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3hours lost removing stuck case

Yep, got a 223Rem case stuck in a FL sizing die. I did the first round and got some old lube on the neck when I pulled it out of the die. So I stopped and cleaned the die, reassembled it and ran the same case into it again; but I had wiped the old lube off the case and didn't think, repeat, didn't think, to relube the case. Ouch!

With this Lee die it was made even more problematic because the expander won't come out of the top of the die and the decapping pin is sticking out of the flash hole. So carefully with a Dremel cut off disk I removed as much of the case head as possible. Then a small drill was used to weaken the remaining base around the flash hole. It was then possible to drive the expander out of the case.
The hole it left was big enough to start a tap and I first tried a 5/16nc, but that was too small, 3/8 was too large, but 9mm course was just right. I ran the tap in slowly and backed up often to keep the threads clear. About 3/4" in it freed up and I was hoping that the stress relief was enough to get the case free but instead it had finally cut the case thin enough that that short section cut free.
Rather than risk damage to the die, or worse yet getting a tap stuck in the die, I opted to try a drill bit to cut the case down a little at a time. Using a tap handle to turn the bit it looked like it was working with a nice brass shaving spiraling up the flute. Just as the shaving got to the mouth of the die the case spun free and came out stuck to the bit.
Three hours and some patience and some motivation to be more aware the next time I clean a die, and I was back in business.
 
Somehow I think it's going to take a real heavy hammer. Not very elegant but I guess doable. I use very few LEE dies but, knock on wood, have never stuck a case in one.

Greg
 
LOL The LEE Youtube video seems pretty real. I looked close and saw nothing with a Babylon Bee reference...(VBG)

Greg

I'm sure it is real, because I have done it the one other time I had one stick. But that time I was in the middle of a batch and had lube in the die and just failed to get enough on the case ( Imperial ). It took some effort but it could be driven out. This time both case and die were dry and it was STUCK.

@Minshooter, thanks for the tip. Not that I want a next time, but I will try it should it happen again.
 
That kroil trick might come in handy. I have a regular case puller that has done me well over the past 40+ years..lol

Greg
 
For 223, I just drill out the primer pocket with a 1/4" drill bit, take out the extander rod, tap for a 5/16" bolt, screw the bolt in the case and take a long punch that fits and drive the case out. Usually a couple of hits is all it takes
 
Put the die with the stuck case in a freezer for an hour.
Brass and steel do not shrink the same and the brass will be smaller after freezing.
At this point you should be able to do the drive pin trick with little effort.
I was thinking using some aerosol spray freeze and a thin red applicator tube to freeze the case head from outside, or the case body from inside (if the expander stem is not blocking entry of the applicator.) But that stuff has gotten expensive, like $16 or more for a 10 oz can if you can find it.
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I do my primer removing with a universal decapper. That leaves me with a primer pocket and flash hole to work with. Enter the can of freez-it. Warm the die exterior first with a heat gun, let it soak in, then spray the freeze-it up the flash hole. it doesn't take much since brass doesn't take long to change its temperature. In all honesty, some times it works and some times it doesn't. With the decapping stem omitted, you still have the option of going down through its hole in the top of the die with a long drive punch and muscling the case out and into the scrap box.

Hoot
 
Drill primer hole 3/16s, tap to 1/4-20 threads, thread in small piece of all thread, cut piece of 1/2 inch conduit about 3/4 inch long. slide conduit over all thread put 2 1/4 fender washers over all thread and let the sit on top of conduit. put 1/4 -20 nut on all thread and tighten nut till it pulls case from die. Save homemade bullet puller till next time. There will be a next time.
 

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