309 JDJ Brass Forming Question

[Minnesota1]

I just purchased a 309 JDJ barrel.  I am having problems forming the brass.  I got the 308 sizing die like it said and lubed the 444 marlin cases up and put them through the die.  It was so hard pushing up on these shells.  I couldn't neck not even 1 case!  In fact the case got stuck the 1st time and I had to take the die apart to get the shell!  I have my press bolted in and it actually pulled loose trying to form this brass.  Am I doing something wrong?  Does anyone have any pointers?

Thanks,

Bob

[Ken ONeill]

It sounds like you may not have enough lube inside the die and on the case.

[SD Handgunner]

There was a pretty good article at Gun Tests on the net about forming .308 & .375 JDJ Brass. I found it doing a google search for .309 JDJ Loads.

Larry

[Graybeard]

Sounds like a case of not enough lube to me. Did you properly clean the .308 die before beginning? For me sizing the JDJ cases has always been a smooth quick operation. Any time it's that difficult and you stick a case suspect insufficient lube. OR the WRONG LUBE. I once tried Imperial Sizing Wax as a lube and never did get past that sort thing no matter how much or little I used.

[Minnesota1]

The 308 dies were brand new.  I am using dillion spray lube.  I spray it on the pad and roll the cases.  My 358 JDJ was a snap, the die formed everything just fine.  The 309 with the 308 full length sizer die making the neck on the case is really hard, so maybe I just need to lube the case more?

[Ladobe]

Maybe, but too much lube is just as bad or worse as not enough and may even dent/collapse cases.   

I have never EVER had any trouble forming any of the Marlin brass based JDJ's, and I've had a bunch of them.   Obviously the dies must be clean, but you also might check that new die for burrs, scratches, manufacturing shavings, etc.   IMO its a good idea to polish all new dies, including the neck expansion ball.   But especially those to be used for wildcat case forming.   Other aides that might help... tumble clean the brass - lightly outside chamfer the brass - remove the dies deprime/expansion stem completely - run the 444 brass through 444 dies first to make sure their mouth is concentric.   If all else fails, get a Bullberry double form die or The Plate from Blaine Eddy.

Unlike Bill I swear by the Imperial Sizing Wax.  A little goes a very long ways, it's easy to get enough lube without getting too much and it's not messy to use or clean up.   Most folks try to use too much of it I think... only takes a very little every few cases to keep the dies lubed.    I don't know... maybe its the extreme difference between Bill's and my climate that makes the difference with it, but for years I haven't used anything else.

HTH

Larry

[SD Handgunner]

I am betting it is insuficient case lube. I use the Dillon Spray Lube, but do not use it on a case lube pad.

In my experience the Dillon Spray Case Lube works much better sprayed on the cartridges, then letting alcohol carrier to evaporate before sizing the cases.

What I do is lay my cases in rows with the case mouths pointing away from me in a cookie sheet. I give each row of cases a couple sprays moving the bottle as I spray to get good coverage. I then shake the cookie sheet to roll the cases around. I then have a cup of coffee and let the alcohol carries in the spray lube evaporate.

I started using the Dillon Spray Case Lube almost 15 years ago on the advice of an old gun dealer buddy of mine. I haven't used anything since and have never stuck a case using it.

Larry

[RicMic]

An old Gun Test article says that it's best to use a 308 WIN die before the 309 die.

http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/may97bench.html

[Graybeard]

The 308 dies were brand new.  I am using dillion spray lube.  I spray it on the pad and roll the cases.  My 358 JDJ was a snap, the die formed everything just fine.  The 309 with the 308 full length sizer die making the neck on the case is really hard, so maybe I just need to lube the case more?

That is NOT the correct way to use spray lube. You don't spray it on a pad you spray it on the cases. That's why you're having problems.