April 21, 2011, 01:09 AM | #1 |
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Help! Noob Screwup...
It is my first time actually trying to reload and I have encountered a serious problem. I have the very first live round that I have ever loaded stuck in my crimping die. I did have a light layer of lube on the case and it is still stuck. I have tried to use force to get it out but I have just sheared off the rim of the case. I put it in the freezer to see if I would get lucky and the brass would contract more than the steel in the die, but I just sheared off most of the rest of the rim. Please help.
Thanks in advance, the new village idiot, Matt |
April 21, 2011, 01:22 AM | #2 |
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What cartridge were you working with?
What brand of dies are you using? Is the cartridge stuck in the sizing die, seating die, or crimp die (could be seat/crimp)?
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April 21, 2011, 01:24 AM | #3 |
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.223
it is a Dillon die in a lee handpress (non-bench) the stamp on the dillon die says Final size/crimp |
April 21, 2011, 02:18 AM | #4 |
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I'm not familiar with Dillon rifle dies. You'll probably just have to set it aside, and wait for more responses tomorrow.
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April 21, 2011, 02:20 AM | #5 |
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Alright, thanks for the attempt. No shooting paper with my new loads for now
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April 21, 2011, 02:52 AM | #6 |
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I believe that the top of the Dillon crimp die is open. Should be a simple fix.
Stand the die with the round in it right side up where it won't be disturbed. Now, get some Kroil. Fill up the top of the die with it. Now, go do something else for a few hours. When you return, (do this over a towel, it can get somewhat messy) get a pair of good, strong pliers. Grasp the case BODY ONLY with the pliers, and wiggle the round back and forth until it comes out. NOTE: Do NOT grab the case head. You might crush the primer that way, and you REALLY don't want that. Method #2: NOTE WELL: THIS ONE ONLY WORKS WITH BOTTLENECK RIFLE CASES. IF YOU ARE LOADING A STRAIGHT WALLED PISTOL CASE, DO NOT--I REPEAT, DO NOT--TRY THIS METHOD. You will have to find a press, preferably a single stage press to mount the die into. Put Kroil in the top of the die, and wait for a bit. Now take a punch and GENTLY tap the bullet in until it falls into the case. Again, squirt some more Kroil in to kill the powder. Now, using a punch that fits into the mouth of the case, tap the case out of the die. Hope this helps!
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April 21, 2011, 06:44 AM | #7 |
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Does it look like this...?
If so, it does appear that the top end is open. If so, and you can get it into a vise (secured at the solid top/nut portion, not the threads) Powderman's suggestion is correct as to tap the bullet down into the case with a rod/punch, saturate with light oil, then further tap the bullet/oil-saturated powder/case combination down and out of the die. THEN.... go get a nice/cheap single stage press and some of this stuff: Last edited by mehavey; April 21, 2011 at 10:57 AM. |
April 21, 2011, 07:44 AM | #8 |
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Piece of Cake
It's always a good idea to construct a Dummy round , when setting up a die . Make sure the Dummy meets all measurement parameters , and chambers in the rifle that will be shooting them ! I have never , in 45+ years of reloading , seen a case stuck in a seating die ! Powderman's idea sounds good to me , it's probably what I would do .
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April 21, 2011, 01:24 PM | #9 |
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@Powderman Thanks for the two options. I will be going the second route. Quick question though, will I be able to find Kroil locally? I live in a smallish farming county - we have walmart home depot lowes etc.
@Mehavey yes it does look mostly like the cutaway you posted. I have had some of the Imperial Sizing Wax in my shopping cart at Midway for a couple of weeks. @Oneoldsap Yes, I did try a dummy round first but I decided to make an adjustment on the fly. I am using equipment that is not shiny and new. As a matter of fact, I have had to use Naval Jelly to remove rust off of most of the equipment that my dad has given me. I can take a picture if you would like to pop your "stuck case in a seating die" cherry Thanks for the help all. I will post when I get the problem solved. |
April 21, 2011, 01:31 PM | #10 |
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Kroil is usually available at auto parts stores, like AutoZone, but call first. If you can't find Kroil and are willing to put up with a bad smell, use PB Blaster instead. I believe you can get that at Lowe's in a spray can. The auto parts places usually have it, too, though they charge more unless you want a gallon.
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April 21, 2011, 08:34 PM | #11 |
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If it's a Dillon die, send it back AFTER you get the stuck case out. If it's rusty inside, they'll clean it up or replace it. It seems the case was not properly sized to begin with. Another thing is you never want to leave sizing lube on the finished round so you shouldn't be lubing at this stage.
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April 27, 2011, 12:08 PM | #12 |
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Well, I tried the method recommended here and I still have a stuck piece of brass in my crimp die. I have done some more research and I have found that the die in question is not necessary for the type of shooting that I will be doing with mt Thompson Contender.
Thanks again for the help. Matt |
April 27, 2011, 12:55 PM | #13 | |
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Quote:
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April 27, 2011, 01:20 PM | #14 | |
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Quote:
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April 27, 2011, 01:29 PM | #15 |
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Personally, I'd try the water method to obtain maximum satisfaction. Go to the nearest pond, river, or stream, and throw the die and bullet as far out as you can. Then proceed to gunshop and buy a new die. But...that's just me...
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April 27, 2011, 02:34 PM | #16 |
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This is really, really strange. How does a case get stuck in a crimping die?
You know, it almost sounds like the die was cut a bit undersized. What caliber is doing this, again?
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April 27, 2011, 02:56 PM | #17 |
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The ultimate cure for a strange sticking problem is not the pond, but returning the die to the manufacturer. They will get it out or they will replace it free in all likelihood, to avoid the embarrassment of explaining why they couldn't get it out.
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April 27, 2011, 08:19 PM | #18 | ||||
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Quote:
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April 28, 2011, 06:36 PM | #19 |
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Sounds to me like the die was adjusted to far down and is compressing the case neck into the bullet.
I would go for the water, buy a new one and chalk it up to experience!
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April 28, 2011, 07:12 PM | #20 |
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hindsight I know, but make some dummy rounds first, work out the die settings
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April 28, 2011, 11:31 PM | #21 |
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id call the company and see what they say to do.
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April 29, 2011, 04:12 PM | #22 |
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I vote for calling Dillon and asking them to help.
You are most likely not the forst person with this problem. BUT you should learn on a single stage. IMO |
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