Anyone get cases stuck in the Seating Die?

[CjC73]

While seating bullets, the case is getting stuck in the alignment sleeve (Hornady custom dies) so bad that the sleeve is getting pulled out of the die and I have to hammer the bullet tip to free the case from the sleeve.

What is going on?

What am I doing wrong? Never had this happen before.

 

[rwj]

First time you have used this die set? Can a case be freely inserted/removed from the sleeve when not seating a bullet?

 

[M-61]

Correct die being used?
Just a long shot

 

[CjC73]

First time you have used this die set? Can a case be freely inserted/removed from the sleeve when not seating a bullet?

yes, i set the die up with a case in the holder.

Correct die being used?
Just a long shot

yes, i did double check that

 

[CjC73]

I had actually loaded up 50 rounds to fire form and I wasn't jamming the bullet enough so I pulled them and now trying to re-seat the bullets and this is happening. I did increase the neck tension a bit to help with jamming the bullet.

 

[mousegunner]

Screwed down too far and getting over crimped?

 

[SSL]

Screwed down too far and getting over crimped?

My thoughts too.

 

[CjC73]

I set it up per instructions for no crimp (I don't crimp any of my reloads) . But I'm going to try and unscrew it some more.

 

[Link]

Resize the case ?

 

[rwj]

I had actually loaded up 50 rounds to fire form and I wasn't jamming the bullet enough so I pulled them and now trying to re-seat the bullets and this is happening. I did increase the neck tension a bit to help with jamming the bullet.

How much neck tension (interference fit) is now being used? Are the case neck ID and/or bullet bearing surfaces being lubricated before seating? Have you determined if the case is sticking in the sleeve or the bullet in the seating stem?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You need to lap the seater stem to a bullet. Its got a sharp edge and is snagging it

 

[CjC73]

Set it at about 4 thou neck tension.

Yes, case is stuck in the sleeve. Bullet is not stuck in the seater nor is it leaving a mark on the bullet

 

[rwj]

Set it at about 4 thou neck tension.

Yes, case is stuck in the sleeve. Bullet is not stuck in the seater nor is it leaving a mark on the bullet

I’m thinking that the cases may have become distorted when the bullets were pulled. Suggest resizing them as @Link noted above

 

[CjC73]

I’m thinking that the cases may have become distorted when the bullets were pulled. Suggest resizing them as @Link noted above

Tried screwing die in the least amount and it seated 4 cases, fifth one got stuck.

Resized them. First one got stuck.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Flat based bullet?
Chamfered inside of neck?
Bullet going into a Donut?
Force of seating (0.004" tension) is crushing shoulder.
You can try black marker. Make a ring around the shoulder/body junction.
Take a case and sand/file neck O.D. to thin neck a few thou.
Seat a bullet. If it sticks it's not the neck, it's the shoulder (shoulder/body junction).
Got a picture of stuck case after being tapped out?
Both of these are bulged at the shoulder/body junction. You can feel the bulge.
Click to zoom in.
Took a couple loose pocket cases and did this on purpose

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

The sleeves are not cartridge specific, but caliber family. The correct sleeve for the cartridge you are seating for will measure, several thou larger than a bullet seated neck(30/06 in 308 sleeve is .334 ish, sleeve .346). The crimping ring is inside the sleeve, on my 3006 seater the sleeve will not reach the shoulder before the neck makes contact with the crimp ring. So the sleeve for correct caliber family must be used and the sleeve installed correctly. And the die must be backed off 1 full turn of contact with case mouth(ram raised all the way) to avoid crimping. So a case sticking in the correct sleeve isn't possible, but sticking the case in the crimp ring(die body adjusted wrong) could happen, or the sleeve is backward? Stem must be in sleeve before adjusting die body position.

 

[rwj]

The sleeves are not cartridge specific, but caliber family. The correct sleeve for the cartridge you are seating for will measure, several thou larger than a bullet seated neck(30/06 in 308 sleeve is .334 ish, sleeve .346). The crimping ring is inside the sleeve, on my 3006 seater the sleeve will not reach the shoulder before the neck makes contact with the crimp ring. So the sleeve for correct caliber family must be used and the sleeve installed correctly. And the die must be backed off 1 full turn of contact with case mouth(ram raised all the way) to avoid crimping. So a case sticking in the correct sleeve isn't possible, but sticking the case in the crimp ring(die body adjusted wrong) could happen, or the sleeve is backward? Stem must be in sleeve before adjusting die body position.

Varying case length and/or shell plate deck height (if being used on a progressive press) are variables that could cause sticking…

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Die body is set with a case in the shell holder. So shell holder deck has nothing to do with seating die body adjustment. If die backed of a full turn(no crimp), and odd case makes contact with crimp ring, you have missed one of the steps in reloading(uniform case length).

 

[CjC73]

- they're all the same length
- boat tail bullets
- necks are chamfered

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I hope a pic helps. The Hornady custom seaters that I've seen are made like this one and there is ample(a lot) of case clearance in the die. Not sure what the op's issue is coming from but I think the way this die is made might rule out some of the possible answers that do apply with different seater..fwiw.
Here's a pic.

Hornady Custom Grade New Dimension 243 Winchester, 6mm Remington, 6mm

The Hornady Custom Grade New Dimension Seater Die is a great die for the avid reloader. The Seater Die will improve your bullet seating and...

www.midwayusa.com