Problem SOLVED Thanks! =) - Stuck Case in Resizer - To freeze or heat?

Haagen_Dazs

Haagen_Dazs

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So I have a piece of brass stuck inside a steel resizing die...


I've been pounding away at the top but this thing is really stuck. I'm thinking of changing the dimensions by either freezing or heating it up, but Im not sure which one will cause the steel to grow more/shrink less than the brass.


The term "freeze the balls off a brass monkey" indicates cast iron (kinda steel) will not shrink and the brass will.

Please advise!
 
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Easiest way is to buy or make a stuck case remover. Drill and tap the case for a 1/4" bolt then place a socket over the die that is large enough to let the base of the case through ,then screw a bolt into the case then voila the case is out.
 
get or make yourself a "stuck case remover and slowly extract it that way-it's been covered several times on this board- and has NOTHING to do with pounding the s**t out of your decapping rod top- remember. you could possibly ruin the die by heat- ie lose it's temper, whatever; freezing would be the way to go - or take a drive over to see dennis or one of the other places on the island and they'll get it out for you- it's one of the more basic operations of reloading- we ALL get a case stuck in the die sooner or later
 
Did happen to me once on a Lee i did heat it as i figured if it is lost i had 3 mores, took it out and i did not affected the resizer to this day it is the one i use for my M-14 ammo... JP.
 
a)1/4-20 tap and handle
b)1/4-20 bolt, or SHCS
c)socket set
d)Allan keys
e)adjustable wrench
f) 1/4' thick washer

I assume die is unprimed?
Unscrew die with stuck shell from press.
Replace die upside down in press.
Drill primer hole with No. 7 drill bit, .201"Ø, or close to that.
Use 1/4-20 tap on drilled hole.
Take bolt or SHCS and insert it in washer.
Place that in socket.
screw assembly into stuck case.
turn bolt or screw with wrench or allan keys until shell comes out.

Use case lube or Castor oil from then on.
 
I took a propane torch and heated up the outside of the resizer before i had squeze what was left of the case head in a visegrip when it start to move i went left and right slowly and it came out...JP.
 
zuke said:
What bramd of die is it?
A LEE die has a built in stuck case remover.
Click to expand...

Its a Lee pacesetter die and I tried to knowck it out but its really stuck and just managed to dent up the rod and my table.

The problem with drilling it is that the depriming rod is right there behind the flash hole...
 
Sound's like you missed lubing that one.
I used to just leave them in the press to remove them. it is mounted solidly?
Call LEE in the morning and see what they say, you might get a new die sent to you if you pay shipping.
 
I did the same with a lee die ( could happen to any die) Loosen the decap /resizer nut on the top of the die. Leave the die in your press. Use a 1/4" drift punch and hammer the h%%l out of it. I got mine out, but I didn't loosen the nut, I removed it. I succeeded in bending the rod. A quick email with a picture to Lee and a new rod is on the way no charge. The key is not to remove the retaining nut to keep the rod from bending. good luck
 
iceman2 said:
I did the same with a lee die ( could happen to any die) Loosen the decap /resizer nut on the top of the die. Leave the die in your press. Use a 1/4" drift punch and hammer the h%%l out of it. I got mine out, but I didn't loosen the nut, I removed it. I succeeded in bending the rod. A quick email with a picture to Lee and a new rod is on the way no charge. The key is not to remove the retaining nut to keep the rod from bending. good luck
Click to expand...

Ive been beating this thing to a pulp, no movement... Thinking about getting it into a vice or something.

I'll call Lee and hopefully they'll send me a new one. THe instructions say it costs $4 to fix...

Freezing didnt work BTW.

I did call Hornady today and got some free sizing wax to replace the #### One Shot case lube I got in the package...
 
I assume you have removed the decapping pin and have inserted a rod down inside the case?

Really only 2 things can happen at this point, the case comes out or rod pushes off/through the base of the cartridge.
 
The decapping pin acts as a rod that can push the cartrige out but has failed so far.

The furthest back I can pull it is just in lie with the insdie of the primer cup, not sure what's keeping it in there (a Lee pacesetter die).
 
I've heard many horror stories about Oneshot lube.
I use LEE lube cut 1 part LEE lube with 10 part's rubbing alcohol in a dollar store pump bottle with lead pellet's to mix it up al la spray paint can.
Don't use any type of steel for a mixing ball,it'll rust.Lead or stainless steel.
 
being where you are and seeing how far you've gone with this, i'd be putting together some "beer money" and going to see dennis sorenson- GUNTECH- he's right there on the island, and this is clearly beyond your level of expertise- on the other hand , there isn't much dennis hasn't seen or done over the years
 
Haagen_Dazs said:
The decapping pin acts as a rod that can push the cartrige out but has failed so far.

The furthest back I can pull it is just in lie with the insdie of the primer cup, not sure what's keeping it in there (a Lee pacesetter die).
Click to expand...
I don't have a set of pacesetter dies, but the same rule should apply when using the decapping pin as a rod - either the case comes out or the base comes off. If neither has happened, it is simply because not enough force has been applied.
 
Haagen_Dazs said:
The decapping pin acts as a rod that can push the cartrige out but has failed so far.

The furthest back I can pull it is just in lie with the insdie of the primer cup, not sure what's keeping it in there (a Lee pacesetter die).
Click to expand...

You are completely on the wrong track.
The decapping pin will not push the case out, it will only ruin the rod in the die.
Isn't there a threaded bushing on top of the die, enabling the whole decapping and internal sizing device to be removed?
Do that, then use a rod, like so many have told you.
 
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