First stuck case...boy I got lucky

ZeSpectre · April 2, 2010, 07:01 AM

I had my first stuck case tonight.

I was prepping some once fired .223 brass and a rim just came right off leaving the body in the sizing die. I'm pretty sure there was plenty of lube (RCBS) I just think the case was weak for some reason.

Very unexpected as it was definitely once fired (by me) PMC that looked to be in fine shape.

Fortunately I had some Kroil and I let that "creep" in for about half an hour and then pulled the decapping pin and popped the case with a steel rod and hammer. Only a couple of moderate taps it slid right out.... WHEW!

Considering the horror stories I've heard from some people I feel very lucky (Kroil is the best stuff!). Apparently I've been spoiled by only doing pistol calibers in carbide dies. Time to buy a stuck case removal kit <sigh>.

mongoose33 · April 2, 2010, 09:16 AM

You don't have to buy one online or from a gun shop--you can make your own quite effectively from parts you buy at a local hardware or home supply store:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...15&postcount=5

I've used this several times (not lately as I've learned how to avoid the stuck case problem more effectively), and the price is right.

ZeSpectre · April 2, 2010, 09:21 AM

Hey, I already have all of those items in the shop.
Thanks!

Jim243 · April 2, 2010, 11:54 AM

Yep, had one last week (with a 223) you would think I would know better than to put a dry case in the die. Trying to save time by only doing every other case lubed. Glad I bought my kit 3 years ago. The do come in handy.

Jim

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot · April 2, 2010, 01:49 PM

I have had this situation happen to me a few times over the years, almost always on a set of new dies.

As indicated above, it is easy enough to take tools already in many shops to extrace the stuck case.

Funny thing, the stuck case always seems to come out with very limited pressure. Just a few turns on the bolt and out it drops.

I now try to remember to lube the first case into a new die, with a bit more lube then normal and that seems to prevent the problem.

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

johnjohn · April 4, 2010, 07:09 PM

I went for a few years without a stuck case. Had one, put together a removing set up everything worked well. Went a few more years and stuck 2 on 2 consecutive nights. Just goes to show you you gotta' pay attention to what you're doin'.

Gbro · April 4, 2010, 08:54 PM

This is my procedure for the rare times I have stuck a case. I will also state one can get the necessary tools at the local auto parts store or hardware store.
1. 1/4-20 starting tap
2. 13/64th drill bit
3. 1/4-20 X 1-1/4 bolt
4. 2-3 1/4" fender washers or a 3/8" flat washer and a couple 1/4" F-W's

I did not stick this case by accident, I placed it on top of the shell holder to purposely stick it.
If you are bored and need something to do, give this a try.

Step 1. Remove the expander stem(un-screw). This will leave the expander in the stuck case.
Step 2.
Screw the die into the press upside down.
The drill bit can be held in the tap handle, so no need to run to garage just for 1 hole.

Step 3. Tap the case and then thread it down to get the room to pull case up out of die.

The press ram can be used to hold die from turning during drilling and tapping........

case removed with expander ball still stuck in it. I thread the stem into the ball and try to insert case into shell holder and use press to pull ball. sometimes rim is so damaged it will not hold.

April 2, 2010, 07:01 AM	#1
ZeSpectre Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Shenandoah Valley Posts: 3,276	First stuck case...boy I got lucky I had my first stuck case tonight. I was prepping some once fired .223 brass and a rim just came right off leaving the body in the sizing die. I'm pretty sure there was plenty of lube (RCBS) I just think the case was weak for some reason. Very unexpected as it was definitely once fired (by me) PMC that looked to be in fine shape. Fortunately I had some Kroil and I let that "creep" in for about half an hour and then pulled the decapping pin and popped the case with a steel rod and hammer. Only a couple of moderate taps it slid right out.... WHEW! Considering the horror stories I've heard from some people I feel very lucky (Kroil is the best stuff!). Apparently I've been spoiled by only doing pistol calibers in carbide dies. Time to buy a stuck case removal kit <sigh>.

April 4, 2010, 08:54 PM	#7
Gbro Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,084	This is my procedure for the rare times I have stuck a case. I will also state one can get the necessary tools at the local auto parts store or hardware store. 1. 1/4-20 starting tap 2. 13/64th drill bit 3. 1/4-20 X 1-1/4 bolt 4. 2-3 1/4" fender washers or a 3/8" flat washer and a couple 1/4" F-W's I did not stick this case by accident, I placed it on top of the shell holder to purposely stick it. If you are bored and need something to do, give this a try. Step 1. Remove the expander stem(un-screw). This will leave the expander in the stuck case. Step 2. Screw the die into the press upside down. The drill bit can be held in the tap handle, so no need to run to garage just for 1 hole. Step 3. Tap the case and then thread it down to get the room to pull case up out of die. The press ram can be used to hold die from turning during drilling and tapping........ case removed with expander ball still stuck in it. I thread the stem into the ball and try to insert case into shell holder and use press to pull ball. sometimes rim is so damaged it will not hold. __________________ Gbro CGVS For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, But to us who are being saved, It Is The Power Of God. 1Corinthians 1-18 Last edited by Gbro; April 4, 2010 at 09:00 PM.

April 2, 2010, 09:16 AM	#2
mongoose33 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 228	You don't have to buy one online or from a gun shop--you can make your own quite effectively from parts you buy at a local hardware or home supply store: http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...15&postcount=5 I've used this several times (not lately as I've learned how to avoid the stuck case problem more effectively), and the price is right.

April 2, 2010, 09:21 AM	#3
ZeSpectre Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Shenandoah Valley Posts: 3,276	Hey, I already have all of those items in the shop. Thanks!

April 2, 2010, 11:54 AM	#4
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Yep, had one last week (with a 223) you would think I would know better than to put a dry case in the die. Trying to save time by only doing every other case lubed. Glad I bought my kit 3 years ago. The do come in handy. Jim

April 2, 2010, 01:49 PM	#5
Crusty Deary Ol'Coot Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Location: Deary, Ideeeeeeho Posts: 531	I have had this situation happen to me a few times over the years, almost always on a set of new dies. As indicated above, it is easy enough to take tools already in many shops to extrace the stuck case. Funny thing, the stuck case always seems to come out with very limited pressure. Just a few turns on the bolt and out it drops. I now try to remember to lube the first case into a new die, with a bit more lube then normal and that seems to prevent the problem. Keep em coming! Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

April 4, 2010, 07:09 PM	#6
johnjohn Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2009 Location: Baton Rouge La. Posts: 122	I went for a few years without a stuck case. Had one, put together a removing set up everything worked well. Went a few more years and stuck 2 on 2 consecutive nights. Just goes to show you you gotta' pay attention to what you're doin'.