Case stuck in die. Drat.

T

The Famous Grouse

New member
So I manged to really eff one up. Not paying attention and I must have not lubed one of the .223 cases I was sizing last night and I got it stuck it solid all the way in the resizing die. The on the down stroke I tore the flange off the base. Drat.

I've done some google searches and it looks like the best thing to try is the tap/die method where I drill the primer pocket and then use a tap to thread in a 1/4 inch bolt to use as a puller.

Anyone have better ideas?

I see some references on the net to sending the dies back to RCBS. Does RCBS offer a service that they will remove a stuck case for a fee? I'd like to know about this before I do something that risks messing up the die.

Ideas?

Grouse
 
Originally Posted By: The Famous GrouseSo I manged to really eff one up. Not paying attention and I must have not lubed one of the .223 cases I was sizing last night and I got it stuck it solid all the way in the resizing die. The on the down stroke I tore the flange off the base. Drat.

I've done some google searches and it looks like the best thing to try is the tap/die method where I drill the primer pocket and then use a tap to thread in a 1/4 inch bolt to use as a puller.

Anyone have better ideas?

I see some references on the net to sending the dies back to RCBS. Does RCBS offer a service that they will remove a stuck case for a fee? I'd like to know about this before I do something that risks messing up the die.

Ideas?

Grouse


Every reloader does it ONCE - stupid reloaders do it more than once. I stuck a .220 Swift case back in the 70's - I threw the die out and never did it again.

If it is an RCBS die, send it to them and they will fix it (for free).

Then don't' do it again (or at least don't admit that you did it again
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Meow.


 
One of the things I read about that has helped me a few times is to put the Die in the freezer overnite. Its supposed to make the brass contract a little? I have done that a few times, but you would still need to get a pair of Vice grips on the end of the cartridge. If you can it will sometimes come out by tapping on the vice grips with a hammer. Good luck.
 
simple solution.

assuming you have the expander ball/rod in, just screw the rod down and let the expander ball contact the bottom inside of the case. Keep screwing and it'll push right out. Then you have to hack the case in half, screw off the expander ball, pull out the rod and chuck the case. Put everythign back together, LUBE the next case better and continue on.
 
It takes about 5 min. to pull the casing with the tap and die method. Your local hardware store has everything you need. If you have a sporting goods/reloading store in your area they should have a stuck case kit. It is not a complicated procedure to remove the stuck case.
 
Originally Posted By: bownutsimple solution.

assuming you have the expander ball/rod in, just screw the rod down and let the expander ball contact the bottom inside of the case. Keep screwing and it'll push right out. Then you have to hack the case in half, screw off the expander ball, pull out the rod and chuck the case. Put everythign back together, LUBE the next case better and continue on.

No... if the case is stuck hard enough to rip the rim off, then you will bend the rod and make a worser mess of things - if it was that easy, no one would need a tap & screw set.
 
Iv gotten them out with vice grips. Then to get the case off the decapping rod i use a brake line cutter to cut the case in two and slide it off. Good luck. Let us know how u do.
 
Unscrew the die and put it in your freezer, in the meantime if you don't have one already go to your local hardware store and get a 1/4" tap set and GRADE 8 bolt. After a few hours in the freezer, drill and tap the base of the case. Insert screw into the base and scew the die back into the press. Take an open ended (adjustable type) wrench and over the exposed head (not on it) adjust the wrench tight to the body of the screw. Take a hammer and tap on the wrench or pound until the case comes out. This is the only method I use, and trust me I've used it quite a bit in my wildcats. Adam
 
Originally Posted By: bownutsimple solution.

assuming you have the expander ball/rod in, just screw the rod down and let the expander ball contact the bottom inside of the case. Keep screwing and it'll push right out. Then you have to hack the case in half, screw off the expander ball, pull out the rod and chuck the case. Put everythign back together, LUBE the next case better and continue on.

The ONE time I got a case stuck, I did the above. Worked, no problem.
Flyrodder
 
Just buy an extractor set... Every reloader needs to have one on his table.. I stuck 223 brass twice this weekend, and it took about 5 minutes to remove it.. Use the right tool for the job..
 
Be careful drilling or you'll bend the decaping pin. Get the stuck case kit or assemble the parts yourself. A 1/4 x 20 tap, hard bolt 1/4 x 20, a nut, a washer, and a socket just big enough to fit over the case. Back out the expander as far as you can. Drill and tap the bottom of the case. Spin the nut all the way up the bolt, put on washer and socket, thread into case untill you feel the bolt touch the decaping pin, back out 1/2 turn, now slide socket and washer down and snug up with nut, hold the bolt with one wrench, and tighten the nut with another. It should pop the case right out, you will have to cut the case to get the expander ball free.
 
Originally Posted By: ninehorsesBe careful drilling or you'll bend the decaping pin.

Loosen the lock screw and adjust it up as far as possible first.
 
Dillon 223 dies have a s/c remover built in. Pull the Jesus clip, turn the stem down, till the case is removed. Turn stem back up, reapply the clip. Job done...
 
Originally Posted By: zillaJust buy an extractor set... Every reloader needs to have one on his table.. I stuck 223 brass twice this weekend, and it took about 5 minutes to remove it.. Use the right tool for the job..

+1 Every reloader should have one on their bench. In over 40 years of reloading I've only had two stuck cases of my own but I sure have used it a lot helping out my sons and friends. They all have their own stuck case removers now.
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Just buy the stuck case remover, you will use it more than you think. About 3 times a year I use mine for friends that are starting to load. Its woth having on your bench.
 
To answer your other question, you can send the die back to RCBS with a check for $5. They'll pull the case for free and mail it back to you (that's what the $5 is for, to ship it back).

I went this route the first time, in the mean time I bought the stuck case kit and the second time I drilled, reamed, put it in the freezer, and it came out fine.

I've only ever stuck a .204 case. So, it depends on the caliber. But, if you've done it once, you'll probably do it again.

RCBS Operations
605 Oro Dam Blvd
Oroville, CA 95965

1-800-533-5000
If you have questions, email them at rcbs.tech[at]atk.com


-S
 
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