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Damaged Cases

Triman2008

Triman2008

Sergeant of the Hide
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 23, 2009
307
0
45
N42.50.65 W85.37.78
#1
Hey I have a question as to why this is happening. On average I get about 5 damaged cases every 50 cases I run through the press during depriming and resizing. I use Lee Resizing Lubricant on a Lee single stage press with RCBS .300 min mag dies. Any input would be appreciated.

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25754_1419268124398_1313504679_1116599_3263031_n.jpg
 
#2
Re: Damaged Cases

Too much lube! take your die appart an clean it, you may have some dirt and lube built up in it too. and go easy on the lube. Thats called a hydraulic dent.
 
#4
Re: Damaged Cases

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMCj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Oh and cheap Lee dies dont help either, I used to experiance dents with lee dies much more than with Redding/RCBS. </div></div>

No, I'm using RCBS dies. But thanks for the info. I will try that next time I reload.
 
#5
Re: Damaged Cases

Also try Dillon spray case lube, you spray it on, give it 2 minutes for the alcohol to evaporate then size, I have never had a single dent with the dillon lube.
 
#10
Re: Damaged Cases

I have an RCBS Case lube kit that has the pad that you soak with lube. Once the lube soaks in (overnight) and the pad looks dry it works Great! You just roll the case on it one revolution without pushing it down, lube inside the neck and have at it. You can barely feel the lube on there. Some of mine had crinkled between the neck and the shoulders before I figured out the amount of lube but they fire just fine.

Edited to say: It's on sale at Midwayusa.
 
#14
Re: Damaged Cases

I periodically swipe the inside of the die body with a q-tip, pulls out a lot of gunk. I wonder if blasting the dies out with Rem-Oil or Birchwood is a good idea. Like everyone said, those cases are fine, dents will iron out when firing. Go easy on the lube, and be wary of spray-on lubes. A lot of cases have been stuck from improper lubrication. If it starts to feel tight, STOP! Back out, re-lube.

ETA: from the pics it seems like you aren't tumbling your brass. Not that its necessary, but it removes the majority of grit and dirt off the cases..if you are sizing without at least wiping them down thoroughly you are sure to introduce foreign particles to your die bodies and they will accelerate wear through abrasive action on both your dies and your brass. Keep em clean and slick..
 
#15
Re: Damaged Cases

I use an ultrasonic cleaner....but I do that after I deprime and resize. Should I be doing it before? I just want the primer pocket good and clean as well. I use a primer pocket cleaner tool as well. I will try the RCBS lube tray next time. I cleaned the die and made sure the vent hole was clean as well. It make sense that the trapped air/lube would cause this. Thanks for the good advise, and I pulled the dented cases from the trashcan. I let you all know how the next round goes, however it won't be for a few days. Gotta get some trigger time now.
 
#17
Re: Damaged Cases

Try Dillon pump spray lube.

I neck size only so I spray some on a Q-tip wipe the neck, shoulder and the neck inside, be stingy and give it time to evaporate.

I clean my dies with CRC Brake clean on a patch, re-flush with BC then pull a dry snug fitting patch thru, never push it. Be sure to lightly oil your dies after cleaning this way they can rust quick.
 
#18
Re: Damaged Cases

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1000 YDS. IS FUN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Try Dillon pump spray lube.

I neck size only so I spray some on a Q-tip wipe the neck, shoulder and the neck inside, be stingy and give it time to evaporate.

I clean my dies with CRC Brake clean on a patch, re-flush with BC then pull a dry snug fitting patch thru, never push it. Be sure to lightly oil your dies after cleaning this way they can rust quick. </div></div>

If you neck size only, then why do you lube? With TiN coated bushings, I have yet to see a reason to use lube.
 
#19
Re: Damaged Cases

I have had great sucess using sureshot and dillon spray lubes.once you get used to it,it takes a lot less time and is a lot cleaner than lube pads (imho) Oh and by the way there is nothing wrong with a cheap lee die they do alot better job than the rcbs you are using.I have had multiple problems with rcbs over the years.If you can afford the redding bushing dies you will never buy another rcbs die again except maybe for straight wall rifle and pistol brass.
Wayne.
 
#20
Re: Damaged Cases

also I was going to mention if you don't have a tumbler or its not in the budget,I clean alot of my brass while watching the outdoor channel on tv with a piece of oooo steele wool-cordless screwdriver- and a lee shell holder and driver (cheap) and does alot better job than my tumbler.just more work.
 
#22
Re: Damaged Cases

Well, went shooting today and had about 50 cases to prep. Took the advise and used less lube and cleaned the dies out. No damaged cases!!! Thank you so much for the good advise. As well as the previously damaged cases, I had a few that I reloaded and shot.....no more dents. Saving me money. I might as well just shipped USMCj the money I threw out. HAHA!!!

Well, what I did was use the Lee lube on a sock, and rolled the cases over the lube and ran them through the press. Worked like a champ. Thanks for the resolution on this matter.
 
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