uh-oh, stuck shell!

Status
Not open for further replies.
coloradokevin

coloradokevin

Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2008
Messages
3,285
How'd I get here, and how do I get out???

Tried re-sizing some .223 brass tonight (once fired Winchester). I completed the same steps that I have on my other once-fired brass, and the same steps that I went through already with this brass...

I inspected it, tumbled it, lubed it (stood all cases up, and gave a decent spray of Hornady One-shot). I noticed that the cases seemed to be taking more effort through the sizing die than they did previously. Due to this I actually sprayed my problem shell with a quick shot of extra lube, in hopes of easing other casings through the sizing die.

Shell went up, then pulled right out of the shell holder on the downstroke, destroying a good chunk of the shell rim in the process.

So, I'm not sure why this happened (particularly since I KNOW that the shell in question was well-lubed). Second, I don't know how to get out of this predicament!

Any help would be appreciated!
 
One-Shot must be allowed to dry before it will work. I've resized thousands of .223 cases using One-Shot, and the only problems I've ever had could be traced back to sizing the cases before the lube dried.

The way I like to treat my cases is to dump ~100 of them in a gallon freezer bag, spray with One-Shot, shake around, then seal the bag and leave it for 5 minutes or so.

As for your die, clamp it in a vise, unscrew and remove the decapper/sizing button, run a steel punch down from the top until it contacts the case, and tap it out with a hammer.

- Chris
 
hmmm... Chris, you got me thinking...

Well, here's what I did to get into the mess... I sprayed all of the casings in a batch with the One-shot. I let them dry (probably half an hour) while I cleaned my AR. I then started sizing, and was about twenty cases in when I realized they were taking a bit of force to move through the die.

So, I sprayed one of the cases right before I stuck (no pun intended) it in the press, and the second one-shot was still wet. Do you think spraying it the second time moistened my previously dried spray to the point that I pretty much screwed myself over by doing so?


Anyway, I guess i need a vise (don't actually have one at the house yet, though it has been on the list).

Moreover, the decapping pin is stuck pretty well right now too. Might be able to get it with a wrench, but it is more than finger tight (haven't tried a wrench yet).
 
1. Get the sizing/decapping spindle out of the die. It will take considerable force to do so. You will need a good solid vise to hold the die in and a brass punch so you don't destroy the die. You will be driving the die off the spindle, not pulling it out of the die.

2. Drill a 1/4" hole through the primer pocket up into the shell.

3. Thread the hole with a 1/4" threading tool.

4. Stack washers, with a larger than the diameter of the rim of the case hole, on the bottom of the die, with the die in the vise. You will likely need 6 or 7.

5. Put a fender washer on a 1/4" bolt about 1 1/2" long. Turn the bolt into the hole you just threaded and if you stacked the washers up neatly, the .223 case will rise out of the die. I suggest spraying the case liberally with a good lubricant from top and bottom to help it slide out as you SLOWLY turn the bolt in.
 
Last edited:
I should probably add that I have Lee dies.

I just saw a video on their website where they show someone removing a stuck casing (in their case a pistol cartridge) by loosening the decaping pin, then driving that pin with a hammer/punch until the case comes out.

Quite honestly, that looks like the simplest solution, but has anyone ever tried this approach without damaging a die?
 
I would not do it that way because I believe it would ruin the spindle and you would have to replace it. I have tried various methods and the only one I personally have found to work is the one I described above.

If you want to pay the postage, Lee will do it for you and return the die.
 
coloradokevin,

Put the One-Shot away. If you look at 100 incidents concerning a stuck case, in 99 of them, One-Shot is the culprit. Buy yourself some Imperial Sizing Die Wax and you will never have this problem.

Don
 
I just saw a video on their website where they show someone removing a stuck casing (in their case a pistol cartridge) by loosening the decaping pin, then driving that pin with a hammer/punch until the case comes out.
Click to expand...
Not a good idea...... Call Midway and order a stuck case remover or else make one the way Grandpa described.
 
loosen the collet and tap it out. If you bend it, it is a 2 dollar part. If you send your old one to Lee they will probably send you a new one free.
 
been there/done that..lol.
same situation... 223 cases/ Lee dies (although brand name probably doesnt matter) loaded thousands of rounds over the course of several years, then at the least opportune(sp?) time....wham....case stuck up inside die, rim of case ripped off.
The couple times it has happened to me, once i was able to remove primer punch and get case out with punch like one of the above posters said, other time i sent the whole die into Lee, turn around was quick, they sent back fixed with a note that they usually charge 4.00 (four bucks) or something like that, it was worth it, i sent them a check for 4 bucks...
Its all in the lubing..
 
Ditch the one shot. Buy imperial sizing wax.

I had a stuck 7.62x39 case in a Lee die (using one shot) that was removed with a heavy hammer and punch. The heavier the hammer, the better. As mentioned, if you do botch it, you'll just need a new decapping/expander rod.

You can buy a stuck case removal kit. I have a Hornady one on my bench now. If you feel this is outside your level of skill send it back to Lee and they'll remove it.

Ditch the one shot.
 
I just saw a video on their website where they show someone removing a stuck casing (in their case a pistol cartridge) by loosening the decaping pin, then driving that pin with a hammer/punch until the case comes out.

Quite honestly, that looks like the simplest solution, but has anyone ever tried this approach without damaging a die?
Click to expand...
It worked for me the one time I stuck a .223 case. The key is the keep the pin in the collet on top. Just loosen it. It wont bend if you keep the nut in place as a guide.

Good luck.
 
Put the cases in a Zip-Loc as stated above to lube and sticking will be a thing of the past, or has been for me. Grampa's instructions are good to remove a stuck case if you have a tap and die set, if not RCBS etc will sell you a kit reasonable.

One-Shot is great stuff just apply it correctly.
 
I should probably add that I have Lee dies.

I just saw a video on their website where they show someone removing a stuck casing (in their case a pistol cartridge) by loosening the decaping pin, then driving that pin with a hammer/punch until the case comes out.

Quite honestly, that looks like the simplest solution, but has anyone ever tried this approach without damaging a die?
Click to expand...
Back when I used One-shot that’s the method that I used. I lightly placed the (Lee) die in the three jaw chuck on my lathe loosen the collet and tapped the depriming pin with a brass hammer. The 3 jaw chuck allowed me to hold the die in position without damaging any threads and the jam nut takes the force.

Had that not worked I was going to try the method Grandpa suggested. I placed this method 2nd on the list because, if the ¼” threads rip out (remember you already tore the rim off) you are going to be in an even more difficult situation.

If you cut the head off you will be in the situation I was describing above. If you have a straight walled case stuck (I’ve never heard of such a thing) an appropriately sized drill will do the job. If the case is a tapered bottle neck (the ones that get stuck) you’ll need something more like a chamber reamer to remove the entire case. A cheaper method, at that point, would be to just send it back.
 
The Lee method has worked many times for me.

Just be sure the decapping pin is fully seated in the flash-hole, and hold it down with you fingers.

I ususally just leave the die in the press, loosen the decapper nut with a 1/2" wrench,aided by an adjustable wrench to hold the die body; and tap with a regular "nail" hammer. (You'll ding up your plastic hammer, and it won't work)

After tapping the case out, re-tighten the decapping pin nut snugly with the two wrenchs.

This WON'T work with a Lyman, or RCBS die. (don't ask how I know !).
BTDT.

ditto on the Imperial Die Wax recommendation. However, I still use the STP as I've got a lifetime supply of it.....
 
I have been reloading for many years and have had a few stuck cases in the process. Get a stuck case remover, if you only use it a couple of times, it will pay for itself. 223s were the worst culprit followed by 6.5 Carcano. I use Dillion spray lube and it seams to work the best for me, but you have to let it dry also.
 
. Get the sizing/decapping spindle out of the die.
Click to expand...
It is impossible to get the expander button through a stuck case neck while it is still in the die.
It doesn't need to come all the way out to use the drill & tap method anyway. Don't waste your time trying.

You can easily get it out after you get the stuck case out of the die.

As for coloradokevins stuck case?
Just drive it out with the Lee spindle.
That's why it is made that way.


As for One-Shot?
I works perfectly if you use it right.

1. Do Not stand your cases up in a loading block and spray them!
That gets no lube at all on the head end of the case where it is thickest and hardest to resize!

2. Throw the cases in an old mixing bowl, etc, and give them a shot of spray. Now, use your hand to stir them around, and give them another spray. Stir them around again.
That insures they all get at least some lube all over them, and not just on the foreward thin sections.
3. Let it dry!
4. Let it dry some more.
The solvent in the spray lube is not a lube. If there is any remaining solvent still on the brass, it will wash off the lube and allow a stuck case.
5. Give each case a twist in your left hand when you pick them up out of the bowl.
That insures they are completly covered with lube, and removes any excess on the shoulder area that will cause dents.

rcmodel
 
It is impossible to get the expander button through a stuck case neck while it is still in the die.
It doesn't need to come all the way out to use the drill & tap method anyway. Don't waste your time tryi
Click to expand...


It is interesting that I have apparently done the impossible. I just did last week what I described above. I guess that's one for the record books.:D
 
It must be!

I can't see how an expander ball can possibly come out through a case neck that is smaller then the expander ball, if the neck can't expand over it.

And it can't expand over it while it is still stuck inside the sizing die!

The only way it can possibly come out is to swage some brass out of the way, out the end, or somewhere.

Regardless, I stand by my comment that it isn't necessary to remove it anyway to get a stuck case out by the drill & tap method.

rcmodel
 
I can't see how an expander ball can possibly come out through a case neck that is smaller then the expander ball, if the neck can't expand over it.

And it can't expand over it while it is still stuck inside the sizing die!
Click to expand...


4" vise mounted on solid bracket on my work truck. Quarter inch brass punch and two pound hand sledge, and time.
 
coloradokevin,

Put the One-Shot away. If you look at 100 incidents concerning a stuck case, in 99 of them, One-Shot is the culprit. Buy yourself some Imperial Sizing Die Wax and you will never have this problem.

Don
Click to expand...

Amen.

I stuck a couple of .223 and a .270 with One-Shot, and I had sprayed it on cases laying on their sides, rolling them to get full coverage. One of the .223 sticks had to be sent to Lee. I couldn't budge the durned thing.

My Ones-Shot has been retired. Now I use Imperial. Slick stuff, and it doesn't take much.
 
well, sounds like I have a fun afternoon ahead of me.

At least I'm not the first one to manage such a blunder :)

I thought the One-Shot stuff was great on my first loads, but needless to say I'm not as happy at the moment!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
Case stuck in die
Replies
20
Views
1K
brasskeeper
brasskeeper
M
  • Locked
458 Socom Sizing issues
Replies
20
Views
1K
JimPGov
J
I
  • Locked
What happened with my die/case?
Replies
17
Views
842
Master Blaster
Master Blaster
E
  • Locked
Stuck 30-06 cases in sizing die
Replies
18
Views
3K
mrbro
M
C
  • Locked
Argh!! Stuck 223 Case
2
Replies
26
Views
2K
Mobuck
M
Back
Top