Help with reloading dies!

[Svt40 fan]

Hi guys, I've been having a heck of a time trying to get these inserts on my dies removed.. not sure what I'm doing wrong... any tips?

 

[M1-Garand]

They can be very tight,you need to use proper fitting wrenches.A large open end one on the die body and a box wrench on the firing pin nut.
If you use adjustable wrenches you end up with a mess.

 

[redbirddog]

time to buy new dies.

keep a dedicated wrench set for dies that are only used on them. Also keep them lubed so you can adjust.

don't use vice grips

 

[4n2t0]

Don't use pliers...lol.

 

[Hitzy]

The RCBS seater die you have to screw IN to remove it.

 

[just having some fun]

Box end wrench
Anti-Seize on the threads of the hornady
ps you can pick up a tiny packet of Anti-Seize at CT near the spark plugs

 

[glycerin]

File the burrs off of hexagon head, use box end wrench on hex, mount die in press so it's stable. Lube thread on collet so it comes out easier, no lube on inside of collet or shaft.

 

[stubblejumper]

The RCBS seater die you have to screw IN to remove it.

I have seen people ruin seating dies trying to remove the stem out of the top of the die. How is the seating plug supposed to fit through a hole smaller than it is?
As for the other dies, replace them with dies with a threaded recapping rod, and you don't have to tighten them so much. And please try using the correct size wrench, no pliers, vice grips or adjustable wrenches.

 

[Tabacco Brook]

Penetrating fluid and proper wrenches are the first things that come to mind,...not brute force and vise grips. You may be able to try warming, (not over heating), the top of the die with a propane torch, but keep the insert cooler, (no flame on insert), this may slightly expand the die enough to take some pressure off the insert threads.

 

[Trinimon]

RCBS stems screw in from the mouth end of the die.

The Lee and the other one, you gonna need two wrenches as others pointed out. Dunno why some folks crank those tension nuts down so tightly. They're defeating the purpose of them giving way before the decapping pin bends/breaks.

 

[Rod B]

Make sure you use only a six point box end wrench on the decapping pin nut & the correct size open end wrench on the die body.

As mentioned in a previous post some penetrating oil will help.

 

[Svt40 fan]

Thanks for the suggestions everybody! ill give them a give ago.

 

[baldabe]

I'm not 100% sure regarding the Hornady die, but you could try buying another collet nut.

 

[ted_dent]

As for the other dies, replace them with dies with a threaded recapping rod, and you don't have to tighten them so much.

Actually threaded decapping rods have two major drawbacks:
1. If you hit a berdan primer or the case web the decapping pin snaps & you're out of business till you replace it
2. If you get a stuck case there is no way to get the rod out.
Using proper wrenches and proper collet nut tension the Lee collet system is much better. If you hit a berdan case the rod simply slides up through the collet without breaking the pin. And if you get a stuck case you can simple remove the decapping assembly through the top of the die and then drive out the stuck case with a punch from the top of the die. The Hornady sizing/decapping dies function the same way. In fact I dumped all my RCBS and Lyman dies for Lee and Hornady for these reasons.

 

[lpel]

Not sure of the make of your dies but if you do get them apart many will replace the damaged parts for free. That has been my experience with RCBS and Redding but not Lee. Send them an email requesting replacement parts. Good luck!