.223 resizing die screwed?

Attilathecanuk

Attilathecanuk

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Well I didn't put on enough lube and had a case get stuck in the die. I removed the stuck case and inspected the die and recapping pin and all seemed good. Tried another case with plenty of Lee Resizing Lube and another case got stuck. I notice that when pushing the ram (case) up into the die there is more resistance than before. After getting that case unstuck I used Lyman case lube and tried a different case with the same result. Is my die buggered or maybe just need another recapping pin?

Brass is clean but not tumbled, nosler, Winchester casings both were used.
 
Use a strong flashlight and have a good look in the die.... Could need a good cleaning or even a lapping... Just went through this with my 7-08 die... Gunk and rust in there.
 
Try resizing a case without the decapping rod and see if its still difficult, if not then you may have bent the pin which you can get from Lee probably for free.
 
Are these range pick ups?
is this a new die ?

Ok this is one way to check your die (not a way to resize more than 1 case as it is messy and you will not be able to use the case you resize

Do you have any automotive 2 stroke oil (all you will need is enough to wet a q-tip

remove die from press / look clean it
put a fired case in the shell holder(lubed with 2 stroke oil) and lower handle (raise ram)
thread die down till it starts to size case
Up and down with handle on press when turning die 1 turn (repeat) if it gets very sticky add 2 stroke oil to brass case (you are sizing case 1/8 of a inch per turn)

when done (completly sized)/ wipe case with a rag, look /check sized case for problems / flaws /scratches etc / and measure

Because of being unable to clean case --- that one case is unreloadable but you could check to see if it will chamber in your rifle (but don't get it stuck)

ps
I use Rcbs lube and the ziplock bag method to lube cases
 
The shell holder doesn't grip a whole lot of the .223 rim. I find that .223 is one of the easiest calibers to get stuck. When I have problems, it is usually lube related. You might also try a different shell holder.
 
Degrease the die and use a solvent soaked patch on a cleaning rod the clean it. If you have a 556 chamber brush use it also, soaked in solvent chucked in a hand drill.
Degrease the die then go stupid with the lube on 2-3 case's. Slather it on to make sure it get's everywhere.
Post your result's
 
tiriaq said:
The shell holder doesn't grip a whole lot of the .223 rim. I find that .223 is one of the easiest calibers to get stuck. When I have problems, it is usually lube related. You might also try a different shell holder.
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I agree with this. Using the correct number shell holder is important, but in my experience RCBS shell holders fit .222/.223/.222 magnum brass better than Lee, Lyman, and even Redding shell holders. In addition, there's lots of commercial case lubes that leave much to be desired; since switching to Imperial Sizing Wax, I've never wanted to use anything else.
 
I got one stuck too. By the time it was out, the pin was toast. 10 new pins for $5 each from Higgeson and I figure I have a lifetime supply now. Especially since I started using the margarine tub lubing method. (and credit to the member who posted it, someday I'll find that thread again). To recap, place 50 to 75 pieces of brass in a 500ml plastic tub (margarine, cottage cheese whatever) add a small blob of Lee sizing lube (this takes some experimenting) and shake, shake, shake it.

236 pieces with nary a problem other than denting some shoulders from too much lube. With the current amount, the cases feel slippery but don't have a any visible lube on them. My take on the difference between this method and using a pad is that the tub method lubes the necks and shoulders and that what gets stuck in the die.
 
Remove the expander and polish the inside of the die with a snug fitting shotgun cleaning mop using any of the following. Use Kroil or any type light oil and J&B bore paste, automotive rubbing compound, Mothers Mag and wheel polish, etc.

Or dissemble the die and place the die body in a vibratory tumbler with treated walnut media and let tumble over night. My reloading bench and equipment is in my basement and if I do not clean and oil my dies and they sit for a long time they can get a corrosion on them. When this happens the first thing I do is tumble the die body and then polish with a shotgun mop. After this the inside of the die is slicker than snot on a door knob. ;)

If this does not work contact the die manufacture, sometimes a die is sent out without being polished correctly and the cases get stuck. Also I bought a brand new Redding .243 die, cleaned it with WD-40 and got a case stuck on the first sizing. Many new dies are protected with a dry film, and in my case I didn't read the directions. The directions said the clean the inside of the die with Hoppe's no. 9 bore solvent that dissolves the dry film that causes the cases to stick in the die.
 
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Yeah like others have said already. Clean the die and make sure your lubing up the right parts of the brass before sizing too.
 
just having some fun said:
Are these range pick ups?
is this a new die ?

Ok this is one way to check your die (not a way to resize more than 1 case as it is messy and you will not be able to use the case you resize

Do you have any automotive 2 stroke oil (all you will need is enough to wet a q-tip



remove die from press / look clean it
put a fired case in the shell holder(lubed with 2 stroke oil) and lower handle (raise ram)
thread die down till it starts to size case
Up and down with handle on press when turning die 1 turn (repeat) if it gets very sticky add 2 stroke oil to brass case (you are sizing case 1/8 of a inch per turn)

UPDATE this worked pretty good! I polished the inside of the die, and worked a case for about half an hour up and down while screwing in the die to the press with the 2 stroke oil. I found the thread from Ganderite regarding the tub method and will be using that from now on! Thanks to everyone for the help!! I also think I will be getting a shell holder from RCBS for 223 as they are supposed to fit better than the Lee one
Click to expand...
 
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