Stuck case help

ice2152

ice2152

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To start I've been reloading 3-4years now. Mostly pistol but have been trying my hand at 308 over the last year. I have a lee turret press. ( save me the should have bought horandy, rcbs please this was in my price range). My problem is a case is stuck in the depriming/sizing die. I tried the loosen the rod collet and punch that lee precision recommends. No go. I'm not able to remove the decap pin rod, is stuck some how. It will move up and down a 1/4 inch but won't come clear of the die. This is preventing me from tapping the shell case and screwing it out of the die.

I've googled and YouTube with no success in finding anyone else with this same problem. Anyone know of a solution? Much appreciated for any help.
 
I got one stuck recently (in an rcbs die), had to spray inside the die with penetrating oil, drill out the primer pocket and use a slide hammer to get the case out. I couldn't get the primer pin out either.

Good luck!
 
You won't be able to pull the decapping rod out the top because the expander ball is bigger the sized neck. With a Lee, the procedure is to remove the collet nut and use the decapping rod itself as the punch. If the idea of that makes you want to cringe I can't say as I blame you. Alternately get a stuck case remover,drill and tap the primer pocket and pull the case by turning the supplied bolt. There are many postings on improvising a stuck case remover, so I wont waste the time typing it all over again.
 
Thanks for the help guys, I did a search and read a few of others in similar situation. Going to try to soak overnight in a jar of oil, then pound with a punch again. On a side note I'm changing my lube from a spray to something else. If I get this clear not happening again.��
 
Imperial sizing die wax is your friend. A case rarely sticks without there being some warning. A little extra effort, a squeak, groan or rough feel on the sizing stroke. If there are any of these warnings, stop remove and relube that case heavier. The second or so that it takes will get paid back a 100 times by avoiding a stuck case.
 
Screw the die in upside down and use a tap and die set to remove. I used my Wilson cartridge case gage as a spacer. You'll need a bolt also.image.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpg I was using the RCBS case lube when mine got stuck. Haven't had one stuck yet with the lanolin and isopropyl mixture.
 

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Dogleg said:
Imperial sizing die wax is your friend. A case rarely sticks without there being some warning. A little extra effort, a squeak, groan or rough feel on the sizing stroke. If there are any of these warnings, stop remove and relube that case heavier. The second or so that it takes will get paid back a 100 times by avoiding a stuck case.
Click to expand...

I wish I had your advice before I started rifle cases, rings true. Thanks.
 
Unscrew the expander ball & de-priming pin assembly from the top. The expander ball is stuck you say - so pull up on the pin while turning it and the assembly should come free from the expander ball and you will be able to get the de-priming pin assembly out the top.

Then use a stuck case remover to remove the stuck case. Once you get the case out cut it in half and get the expander back.

Everyone has had this happen if they reload long enough. Myself included.
I switched from Hornady one shot spray to Hornady Unique case wax (like a paste wax - much better - likely very similar to Imperial )
 
Success!!! I sprayed both ends of the die with wd40 and let sit a half hour then I inserted the die upside down in the press. I had bought a tap and die set this past week on sale at CT thinking my only route would be tapping it. So I used a socket, washer and a machine hex cap screw. After my hand hurt trying to screw out the case I realized there was not enough space in the socket for the case to rise enough out of the die. After changing the socket I felt it rise but had to change the socket to a higher one to allow more space for the case to come out further. Then it just came free. Maybe a longer screw would of prevented me changing out the sockets and just start out with a tall socket. Either way I'm gold now! Thanks everyone for the help. First time using a tap so was a interesting experience.
 
Thing that jumps out at me here is to check the die. See if it is a 308 FL or 308 SB. The Small base dies are for autoloaders. Very tight. Take a guess how i found out about this. I tapped a bolt into the primer hole of the stuck case. Had enough leverage to get it out then. Have not used that small base sizing die since.
 
The expander ball is stuck you say - so pull up on the pin while turning it and the assembly should come free from the expander ball and you will be able to get the de-priming pin assembly out the top.
Click to expand...

The Lee decapper assembly is one piece, so unscrewing out of the expander isn't an option.
 
H4831 said:
ice2152 said:
-------- Going to try to soak overnight in a jar of oil, then pound with a punch again.-------

Use kerosene to soak it in, making sure the die is completely immerged, and leave it at least two three days.
Click to expand...
50/50 lard and kerosene is even better.

nowarningshot said:
Thing that jumps out at me here is to check the die. See if it is a 308 FL or 308 SB. The Small base dies are for autoloaders. Very tight. Take a guess how i found out about this. I tapped a bolt into the primer hole of the stuck case. Had enough leverage to get it out then. Have not used that small base sizing die since.
Click to expand...
Pretty sure Lee doesn't have small-base dies. Just saying...
Click to expand...
 
Lszwajda said:
This happened to me a few times. Take a really fine pair of side cutters and just start cutting away at the neck and pull the pin right out
Click to expand...
Excuse me, I'm not sure of your process. I believe the OP is dealing with a brass case stuck inside a re-sizing/decapping die. Sort of like the pic except the case is STUCK in the die. How are you getting to the neck with your sidecutters through the die?
http://leeprecision.com/files/categories/RifleSizingDie.jpg
 
Happened to me too when I started.

Always clean your dies and always lube your cases. Don't forget about the inside of the case neck.

Have used nothing but Lee Alox and never had any problems.

My Lee press has served me well and has paid for itself.
 
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