Things I learn not to repeat.

Bill Daniel · January 29, 2012, 11:14 PM

As I finished adjusting my Redding body sizing die to set the shoulder back about 0.001" and I coated the inside with CRP in preparation to storing it and then thought I might check my measurement one more time. So I lightly coated the next case with Imperial wax and sized the case. It stuck, boy did it stick! After pulling the lips off the case head and hammering out the primer area with a Phillips head screw driver and using a Propane torch to heat the die, three hours later I got the case out.
The die seems OK and I cleaned it back up but I will always make sure my sizing dies are clean and dry before use.
I will next purchase a "stuck case remover" but I think I might have broken my press on this one.
All the best, Bill

JR_Roosa · January 30, 2012, 06:44 AM

Yep, stuck cases suck.

I got my new Forster press and they advertise that it's powerful enough to size a case without lube. Thought I'd give it a try with a .30-06. Don't know what I was thinking.

It could probably pull the sucker out, but the rim gave way first.

Go to ace hardware and get an allen head machine screw, drill bit, tap, and washers and with the right size socket as a spacer you can pop them right back out again without waiting for a stuck case kit to ship.

Find one a little bigger than the primer pocket and a fine pitch so you get optimal leverage.

-J.

F. Guffey · January 30, 2012, 07:39 AM

Dan, you broke your press? Heated the die with a torch? You coated the die with CRP?

I clean my dies with a towel on a dowel, I am not a fan of abusing a press, as to ‘pulling the lips off’, I do not know what press you are using, all of my presses allow me to rotate the shell holder when the case is stuck, by rotating the shell holder I can remove the shell holder from the ram and case at the same time, the reason? After removing the die with the stuck case I can screw the die in from the bottom (upside down), then use the press as a vise to hold the die with the stuck case. Stuck case remover, drill, bit, tap, bolt to match the threads of the tap, washers for spacers and a nut that matches the puller (bolt).

Some insist on 1/4 inch, expect for small diameter cases, I insist on 3/8” pullers.

F. Guffey

CrustyFN · January 30, 2012, 08:45 AM

That's what I like about Lee dies. If I stick a case all I have to do is loosen the nut on top of the die and then drive the case out with a hammer and punch. I can remove a stuck and be back to reloading in around three minutes.

sigshepardo · January 30, 2012, 04:00 PM

I got a .25-06 case stuck because I was using WD-40 ( someting else I will never do ). I called RCBS about it, and they agreed to take the die and remove the case. All I had to pay was the shipping, which was about 5 dollars. What good business!

**Unclenick** · January 30, 2012, 05:05 PM

I don't think any of the stuck case removers are bullet proof. Someone here recently bent his Lee decapper rod on a stuck case. I've had stuck case removers pull the whole heads of two cases.

What I finally learned is to take advantage of the fact brass shrinks more than steel does as it cools. Heating it would make it stick harder, but putting it in the freezer makes it easier to pull.

Bill Daniel · January 30, 2012, 11:16 PM

Thanks to all for your thoughts.
Guffey- I did not break the press but was concerned I might if I had tried a "stuck case remover" The CRP was my mistake but when burned with a torch leaves a attractive blue finish and no I won't be using that method to beautify any more dies.
Crusty- the body sizing die is open and as you suggested I tried to pound it free but only succeeded in punching a hole through the case head. As mentioned it was stuck, Space Shuttle re-entry heat shield tile stuuuck.
Uncle Nick- thanks for the metallurgy lesson. How long do you freeze the die before attempting to dislodge the case.
JR and sigshepardo- thanks also for your advice.
Bill

Sport45 · January 31, 2012, 09:10 AM

What is CRP?

**Unclenick** · January 31, 2012, 06:19 PM

I think it's broadly Composition Rust Preventive. I suppose Corrosion-X Rust Preventive is another candidate.

Bill,

Figure to leave it in for an hour. Should be more than enough time to equilibrate. If that doesn't let you pull it loose, take a Styrofoam box and pick up some dry ice. Set a cloth pad on it (to prevent thermal shock) and set the die on the pad and put the lid on and go away for an hour.

m&p45acp10+1 · January 31, 2012, 06:57 PM

I had a .223 case stick in a Lee FL die a while back. I used the stick it in the freezer for an hour, and then loosened the top nut, and used a puch. The case did come out. The decapping rod looked like a nail that was caught in a knot hole it bent pretty good. Though an email to Lee, and a new one was in my mail box a few days later.

Tim R · January 31, 2012, 09:32 PM

I stuck a 223 case once. An RCBS stuck case remover took it right out.

Bill Daniel · January 31, 2012, 10:03 PM

Sport45 thanks for noticing and Uncle Nick thanks for trying to cover for me but in reality "OH CRP" is what I believe I said when the case stuck. It was, however, coated, eversolightly but coated none the less, with Breakfree CLP.
Thanks again to all and I will preview my posts before I submit from here on.
Bill

January 29, 2012, 11:14 PM	#1
Bill Daniel Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2000 Location: Bowling Green, KY. Posts: 518	Things I learn not to repeat. As I finished adjusting my Redding body sizing die to set the shoulder back about 0.001" and I coated the inside with CRP in preparation to storing it and then thought I might check my measurement one more time. So I lightly coated the next case with Imperial wax and sized the case. It stuck, boy did it stick! After pulling the lips off the case head and hammering out the primer area with a Phillips head screw driver and using a Propane torch to heat the die, three hours later I got the case out. The die seems OK and I cleaned it back up but I will always make sure my sizing dies are clean and dry before use. I will next purchase a "stuck case remover" but I think I might have broken my press on this one. All the best, Bill __________________ Prosecute criminals to the fullest extent of the law and their weapons will become harmless. "Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready." Theodore Roosevelt 1903

January 30, 2012, 08:45 AM	#4
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	That's what I like about Lee dies. If I stick a case all I have to do is loosen the nut on top of the die and then drive the case out with a hammer and punch. I can remove a stuck and be back to reloading in around three minutes. __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded.

January 30, 2012, 05:05 PM	#6
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	I don't think any of the stuck case removers are bullet proof. Someone here recently bent his Lee decapper rod on a stuck case. I've had stuck case removers pull the whole heads of two cases. What I finally learned is to take advantage of the fact brass shrinks more than steel does as it cools. Heating it would make it stick harder, but putting it in the freezer makes it easier to pull. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

January 30, 2012, 11:16 PM	#7
Bill Daniel Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2000 Location: Bowling Green, KY. Posts: 518	Things I learn not to repeat Thanks to all for your thoughts. Guffey- I did not break the press but was concerned I might if I had tried a "stuck case remover" The CRP was my mistake but when burned with a torch leaves a attractive blue finish and no I won't be using that method to beautify any more dies. Crusty- the body sizing die is open and as you suggested I tried to pound it free but only succeeded in punching a hole through the case head. As mentioned it was stuck, Space Shuttle re-entry heat shield tile stuuuck. Uncle Nick- thanks for the metallurgy lesson. How long do you freeze the die before attempting to dislodge the case. JR and sigshepardo- thanks also for your advice. Bill __________________ Prosecute criminals to the fullest extent of the law and their weapons will become harmless. "Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready." Theodore Roosevelt 1903

January 31, 2012, 09:10 AM	#8
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	What is CRP? __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

January 30, 2012, 06:44 AM	#2
JR_Roosa Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2009 Posts: 130	Yep, stuck cases suck. I got my new Forster press and they advertise that it's powerful enough to size a case without lube. Thought I'd give it a try with a .30-06. Don't know what I was thinking. It could probably pull the sucker out, but the rim gave way first. Go to ace hardware and get an allen head machine screw, drill bit, tap, and washers and with the right size socket as a spacer you can pop them right back out again without waiting for a stuck case kit to ship. Find one a little bigger than the primer pocket and a fine pitch so you get optimal leverage. -J.

January 30, 2012, 07:39 AM	#3
F. Guffey Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Posts: 7,249	Dan, you broke your press? Heated the die with a torch? You coated the die with CRP? I clean my dies with a towel on a dowel, I am not a fan of abusing a press, as to ‘pulling the lips off’, I do not know what press you are using, all of my presses allow me to rotate the shell holder when the case is stuck, by rotating the shell holder I can remove the shell holder from the ram and case at the same time, the reason? After removing the die with the stuck case I can screw the die in from the bottom (upside down), then use the press as a vise to hold the die with the stuck case. Stuck case remover, drill, bit, tap, bolt to match the threads of the tap, washers for spacers and a nut that matches the puller (bolt). Some insist on 1/4 inch, expect for small diameter cases, I insist on 3/8” pullers. F. Guffey

January 30, 2012, 04:00 PM	#5
sigshepardo Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 150	I got a .25-06 case stuck because I was using WD-40 ( someting else I will never do ). I called RCBS about it, and they agreed to take the die and remove the case. All I had to pay was the shipping, which was about 5 dollars. What good business!

January 31, 2012, 06:19 PM	#9
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	I think it's broadly Composition Rust Preventive. I suppose Corrosion-X Rust Preventive is another candidate. Bill, Figure to leave it in for an hour. Should be more than enough time to equilibrate. If that doesn't let you pull it loose, take a Styrofoam box and pick up some dry ice. Set a cloth pad on it (to prevent thermal shock) and set the die on the pad and put the lid on and go away for an hour. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

January 31, 2012, 06:57 PM	#10
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	I had a .223 case stick in a Lee FL die a while back. I used the stick it in the freezer for an hour, and then loosened the top nut, and used a puch. The case did come out. The decapping rod looked like a nail that was caught in a knot hole it bent pretty good. Though an email to Lee, and a new one was in my mail box a few days later. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

January 31, 2012, 09:32 PM	#11
Tim R Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: God's side of Washington State Posts: 1,601	I stuck a 223 case once. An RCBS stuck case remover took it right out. __________________ God Bless our Troops especially our Snipers.

January 31, 2012, 10:03 PM	#12
Bill Daniel Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2000 Location: Bowling Green, KY. Posts: 518	Things I learn not to repeat. Sport45 thanks for noticing and Uncle Nick thanks for trying to cover for me but in reality "OH CRP" is what I believe I said when the case stuck. It was, however, coated, eversolightly but coated none the less, with Breakfree CLP. Thanks again to all and I will preview my posts before I submit from here on. Bill __________________ Prosecute criminals to the fullest extent of the law and their weapons will become harmless. "Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready." Theodore Roosevelt 1903