Author Topic: Stuck case  (Read 446 times)

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Offline rockymtn eagle

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Stuck case
« on: August 02, 2006, 11:42:07 AM »
I'm new to reloading and got my first case stuck in the resizing die. What do I do now? Is there a tool that'll get it out?  How do I prevent it from happening again?

Thanks!

Offline qballs

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Re: Stuck case
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2006, 03:12:39 PM »
You can get a stuck case remover - Midsouth would carry them.
If your dies are RCBS they will remove the case for you.  Just send it to them

Offline BigJakeJ1s

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Re: Stuck case
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2006, 04:34:27 PM »
Get a 1/4-20 tap and matching drill.
Drill out the primer pocket and tap the hole.
Get a 1/4-20 bolt, washer, and a 3/8 drive socket that will clear the cartridge base, but rest on the bottom of the die (or on a lockring screwed all the way down to the bottom of the die).
Insert bolt through washer and drive end of socket, then thread into tapped hole in stuck case.
Tighten bolt, and it should pull the case out of the die.

Use more/better lube on the case to prevent this in the future.

Andy

Offline ButlerFord45

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Re: Stuck case
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2006, 10:54:40 PM »
I'm new to reloading and got my first case stuck in the resizing die. What do I do now? Is there a tool that'll get it out?  How do I prevent it from happening again?

Thanks!

Read ALL instructions throughly before pulling the handle.  Sounds like a case with no lube.
Butler Ford
He who does not punish evil, commands it to be done.-Leonardo da Vinci
An armed society is a polite society-Robert A. Heinlein
Only the dead have seen the end of war- Plato
Lord, make my words as sweet as honey
tomorrow I may have to eat them- A lady's sweatshirt

Offline rickyp

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Re: Stuck case
« Reply #4 on: August 03, 2006, 07:10:33 AM »
RCBS and Hornady both make a stuck case remover. the both work close to the same way you have to back out the decapping stem as much as you can better if you can get it out. drill out the primer pocket and tap it. The hornady has a special bolt that screws in the case and you snap a shell holder in place and use the ram to pull the case out. the RCBS you have a cap that goes over the die mouth and screw the bolt in the case and the screw pulls the case out. you may need to buy extra washers for the RCBS but this is no big deal. You need to buy a stuck case remover they are cheap and if you need one you will have it.

The reason you got a case stuck in the first place is you did not use the right case lube, not enough or none at all.

Offline Zcarp2

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Re: Stuck case
« Reply #5 on: August 03, 2006, 08:55:12 AM »
IF (and this is a big IF), you have enough rim left on the cartridge.  Drop the die in a small jar of WD-40 or other penetrating lubricant and soak for a day.  Reinstall in press, snap the shellholder in place and try to pull it out.

SOMETIMES this will work.  If not, you will need to drill and tap.

I was given a 243 full length die that the owner couldn't remove the cartridge from after drilling and tapping.  Thankfully, he did not strip the threads out of the case.  After soaking in WD-40 for 12 hours, she slipped right out.  He wanted to know my secret. 

Lubrication is a good thing!  Best of luck to you!
Zcarp2

"The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get-rich-quick theory of life." - - - Theodore Roosevelt

Offline OR-E-Gun Bill

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Offline rockymtn eagle

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Re: Stuck case
« Reply #7 on: August 03, 2006, 04:17:25 PM »
Finally got the case out.  I found that I didn't lube the case well enough.

Thanks to all who responded.