Author Topic: brass stuck in die (Read 653 times)

hillbilly · « **on:** June 22, 2003, 08:15:27 AM »

fellas I've got a problem, I got a .338win mag case stuck in my RCBS die and tore off the rim. (never let your inexperienced brother in-law help you out reloading :evil: ). If anyones got an idea how to budge it out I'd be very grateful, if not I stuck buying a new set or trying to get the cash out of my brother in-law :cry:

longwinters · « **Reply #1 on:** June 22, 2003, 08:47:14 AM »

I've seen kits for brass removal. I thought RCBS had one. Otherwise if you send your die to them, they will repair it. I do not know if there is a cost involved or not. But they do have customer service that you can call and they would give you the details. Their phone # should be with the paperwork/instructions that came with your die. Good luck.

stv · « **Reply #2 on:** June 22, 2003, 08:57:47 AM »

It is easy. RCBS sells a stuck case removal kit for a few bucks. But if you are at all mechanically inclined you can put one together your self. Go to a hardware store and get the following stuff;
1. tap drill for a 1/4-20 - I think it is a #7 or a 15/64 drill. and a 1/4-20 tap. ( if your metric only in your area get a 6mm tap drill and coarse thread tap. ) Also get a bolt 1/4-20 bolt that is about an inch or less long. Also, Get several large washers that are over 1" outside diameter and ID less than the bolt head. Depending how you are set up for tools, you may need a drill motor, tap handle, and wrench for the bolt also.
2. At home remove the die from the press and loosen the neck expander and get it up out of the way. Screw the die in upside down in the press but leave it about 1/4 inch from coming aobve the top of the press.
3. Drill out the primer pocket with the tap drill and run the tap in.
4. Place washer(s) over the head of the press. place some lube on the face of the washers(drop of gun oil). Run the 1/4 inch bolt in so as to extract the case against the thread of the bolt. Your wrench twisting the bolt will do all the work.
The case will be destroyed but with a damaged rim it is of no use anyway. Check your practice on lubing the case before sizing to prevent recurrence. I use imperial sizing wax and haven't had a stuck case in years.

KN · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2003, 12:54:26 PM »

Also if your using Hornady case lube be sure and let it set for a minuet before sizing. A buddy of mine tried to size one right after spraying and stuck it good. KN

eroyd · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2003, 03:46:42 PM »

I got a 257 case stuck in a neck sizing die. Ended up ripping the bottom of the case off to get the ram handle up. How do I get that one out? :oops:

KN · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2003, 03:54:20 PM »

Your saying that the only thing stuck is the neck and it won't come out? Boy thats a new one. If you can find an expandable reamer you could possibly ream it out a little at a time untill it finally gives. Of coarse I'm assuming that you get the de-priming pin out first. If the bottom of the case is gone you should be able to do this. KN

Ross · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2003, 05:21:36 PM »

Don't forget that a jammed case may have the shellholder twisted around and withdrawn out of the ram without tearing the rim off. That doesn't get the case out of the die though.
Cerrosafe or other fusible alloy is good for removing headless cases from either a chamber or a die, and protects from damage.
I had a .303 Savage case stuck in a .30 WCF die and filed the base clear off, reamed it thin with a pocketknife, and inserted a sail needle alongside the case to collapse it so that it could be pulled out easily with needle nose pliers. It did not scratch the Winchester die.
Now I use the jackscrew method above or just take it in to my local expert for free service on their products. That is one consolation for living in Bankruptifornia.
Cheers from Oroville,
Ross

eroyd · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2003, 05:58:48 PM »

Thanks for the tip. I was able to get the expander ball and primer pin out through the bottom of the die and will have to visit dads machine shop and see what kind of reemers he's got. Weird that the case ripped just below the shoulder. 25 cal's space is pretty cozy to see and work in, wish I'd done it in a 375. The die is a Hornady.

Hcliff · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2003, 05:38:56 AM »

eroyd you can also take a brush that is begger than the areas of the case that is left and jam it in there. I tmight pull it out. This trick works for cases stuck inside of chambers. The brush have enough holding power to get a good grip.

hillbilly · « **Reply #9 on:** June 26, 2003, 06:47:38 PM »

stv thanks for the tip. I'll have to try a little Gerry-rigging but what the hay it can't hurt, but really hurts is not being able to reload on those rainy days on the farm, crops are in the weeds sprayed, fences mended. nothing to do but pop a few goghers, song dogs and work up a couple of new loads.