Why do my 5.56 cases keep getting stuck in sizing die?

[Yellowhammer]

After it happened the first time I chalked it up to not enough lube. Now I'm making sure they are lubed enough (including case mouth) and recently had another get stuck. I got it out but had to take my die apart to do so. I HATE getting the shoulder set right and taking apart the die/losing my setting is a pain.

What am I doing wrong here?

 

[RTH1800]

What die? What chamber? What lube?
Wipeout lube or imperial sizing die wax and you cannot stick a well lubricated case in a properly cut die. It is that simple.

 

[Yellowhammer]

Rcbs short based die and hornady lube. After the first one got stuck I’ve been making sure each case has more than enough. I probably need to switch to a thicker wax type lube.

This is the only caliber I’m having this problem with FWIW. RCBS even cleaned and polished my sizing die after it happened the first time.

 

[m1match]

With Hornady One Shot and any of the other lubes that have an alcohol based carrier, you need to let the cases sit after spraying them and let all of the alcohol carrier evaporate. I use Dillon Case Lube and I let them sit for about 10 minutes after spraying them otherwise I will get stuck cases.

 

[Yellowhammer]

Ok cool, haven’t been 100% about letting them sit. Good to know

 

[RTH1800]

Every stuck case story on the ‘net starts with One Shot.
Imperial Sizing Wax is your friend.

 

[Yellowhammer]

Every stuck case story on the ‘net starts with One Shot.
Imperial Sizing Wax is your friend.

Lol, guilty. Point taken.

 

[RTH1800]

No fault of yours, you purchased a product from a brand known for useful, high quality products. This one just seems to have problems. Could have happened to anyone.

 

[XLR308]

In 25 years of using the LEE case lube I have never had a stuck case or dented shoulder.

I tried the RCBS pad and lube and had dented shoulders right off the bat.

 

[lightman]

One Shot and most other spray lubes require you to shake them up well and then let the carrier evaporate before use. The few cases that I have stuck were all with One Shot, it happens sometimes.

 

[softcock]

Ya the 'oneshot' like everyone else say's . I have stuck a couple of larger Magnum. Cal's. long time back with one shot .

You should have no problems with a small Case .223 .
When using Clean Brass and a clean dry Die .. ' I ALWAYS ' for every caliber Brass . season-in the Die with the 1st lubed Brass, and Don't do it in all one stroke .
With dry clean Die, use 2 or three small partial strokes, and then work-up to a full stroke to season that Die in with Lube, and all the rest always go smooth for your whole sitting .
.

 

[RTH1800]

Are we still talking about dies? ?

 

[steve123]

I had a Lee 223 die that did that every time I would load a couple hundred. I snapped a week ago when a nickel plated case got stuck using a liberal amount of die wax,. In the trash now.

I'm ordering a carbide Dillion sizer to replace it. $148 but should be worth it.

 

[supercorndogs]

Every stuck case story on the ‘net starts with One Shot.
Imperial Sizing Wax is your friend.

And ends with someone saying, Oh, instruction number 5 said to let the lube sit for 1 minute before beginning the sizing process.

 

[pmclaine]

I like Dillon case lube.

I think its pure lanolin mixed with alcohol carrier. You could make it yourself.

I lay multiple handfuls of cases in the bottom of a double twelve pack carrier.

Pump on the lube then shake them around to distribute the lube and let the carrier flash off.

No problem.

One Stuck works okay for pistol brass.

Just an aside any chance your brass came from an M249? Some mil full auto brass balloons out pretty good and that could be a factor.

 

[supercorndogs]

I like Dillon case lube.

I think its pure lanolin mixed with alcohol carrier. You could make it yourself.

I lay multiple handfuls of cases in the bottom of a double twelve pack carrier.

Pump on the lube then shake them around to distribute the lube and let the carrier flash off.

No problem.

One Stuck works okay for pistol brass.

Just an aside any chance your brass came from an M249? Some mil full auto brass balloons out pretty good and that could be a factor.

What pistol brass do you lube? I have loaded about 15k 40 S&W and 44 mag and never touched lube for straight wall pistol case.

 

[pmclaine]

What pistol brass do you lube? I have loaded about 15k 40 S&W and 44 mag and never touched lube for straight wall pistol case.

I don't anymore.

It was suggested so I did it when I first started out.

It made the handle a smidge lighter but it's not worth the mess.

 

[natdscott]

Huh.

I used OneShot to form 6.5 Arisaka brass from .220 Swift.

No issues forming OR sizing. Except for the RCBS die.

Went Distinguished High Master P100 using brass with it, on uppers that have gone under 1/2 MOA.

No issues.


I always tossed 20-30 casings in a gallon bag, sprayed a 3-count, and rolled them around by hand, lubing every case. Toss themn out on a cookie sheet to dry until I'm done with the 200 or so I'd size at a time.

 

[Yellowhammer]

I like Dillon case lube.

I think its pure lanolin mixed with alcohol carrier. You could make it yourself.

I lay multiple handfuls of cases in the bottom of a double twelve pack carrier.

Pump on the lube then shake them around to distribute the lube and let the carrier flash off.

No problem.

One Stuck works okay for pistol brass.

Just an aside any chance your brass came from an M249? Some mil full auto brass balloons out pretty good and that could be a factor.

Lol I have so many buckets of pickup 5.56 brass no telling where it came from. I meant to get out to cabelas yesterday and get some different lube yesterday but my lawn mower decided to break itself so I've been dealing with that. When your mower breaks in Alabama in July it's a semi-emergency.