223 reloading help - constant case jams even with lube

Make sure that you are using the correct shell holder.

Clean the shell holder well - or change it for a different one to try.

Make sure that the die lines up with the shell holder. Try turning the shell holder with a case in the resizing die to see if it is tighter in one position - this being a sign that things are not lined up. If the case is lined up, it is pulled by well over half of the rim - if it is not, it only pulls on one small spot on each side of the rim. Look at your ripped rims - how much rim is torn?

A sizer die can get damaged - especially once it begins to stick - fighting to unstick a case can lead to more damage.

Get a proper puller for stuck cases - they work great - five or ten minutes and you are back in business with no damage to decapper pins.

Lube like the other fellows advise and if that doesn't work - buy a new die and send the old one in for replacement too.
 
TacticalCanuck said:
Hi CGN'ers

Ok, so I am obviously not doing something with my rifle reloading. I have managed to reload over 1k 223. But I have now broken parts on 2 dies, and for the third time today, i have a 223 shell stuck in the decapp resize die.

I lube with hornady case lube. I go smoooth then one just gets stuck. I find this extremely frustrating.

This is how my decap pins get broke. I need to hammer the shell out then cut it off the decapper (they never go over the neck resizer on the way out)

Let's keep it to constructive advise please.

I do certainly lube the cases. I usually do batches of 20, lined the same way, I hit the necks with the lube (its an aerosol spay) then I go to it.

As it sits now, I have a case jammed in my die, again. I'm running out of parts, and I don't believe that this process should go the way it has for me. I'm doing something wrong, and from all the videos (from hornady themselves) and reading, I'm doing my part. I understand an occassional jam - but multiple jams constantly every time I try to have a session?? Frustrating would call this frustrating!
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Hornady One Shot case lube is a dry film lubricant that causes more stuck cases in resizing dies than any other lube I can think of. Meaning if not applied as per the directions with 100% coverage of the case it can get stuck.

Sometimes new dies can have a rough interior surface and polishing will reduce sizing effort. Using the appropriate size shotgun cleaning mop and polishing compounds like J&B Bore Paste, automotive rubbling compound etc on the shotgun mop to polish the die with a drill.

Bottom line, any wet type lube will cause less problems, I use home made alcohol/lanolin mix in a spray bottle without any problems. I use a large zip lock bag, drop the cases in and spray, I then work the cases inside the bag to get a even coating.

I consider wiping the case lube off the cases as part of the inspection process as each case is inspected fully. Many reloaders use Hornady One Shot to speed up the resizing process and as you can see it is causing a major slow down......... Change lubes
 
thanks everyone, i'm going to get some different lube and go from there - my lubing technique of using a plastic tray, spraying and mixing them around by hand isn't working. I'm going to take the advice offered, looking into the lee and the homemade lube, and get something larger to 'mix' the lubed cases in.
 
400 resized with zero issues using the described Lee & Bucket method. I hope others can learn from my mistakes and find the thread before they run into trouble! I found zip spindle assemblies at a LGS but I'll be more than happy when my box from Hornady arrives :)

Rifle brass prep is quite extensive, but I think I'm going to invest in a stainless tumbler. Why? After resize and trim, it will clean the cases, clean the primer pockets, and Knock off burrs all in one step :)
 
Mudduck said:
Yup, gave up on the Hornady spray a few years ago. Since I switched to imperial sizing wax I have never had a problem but I think I will give the lee lube a try
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I used to like the Lee lube until I started to find rust in my dies. Lee lube is a water-based lube so either let it dry before sizing or clean and oil your dies after use.
 
I use the case lube from Dillon, with my Dillon 650, haven't had problems so far.
That lube is funny, obnoxious when it is fresh, but residue after a while feels sticky almost.
Not what I used to think of as "lube".
 
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