Big mystery in resizing.....

[schumi]

I'm resizing my 6.5x284 Winchester brass. It's once fired and about 12 years old. I've shot a bunch out of the same lot for years. I just used the Stainless Media for the first time on the Winchester brass. I always used the Hornady One Shot case lube in the spray can for all my resizing. The other day I took off the factory Redding locking rings and put on Forester rings. Other than that everything is the same. When I resize my Lapua brass for my match rifle in the dies, there is no problem. But when I resize the Winchester brass it shakes the whole bench and I've ripped off 3 rims. I've never used my stuck case remover until today!!! Can the One Shot spray go bad? Is the Winchester too hard? I know it can't go bad just sitting around. Is it the media?

 

[LHSmith]

It is a fallacy that cartridge brass does not get hard with time....perhaps not if stored in a hermetically sealed mayonaisse jar.....but in normal storage...it most certainly does.

 

[JRS]

I have, and hand load for a couple of 264 Win mags. The brass is vintage 1967 manufacture in the white and red boxes (I have a substantial amount). I have NEVER had a problem sizing it, and I use the one shot lube.

 

[Grimstod]

Yes sounds like your brass is getting hard.

Also have you cleaned your die? If it's dirty it will run ruff and hard. Cleaning it will help keep it smooth.

 

[243winxb]

Stainless Media for the first time on the Winchester brass.

The surface zinc was removed and the spray lube is not the best. Try a pad with RCBS lube.

 

[scpaul]

I've had a couple of batchs of brass give me the same problem, one 270 win. die is on the loadroom wall to remind me that case lube is cheap, dies aren't (never could get that one out). Small case lube dents, to my knowledge aren't a problem.I've never used ss pins, most of my cleaning is viberated walnut with different polishs. I've tried the spray lubes and even the Lee toothpaste (lithium?). If all else fails there's always several good sizing waxs and one of the previous posts suggested annealing. I know it's probably just me but it seemed nickel plated cases were worse than std. brass. Good luck, Paul

 

[Erik Cortina]

Sounds like the chamber that you shoot the Winchester brass in is bigger than the chamber used for the Lapua brass.

Take some measurements on the brass and you will find the problem. Winchester brass is too big, not enough lube, or both.

 

[K22]

You probably already know this but I'll mention it, spraying One Shot in the die before sizing along with spraying the cases (full coverage) helps prevent stuck cases. I used One Shot for many years and never had a stuck case.

However you may want to try Imperial Sizing Wax which works extremely well on difficult sizing jobs.

 

[schumi]

You probably already know this but I'll mention it, spraying One Shot in the die before sizing along with spraying the cases (full coverage) helps prevent stuck cases. I used One Shot for many years and never had a stuck case.

However you may want to try Imperial Sizing Wax which works extremely well on difficult sizing jobs.

You're right, I did try spraying the die as well as the cases. And like you, I have used the One Shot for years with no problems, until now. I've used the Imperial sizing wax with great results, it's just so slow. But I will have to buy more it seems.

 

[schumi]

Yes sounds like your brass is getting hard.

Also have you cleaned your die? If it's dirty it will run ruff and hard. Cleaning it will help keep it smooth.

I thought about the dies as well. Dies are spotless.

 

[schumi]

Stainless Media for the first time on the Winchester brass.

The surface zinc was removed and the spray lube is not the best. Try a pad with RCBS lube.

I'll try it.

 

[Warren Dean]

Sounds like the culprit could be the SS pins.

Did they peen the surface of the cases at all? Can you see any sort of marking that wasn't there before?

Microscopic scratches and gouges can make the case surface pretty rough although you might not feel it with your fingers.

Just wondering.....

 

[schumi]

Sounds like the culprit could be the SS pins.

Did they peen the surface of the cases at all? Can you see any sort of marking that wasn't there before?

Microscopic scratches and gouges can make the case surface pretty rough although you might not feel it with your fingers.

Just wondering.....

I thought the same thing... I checked and they really just look the same. No peening or scratches. I guess I'll really know when I do the Lapua brass..... (fingers crossed)

 

[easyrdr]

I do stainless media tumbling in a Thumbler. The brass comes out better than new, highly polished inside and out. Water, Dawn dish detergent, and 1/4 tsp LemiShine, a dishwasher additive does the trick. Imperial size wax is the solution!! I have been using the same tin since the early eighties. I tried the Hornady spray once. Gave up on it after 3 270 cases. I use it for straight case pistols and for release agent for bedding rifles. I hear it is good for 223 in the Dillion carbide dies.

 

[Webster]

Wipe a light layer of 10W-30 motor oil on a couple cases and see if it sizes easier. All of the lubes sold for sizing brass are usually Ok. If the case needs to be sized more than usual a more viscous oil may be better? Let use know how it works out. It made a big difference pushing a K&M expander mandrel into cases for me.

 

[Webster]

I have worked many years in the area of metallurgical failure analysis. From everything I know about cartridge brass it's impossible for it to harden with time. It's a single phase alloy. 70/30 brass only hardens by cold working.

 

[schumi]

Wipe a light layer of 10W-30 motor oil.

I'll try that as soon as I get up in the morning! Brilliant!

 

[schumi]

I have worked many years in the area of metallurgical failure analysis. From everything I know about cartridge brass it's impossible for it to harden with time. It's a single phase alloy.

Definitely worth knowing. Thank you.

 

[schumi]

I do stainless media tumbling in a Thumbler. The brass comes out better than new, highly polished inside and out. Water, Dawn dish detergent, and 1/4 tsp LemiShine.

Exactly what I use for tumbling. Going to try the motor oil trick and then use Imperial from now on.

 

[schumi]

I got done with work at 2:30am and stopped at Circle K and picked up some motor oil. I got home and found my Imperial wax also. Got the case that was stuck out of the die. (I'm sure the wife appreciated the noise of the drill at 3am) Sized a bunch more without any problems what so ever. The motor oil is super slick. Imperial takes just a bit more effort, but no more problems. I'm guessing the problem is with the media removing the zinc coating as 243winxb stated, along with others that suspected the media. I know better now..... Thanks to all who posted. Mystery solved.