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#1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 13, 2006
Location: In a tent in Iowa
Posts: 434
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Stuck case,.....
Other than use more case lube next time. What can I do to get it out? I didnt lube the case!!! Tried to straighten up the neck after cleaning &, just couldnt help myself. There I was had the chuker arm all the way ddown before I realized what I had done. Any way to get the case out, w/o having to send the die in? The rim on the case is partially torn off! Ill just buy another set of dies if I gotta send it in. They were Lee's so its not that bigga deal, but it still chaps my ass. Signed, Stupid Ass
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#2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 15, 2004
Posts: 934
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Loosen the collet nut that holds the decapping stem, and beat on the stem with a brass hammer. Just one of those extra Lee features.
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#3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 13, 2006
Location: In a tent in Iowa
Posts: 434
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Really?
Sounds to good to be true! I removed the locking collar and, was trying to pull the ball back through the neck!! lol Ill give it a try thanks.
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#4 |
Staff
Join Date: March 4, 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 21,743
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I've had stuck cases that wouldn't even respond to that treatment. Just pushed the primer pocket back. Then used one of the RCBS pullers; drill and tap and pull. Basically tore the head out. Even applying heat after a week-long Kroil soak had no effect. Had to soak the stupid thing in ammonia for about 4 months to eat the case out and get it back into service, but a fair amount of surface rust discoloration formed.
Since then I read a post by a fellow who did the opposite of what I tried. He had one stuck as badly as mine, and which also failed to respond to heat. On a hunch, he put it in the freezer, and, voila, it popped right out. I've been wanting to try it, but haven't been willing to create the opportunity. I just thought I'd pass it along so you could be the guinea pig. ![]() Nick
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#5 |
Junior member
Join Date: November 5, 2005
Posts: 670
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I've always found the Lee dies "stuck case" feature to work great. You might have to use a punch to drive the decapping stem through, though.
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#6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 27, 2000
Location: Hastings, Nebrasksa - the Hear
Posts: 2,209
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Beat on it.
You might soak it in penetrating oil first. Can't hurt. Marvel's mystery oil or GI bore cleaner work well. Breakfree CLP is better than nothing.
I've done the "oops-no-lube" trick more than once. Welcome to the party. |
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#7 |
Staff
Join Date: March 11, 2006
Location: Upper US
Posts: 30,487
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RCBS stuck case remover
While it hasn't happened to me alot, it has happened. Last one was a .308 Win. I used the RCBS stuck case remover, and it worked like a charm. Of course, the case is toast, but it was when the rim ripped off.
I don't know about Lee dies, but it is not a good idea to use the decapping stem as a punch to drive out the stuck case with Lyman or RCBS, unless you want to replace the stem also. And, it might not work. Never thought of the freezer, but IF (when ![]() |
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#8 |
Junior member
Join Date: November 5, 2005
Posts: 670
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Driving stuck cases out with the decapping stem is one of Lee's features that they advertise.
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#9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 13, 2006
Location: In a tent in Iowa
Posts: 434
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Too late
OK, I used the decap pin to drive the case out! Thing is the stem looks like a piece of wet spaghetti now! Bent all to hell. Now I definately need to get a new die to replace this one.
he put it in the freezer, and, voila, it popped right out. I've been wanting to try it, but haven't been willing to create the opportunity. Ive used this with oversized bearings before many, many times. Dont know how well it would work here though. The brass would have to expand and contract at different temps, than steel. If I ever have to Ill give it a try. And yes, I used a BRASS hammer to bend steel. If it can be done, I will find a way! lol.... My moms maiden name was Murphy, after all. Thanks for all the help guys. Any suggestions on dies? The Lees worked just fine other than operator stupidity.. ![]() |
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#10 |
Member
Join Date: April 7, 2006
Posts: 41
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decaper pin
I've had to beat out 2 stuck cases with my new lee progressive for failure to use lube on .223. The decapper pin did bow on the 2nd one-but I straightened it back in a vise. It's only $2 for a new one and I don't see why you think the die would be FUBAR? Isn't doing stupid things God's gift to humans? good luck
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#11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 15, 2004
Posts: 934
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Lee guarantees the decapping pin for life. Call them up, tell them you broke it, they'll send you another. Next time, don't remove the locking nut, just loosen it. The nut acts as guide and support to the pin.
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#12 |
Junior member
Join Date: November 5, 2005
Posts: 670
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Ditto, what Leftoverdj said!
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#13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 13, 2006
Location: In a tent in Iowa
Posts: 434
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Do I need a reciept?
I bought them at a gun show. The threads on the collar are boogered up pretty good.. I said I used a brass hammer, a 4 lb brass hammer + brass drift. I kinda over do everything. Frmr arty mech. I cant help it....lol
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#14 |
Staff
Join Date: March 11, 2006
Location: Upper US
Posts: 30,487
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fyi
The RCBS stuck case remover involves a drill bit, a tap, a cap for the die, a screw, and an allen wrench. You will need to provied a drill, and a tap handle.
First, remove the die from the press. remove (or back off as much as possible), the decapper stem from the die. Drill out the flash hole of the case. Thread the flash hole. put the cap over the case, start the screw, and turn it with the allen wrench. The coarse threads on the screw will slowly pull the brass from the die, until it breaks free. Then you can unscrew the screw, and throw away the case. BUT, If you are a former 45K, or 45L mos, you might not want to use this process. Go find a former 45B, who will, for a fee, remove your stuck case. ![]() |
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#15 |
Junior Member
Join Date: March 9, 2006
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 5
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Actually did the stuck case thing myself on the weekend, and would have been too embarassed to admit it if I hadn't seen the thread.
I actually tried the freezing with RP7 spayed in the vicinity, no luck. Didn't budge a bit. My version of the RCBS stuck case remover involved a claw hammer, a wood screw and a vice. Deformed the screw but the case didn't budge. The case also happened to be the one I used sandpaper on to remove some heavy corrosion on the outside so it had a nice cross-hatch effect to grip onto. I'm going to give it to the fitter at work, he enjoys a challenge. If all else fails I'll fork out the $49AUD for a replacement full-length die. Certainly not worth sending it to anyone to fix unless its for free...or there's sentimental value. |
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