Stuck case in sizing die

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Converting .270 to 8x57mm Mauser.
Used a Lee die, shoulder was too far forward.
Bought a Hornady die.
Tried to resize one of the partially sized cases from the Lee die.
Got stucker than all hell (lots of RCBS case lube 2, no excessive force).
Tried forcing press, ripped rim off case head.
Tried freezing it and pounding it out with drill rod, didn't work.
Tried penetrating oil and pounding it out with drill rod, didn't work.
Drilled and tapped head of case, bolt ripped out of the threading.
Used a larger tap and bolt, ripped out again.
Practically entire head of case is gone now.

Any advice? How easy is it to send it back to Hornady to get them to remove it? Are there any other methods?
 
I think that's one that's going to have to go back to Hornady. I'm sure it's easy to send to them, it'll be easy to get back, because reloading tools don't need any special paperwork.

I've reformed an awful lot of .270/.280/.30-'06 cases to 6.5x55, so I know what you're up against.
What drill-and-thread did you use on the first attempt? I've never had the #7 and 1/4-20 fail me.
 
I actually don't have the normal stuck case taps so first I used a 6mmx1.0 in a 5mm hole. Then I used the next largest I had which was 5/16-18 but didn't have a 17/64 drill bit so used a 1/4 instead (a tad smaller so should have more grip to it.)

I've been meaning to buy the RCBS stuck case kit since it is only $20 or so but I haven't gotten around to it and used what I had on hand.
 
For normal loading I use RCBS 2 on a pad or Imperial Sizing Wax. For special projects almost alway Imperial or sometimes Amsoil motor oil. I tried a couple spray ons for rifle and didn't care for them.

I only had one rim tear off/stuck case. RCBS 30-06 die. I used the drill/tap, bolt, washer/socket method. I probably would use this again instead of buying the stuck case kit.
 
Just a word of advice use wax based lubes such as Lee or imperial instead of RCBS. That solved all issues I had with stuck cases using RCBS and Lyman spray.
Click to expand...

I have used the RCBS case lube for over 30 years without a single issue, but I do avoid the spray lubes.
 
I think where my problem was with the RCBS 2 lube was if the pad had enough to roll and lube 50 cases I stuck a case on the 60th one lubed instead of recharging the pad like I should have.
 
hk33ka1 said:
...I only had one rim tear off/stuck case. RCBS 30-06 die. I used the drill/tap, bolt, washer/socket method. I probably would use this again instead of buying the stuck case kit.
Click to expand...

The "Drill&tap, bolt, socket and washer" pretty much describes the RCBS (and probably every other) stuck case kit.

The trick is in selecting the correct drill for the tap.
Too small a drill and the tap will expand the case and when you insert the bolt, instead of pulling, it'll just wedge the case harder against the sides of the die.
Too large a drill and your threads won't be deep enough.
 
Had this happen on a 300wm case. I got all setup to do some loading one day with my 12 year old, explaining things as we went. Well, my pager goes off for a fire call and while I'm gone he decides to continue sizing the brass - minus the case lube. I return home to find a case stuck. I tried using an RCBS stuck case kit and it just ripped through without budging the case. I took the die apart and made a small punch on the bench grinder that I could insert through the top of the die and try to tap the case out. I soaked the die in penetrating oil over night and started tapping on it the next day, being careful not to damage the die. It took awhile, but eventually it came out in one piece.
 
I had the same thing happen on a bottle neck case.
I found a drill bit slightly bigger than the inside case diameter.
The goal was to get the big portion out of the die.
I fiddle about and managed to drill enough brass out that the
larger part of the brass broke of the shoulder/neck part.
Once that was out of the way, I started on the small end.
Found a bit that was slightly bigger than the case mouth.
Drill that and then another all the while paying utmost attention
not to marr the die.
Then I picked at the lip and got it to fold over so I could work a
punch on it.
I managed to succeed removing the stuck brass without any negative
impact on the die.
I figured worse come to worse, I would have to buy a new die anyways.
I just took my time and persevered...... :)
 
blargon said:
After taking the nut off the pin, I tapped it carefully, and the case came out with the pin, then cut the case off the pin.
Click to expand...

I'v only had one stuck case so far. It happend in the first half dozen I reloaded. :( I did the same thing. Knocked the case out with the pin (lee dies) and cut the brass free from the pin afterward.
 
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