Scratched Cases

[JackEllis]

I've got scratches along the length of the body of some .243 cases down hear the case head. I know what to do about the die but I'm wondering whether the cases can be used or whether I should toss them. I'm also aware that the cause is insufficient lubrication and I can fix that easily enough.

[Tommy Gun]

Can use em. Might need to polish the inside of the die or take it apart and clean it to make sure.

Not sure your process but I usually use the Dillon case lube and spray it liberally across the cases laid out and then dry tumble them and clean the flash holes. I also decided to use a neck only sizing die for my bolt action cases (6.5 and 308).

[ar15barrels]

I've got scratches along the length of the body of some .243 cases down hear the case head. I know what to do about the die but I'm wondering whether the cases can be used or whether I should toss them. I'm also aware that the cause is insufficient lubrication and I can fix that easily enough.

Post a picture.
Is the scratching from sizing or from when the case cycled through a gun previously?

If the scratching is from sizing, look for brass to have galled into the die.
If that's what's going on, you need to completely clean the brass out of the die and polish the die and lube better so it does not gall again.

[JackEllis]

Post a picture.
Is the scratching from sizing or from when the case cycled through a gun previously?

If the scratching is from sizing, look for brass to have galled into the die.
If that's what's going on, you need to completely clean the brass out of the die and polish the die and lube better so it does not gall again.

Randall, it's the die, from insufficient lube, and I've almost got the brass inside it cleaned up. The bad news is, it was a stupid mistake. The good new is, I'm not the first so about five minutes of searching turned up the answer.

Probably should have started with a Dremel instead of a barrel mop to apply lapping paste. Copper also works, but pretty slowly.

I'll attempt to post a photo after I get some coffee in me.

[divingin]

I've used Iosso bore paste; it works (albeit slowly.) I use a piece of fine grit (800-1200 depending on what I have handy) wet/dry sandpaper with oil as a lube. Wrap around a bore mop or brush, and have at it (I run it in a drill or Dremel, but working by hand will get it done as well.) Works pretty quickly, so check progress often. Fine steel wool would probably work as well, with or without oil.

It may be insufficient lube, but it's (at least somewhat) more likely that you're getting little brass flecks from trimming/chamfering in there and those are being smashed onto the die surface. Once deposited, it pulls brass off the your brass being sized, leaving the scratches.

[JackEllis]

Thanks for all of the replies I got the die cleaned up on Saturday and finished sizing that batch of cases. They're now primed and should be loaded with powder and projectile in a day or two.