sizing die issues

[chuckshoots]

So i just got my reloading set up and got everything situated and organized and after cleaning my brass in my tumbler decided to run one through the sizing die and before i could do a full stroke of the press it got much harder to push and i didnt want to force it, and wasnt able to get the full press action done.
anything i might be doing wrong that im missing? I have a feeling the stroke of the arm isnt supposed to be as difficult as it was.
The lube i am using is the hornady one ****, should i let it dry first?

thanks

[XDRoX]

We talking rifle?
It's harder than you might think. Did you also spray lube the inside of the neck?

And yes, you're suppose to wait a few minutes for it to dry.

[chuckshoots]

yea 308.
and yea, but i should probably let it dry longer then too. thanks

[Colt562]

It sounds like not enough lube, I lubed my 308 with the lee stuff and I could tell if I don't have enough lube on there, there is another alternative method using pure synthetic oil, I havnt used it but look it up it might work better than the hornady stuff

[FLIGHT762]

Follow the directions of the lube you're using and make sure you're using enough. You should have a stuck case remover on hand, just in case.

Here's a few threads on case lubes:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/archive/index.php/t-474657.html

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/archive/index.php/t-581955.html

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=9129017

After 40 years of reloading, I have my two favorites, Dillon for big jobs and Imperial for small jobs.. I have use Hornady one shot, but it is not one of my favorites.

[M27]

one shot is fine for pistol cases but not great for rifle cases

I like RCBS case slick

[Horton Fenty]

The lube i am using is the hornady one ****, should i let it dry first?

Throw that stuff in the trash and get some imperial sizing wax, you'll be glad you did. Works for some but I hate the stuff.

[Bill Steele]

You are a quick learner, never force things.

For rifle (at least anything bigger than .223), you should get a different lube. Dillon spray lube (or 1 part liquid lanolin to 8 parts 99% isoproyl alchohol) will work much better than Hornaday One Shot for those .308 cases. If you are stuck on using the One Shot, definitely let it dry, get a stuck case removal kit, you will likely need it.

I use One Shot on pistol cases, but Dillon (or equivalent) for rifle.

[Munk]

I use normal lyman case-lube for my rifle cartridges and carbide dies with my pistol cartridges.

Every few cases I'll scrape the mouth on my lubepad to get a little bit of lube for the expander ball going.

It's just annoying to have to run them through the tumbler afterwards though. The lyman lube is not one of those that I can just leave on the case like it wasn't there.

[Dark Mod]

God i hate hornady one shot. The gun cleaner is great but the lube leaves much to be desired. My favorite is the dillon spray lube, its sticky though so you gotta tumble again after

[Pete1979]

Lube may be the issue and likely is. With some .308 like once fired Lake City, the brass is damned hard and You need a good lube like Imperial. One thing to check before starting again, make sure the expander ball isn't set too low in the die which will cause it to bottom out before you get to the top of the stroke. Depending on the press, you want to adjust the expander ball/decapping pin by running the ram all the way up, then set the depth just far enough to knock the primer all the way out of the case. This is accomplished with the screw coming out of the top of the die.

[J-cat]

Get some imperial sizing wax

[Divernhunter]

RCBS Case Slick PUMP SPRAY(not the pad) has worked well for me from 204Ruger thru 50bmg. Hornady stuff causes stuck cases for me. I also have Dillon but have not used it yet.

[Anti-Hero]

Hornady one shot sucks. I've had more stuck 5.56 cases using that stuff than I care to remember.

[DarkSoul]

You are a quick learner, never force things.

For rifle (at least anything bigger than .223), you should get a different lube. Dillon spray lube (or 1 part liquid lanolin to 8 parts 99% isoproyl alchohol) will work much better than Hornaday One Shot for those .308 cases. If you are stuck on using the One Shot, definitely let it dry, get a stuck case removal kit, you will likely need it.

I use One Shot on pistol cases, but Dillon (or equivalent) for rifle.

I think Bill bit the nail on the head here. I use home made lube as well using pure lanolin (6oz is about $5) and some isopropyl for about $3 a qt. it's exactly the same as the Dillon lube at about 1/4 the price.

If you have trouble finding the 99% isopropyl, you can run the 93% you will just have to shake the bottle before you spray it on.