Cases sticking to die

Hook Creek

Hook Creek

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 7, 2010
177
15
37
Catskill Mountains, NY
#1
Recently when resizing my cases it has started to be really hard to pull the case back out of the die. The cases are for .308 Win and the dies are RCBS in a single stage RCBS press. I tried more, and less lube to see if that would fix the problem but it didnt. Not sure if its a coincidence but my cases are also varying in size much more this time around; anywhere from 2.013 to 2.019. This may not be much anyway but its more than I normally experience with this PMC brass. Im still short of a case trimmer right now so I am going to have to use the different size cases. Dose anyone think this much size difference will matter for consistancy? Anyone else experience the same problem?
 
#5
Re: Cases sticking to die

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: buffybuster</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is this brass fired from your rifle and not range pick up? Range pick is an unknown quantity.

Try this: Disassemble and clean the die, use Imperial Sizing Die lube.</div></div>
+1 Clean and try Imperial. Use some copper cleaner and some Kroil. Inspect for roughness and scraping of the brass.
 
#7
Re: Cases sticking to die

What others have said.

Not that trimming will have an effect on your resizing, but your cases are too long and the longer ones are out of spec. Trim them after resizing to 2.005.
 
#8
Re: Cases sticking to die

IIRC you max case length of 2.019 is only 0.004 out of spec (Min 2.005, max 2.015). I doubt that would cause you cases to stick in the die but I would also trim back to 2.005 after cleaning your dies and resizing. Also I would try Dillon's or Midway's spray lube. They always woked better than the RCBS lube for me.
 
#9
Re: Cases sticking to die

Thanks for the replys people. I will have to try to clean the die and see if that works. there fairly new dies and I havent resized more than 100 cases through them, so I didnt think I would have to clean them yet. They are not cases I picked up from the range. I would save random cases from the range but I like to keep cases in order for how many times they have been fired. I havent tested to see if consistency is different with different fired brass but theres not been time to find out yet.
 
#11
Re: Cases sticking to die

It sounds like your cases may be sticking on the expander ball. For an experiment use a "Q" tip and lightly lube inside the case neck. You'll need to wash the cases again to get the lube out.

One way around it, if this is indeed your problem, is to get a carbide expander ball. There are a couple of companies that offer them for sale. I have several that just replace the factory unit.

This stretching of the case neck can make them measure longer than they should.

Good luck
 
#12
Re: Cases sticking to die

Does the resistance begin as soon as you come back over top with the operating handle, or is it happening as the resizer ball (I'm assuming you use the resizer ball) starts to pass back out through the neck?

If it's the latter, try cleaning/polishing the neck interiors, polishing the resizer ball, and/or using a dry lube (graphite, etc.) inside the neck.

This symptom is often a result of neck hardening (the brass gets work hardened after several reloadings), and if so, means either that this batch of brass is at the end of its useful lifetime, or might be renewed by means of annealing.

Greg
 
#13
Re: Cases sticking to die

If you mean the cases stick after coming part way out, listen to Greg.

If they're difficult to move immeidiately on the down stroke it's likely because you aren't lubing the lower body enough, the thick part near the head; that's where they stick. Lube 'em properly and it won't matter where they came from or what they were originally fired in.

I prefer Imperial because it's so clean and easy to use but your RCBS Case Lube 2 is just as good for rhe purpose. Come to think of it, so is everything else if it's used correctly.
 
#14
Re: Cases sticking to die

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It sounds like your cases may be sticking on the expander ball. For an experiment use a "Q" tip and lightly lube inside the case neck. You'll need to wash the cases again to get the lube out.

One way around it, if this is indeed your problem, is to get a carbide expander ball. There are a couple of companies that offer them for sale. I have several that just replace the factory unit.

This stretching of the case neck can make them measure longer than they should.

Good luck </div></div>
It worked! Sometimes the simplest things turn out to be the hardest because you think too hard. Unscrewed it and put a little bit of lube on it and bam. The case slid right in and out. I also cleaned it so next time I load ill see if the problem continues. If the promblem still exists Im going to contact RCBS and maybe they will replace it. If not I will buy a new one from lee or some other company and give it a shot. Come to think of it Im going to start loading for .300 WM, so this will be a good opportunity to test out another company.
 
#15
Re: Cases sticking to die

Having narrowed it down to the offending action, if you look over the site at Midway or Sinclair's you'll find the carbide expander balls. They will mostly eliminate the friction you feel. Depending on where you find them, you can get a complete decapping pin expander ball assembly or the ball unit by itself.

Good luck.
 
#16
Re: Cases sticking to die

Also, instead of the $30 carbide set, you can just polish the expander ball you have.

When I get a new die, I chuck the expander stem and ball in a drill and use polishing compound and a soft cloth to put a mirror shine on it. It seriously cuts down on the friction, and its free if you have some polishing compound.

madd0c
 
#17
Re: Cases sticking to die

I use a brass brush with case lube on it lightly run the brush in the case neck about a 1/4 inch and the size. You will notice the same issue you having now after you anneal you brass. then i tumble the cases to get all the sizing lube off. Doing it this way i have noticed very,very littler difference in case length variances. They size easier and pull out of the dies a whole lot easier.
 
#18
Re: Cases sticking to die

Ok to ask a quick question and try not to get off topic, I also use a case neck brush with some Imperial on it on about every 5th case. I do not retumble the brass, just wipe off the lube on the OUTSIDE of the case. Been doing it this way for a while now. Never noticed anything wrong with it. Now everyone is saying tumble the brass to get the lube out of the neck.

Is there some issue with this tiny amount of lube in the neck? Can I blame that 5th round out of the group on neck lube? (joking)

madd0c
 
#19
Re: Cases sticking to die

Oil from your fingerprints can kill powder. Or at least start it to deteriorate. Do you think any liquid or paste lube will not?

If I'm lubing the inside case necks, I usually rinse the cases the night before loading with lighter fluid. You can shoot them out with carbeurator cleaner to get the chunks out. But do the final rinse with charcoal lighter fluid. Blow them out with either canned air or an air hose. Let them dry overnight and then load as normal.
 
#20
Re: Cases sticking to die

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: madd0c</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Also, instead of the $30 carbide set, you can just polish the expander ball you have.

When I get a new die, I chuck the expander stem and ball in a drill and use polishing compound and a soft cloth to put a mirror shine on it. It seriously cuts down on the friction, and its free if you have some polishing compound.

madd0c </div></div>

Polishing the expander ball will help without a doubt. But Tungsten Carbide is slicker than you can ever polish regular steel. It isn't exactly the finish on the ball. Carbide is just a harder / slicker material. That's why they make the rings for straight wall pistol case dies from tungsten carbide so you don't have to lube them and them not stick in the die.
 
#21
Re: Cases sticking to die

The dry neck lube is a convenient way to go. Oil won't kill powder, it will kill
primers. Although I have never had a primer go bad from handling them. I don't
pay it much concern anymore.
 
#23
Re: Cases sticking to die

Leaddog,
I wouldn't go so far as to say "most folks". I prefer to have my necks round and concentric, so I think I will leave mine where it is.
A neck bushing won't do anything for a neck that is out of round from being banged around in a tumbler or new brass that got drop kicked down a flight of stairs before it arrived at your door.

madd0c
 
#24
Re: Cases sticking to die

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: madd0c</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Leaddog,
I wouldn't go so far as to say "most folks". I prefer to have my necks round and concentric, so I think I will leave mine where it is.
A neck bushing won't do anything for a neck that is out of round from being banged around in a tumbler or new brass that got drop kicked down a flight of stairs before it arrived at your door.

madd0c </div></div>

Ok, we can disregard 'most folks'. The folks that usually do not use the expander ball are the competitive shooters (.308 F T/R) of which I am part of. If inside concentricity is an issue due to the situations you suggest, a mandrel is used. My loaded rounds measure less than .0005 runout measured on the case, neck, and bullet ogive. That's less than a half of one-thousandths. I use Redding S Type bushing dies and do not use the expander ball. I use Lapua Brass.
 
#26
Re: Cases sticking to die

New at handloading, but I use Hornady One-Shot for my .223's and have no issues.

Load em in a block neck up (the instructions say neck-down, but after reading on other forums most do it this way. The lube does not contaminate powder). Spray at a 45 deg angle to get some in the case necks. Let dry at least one min. No stuck cases, easy peezy.

Works for me.
 
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