Stuck Case

[Sniffer]

I was resizing some 556 brass and unfortunately the base of a case broke off and the remainder of the case is stuck.

This is a 223 Rem Dillon carbide die and I was using clean lubed cases (Dillon spray lube).

Is there a way to extract the remainder of the case without destroying the die or am I SOL? With the base broken off there isn't anything to drill / tap (I watched a video of an extraction kit which worked like this) so is there a way?

 

[reb]

RCBS stuck case remover
Simple to use and works on multiple calibers.

 

[Snider shooter]

RCBS stuck case remover
Simple to use and works on multiple calibers.

He needs the base of the case. That’s broken off only the front is left in.
I was able to get one out by taking the die apart. I was able to use a punch and hammer by tapping the edge of the case mouth pushing it out. Obviously you are using your cases past their prime. Look for that bright ring around the base and garage those cases.

 

[tbhupe]

When punching out the top half of the case, make sure to use a brass punch so you don't damage the die.

 

[stubblejumper]

You can still turn a tap into the case left in the die, you just need a larger size, and you need to be careful that it doesn't cut right through into the die.

 

[dan belisle]

You can still turn a tap into the case left in the die, you just need a larger size, and you need to be careful that it doesn't cut right through into the die.

Correct. Measure the outside diameter of the case, roughly where its broken off, on another case. Subract neck thickness, do a quick calculation and choose your tap accordingly. - dan

 

[Sniffer]

He needs the base of the case. That’s broken off only the front is left in.
I was able to get one out by taking the die apart. I was able to use a punch and hammer by tapping the edge of the case mouth pushing it out. Obviously you are using your cases past their prime. Look for that bright ring around the base and garage those cases.

Correct, there is no base to drill or grab.

I tried the punch on the next edge idea but didnt really get too far into it until I did a little more digging so I may revisit that today.

The cases are twice fired 5.56 IVI so not sure what happened with this one, I will inspect some to see if I see any sign of potential failure.

 

[Sniffer]

I did try the tap idea yesterday and found that the tap I had was just a little too small (it was the only one in the right ballpark). It did thread in but pulled out when I put force on it to remove.

The crappy thing is if I cant get it out Dillon Carbide 223 dies only come in sets so its gonna get pricey (I really like the Dillon because its carbide and because it is pretty forgiving if the case doesn't enter it perfectly).

 

[Sniffer]

Got it out.

I used a rat tail type round file that *just* fitted in the neck and screwed it in, being tapered it reached a point where it had such a good hold that the case started to turn so I used a punch to tap on the file from the top of the die and get it out.



Wasnt hard at all and the die is good as new again.

Cleaned it up, put it back in my press and just deprimed / sized 1000 cases.

 

[Snider shooter]

Sounds good. Only twice fired? Brass history? Possibly a bad case to start with or possibly a multiple fired case from another reloader.

 

[Raton57]

Makes it easier put in the freezer first works wonders.

 

[tbhupe]

Awesome work. Ingenuity and adapting is what separates us from the animals and the leftists.

 

[Sniffer]

Awesome work. Ingenuity and adapting is what separates us from the animals and the leftists.

If they had an issue like this they'd probably sit home and wait for the government to tell them what to do but the reality is they wouldn't get into reloading in the first place as they are too scared of guns (and everything in general it seems).