch and a hammer to drive the case down out of the die with not much luck. I do have a 20 ton shop press in the garage, and was wondering if it would be too much pressure to mount it on there and use pressure to push the case down and out of the die.
Did you leave the decapping rod in the die so it pushes against the bottom of the case? You can also use the RCBS stuck case remover.
Scooter22
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Put the die in the freezer over night and try giving it a good whack the next day.
Blue68f100
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Would not hurt as long as the body is supported. Surprised a big punch and hammer did not get it out. The std method is to drill and tap the primer pocket. then use a spacer and bolt to pull the stuck cartridge out.
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ar-newbie
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This was my thought, I can jig it up nice and secure, and give it a try. Will have to try this tonight after work.
jmorris
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Don’t drill and tap the case if you have a Lee die. If you can’t get it out with a punch and hammer you’ll just pull the threads out anyway.
Yes, you could use a press for that, drill a 7/16 hole in a plate so the case can go through the hole and the die will remain on top of the plate. I would still use a punch, for the press to push on, on the decapping pin and back the collet off, so it’s not tight, but leave it there so things stay centered. Otherwise you might bend the decapping pin and on the Lee rifle dies they are caliber specific.
Yes, you could use a press for that, drill a 7/16 hole in a plate so the case can go through the hole and the die will remain on top of the plate. I would still use a punch, for the press to push on, on the decapping pin and back the collet off, so it’s not tight, but leave it there so things stay centered. Otherwise you might bend the decapping pin and on the Lee rifle dies they are caliber specific.
How do you use a punch or press without removing the decapping rod first? I don't have a stuck case yet but I thought the reason to tap the primer pocket and pull the case out from under side is because the decapping rod is still in the case and won't come out for necked rifle cases like 5.56 in this case. Straight wall cases should be fine. Pushing the rod to force the case out may bend it.
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after further thought on the subject, I am shipping it back to lee, using their stuck case removal service for $6.00
for that price, it's not worth me messing around with it.
using the hydraulic press I got about 15 tons of force on that bad boy, and it ain't coming out.
for that price, it's not worth me messing around with it.
using the hydraulic press I got about 15 tons of force on that bad boy, and it ain't coming out.
Nature Boy
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edwardware
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True for all dies, except Lee. One of Lee's most useful innovations is the very robust decapping rod. Stuck cases can almost always be removed by loosening (not removing) the decap clamp, and driving the case out with the decapping rod.
I've used it a half dozen times, and never damaged a rod other than slightly peening the top; it's a really neat feature.
I'm curious too!
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ar-newbie
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nothing out of the ordinary, simple case of not enough lube, and it got stuck while sizing..... Problem being it REALLY doesn't want to come out now....
MDof2
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I can't confirm this with my own eyes, but I've heard they more often then not chuck the die in the 'rework' bin and send the customer a new die.
It will then go through a CNC and basically have the case milled out of it.
Ironicaintit
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I've only had a stuck case a couple of times with my Lee. Both times I just loosened the nut for the decapper, and tapped it out with a brass hammer, using the decapper as a drift, then cut the case off of it.
ray15
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Having grown up with a 20 ton press in the shop, if it didn't press right out this is probably the only option. You could free it by heating it but this would probably require re-machining of the die afterwards to restore its dimensions. And I can't imagine carbide doing anything good under the kind of heat required (not sure if this was a carbide or steel die).
Blue68f100
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He woild only need to heat the brass up to anneal it, which is still into the lower limits of the steel. So tempering will be changed. I would do a thermal cycle (cold then hot) to see it it would loose it up first before going to that extreme. With it in the press it would be nice it it was setup so you could give it a impact. Impacts will normally free it whee straight load will not . Also let it soak in Kroil over night and use a ultra sonic unit to help it penetrate.
I've had a few .223 cases stuck and only one time did it need to go to Lee for removal. They did remove it and return it. The die was the same one so they successfully got it out.
The biggest culprit for me was using Hornady One Shot spray lube. Stuck 2 cases with that stuff. First time I thought maybe I didn't let the spray dry completely. After the second stuck case, I relegated the rest of the can for 9mm cases only. Almost any other case lube works properly as long as you spread it completely over the body of the case. A thin, even coat beats a thick glob every time. The die does not spread out the lube. I also check for chewed up rims. .223/5/56 cases have very small rims and it's very easy to pull the case off the holder. Much better to toss the case into the brass recycle bucket than to deal with what you're doing and waste time with a stuck case.
The biggest culprit for me was using Hornady One Shot spray lube. Stuck 2 cases with that stuff. First time I thought maybe I didn't let the spray dry completely. After the second stuck case, I relegated the rest of the can for 9mm cases only. Almost any other case lube works properly as long as you spread it completely over the body of the case. A thin, even coat beats a thick glob every time. The die does not spread out the lube. I also check for chewed up rims. .223/5/56 cases have very small rims and it's very easy to pull the case off the holder. Much better to toss the case into the brass recycle bucket than to deal with what you're doing and waste time with a stuck case.
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