308 reloading... #$^&@#&* (sizing and depriming)

[ar15barrels]

It's obvious to me that once the expander gets inside the case the neck is sized and it can no longer get back out, so the press just yanks it out of the die.

Any chance you are using a wet process to clean the cases?
I started seeing more people have problems with expander buttons when people started using wet methods of case cleaning.
I attribute this to the brass being TOO CLEAN.

Think about the dust that is left on the cases after you tumble in corn/walnut.
That dust actually helps act as a dry lube inside the case neck to help the expander button slide through.

If you are wet tumbling, you need to lube the insides of the case necks before sizing.
If you have completely clean brass sliding over an un-lubed expander button, the expander button will eventually get a little brass stuck to it.
Once that happens, almost every case is going to start galling to that brass.

Polish the expander button with 800grit sandpaper while spinning it in a hand drill to get the brass off it.

[knucklehead0202]

on some of my LEE dies I've had the problem of pushing the decapper/resizing piece out the top of the die and had to tighten the piss out of it, then never had the problem again. sounds like the brass too in your case. I use LEE dies for just about everything but my .308 dies are hornady, because nobody had LEE in stock at the time. try it with commercial brass instead of military and see if it does the same thing...that should tell the tale.

[robsutt]

Any chance you are using a wet process to clean the cases?

No using dry/walnut shells.

[robsutt]

Threaded decapping stems like used by RCBS, Redding and most other quality dies won't have this problem.
We only see this problem with cheap dies like Lee or Hornady.
You got what you paid for.
Enjoy...

Interesting. Didn't realize. Will get RCBS when this one goes to ****.

Thanks!

[bitethebullet]

AR15barrels hit the nail on the head. I just started wet tumbling and noticed the same thing. Brass is too clean. I had to start using graphite on the inside of the neck. I also took the expander ball out and cleaned it up with a polishing wheel...haven't had a problem since, even with mil brass. I would try polishing the expander first. It is a rather big issue that needs to be taken care of because not only will it be a pain to get the case unstuck, it can also pull the neck back out of spec after resizing

[bitethebullet]

AR15barrels hit the nail on the head. I just started wet tumbling and noticed the same thing. Brass is too clean. I had to start using graphite on the inside of the neck. I also took the expander ball out and cleaned it up with a polishing wheel...haven't had a problem since, even with mil brass. I would try polishing the expander first. It is a rather big issue that needs to be taken care of because not only will it be a pain to get the case unstuck, it can also stretch/pull the neck back out of spec after resizing...good luck

[RobG]

Never had that problem myself but, may I suggest a different route? I ditched the expander ball altogether and now use a Sinclair expander die/mandrel combo. It does add an extra step but, I find much more uniform mouth diameters and neck tension. You can also choose how much neck tension based on the size of the mandrel. Here is the die and there is a link at the end of the description for the mandrels.

[Finish it]

Processed about 5k last week mostly commercial on the 650. Seems like the commercial brass is easier to work with than the military stuff.
Going to do some function testing Friday, need to see how it cycles in the semi autos.

[Pauliedad]

Been reading any post I can find re .308 reloading.
I have a couple of questions.
I have a Dillon 650 and will probably use it as a single stage for a while to get everything just right.
Are Dillon dies good to go?
I'm currently reloading for pistol and .223 in rifle.
I don't see much conversation about .308 Dillon.
If there is a better set up I'd go that route.
I'm loading for semi auto and magazine fed bolt so I will be crimping.
Is there an awesome combo of brand mixed dies?
Also going to be loading 30-30
Thanks in advance.

[Pauliedad]

Oh yeah, +1 on dry method helping smooth things out.
I tried a batch of pistol using wet cleaning and noticed a big difference in friction.
I'm sticking with corncob.

[bsumoba]

Separate expander dies, sorting by case neck...AHHH! my head exploded!

I never had a problem a the RCBS small base dies. I reload for 308, but only for my semi-auto.

I also wet tumble and use my own concoction of 99% IPA and lanolin for lube. My brass do not stick at all and they resize even in my cheap'o Lee single stage. Never had issues with neck tension or the likes.

[EL_NinO619]

Threaded decapping stems like used by RCBS, Redding and most other quality dies won't have this problem.
We only see this problem with cheap dies like Lee or Hornady.
You got what you paid for.
Enjoy...

Pretty much. But I have used the lee for thousands of .308 or 7.62 lake city with no problem. Of course it takes more effort, but something is wrong with your process.

Make sure you have clean brass
Proper lube on case & Mouth (To much lube is just as bad as to little)
Proper die adjustment
Hit the gym

[EL_NinO619]

Been reading any post I can find re .308 reloading.
I have a couple of questions.
I have a Dillon 650 and will probably use it as a single stage for a while to get everything just right.
Are Dillon dies good to go?
I'm currently reloading for pistol and .223 in rifle.
I don't see much conversation about .308 Dillon.
If there is a better set up I'd go that route.
I'm loading for semi auto and magazine fed bolt so I will be crimping.
Is there an awesome combo of brand mixed dies?
Also going to be loading 30-30
Thanks in advance.

Dillon dies are GTG. There resizing dies are basically small base. And the spring loaded decapper does a great job. They also have a built in stuck case remover. I use Dillon sizer with Redding Comp seater and Dillon crimp. You don't need much crimp at all with proper neck tension. Even in a semi. The 650 is a awesome machine for loading .308

[Pauliedad]

Good to hear. I will order accordingly. My only comment on Dillon I'd make is adjusting seating length is annoying with their system vs others I've seen. I like the rcbs I have in 9mm.
Thanks.

[EL_NinO619]

Good to hear. I will order accordingly. My only comment on Dillon I'd make is adjusting seating length is annoying with their system vs others I've seen. I like the rcbs I have in 9mm.
Thanks.

Yeah there really setup for mass production. All can be fixed with a Redding Comp micrometer seater.