Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: engelwood on March 28, 2011, 08:29:13 AM

Title: Case stuck in Die... Help!
Post by: engelwood on March 28, 2011, 08:29:13 AM: Alright, so this isn't mine, it's a buddies of mine. He got a .270 WSM case stuck in his RCBS die (even though he lubed all his cases) happens I guess. He got the die out of the press, but now doesn't know how to get the case out of the die without ruining everything. Any ideas? Thanks for the help. He's a member on here, just doesn't utilize the knowledge base on here as much as he should! :chuckle:
Title: Re: Case stuck in Die... Help!
Post by: quadrafire on March 28, 2011, 08:32:37 AM: There may be some tricks, I don't know. But RCBS sells a part to do just that. (remove stuck cases)
Title: Re: Case stuck in Die... Help!
Post by: huntlakewood on March 28, 2011, 08:46:05 AM: You can contact RCBS they might give you some ideas.
Title: Re: Case stuck in Die... Help!
Post by: rainshadow1 on March 28, 2011, 08:51:52 AM: If the rim is ripped all the way off, you can bore and thread the primer hole and try that.

If you eventually get the base all the way destroyed, then you can start tearing and rolling the brass (of the case) and it will eventually come in pieces.

That's a last resort to getting hold of it either from the outside or then the inside and pulling.

Damage the case, not the die. Do everything/anything deliberately.
Title: Re: Case stuck in Die... Help!
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on March 28, 2011, 09:00:05 AM: The RCBS Stuck Case Remover Kit is a high-priced way to buy stuff you can get at any hardware store: A #7 drill bit, A 1/4-20 Tap, (a tap wrench is handy) A 1/4-20 bolt about 1 1/2" long, and enopugh washers or a socket that fits over the case head, and that's all you need. Clamp the die in a vise, (with soft jaws or wood blocks so as not to damage the die threads) drill out the primer pocket with the #7 drill, tap threads in the hole with the 1/4-20 tap, put the washers or socket over the case head to build it higher than the case, and turn the bolt into the threaded case and turn with a wrench to extract the stuck case. After the case is loose, I usually have to add more washers to pull the case over the expander ball. You can't unstick a case with vise-grips or pliers. Don't even try!
Title: Re: Case stuck in Die... Help!
Post by: Rob on March 28, 2011, 10:46:13 AM: BTW, it may be just me, but when I started loading 2 years back, I was using that one-shot spray case lube. I probably got 4 or 5 cases stuck-ruined a couple dies trying to remove the cases. I switched to the Dillon Case lube and I have not had a single case get stuck since. I am a die hard Dillon case lube guy now.

http://www.dillonprecision.com/content/p/9/pid/23666/catid/8/Dillon_Case_Lube__8_oz__Bottle_ (http://www.dillonprecision.com/content/p/9/pid/23666/catid/8/Dillon_Case_Lube__8_oz__Bottle_)
Title: Re: Case stuck in Die... Help!
Post by: Rgrady35 on March 28, 2011, 10:53:20 AM: Do not use spray case lube! Take a wild guess as to why I know this. :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Case stuck in Die... Help!
Post by: sakoshooter on March 28, 2011, 11:45:55 AM: I've used Hornady One Shot, RCBS and Cabelas spray lube with good results for years. I'm generous with it. Spray my cases with them standing and from 4 different angles, all at a downward angle also so as to get lube inside of the necks.
Title: Re: Case stuck in Die... Help!
Post by: JimmyHoffa on March 28, 2011, 11:56:51 AM: Could try things like putting it in the freezer and then trying to remove. Or lightly dropping on a hard surface to work it out a little if it is above the bottom of the die. Can the top of the die unscrew off?
Title: Re: Case stuck in Die... Help!
Post by: Rob on March 28, 2011, 11:58:10 AM: cool, glad it works for you-I think it is cheaper. I heard from a local gun shop owner that Hornady changed their one shot formula a couple years back and he was seeing more and more cases getting stuck. not sure if that is true or not.

All I know is 3 spritzes with the Dillon spray and I have not had a case get stuck in two years-and I size a fair amount of brass.

Lots of folks have good luck with the Oneshot from Hornady though-just not me.
Title: Re: Case stuck in Die... Help!
Post by: SeaRun1 on March 28, 2011, 12:07:03 PM: I have had pretty good luck with the Hornady spray lube with just one case stuck so far. I used a Forster stuck case remover that came with my used kit of reloading gear. I ended up having to send the die to RCBS and they fixed that problem for me as I could not get the case out with the tool. I believe all I paid was shipping. RCBS is a great company.

SeaRun1
Title: Re: Case stuck in Die... Help!
Post by: KillBilly on March 28, 2011, 12:07:29 PM: Just out of curiosity, was it a nickel case? They will get stuck more readily than brass because they are harder.
Title: Re: Case stuck in Die... Help!
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on March 28, 2011, 12:33:27 PM: Heredoggydoggy gave the best advise.

-Steve
Title: Re: Case stuck in Die... Help!
Post by: JKEEN33 on March 28, 2011, 12:40:55 PM: +2 on what heredoggy said. I can get you a picture of what it looks like if needed.
Title: Re: Case stuck in Die... Help!
Post by: JKEEN33 on March 28, 2011, 12:45:31 PM: Quote from: KillBilly on March 28, 2011, 12:07:29 PM
Just out of curiosity, was it a nickel case? They will get stuck more readily than brass because they are harder.

I here this about nickle plated all the time, but I reload a lot of it with no issues. The only time I see any difference is when trimming, it can feel pretty hard then.
Title: Re: Case stuck in Die... Help!
Post by: engelwood on March 28, 2011, 03:44:53 PM: Thanks for all the ideas guys. It was not nickel plated, just standard brass. I think that heredoggy had a good idea and I gave it to my buddy. Personally I guess I'm lazy, I'd just send it to RCBS and ask them to fix it. He sprayed the cases with RCBS spray and used a lot more than normal he said as he normally neck sizes his brass and he decided to try FL sizing some. He said he's done using that spray, but who knows. He's going to go back to the normal RCBS case lube with pad. That's what I have and haven't had any problems in my limited experience with it...
Title: Re: Case stuck in Die... Help!
Post by: Gutpile on March 28, 2011, 04:44:58 PM: Quote from: Heredoggydoggy on March 28, 2011, 09:00:05 AM
The RCBS Stuck Case Remover Kit is a high-priced way to buy stuff you can get at any hardware store: A #7 drill bit, A 1/4-20 Tap, (a tap wrench is handy) A 1/4-20 bolt about 1 1/2" long, and enopugh washers or a socket that fits over the case head, and that's all you need. Clamp the die in a vise, (with soft jaws or wood blocks so as not to damage the die threads) drill out the primer pocket with the #7 drill, tap threads in the hole with the 1/4-20 tap, put the washers or socket over the case head to build it higher than the case, and turn the bolt into the threaded case and turn with a wrench to extract the stuck case. After the case is loose, I usually have to add more washers to pull the case over the expander ball. You can't unstick a case with vise-grips or pliers. Don't even try!

Maybe so but it works very well. I've only used it twice but it sure is nice to have around and I think I only paid $15.00 or so. Thats not that much considering all of the other garbage we reloaders talk ourselves into buying.
Title: Re: Case stuck in Die... Help!
Post by: KillBilly on March 28, 2011, 06:01:30 PM: Quote from: JKEEN33 on March 28, 2011, 12:45:31 PM
Quote from: KillBilly on March 28, 2011, 12:07:29 PM
Just out of curiosity, was it a nickel case? They will get stuck more readily than brass because they are harder.

I here this about nickle plated all the time, but I reload a lot of it with no issues. The only time I see any difference is when trimming, it can feel pretty hard then.

I have only stuck one nickel case but never another one. I lube well when using nickel however it still re-sizes harder than brass.
Title: Re: Case stuck in Die... Help!
Post by: wadu1 on March 28, 2011, 06:21:50 PM: Quote from: JKEEN33 on March 28, 2011, 12:45:31 PM
Quote from: KillBilly on March 28, 2011, 12:07:29 PM
Just out of curiosity, was it a nickel case? They will get stuck more readily than brass because they are harder.

I here this about nickle plated all the time, but I reload a lot of it with no issues. The only time I see any difference is when trimming, it can feel pretty hard then.

When I can I only use nickel because it does not get stuck; I've only had one out of 400 or so and I did not lube it. Brass on the other hand I get one stuck often mostly with Federal then Remington followed by the thin walled Winchester. I will be starting a new run on Tuesday of 6.5X55 SE with Norma brass; I'll see how that goes. In my 9.3X62 I completly buggered up a set of dies on the first case. :twocents:
Title: Re: Case stuck in Die... Help!
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on March 28, 2011, 07:48:05 PM: I guess I should have clarified why I think the RCBS Stuck Case kit is expensive. I'm spoiled! For nearly 40 years in my construction career I installed tons of door hardware on metal doors and jambs. Therefore, I have GOBS of 1/4-20 taps, and GOBS of #7 drills, which are the main items in the RCBS kit. I've seen the RCBS kits in gun shops, and if I remember right, they are now @ $20.00. A drill and tap should not cost nearly that much, and the rest should be found in the average workshop. If you have money to burn, and are a "gotta have it now" person, the RCBS kit will do the job.

There are two kinds of reloaders: Those who have stuck a case in a die, and those who will. :chuckle: