Man, I'm sorry you're having that problem. I've never gotten a case stuck in the die, and Lord willing, I never will. I know they make a tool that removes stuck dies but I've never bought one yet. Let us know how you end up getting it out.
Stuck 223 Case....GRRRRRR
I resized and decapped the brass that MisterNoisey was kind enough to send...then started on the range pickup from McMiller...probably only 40-50 cases. That was picked off the ground and some older so I had washed those cases in Dawn and they took forever to dry. I spray lubed them up and they still felt a bit gritty.I got maybe 15 done and the dreaded stuck case struck. The die is out of the turret and I loosened the slit nut that tightens down the decapping pin...thought I would get lucky bapping the pin downward while the die is held in a vise. No love...Now trying to get the pin out of the die so I can use a punch to really get some downward force and so far putting a vise grips on the pin and hitting that downward while it's in the vise hasn't freed the pin yet.
I've given up for now...the pin is all bent and will probably have to be replaced.
I'll get back to it tomorrow while I set the brass that I've already processed tumbling in some SS pins. Anybody got a favorite way to free stuck cases?
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<dislike> about 100 times.....
Funny you should say that...I use Lee Case lube in the tube and mix it in a small eyeglass cleaner bottle with 91% Isopropyl. I'll toss the cases in a plastic bag, spritz them, shake them and spitz about 3 more times. This has been adequate to this point. I had just run low in the bottle and added more lube and alcohol. I suspect that I need to add more lube. You know it's good when the solvent flashes off and leaves a light film of lube on the case. I actually love reloading rifle cases. It's the hours of case prep that I dislike, especially when it turns into a stuck die problem.
I went to look for my tap and die set. Didn't find it, then looked for the EZ outs. Didn't find those either. I am somewhat disorganized and many times can find tools if I remember where I used them last. Having a three car garage and full basement doesn't help.
I used more penetrant...used a big Vise Grips until the rim was mangled past recognizability. Beat on the decapping pin until I was afraid my mallet would give out. Then I figured that if I was going to have to replace the die anyway I would try heat. Fired up the blow torch loaded with MAP gas and heated up the surrounding die...not cherry red or even close. A rap on the decapping pin and JOY...the pin and the case flew out the bottom.
I worked on filing off the peened end of the pin...I'll probably chuck that up in the battery drill and spin it in emery paper....if I can find the drill (just kidding...it's right where I used it last
)Have to look at the die, clean it off and polish the bore...those suckers stay hot for awhile!
Thanks for the suggestions. I need to buy a universal decapping die and leave the pin out of the resizing die. Oh..and I need to get organized so I can find my damn tools.
I don't recommend taking the pin out of the die. If you have a boogered up case mouth, the pin is shaped in a way that will save them. I plan on keeping the pin in mine but cut or break off the decapping portion to use in the progressive. I don't work up loads or look for the best accuracy in my AR. It shoots plenty fine (less than 1.5 MOA) with my loads and just use it for fun range plinking.Funny you should say that...I use Lee Case lube in the tube and mix it in a small eyeglass cleaner bottle with 91% Isopropyl. I'll toss the cases in a plastic bag, spritz them, shake them and spitz about 3 more times. This has been adequate to this point. I had just run low in the bottle and added more lube and alcohol. I suspect that I need to add more lube. You know it's good when the solvent flashes off and leaves a light film of lube on the case. I actually love reloading rifle cases. It's the hours of case prep that I dislike, especially when it turns into a stuck die problem.
I went to look for my tap and die set. Didn't find it, then looked for the EZ outs. Didn't find those either. I am somewhat disorganized and many times can find tools if I remember where I used them last. Having a three car garage and full basement doesn't help.
I used more penetrant...used a big Vise Grips until the rim was mangled past recognizability. Beat on the decapping pin until I was afraid my mallet would give out. Then I figured that if I was going to have to replace the die anyway I would try heat. Fired up the blow torch loaded with MAP gas and heated up the surrounding die...not cherry red or even close. A rap on the decapping pin and JOY...the pin and the case flew out the bottom.
I worked on filing off the peened end of the pin...I'll probably chuck that up in the battery drill and spin it in emery paper....if I can find the drill (just kidding...it's right where I used it last
Have to look at the die, clean it off and polish the bore...those suckers stay hot for awhile!
Thanks for the suggestions. I need to buy a universal decapping die and leave the pin out of the resizing die. Oh..and I need to get organized so I can find my damn tools.
Having said all that, I do keep the pin out of my .308 die because I don't pick up range brass for it and only keep my own.
I personally enjoy loading for rifles. It's more relaxing most of the time unless I'm working up loads. Pistols can get monotonous IMO.
This is my recommendation as well. I've pulled a couple of stuck cases over the past few years and these are the ticket to getting the out cleanly. I never wash my cases; they all go into a dry tumbler that eliminates that grimy, gritty feeling in range pickup cases.You can actually make out the size on the tap in this pic. 1/4-20![]()
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