Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Hilltop123 on December 27, 2015, 12:59:41 PM

Title: Stuck cases ?
Post by: Hilltop123 on December 27, 2015, 12:59:41 PM: Ok I am at my wits end, I reload several different calibers, and never have this issue until I start reloading .223. Matter of fact, 223 is the only case I have ever stuck in a die. Clean brass, cleaned the die through a ultra sonic cleaner, switched lubes, double checked my shell holder for correct size, but still it happens. Anyone have a clue as to why and whats the corrective action? The ratio is easily 1 out of 50, that this happens. I am getting to the point of just buying 223, instead of reloading for it. Thanks in advance, Hilltop
Title: Re: Stuck cases ?
Post by: 2labs on December 27, 2015, 01:05:23 PM: Do you have a plugged vent hole causing a vacuum? Don't even know if that's possible but a guess? Time for some new dies?
Title: Re: Stuck cases ?
Post by: jay.sharkbait on December 27, 2015, 01:15:04 PM: Where did you get the brass?
Title: Re: Stuck cases ?
Post by: JimmyHoffa on December 27, 2015, 01:17:50 PM: How many times has the brass been fired? If it has been shot too many times, the cases work hardens and springs back to fit too tightly in the die. How is the die warm when you use it? Sometimes the lube basically turns to a glue when it gets cold.
.223 is the only one I've ever had trouble with either. The lube seemed to be my problem. That and the case rim is so delicate I rip it off during the out stroke.
Title: Re: Stuck cases ?
Post by: bobcat on December 27, 2015, 01:27:50 PM: I bought dies for my 222 a few years ago and loaded 20 rounds. That was enough for me to decide those cases were too small and difficult to work with. I sold the dies and just bought some factory Hornady ammo, which shoots 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards. I know, not a 223 but that's my two cents.
Title: Re: Stuck cases ?
Post by: Hilltop123 on December 27, 2015, 02:02:21 PM: Quote from: JimmyHoffa on December 27, 2015, 01:17:50 PM
.223 is the only one I've ever had trouble with either. The lube seemed to be my problem. That and the case rim is so delicate I rip it off during the out stroke.

Well I am some what glad it is not just me. The brass I'm working now is once fired, mil-spec Lake City, but it does not matter whether it's commercial brass or mil-spec., I have the same issue. Thanks for everyone's input.
Title: Re: Stuck cases ?
Post by: Biggerhammer on December 27, 2015, 02:11:37 PM: 99% of stuck cases are a lube issue. Imperial sizing wax works wonders. It can be used in moderation and wiped clean with a paper towel. Usually if you have a plugged vent hole, it shows itself as a slight dent in the cas around the shoulder neck junction.
Title: Re: Stuck cases ?
Post by: brush hunter on December 27, 2015, 03:03:31 PM: I use dry lube and never have a problem
Title: Re: Stuck cases ?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on December 27, 2015, 03:11:41 PM: I had the same problem and figured it out on my own. I sprayed Hornady case lube on the resizer die set, problem solved. The cases were to dry on the inside. Never any problems after that. Good luck..
Title: Re: Stuck cases ?
Post by: Hilltop123 on December 27, 2015, 03:19:56 PM: Well after getting the case removed, I did some investigating. It appears that the shell holder is not fully capturing the rim of the case. It looks to me like the the slot for inserting the shell holder is machined to deep, allowing the shell holder to move. Only grabbing the case with the straight sections of the holder. Hope I explained this well enough to understand.
Title: Re: Stuck cases ?
Post by: Biggerhammer on December 27, 2015, 03:29:35 PM: Quote from: CAMPMEAT on December 27, 2015, 03:11:41 PM
I had the same problem and figured it out on my own. I sprayed Hornady case lube on the resizer die set, problem solved. The cases were to dry on the inside. Never any problems after that. Good luck..

You have a point! I failed to mention every 5th or so case I use a Q-Tip to put a little wax on the inside of the neck. Using a neck brush prior to loading may help but I almost never do. It also helps to break down your die and clean or check you expander button for build up or debris.
Title: Re: Stuck cases ?
Post by: 300rum on December 27, 2015, 08:07:03 PM: Make sure to lube the inside of your die and let it dry before you use it.

Make sure that the cases are dry before you size them.

Are you using small base dies? RCBS dies in the black box by chance?
Title: Re: Stuck cases ?
Post by: Hilltop123 on December 27, 2015, 08:28:21 PM: Quote from: 300rum on December 27, 2015, 08:07:03 PM
Make sure to lube the inside of your die and let it dry before you use it.

Make sure that the cases are dry before you size them.

Are you using small base dies? RCBS dies in the black box by chance?

Yes small base but the box is green, don't know if that matters.
Title: Re: Stuck cases ?
Post by: 300rum on December 27, 2015, 08:35:15 PM: I had a horrible time with RCBS small base dies. Regular dies, no problem. I ended up switching to Dillon dies (which are a SB die) for .223, never had a problem since.

Quote from: Hilltop123 on December 27, 2015, 08:28:21 PM
Quote from: 300rum on December 27, 2015, 08:07:03 PM
Make sure to lube the inside of your die and let it dry before you use it.

Make sure that the cases are dry before you size them.

Are you using small base dies? RCBS dies in the black box by chance?

Yes small base but the box is green, don't know if that matters.
Title: Re: Stuck cases ?
Post by: Hilltop123 on December 27, 2015, 09:16:33 PM: Quote from: 300rum on December 27, 2015, 08:35:15 PM
I had a horrible time with RCBS small base dies. Regular dies, no problem. I ended up switching to Dillon dies (which are a SB die) for .223, never had a problem since.

Quote from: Hilltop123 on December 27, 2015, 08:28:21 PM
Quote from: 300rum on December 27, 2015, 08:07:03 PM
Make sure to lube the inside of your die and let it dry before you use it.

Make sure that the cases are dry before you size them.

Are you using small base dies? RCBS dies in the black box by chance?

Yes small base but the box is green, don't know if that matters.
Are those carbide dies by chance?
Title: Re: Stuck cases ?
Post by: 300rum on December 28, 2015, 05:52:48 AM: Yes, Dillon Carbide. You still have to lube the (way that I described) but it just smooths out the process, especially on a Dillon 650 which I am using.

Are you using a single stage or progressive?
Title: Re: Stuck cases ?
Post by: Hilltop123 on December 28, 2015, 10:48:29 AM: I'm loading rifle on the single. I don't load enough 223 to justify the cost of retooling my 650. But I may have rethink that again at a later date.
Title: Re: Stuck cases ?
Post by: 300rum on December 28, 2015, 12:28:23 PM: It makes it so much easier with the case feeder. I have one toolhead that all it does is resize cases and then another toolhead that primer/powder/seat/crimps. More steps with .223 but well worth it.