Stuck case removed

[tabascoz28]

My lanolin mix didn't work for this small base 223, got some Hornady One Shot on the way. First pass on the way out it ripped the rims out. RCBS sells the kit for 25 bucks and it works but I had most of the parts. 1/4-20 tap, #7 drill bit and matching cap screw. The allen wrench used was a 3/16. To make the base from the RCBS kit I used a socket and a smaller socket, I can't believe how much force I had to use on brass.

stuckcase.jpg

[bigbossman]

I built something very similar years ago, and it works very well. But yeah - those cases get stuck pretty good.

[BajaJames83]

The one shot will not work either.
It's a lack of lube that gets a case stuck.

[NapalmCheese]

I'm not sure what I'm looking at...

You drill out the case to appropriate dimensions, cut in threads with the tap, slip the die into the large socket and screw the lock ring down, slip the bolt through the small socket, thread bolt into the case, use the lock ring to back the whole thing out (or use the hex key to keep screwing the bolt in)?

I haven't had a stuck case yet so I've been blissfully living without the knowledge of how to remove said stuck case.

[Enter_the_Dragon]

I'm not sure what I'm looking at...

case, use the lock ring to back the whole thing out (or use the hex key to keep screwing the bolt in)?

I haven't had a stuck case yet so I've been blissfully living without the knowledge of how to remove said stuck case.

Videos on how to remove stuck case->youtube

[tabascoz28]

I'll make sure to get it good and lubed. I got the small base because one of my newer barrels doesn't have any tolerance, but I don't want to baby my reloads just to make it work and slow down my process too much.

[bigbossman]

I'm not sure what I'm looking at...

You drill out the case to appropriate dimensions, cut in threads with the tap, slip the die into the large socket and screw the lock ring down, slip the bolt through the small socket, thread bolt into the case, use the lock ring to back the whole thing out (or use the hex key to keep screwing the bolt in)?

I haven't had a stuck case yet so I've been blissfully living without the knowledge of how to remove said stuck case.

Basically -

1) Drill out the primer hole, tap the hole with a 1/4-20 tap.

2) Stack the sockets over the primer hole, screw a 1/4-20 bolt through the socket drive hole and into the primer hole you just tapped.

3) turn the bolt head until it bottoms out/contacts on the socket head. Continue turning, and the bolt will slowly draw the case out of the die.

I usually squirt a little Kroil in the die to help get the brass moving. In the decades I've been reloading, I've only had to use the tool 3 time or so.

Skip to about 50 seconds:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kABvBIPPDxo

[tabascoz28]

This better not happen to me again. I'll use more and uniform lube especially on this die. I have a 308 small base too but maybe the rim is stronger and I was careful to use plenty of lube. I never had to use that much on 223 but this is small base.

[NapalmCheese]

Basically - ...

Well there you go, I hadn't expected the brass threads to be up to the task but I guess they are! That's pretty cool.

[mtenenhaus]

Stuck cases are always frustrating.

I'm not sure exactly why it seems to work but i've noticed that it's not the amount of lubricant that one employs, but rather the amount of time you allow the lubricant to sit on the case.

What i've found that works well for me is to put the cases in a plastic container, spray a couple of shots of the lube, be it lanolin/alcohol or Hornady One Shot, shake it around a little bit and leave it sit for a real 1/2 hour or so while i do other stuff....it seems to work really well. The cases aren't dented from too much lube and i've not had any more stuck cases.

[bigbossman]

Well there you go, I hadn't expected the brass threads to be up to the task but I guess they are! That's pretty cool.

The base is very thick so that helps a lot.

[NapalmCheese]

Stuck cases are always frustrating.

I'm not sure exactly why it seems to work but i've noticed that it's not the amount of lubricant that one employs, but rather the amount of time you allow the lubricant to sit on the case.

In the case of One Shot, the instructions state to let the cases dry for a while before running through the resizer. I usually give them at least 5-10 minutes. If they aren't sizing well spray them again, shake them up, and let them sit for another 15 or so minutes. By they they usually resize just fine.

Some like lanolin, some like imperial sizing wax, I like One Shot just fine; to each their own.

[ar15barrels]

My lanolin mix didn't work for this small base 223, got some Hornady One Shot on the way.

[ATTACH]969161[/ATTACH]

You need to let the alcohol (carrier) evaporate before you try to size the cases so that just the lanolin (lube) is left on the case.

OneShot has the same problem if you don't let it dry.

I use two separate shoebox lids.
Put some cases in the first shoebox lid, spray lube and set aside a few minutes.
Take the 2nd shoebox lid and put in cases and spray and set aside.
After a few minutes, start sizing the first batch.
When the first shoebox lid is empty, refill and spray lube.
Now size the cases in the 2nd shoebox lid while the ones in the first shoebox lid are drying.

Using that process will let the carrier fully evaporate so that all you have left on the cases is the lube and you won't stick cases in dies.

[C.G.]

To add to Randal's post:

Too much alcohol in your mix, perhaps?

[ar15barrels]

To add to Randal's post:

Too much alcohol in your mix, perhaps?

Even with too much alcohol, it will still evaporate.
What too much alcohol will do is leave NOT ENOUGH lube after all the alcohol evaporates.

The main reason people stick cases with any of the carrier-evaporation lubes like dillon, self-mixed lanolin/alcohol or oneshot is from not letting the carrier evaporate.
When you still have the carrier on the cases, the lube is way too watered down to properly function as lube and you get stuck cases.