Sizing Die Problem?

[mac86951]

Ok, so my 222 dies, are standard RCBS from way back in the day (aluminum knurled rings). When I size 222 brass, I get a fair amount of resistance when removing the case from the die, and I get some small brass shavings from the sizing button inside the neck. I'm sure this isn't normal, and I end up disassembling the die every 50 rounds, cleaning, polishing the button with 0000 steel wool, and re-lubing everything with Hornady one-shot. I'm guessing this means that I'll need another die, but what do you say?

-Mac

 

[M-61]

No one has better customer service than RCBS (IMO) so in the end a phone call will resolve the issue no matter how old the die might be.

 

[firearmdoc1]

Are you using any lube on the inside of the case necks before sizing?

 

[mac86951]

No one has better customer service than RCBS (IMO) so in the end a phone call will resolve the issue no matter how old the die might be.

Good point, I'll call them up. Not that I won't take the time to upgrade a hand-me-down to Competition dies if I really have the reloaders itch...

I spray the Hornady at a 45° angle to get inside case necks too. This same procedure works for my 30-06 and .223.

I do get brass shavings even with graphite neck lube, or a small dab of imperial die wax.
-Mac

 

[Hal]

polish your sizing button.

 

[Clod-NC]

Hi Mac hi all
Have you checked whether it's the outside or the inside of your necks that's shaved?If you keep your expander ball clean,lint free,polished,the only causes I can see might be a bent decap stem,not the decapping pin,or if you have ever dissassembled this die along with others,that you've put a bigger neck ball than the original one,but then your necks would be too big,so it has to be that the decapping stem is off center.You could check that with a marker touch on your die stop ring and one on the case sized in this die,after you've gone through a cycle,check which side is scratched.Of course,you still have to talk to RCBS about it,and they'll repair or replace the faulty part or entire die I'm sure,good as they are,and probably for free.Also try to put a N°17 O ring under your stop ring,it can't do any harm and will probably help,if only for less run out.Hope it helps.

 

[bigedp51]

Below is a very little used RCBS expander button from a 1976 6mm Remington die, look at your button and check to see if the same lines are around the circumference of your button. If you see these lines you will need to polish the button with more than steel wool to make it smooth.

I chuck the spindle in a drill and use 1600 grit wet and dry sand paper and finish with Mothers Mag Wheel Polish that contains wax for a smooth slick finish. As you can see in this closeup photo these buttons can be a little on the rough side.

 

[mac86951]

Yup, mine looks like the picture. Thanks for the polishing tip. I'll pick up some supplys soon.

I forgot to mention that I chucked the entire decapping rod, pin, ball into a drill when "polishing" the ball with 0000. No bends.

Definitely the inside of the case, not the outside. A few sizings will leave the ball coated with brass.

-Mac

 

[bigedp51]

My 1970s vintage RCBS primer pocket swager is just as rough and actually pushes brass "into" the primer pocket instead of outward and enlarging the crimp.

 

[Webster]

0000 steel wool isn't good for what you want. It's probably close to the hardness of the part you are trying to polish. I am retired now but I used to have access to diamond polishing compound which would be ideal. I would try the finest sandpaper I could find (finer than 1200 grit). The lighter the pressure on the sandpaper the smoother the finish. The particles don't cut as deep. I don't know where you could by one or two sheets. Maybe the finest valve grinding compound from someone like AutoZone? Try to polish up and down rather than around. I don't understand the real source of your problem. I have pulled the same expander ball through at least 15,000 6mm Rem cases without having to polish or having problems. Try a different ball. If the ball is reasonably smooth I don't know why it would shave copper off of the case. There are no sharp edges on the ball. What's the size range of the copper particles you see? Like some mentioned E-mail or call RCBS and ask about it. I'm sure they wil be helpful.

 

[Webster]

Have you checked the overall length of the cases? I was thinking that if they were to long the mouth might get a burr on it when you close the bolt. A wild guess on my part.

 

[wapiti25]

I agree with polising of the button, I use Imperial Dry Neck lube. Annealing the case necks also help the button slip thru the brass with out distorting the neck. Collet and bushing dies are recommended for neck sizing. A Redding body die will do the body of the case for full length sizing operation. One other thing is to have the sizing die neck sizing area honed out about .002" as this will reduce the working of the brass. You are looking to have .001"-.002" of neck tesion.

 

[CJ6]

Polish it as mentioned or get a tapered expander button or get a carbide expander button. All fairly inexpesive fixes.

 

[22BRGUY]

I once had similar problems with a Hornady die years ago and I called Hornady and talked with an older gentleman that said I could send it in but all they do is polish with a product named Flitz found at most hardware stores. I've used it many times since for various items and it is a good product also.

 

[Justin1098]

Just an idiot check.
Did you make sure the sizing button isn't too high in the die?

 

[jonbearman]

If you use the old rcbs case lube in the neck it wont happen anymore,but I have found that the expander is a piece of junk and converted to the redding kit with carbide expander ball kit to fix the problem right.

 

[Tozguy]

Ditto the carbide button solution. It makes so much sense to use a carbide expander that new dies should all have them as standard equipment.

 

[turbines]

Does RCBS sell the carbide expanders or do you have to go with a different supplier/vender?

 

[Tozguy]

Don't know who all sells them but mine came from Sinclair. Sinclair has a carbide button kit for Redding and one for Lyman/RCBS.