Author Topic: Help! Stuck .22 K-Hornet in FL die  (Read 538 times)

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Offline patrick_sween

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Help! Stuck .22 K-Hornet in FL die
« on: September 11, 2003, 10:32:44 AM »
I'm still now sure how, but I need to get it out.  The case actually separated just in front of the head, flush with the mouth of the die.  The neck and body of the case are up in the die, and the rim and head pulled off completely.  All the stuck case removers I've seen thread into the head, which is useless in my situation.  Any suggestions?  This is in a Redding FL resizer.  Thanks!

Patrick

Offline longwinters

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Help! Stuck .22 K-Hornet in FL die
« Reply #1 on: September 11, 2003, 10:52:22 AM »
If Redding is like RCBS just send the die in to them and they will remove the brass from it for free.  Good luck.

long
Life is short......eternity is long.

Offline John Traveler

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Removing stuck .22 K-Hornet case from sizing die
« Reply #2 on: September 11, 2003, 11:06:00 AM »
Sending the stuck die to the manufacturer is easiest, but if you want to do it yourself:

Whichever method you use to remove that broken case, you have to  be VERY careful NOT to scratch or damage the sizing die cavity!

1.  Back off neck sizing plug and decapping pin stem.  Remove both, if possible.  That will make the following easier:

Use an oversize stainless steel bore brush and cleaning rod.  Forcibly insert the brush into the broken shell, well into the neck portion of the case.  Hold the die in a bench vise padded with wood blocks.  Wiggle and try to pull it out.  

If that doesn't work, try the following:

2.  Clean and degrease the inside of the die cavity/broken shell case.  Insert a coat hanger wire with the end bent into a "U".

 Heat up both by dipping end of die (CAREFULLY!!!) into a pot of bullet casting lead.  Be SURE to use pliers and protective clothing and eye protection!

When hot, use your ladle to pour the broken shellcase cavity BRIMFULL.  Let cool.

Hold die in padded bench vise again.  Grab coathanger and forcible pull the case out of the die.

HTH
John
John Traveler

Offline patrick_sween

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Thanks guys, I think I'll just send it in.
« Reply #3 on: September 11, 2003, 01:05:01 PM »
Don't want to risk wrecking anything, and the Hornet doesn't give me much room to go poking around in there!  We'll see how Redding customer service is.

Patrick

Offline Ross

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Stuck case
« Reply #4 on: September 11, 2003, 05:42:12 PM »
My favorite scheme for removing stuck headless cases is to pour a cerosafe (or sulfur) chamber cast and drive them out.
Once I stuck a case in a Winchester die and drove a needle alongside the case to collapse it for easy removal with needle nose pliers.  Take care not to scratch, of course.
Cheers from Gray's (for now) California,
Ross

Offline Duffy

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Help! Stuck .22 K-Hornet in FL die
« Reply #5 on: September 11, 2003, 07:15:14 PM »
I have CAREFULLY threaded a proper sized tap into the case and tapped it out from the top with a punch. Depending on how far up in the die it is you may not be able to get the decapping pin out though.

Offline patrick_sween

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Thanks again, guys
« Reply #6 on: September 12, 2003, 05:33:15 AM »
I tried to get the decapper out, but the case is all the way up in the die and I couldn't get the stem out.  I called Redding and they said to just send it in, so that's where it's going today.  Thanks again.

Patrick

Offline HWooldridge

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Help! Stuck .22 K-Hornet in FL die
« Reply #7 on: September 12, 2003, 06:02:16 AM »
I have used the needle method of sliding along between case and die to get one side of the case to collapse.  You can then usually get a pair of needle nose on it to remove but be sure and put the die in a vise so you have control.

Offline patrick_sween

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Update: Redding has great customer service
« Reply #8 on: September 23, 2003, 03:22:29 AM »
Sent the die in on a Monday, it was back looking like new on Friday, no charge.  They even replaced the decapping pin assembly for me, as mine was getting a bit dinged up.  I didn't even request that, but they threw it in.  Redding will be getting more of my business!

Patrick