Lee Loader problem

[MD]

I have a few Lee Loader kits but had previously only loaded for my 6.5x55 and today decided to load using my 7x57 kit.

Imagine my distress when I tried to tap the brass into the sizing die and it wouldn't go. Using a rubber mallet and the normal force that worked for the 6.5 Swede just didn't do it. I wound up and hammered at it as hard as I could and the case just would not enter the die. The brass just seems to be too long.

It is the correct die and it appears undamaged so I can't figure out what is wrong. The brass were once fired in my 1955 Husqvarna Lighweight. Could the brass have stretched that much from one shot so that they will not now fully enter the die?

I was quite disappointed as I had just bought a box of bullets specifically for loading some 7x57 cartridges.

I loaded for my 270 instead. That worked.

 

[telesquirt]

Is it a new or used kit? I bought one used off E-Bay a while back and it looked like the person had used a lot of lube and it seemed to be encrusted and badly fould inside the sizer. I took a .45 caliber brush to it and it worked fine after that.

 

[MD]

It was used. I guess I could try cleaning it, but the way it stops the brass dead makes me wonder what the heck is wrong. I thought maybe there was a case neck stuck in there but looked really closely with a flashlight and it is clear.

 

[telesquirt]

I don't think the rifle ones have it, but I had one for my .357 and you could put a crimp on the round by inverting the die after seating the bullet and giving it a tap, is there any way that the die was screwed together backwards? that would stop the case from entering for sure.