Novice who needs help thread

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Shep546

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Rather than posting a new thread every time I run into a hiccup I decided I'll just make one general thread and hopefully you guys will be able to help me from here.

Next question:

Do I need smaller media? I bought a bag of corn cob at the pet store and just tumbled my first set of brass.

When I went to get my cases out the corn cob had embedded itself deep inside every case and jammed up so well it was next to impossible to get it out.

I just spent an hour trying to get the media out of only 80 cases.

The cartridge was .223 remington... is their a different media I should be using?


Edit: Next question:

I'm at the priming phase of my first reload, I just found out that my Lee shellholder will not work with my RCBS hand priming tool.

My Speer reloading manual mentions that my RCBS rock chucker has a swinging arm that goes under the shell holder for priming, but doesn't mention how this works? I don't see how I can prime with my rock chucker.

Thanks
 
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Sounds like the pin isn't pushing far enough.

Silly things may be to blame. Ensure the brass is seated in shell carrier properly, make sure your fully pulling the lever down. Maybe the set screw in your die is loose and the die itself is moving not the primer.

Other than that provided the depriming die isn't broken (the pin being shorter than it should due to breakage or bending) something has to give, if your pushing you lever all of the way down that pin should be traveling far enough to either pop the primer out or pierce through it.
 
it's sticking out a bit passed flush... would this of moved in the first 50 rounds of reloading? how do I adjust it? My manual doesn't say anything about adjusting dies
 
The mandrel in the die has likely slid up the nut on the very top of the die. The instructions that came with the die should tell you how to properly re-set the depth/length of the mandrel.

Give the nut a good crank to lock it place.
 
RancheroMan said:
The mandrel in the die has likely slid up the nut on the very top of the die. The instructions that came with the die should tell you how to properly re-set the depth/length of the mandrel.

Give the nut a good crank to lock it place.
Click to expand...

edit: this was the issue, got it working.

The clamp nut at the top holding the deprimer was lose.

I have another question perhaps you guys can answer so I don't have to make another thread.

I bought a RCBS lube pad and lube, the manual says to spray the lube all over the pad and let it soak in... problem is the lube is extremely viscous and barely comes out if I squeeze like hell, I even trimmed the opening a bit and it still only comes out... is it supposed to be this thick?
 
Shep546 said:
edit: this was the issue, got it working.

The clamp nut at the top holding the deprimer was lose.

I have another question perhaps you guys can answer so I don't have to make another thread.

I bought a RCBS lube pad and lube, the manual says to spray the lube all over the pad and let it soak in... problem is the lube is extremely viscous and barely comes out if I squeeze like hell, I even trimmed the opening a bit and it still only comes out... is it supposed to be this thick?
Click to expand...

To use the rcbs lube pad
using the lube make a large S or x in the center
put 3-4 cases in the lube and roll them back and forth wit your hand add several more cases and roll them back and forth spreading the lube
done
too much lube can be bad

with the amount of lube now on the pad you should be able to do 20-30 cases maybe more if you need to add more only add a tiny bit

pad can be cleaned up using warm water after you are done
let dry and start over next time
 
If you are doing a large batch of cases, mix one tube of lee lube in a gallon of water and mix well. Dip the cases and let them dry. Once dried they have a thin wax-like film on them and they size great. You can either tumble them clean after they're sized or leave them as is. I've tried both ways with no ill effects.

You can do sort of the same thing with various spray lubes and large zip lock bags.
 
I use the RCBS pad and Case Lube 2. I put 6-10 drops of it (yeah its slow) on the pad then rub it all around with my fingers. From there it will soak in more in time. Roll cases and size. After a while even if you don't use it, you need to do it again. (weeks or months)

You should also buy a small tin of Redding's Imperial Sizing Die Wax. It is one of the better lubes and can be used all the time or just handy to have for tough jobs. You apply it to each case with your fingers.
 
in terms of lube...what i do is while reloading i always wear thin disposable nitrile gloves and have rcbs lube beside me and squeeze a very small amount out and rub it between the fingers on my left hand this way as i pick up the cartriges i roll them between my fingers and get a little on the case but not enough to dimple the case neck.
works for me perfectly every time.
if i use the pad i seem to always get to much on the case and dimple the neck.
so essentialy i lube and resize right away in one stroke...i dont lube and then wait for it to dry or ??
 
I initially had the RCBS lube pad but have since tossed it.

I'm with hk22ka1 - try Imperial sizing die wax. It comes in a little tin like shoe polish. Tap one finger lightly on the wax, rub it against your thumb and then roll the case between thumb and finger. It's far less fuss, far less mess and a tin lasts forever.
 
I still use my RCBS pad but place the cases on the pad( usually 6 at a time with primer facing you) then spray them with Hornady case lube roll them on the pad and resize from there. A can of spray lasts a long time and there is little mess. Good luck.
 
Next question:

Do I need smaller media? I bought a bag of corn cob at the pet store and just tumbled my first set of brass.

When I went to get my cases out the corn cob had embedded itself deep inside every case and jammed up so well it was next to impossible to get it out.

I just spent an hour trying to get the media out of only 80 cases.

The cartridge was .223 remington... is their a different media I should be using?
 
the corn cob media @ the pet store is too large.
I use the lizard litter-it's dusty but works good.
For lube i use one shot from hornady--place cases in plastic conainer (like a cheap strawberry container with lid)--spray a small amount and shake,then resize and clean off residue with alcohol and paper towel.
 
Shep546 said:
Next question:

Do I need smaller media? I bought a bag of corn cob at the pet store and just tumbled my first set of brass.

When I went to get my cases out the corn cob had embedded itself deep inside every case and jammed up so well it was next to impossible to get it out.

I just spent an hour trying to get the media out of only 80 cases.

The cartridge was .223 remington... is their a different media I should be using?
Click to expand...

RCBS walnut shell media is finer than the corn cob or any lymans media. It flows right out of the cases but you have to poke out a few pieces from the primer pockets. As for case lube, any of the ones that come in the shoe polish style cans work better than the sprays. I used the rcbs spray and if you leave the cases sit for any length of time they tend to get sticky. I lost an FL die getting a case stuck so badly that I ruined it trying to extract it.
 
walnut shell media from the pet store
used drier sheets to get rid of the dust

add some car polish to the media but not sure of what one to use
I am using lyman turbo polish with the pet store media

Yes the corncob works good but a pain in the primer pocket
 
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