Author Topic: I goofed up and got a shell stuck, now what.  (Read 509 times)

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Offline teddy12b

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I goofed up and got a shell stuck, now what.
« on: January 03, 2008, 12:48:38 PM »
I was loading some 6.8 rounds on my Dillon 550b.  I was going through my usual routine of lining up 10 pieces of empty brass on the oil soaked sponge.  I rolled them all around and them on the third round a piece of brass got stuck.  I tried my old buddy "excessive force" and like an idiot I got the piece of brass stuck. 

So now I have the "little resizing rod from the middle of the die" out and I'm thinking I should just get a punch and knock out the ruined piece of brass.  I haven't damged my die YET.....  Is there a simple way to save it?

Anyone have a trick to getting a shell unstuck?

Offline The Gamemaster

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Re: I goofed up and got a shell stuck, now what.
« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2008, 01:37:01 PM »
They make tools for removing the stuck brass from the dies.

One locks to the extractor ring on the base of the shell.  I'm surprised that you didn't break anything.

If you have a friend that is a old time reloader - maybe you could call them on the phone and ask for assistance.  Most will already have the tools to remove the brass from the die.

You can also call your press manufacturer and they will sell you the tools to easily and safely remove the shell from the die.

If you punch it out and scratch the bore on the inside of the die, it will probably ruin the die or cause more damage to it than what it is worth.

You have to remember that your die is a precision instrument and heat and cold will shrink or swell the OD and ID of the die, once that happens - it will not be precision anymore.

Offline jhalcott

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Re: I goofed up and got a shell stuck, now what.
« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2008, 01:42:29 PM »
http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/shellextractor/index.asp
  You can make one of these and keep it on hand. You MAY need it again!

Offline teddy12b

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Re: I goofed up and got a shell stuck, now what.
« Reply #3 on: January 03, 2008, 03:33:31 PM »
I'm going to have to buy one of those tools.  I found a couple of those for less than $15 and as much as I hate to admit it, this isn't my first time.  I did it once before and mangled everything up so bad I had to throw the die away.  Live and learn I guess.

Thanks for the help guys!

Offline beemanbeme

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Re: I goofed up and got a shell stuck, now what.
« Reply #4 on: January 03, 2008, 07:07:59 PM »
The neat thing is, once you've got a stuck shell extractor handy on the shelf you never seem to need it again.