Problem processing nato brass

[Zamble]

I have a Super 1050. I am using Dillon .308 carbide dies. I cleaned the brass in a rotary tumbler. I lube the brass very well before starting with Dillon's spray lube.

When I am processing the brass, the down pull is not really tough, but going up is a different story. As I reverse and bring the tool head up, there is a spot rig away that requires extra force. And I can feel more than a normal amount of resistance. I didn't t realize at the time but a bunch of brass have cracked towards the bottom.

Dillon said that NATO brass is thicker and the resistance is the expander ball going through the neck. Has anyone ever had this problem? If so, what did you do to resolve it?

[baih777]

Lube the inside of the neck.

[Zamble]

They suggested that, but for processing for processing a lot of 7.62, I was hoping for a less time consuming method, if there is one.

[joelogic]

When I spray lube into a box of brass enough gets inside the case neck that I don't feel what you are talking about.

[McGuiver]

Problem processing nato brass

Sounds like you may have some 308 brass shot out of a M60 or similar. Machine gun rounds tend to have messed up necks and brass. The brass fire forms funny. I bet that is what is happening to you. Once you reform these you should be good. Just check with a case gage to be sure.


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[micro911]

Maybe polish the expander? I have reloaded many LC brass and never had the problem.

[hermosabeach]

Is this brass that you fired or used brass?

[Zamble]

It is used brass.

IMG_1556.jpg

Now I look at it more, it appears like the die stopped at the line... I know the die was set properly, as well.

[baih777]

Are you using a small base die ?

[Zamble]

As far as I know Dillon only makes a small base dies in .308.

[OpenSightsOnly]

It is used brass.

[ATTACH]499938[/ATTACH]

Now I look at it more, it appears like the die stopped at the line... I know the die was set properly, as well.

Did you have the circular ring around the case head area prior or after sizing?

If the ring showed-up after sizing then the sizing die might be a bit tight or perhaps you did use use enough lube.

That happened to my 223 and 308 RCBS sizing dies. I called RCBS and they told me to send it back to them for polishing. I also sent them a sample of the sized brass for each caliber and gave them a few pieces of brass to test after their polishing process. Problem fixed!

Call Dillon

[Zamble]

I called them and his solution was to spray lube in the die every 10 pieces or so, as well as lubing the brass. I said, isn't the counterproductive to have a high volume press like the 1050? He said the die wasn't designed for milspec brass.

I used almost a whole bottle of Dillon's lube on 1k pieces of .308. I was very generous about spraying them down.

[baih777]

I hope you used a case gauge,
I reuse my Dillon case lube bottles and make my own lanolin/isoprophyl mix. I usually mix it a little more thicker than when I resize 308.

[robert101]

I had some machine gun NATO brass that caused the same problem. After the initial firing the Brass worked fine. Now after some 8 or so reloads I don't notice any difference at all..

[Zamble]

Did you have the same issues with the resizing, all the extra effort when you go up on the handle?

What would a receipe be for homemade sizing lube?