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Removing stuck case

nmkid

Gold $$ Contributor
This subject has been discussed before. Yesterday I did it again. I stuck a .223 case in the sizing die. It has been many years since I used my case extractor kit, (RCBS?). Of course, I couldn't find all the parts of the kit. After mulling things over, I drilled out the bottom of the primer pocket. Then I placed the case upside down in the vise and squirted some kroil around the case. Probably any penetrating oil will work. I just happened to have some kroil so I used it. After 5-10 minutes I chucked an appropriately sized steel broken screw extractor into my hand drill. Viola! The case twisted right out easy as can be. I have several of the extractor kits so I won't have to buy a case extractor kit that can be used for one thing.
 
Great tip...thanks.
Stuck a case in a die many years ago and didn't have an extractor kit. Went to the local AC store and got a can of freon. Removed the nut from the de-priming rod to make a little room to stick a spray tube in, sprayed the case from the inside with the freon and used the de-priming stem itself and a rawhide mallet to knock the case out. The case, being brass, chilled faster than the die and shrunk enough to slide fairly easily out. I like your way much better. A lot less hassle and mess!
 
I removed a stuck case for a friend one time. He had worked on it with vice grips and there wasn't enough material to drill and tap so as a "Hail Mary" I used an ExOut like you described. It worked and I managed to not damage the die.

You can assemble a "kit" with ordinary stuff from the hardware store but I like the RCBS kit because it comes in a die box that keeps everything in one place.
 
You can assemble a "kit" with ordinary stuff from the hardware store but I like the RCBS kit because it comes in a die box that keeps everything in one place.

Really? Mine came in a non-resealable plastic bag.

A friend of mine put off reloading for a week and a half while a kit was shipped to him. I gave him a drill bit, tap, bolt, a hex key and a 1/2" or 5/8" machine nut (less than half the price of the kit.) I did have to write out how to use the stuff though. Maybe the extra 50% goes to the technical writer.

Downside was that my buddy misplaced the stuff before the next time he stuck a case.


Edit to add: You also need a fender washer or 3 to put on top of the nut.
 
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Here is an article that explains the stuck case removal process with a tool kit:


Shown are Lyman and Hornady stuck case removal kits, and there is an RCBS video.

 
This subject has been discussed before. Yesterday I did it again. I stuck a .223 case in the sizing die. It has been many years since I used my case extractor kit, (RCBS?). Of course, I couldn't find all the parts of the kit. After mulling things over, I drilled out the bottom of the primer pocket. Then I placed the case upside down in the vise and squirted some kroil around the case. Probably any penetrating oil will work. I just happened to have some kroil so I used it. After 5-10 minutes I chucked an appropriately sized steel broken screw extractor into my hand drill. Viola! The case twisted right out easy as can be. I have several of the extractor kits so I won't have to buy a case extractor kit that can be used for one thing.
Don.t want to brag but i started reloading in 1963. NEVER had a stuck case. The ONLY lube i have used is RCBS case lube. Lucky me.
 

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