HELP - Removing live round from resizing die.

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Northman999

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I had a batch of .338 win mag reloads that needed some slight resizing to work in my BAR. Well, long story short, now I've got one live round stuck in my RCBS resizing die (sans decapping pin, obviously). The rim on the brass is totally torn off and it seems in there good a tight.

I was thinking maybe I could drill downwards through the bullet and into the case, use a hypodermic needle to fill the case with water to nuetralize the powder and primer (sucking out some of the goop as I go), and then, once she's all inert, use one of those "stripped screw remover" things on the base of the round to try and back the case out of the die.

Does this seem safe or workable?

Any other ideas?

I did an internet search on removing a live stuck round and did not find anything relating to this situation. But, apparently, lots of guys get live rounds stuck in the chamber of their Sprinfield XD pistols...
 
Now I am NOT an expert with this situation, and the closest I have done similar is with a .223 round with a spent primer, (I forgot to lube the case, and it was to be a dummy round). Ideally you should talk to an expert or even RCBS for advice...

What I did was the following (With gloves, face shield and hearing protection, in a house devoid of wife and kids).

Use a non-ferrous punch through the decapping threaded hole. You will ruin the round.
Small taps, to ensure minimal side loads.
Remember that many rounds have compressed loads (Pressure does not set off the powder, flame does). Slowly tap the round out. You will drive the bullet down into the throat and possibly into the body of the round. Also remember that there is a flash hole that will prevent your punch from going through to the primer.

I would imagine however, you could alternately add in the following step if you decide to. Once the bullet is behind the neck, you may be able to pour out all the powder inside the cartridge. (Removed from press, held and shook upside down with a very small punch holding the bullet into the body of the round, powder drained out thru decapping pin thread.) Once empty you can discharge the primer without worry of pressure buildup (no powder, loose bullet = no pressure, just flame & noise). May damage the threads of die, but case can be then drilled and tapped for extraction.
 
I'd hammer it out with a punch from the top, next time, lube the case! Sorry, I didn't see similar post being done at the same time.
 
use a hypodermic needle to fill the case with water to nuetralize the powder and primer
Click to expand...

I would not assume that water will neutralize the powder & primer.
If that cartridge goes off in the die it will be a grenade.

As far as a live cartridge stuck in a chamber one can tap it back & out with a squib load rod but the case is probably wedged into the die a lot tighter and you would probably just drive the bullet back into the case.

I don't even want to suggest throwing it out as is because it would still be dangerous.

Maybe someone else has an idea.
 
As you now know, using a standard FL die on a loaded round is a bad idea.
The round is going to be stuck a lot tighter in the die than a round would be in a rifle.
You might be able to push the round out. I don't know how comfortable I would be doing that.
Do not count on water, oil, etc. rendering the powder and primer inert.
For what a FL die costs, I would be inclined to replace it and write the thing off as a learning experience.
 
burnt_servo said:
can you flip the die upside down in the press , and push the round out with a short punch , using the ram of the press instead of hammering it ?
Click to expand...

Never actually thought that far outside of the box :) If your press is large enough, most likely. Make sure you have something solid to put on top of the ram shaft however (You don't want the punch stuck in the ram).

As for just throwing it out? I have an issue on the off chance a garbage crushing cycle might set off the primer (No idea what would be against the primer during a hydraulic cycle, but I'd rather deal with it myself, than an unsuspecting garbage person).
 
If you want to do what you were trying to do, get a body die. Even then, the manufacturer won't recommend sizing loaded cartridges, but it will work.
As for the die with the loaded round stuck in it, I'd throw it away.Dig a hole and bury it if you have a problem with it going in the garbage. Start a campfire and throw it in, then post the results.:D
A new set is 35 bucks and you'll get an extra seater. If you load more than one bullet weight that's kind of handy.
 
I'd remove the die from the press. Turn it upside down and screw it into the underside of the press. Using a short, Non ferrous (wooden dowel will work) punch small enough to go into the top of the die. Cut the base off of a second piece of brass, any kind. (You must have had a case head separation on something). Put the appropriate shell holder in the ram, insert the case base you made or found, guide the wooden rod up into the top (now bottom) of the die and push it out. You will get powder falling out on the floor once you have pushed the bullet in. However, your press should have the necessary power to push it out. Keep the dowel short and you may need several different lengths. Safest way I know.
Unless of course, NOT RESIZING LIVE ROUNDS IN THE FIRST PLACE, but hey, lesson learned, right?
 
ben hunchak said:
I'd hammer it out with a punch from the top, next time, lube the case! Sorry, I didn't see similar post being done at the same time.
Click to expand...

I doubt it was lack off lube that did that. I could be wrong but i believe the die body sizes the neck smaller than required and then the button on the de-capping rod opens up the neck as you withdraw the case. This way it achieves the correct neck tension.

So if you put a round with a seated bullet in the die you will wedge it. Tapping on the bullet will probably wedge it even more. Be safe, for about $35. you get yourself a new die. Good luck.
 
... Personally, being cheap, and on a fixed income, throwing the Die away would not be an option. Therefore, I'd at least try to salvage it. The safest and most likely to succeed, is probably as suggested, invert the Die and apply gently, increasing pressure using the Press and rod though the top ( now the bottom ) of the die. Wood would seem the least likely to cause a spark, which would not be a good thing !....Regardless, wear safety gear ! Just in case ! ..... David K
 
Sizing loaded ammo is a bad idea from the get-go. Removing a well wedged load from a FL sizing die would not be my favorite endeavor. It is going to be super tight, and as it is a live round, you would need to be very cautious when trying to remove it. A new die might be the best solution. Eagleye.
 
the other thing i'd be tempted to try .....

using a small drill bit set , the type used to clean oxyacteylene cutting torches .
the type that is ment for hand use only .

( looks like these ..... ht tp://www.thefind.com/hardware/info-tip-cleaning-drill )
with the round under water ,work the drill bit back and forth between your fingers till you work through the primmers casing .

then goto the largest drill bit in the kit and drill out the hole .

then i would let it soak over night in water before using some sort of dental instrument to pry the primer out .

the reaon i feel this is fairly safe is because , how many rifles out there leave firing pin marks in the primer when you cycle them ? ( all the the ljunman i've seen do this )
that is far more force / impact than the very light effort it takes to drill through the primer by hand .

heat and impact will both set off a primer , give it neither and your good to go .

once the primer is out you can use a case extractor to remove the case .

btw i would also drill through the bullet and get the powder wet too .

once the powder and primer are wet they don't work any more .

if in doubt try to light wet powder with a match , or take some primers that have been soaking in water and hit them with a hammer .
 
David K said:
... Personally, being cheap, and on a fixed income, throwing the Die away would not be an option. Therefore, I'd at least try to salvage it. The safest and most likely to succeed, is probably as suggested, invert the Die and apply gently, increasing pressure using the Press and rod though the top ( now the bottom ) of the die. Wood would seem the least likely to cause a spark, which would not be a good thing !....Regardless, wear safety gear ! Just in case ! ..... David K
Click to expand...

One thing being cheap and on a fixed income and another being cheap, on fixed income and covered with shrapnel. That's a grenade waiting to happen. Your personal safety got to be worth $35. or maybe not.
 
I would not use anything that might cause heat (drill). Purchasing a replacement die should be penanace enough for an error.

Take the fouled up one fishing with you.
 
burnt_servo said:
the other thing i'd be tempted to try .....

using a small drill bit set , the type used to clean oxyacteylene cutting torches .
the type that is ment for hand use only .

( looks like these ..... ht tp://www.thefind.com/hardware/info-tip-cleaning-drill )
with the round under water ,work the drill bit back and forth between your fingers till you work through the primmers casing .

then goto the largest drill bit in the kit and drill out the hole .

then i would let it soak over night in water before using some sort of dental instrument to pry the primer out .

the reaon i feel this is fairly safe is because , how many rifles out there leave firing pin marks in the primer when you cycle them ? ( all the the ljunman i've seen do this )
that is far more force / impact than the very light effort it takes to drill through the primer by hand .

heat and impact will both set off a primer , give it neither and your good to go .

once the primer is out you can use a case extractor to remove the case .

btw i would also drill through the bullet and get the powder wet too .

once the powder and primer are wet they don't work any more .

if in doubt try to light wet powder with a match , or take some primers that have been soaking in water and hit them with a hammer .
Click to expand...

Wow! I consider this the worst of all the suggestions. That's a bit like examining the fangs of a rattle snake.
The best suggestions were throwing the thing in the lake.
 
stuck live round

if you have a lead bullet drill a hole through the lead ,carefuly you can then dump the powder out of the cartirage you may be able to get a long pinto push out the primer .
 
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