Stuck cases when resizing

[tools2teach]

So far 2 months of reloading. All is good, learning from great calgunners contributing to my many questions. Thanks!

The problem I have now it stuck cases when resizing. I have tried Hornandy One Shot, Dillon soaked in lube, and then I heard rave reviews on imperial wax, so I went and took the plunge. Haven't tried imperial yet, because I sent the dies back to RCBS. One of the dies I tried to remove the stuck case brokethe decapping pin, the other was another RCBS with a stuck case, but didn't have to the tools to remove it, so I sent that in as well.

Am I doing something wrong here or is this common? With imperial wax do I want to dabble and spread the wax on the outside of the case of the entire case?

[EOD3]

What ammunition are you loading?

[kurac]

You are doing something wrong, I have never had a stuck and I have been reloading since 1992.

Broken decapping pins happen, more so from military brass with crimped or staked primers

[tools2teach]

lake city 308 and 223

[EBR Works]

You only want to use a very thin layer of the Imperial wax on the case, but not on the neck to avoid dents. I also swipe my finger with some across the case mouth to ease passage of the ball on rifle cases.

Are you using a case gauge to adjust your sizing die optimally or are you just following the manufacturer instructions? Tell us how you are doing initial adjustment.

You are going to want one of these since stuck cases do sometimes just happen:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=504741

When using the One Shot or Dillon lube, are you allowing the cases to dry for about 5 minutes before resizing? This is really important. BTW, I have found that One Shot is not adequate for sizing .308 brass.

[tools2teach]

Are you using a case gauge to adjust your sizing die optimally or are you just following the manufacturer instructions? Tell us how you are doing initial adjustment.[/QUOTE]

Per manual adjustment, set the dies close enough to where it's touching the shell plate.

I use calipers and then trim if that what you mean by case gauging, then check the head spacing every 100 rounds.

[tools2teach]

[/quote]When using the One Shot or Dillon lube, are you allowing the cases to dry for about 5 minutes before resizing? This is really important. BTW, I have found that One Shot is not adequate for sizing .308 brass.[/QUOTE]

That's probably what it is. I'm not waiting for it to soak in. I give it about 1-2 minutes.

[EBR Works]

You have to allow time for the alcohol in the lube to evaporate. IIRC, the instructions recommend 5 minutes.

Really, try the Imperial wax. You just use a tiny bit. I have never stuck a case with it from .223 up to .50 DTC. I have stuck several cases with One Shot though.

Having the sizing die adjusted too far down can contribute to stuck cases. Get one of these for each caliber to set up your sizing dies correctly. This will help avoid case sticking as well as not overworking your brass:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=268983

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=271313

[mjsweims]

I've had the problem with 30-06 due to inadequate case lube.
Now I use Hornady Unique (a solid wax like product). I didn't have much luck with the spray stuff. The RCBS case lube and pad also seemed to work ok.

I made up my own stuck case remover kit with what I had lying around:
3/16 drill bit
1/4-20 tap
5/8 long socket
some 1/4" bolts nut and washer

[C.G.]

Now I use Hornady Unique (a solid wax like product). I didn't have much luck with the spray stuff.

If you want to save some money next time around just get some Lanacote or Lanolin, same stuff as Hornady or, I am told, Dillon case lubes.
If you want to make it into a spray then just mix Lanacote or Lanolin with isopropyl alcohol at least 91% pure (99% is best, less than 91% will not mix well; it is 4 to 5 parts alcohol and 1 part Lanacote/Lanolin); try to mix when warm and do not warm by direct fire.

[J-cat]

You only want to use a very thin layer of the Imperial wax on the case, but not on the neck to avoid dents. I also swipe my finger with some across the case mouth to ease passage of the ball on rifle cases.

Are you using a case gauge to adjust your sizing die optimally or are you just following the manufacturer instructions? Tell us how you are doing initial adjustment.

You are going to want one of these since stuck cases do sometimes just happen:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=504741

When using the One Shot or Dillon lube, are you allowing the cases to dry for about 5 minutes before resizing? This is really important. BTW, I have found that One Shot is not adequate for sizing .308 brass.

+1

Imperial is the best.

I open the tin, touch the wax with my index finger and thumb (as if to be fingerprinted) and rub a very thin coating of wax on the case. Only the thinnest coating is necessary.

[kmca]

I was having problems with stuck cases, so I talked to a nice lady at RCBS. The first question she asked was if I was using One Shot lube and that 95% of the stuck cases they deal with was involving One Shot. I switched to RCBS lube and haven't stuck another case yet.

[Gunsrruss]

Stuck case " No More "

I haven't stuck a case in ages. I bought the RCBS lube pad and I spray it with Dillon lube and let it dry. Then I roll the brass lightly on the pad and size. You don't have to roll it back and fourth, just one time. Make sure your using small base dies also. There are those who say this isn't needed, but trust me it works. Now go do what ever you want to do. Remember I gave you the straight skinny

[EBR Works]

I haven't stuck a case in ages. I bought the RCBS lube pad and I spray it with Dillon lube and let it dry. Then I roll the brass lightly on the pad and size. You don't have to roll it back and fourth, just one time. Make sure your using small base dies also. There are those who say this isn't needed, but trust me it works. Now go do what ever you want to do. Remember I gave you the straight skinny

Interesting idea using the pad with Dillon lube. I have been reloading for 30+ years and have never seen the need for small base dies. IMO, they just overwork the brass. The important thing is to have case gauges for each caliber to adjust your sizing dies correctly.

[J-cat]

IMO, they just overwork the brass. The important thing is to have case gauges for each caliber to adjust your sizing dies correctly.

Did you ever measure cases sized in a small base vs. regular dies? I have, and the difference is .001-.002" at the casehead. That is hardly overworking the case.