I have stuck yet another case in my 223 small base dies. I do range brass and long time ago just decapped with the sizing die now I deprime with a die and tumble before it goes in the full length sizer. Cleaning with a shotgun mop and carb cleaner has not helped. If I was to ultra sonic clean it, what would be the right chemicals to use and how long to run? Daughter gave me the cleaner and I have never used it, it was in the house she moved into and came with no instructions.
.223 Small Base Die Issues
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Thread title is a bit concerning
divingin
Gold $$ Contributor
I would take an electric drill, a bore or chamber mop of appropriate size, some very fine wet/dry sandpaper (I use 800 grit; finer would work as well), and some oil. Wrap the paper around the mop, oil it up, and spin it in the die for a few/several seconds. That should remove any embedded brass on the die walls. Clean with a degreaser.
And make sure you're using enough of a good lube (and if you're using One-Shot, make sure you're using it correctly.)
And make sure you're using enough of a good lube (and if you're using One-Shot, make sure you're using it correctly.)
6.5 forever
Silver $$ Contributor
Not a good thread title.
What cleaner did your daughter give you?
I do not think stuck cases are caused by cleaning or lack there of. Cases must be lubed correctly.
What cleaner did your daughter give you?
I do not think stuck cases are caused by cleaning or lack there of. Cases must be lubed correctly.
I'm curious what lube is being used. I have small based dies and never an issue. Can you provide a bore scope pic of the inside of the die? Ive used RCBS, Lee, Lanolin, Redding, Imperial, Unique, and Royal and never a stuck case in any of my 50+ sets of dies. Since switching to Royal, I've found less sizing force is required and never a dented shoulder.
Use imperial wax lube... Never had a stuck case since I switched ten years ago... For inside the necks I use imperial dry neck lube , buy the twin pack which comes with the application jar ready to use with the little ceramic balls plus a refill... I dip a qtip in it and use it for application sometimes when doing bulk... This will help with seating and cold weld when using brass with no carbon in the necks... Plus either product will last for years... Totally worth it...
I did get a bad set of lee dies in 10mm awhile back where the carbon sizer in the die wasn't polished correctly... I called them and sent it back with a couple pieces of brass and they polished it up nicely for me for free.... Don't be scared to call the manufacturer , if they won't help it's time to find another die manufacturer or anything else for that matter in my opinion... I don't care who the manufacturer is or how good their products are supposed to be....
I did get a bad set of lee dies in 10mm awhile back where the carbon sizer in the die wasn't polished correctly... I called them and sent it back with a couple pieces of brass and they polished it up nicely for me for free.... Don't be scared to call the manufacturer , if they won't help it's time to find another die manufacturer or anything else for that matter in my opinion... I don't care who the manufacturer is or how good their products are supposed to be....
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
^^^^^^^
Ya I didn't think on the title of this thread, sorry about that. I have used one shot over the years and at the time I stuck the last one (last night) I was using imperial. It has been cleaned numerous times with a .410 shotgun mop and JB, then cleaned with carb cleaner. What are the homemade solutions for ultra sonic cleaners? If I can get it clean (it looks nasty) I will polish again. I think I want to simmer the whole die in slick 50.
RegionRat
Gold $$ Contributor
Is there a stubborn patch of brass or verdigris stuck inside the die? Were the cases that went through this die showing scratches?
If you have a bore scope, you can have a look inside the die to make sure you are not getting stuck because there is galled material stuck to it from previous incidents.
It is not easy to clear that type of issue and it requires some care to avoid doing harm instead of good.
An ultrasonic cleaner will typically not clear a galling problem, but it may still be a good way to start out since you would need to clear previous sizing wax in order to clear the path for the penetrating oil used to clear galling.
Materials like dense wood sticks and Scotchbrite with Kroil, WD40, kerosene, etc., are used with care to avoid harming the finish.
If you don't have the experience or skills to clean the inside of the die with galling transfer, a gunsmith or friend with tool/die experience can help. Don't be afraid to give it a try, but take it very slow to avoid ruining the die and stop if you think you are being destructive.
ETA: if you scrub a die squeaky clean, make sure you prime it with sizing lube before you try again.
If you have a bore scope, you can have a look inside the die to make sure you are not getting stuck because there is galled material stuck to it from previous incidents.
It is not easy to clear that type of issue and it requires some care to avoid doing harm instead of good.
An ultrasonic cleaner will typically not clear a galling problem, but it may still be a good way to start out since you would need to clear previous sizing wax in order to clear the path for the penetrating oil used to clear galling.
Materials like dense wood sticks and Scotchbrite with Kroil, WD40, kerosene, etc., are used with care to avoid harming the finish.
If you don't have the experience or skills to clean the inside of the die with galling transfer, a gunsmith or friend with tool/die experience can help. Don't be afraid to give it a try, but take it very slow to avoid ruining the die and stop if you think you are being destructive.
ETA: if you scrub a die squeaky clean, make sure you prime it with sizing lube before you try again.
To your question re cleaning solution.. I use a mixture of hot tap water, maybe half a tsp of Lemishine dishwasher detergent booster, and a generous squirt of Dawn dish soap. I use a Hornady 2.0 ultrasonic cleaner, with less than 2 litres of water.
I find best results with 25 cases or less at a time in the unit, standing vertically on their bases. Soak for maybe 10-15 minutes before I start the cleaner.
One 30 minute cycle is enough in my case.
Cases come out sparkly clean. Several rinses in hot tap water, then wipe the outside dry and into a 170 F oven for 30 minutes to finish drying.
I do agree that the cleaning process probably isn't what's causing the cases to stick in the die. A good quality lube and the right amount of it. I use the cheap Lee paste lube with good success.
If I start to see scratches on my cases, I use a nylon cleaning brush wrapped in a flannel patch to polish the inside of the die. Chucked in a cordless drill, with the patch saturated with Brasso metal polish. Maybe 5-10 minutes of polishing, then clean it out.
As an earlier post said, you don't want to have the die completely clean when you start using it, or the first case may stick or leave streaks of brass on the bare steel of the die. A light coat of lube does the trick.
I find best results with 25 cases or less at a time in the unit, standing vertically on their bases. Soak for maybe 10-15 minutes before I start the cleaner.
One 30 minute cycle is enough in my case.
Cases come out sparkly clean. Several rinses in hot tap water, then wipe the outside dry and into a 170 F oven for 30 minutes to finish drying.
I do agree that the cleaning process probably isn't what's causing the cases to stick in the die. A good quality lube and the right amount of it. I use the cheap Lee paste lube with good success.
If I start to see scratches on my cases, I use a nylon cleaning brush wrapped in a flannel patch to polish the inside of the die. Chucked in a cordless drill, with the patch saturated with Brasso metal polish. Maybe 5-10 minutes of polishing, then clean it out.
As an earlier post said, you don't want to have the die completely clean when you start using it, or the first case may stick or leave streaks of brass on the bare steel of the die. A light coat of lube does the trick.
6.5 forever
Silver $$ Contributor
nilebartram
Silver $$ Contributor
bad choice for title.
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