Stuck cases

Striper69 · Mar 23, 2021

I have one 30-06 and two 223 Lee sizing dies that I can't get the decapping pin out of so I couldn't use the Hornady Stuck Case Remover even if I wanted to. I tried gripping it with a vice grip and pounding on it with a hammer and it still wouldn't come out.
I'm gonna order another die tomorrow. :rolleyes:

Trigger Time · Mar 23, 2021

Did you try the freezer thing? I've never had one stuck that bad but have read that it works sometimes.

PlumberEd · Mar 23, 2021

You could send them to the manufacturer for removal.

toppkatt · Mar 23, 2021

Try Kroil?

warmachine · Mar 23, 2021

Second kroil

GunBum · Mar 23, 2021

If they are Lee dies, you do this:
1) loosen the collet on the decapping pin/expander
2) put the die in the press (if it isn’t already there)
3) hit the top of the decapping pin to push the brass out
4) ask Lee for a new decapping pin/expander

If that doesn’t work, send it to Lee and they’ll fix it for you.

erwos · Mar 23, 2021

What lube are you using?

I had horrible problems with Hornady One Shot that led to me dumping it. It was very convenient, right up until it didn't work.

Dillon lube has been great in comparison.

Gcs7th · Mar 23, 2021

There’s no way you can generate enough for with vice grips and you need to do it completely straight. Use the threads in the depriming due to pull the piece out. Grab a long socket and put it over the top of the die followed by a washer then a nut. Tighten the nut and this will pull the de primer out of the case. If the primer hole is still in tact do the same thing, drill and tap the hold then use a socket, screw (preferably hex head), and a washer. This will literally pull it with tons of force.

Gcs7th · Mar 23, 2021

This guy does it in his press but same idea.

jr355 · Mar 23, 2021

Another method is to;

Saw base off where it meets die

Remove de-capping assembly

With a file or other sharp/hard tool scratch the hell out of the interior of case raising burrs all over

Mix up JB Weld it, place patch in neck of case and PACK JB into case until level with base.

Let cure several days

Put die back into press or vice , inset biggest punch that will fit through die and with a large ball peen whack away.

You may also while waiting for JB to harden use some penetrating applied to stem opening

This worked for me with a 30-06 stuck case.

From Reloading 1970's era book.

platekiller · Mar 23, 2021

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0vnEW63DO4Q

Maybe try this. I can always depose of them for you if you want to send them my way lol.

4g64loser · Mar 23, 2021

I just recently extracted a seized case and badly damaged decap/expand rod from a members hornady 308 die. I had to part the case head off, cut out the web, use tailstock to remove the rod, thread the inside of the case body, screw a threaded steel mandrel into the case, and use a hydraulic press to get the darn thing out. Worst one I have seen.

My suggestion at this point is to cut away the case head carefully (don't damage the die). If any web area remains, remove it with your case mouth debut tool. At this point the rod will come out. Remove it. Tap the inside of the case body with an appropriate size coarse thread tap. Make a spacer from appropriate size water pipe or other rigid tubing. Thread a bolt into the case through the spacer. Say your prayers. Tighten the bolt until the case comes out.

Striper69 · Mar 24, 2021

A police dept. had their gun qualifications this weekend so I got a lot of 223, 40 S&W and 9MM brass. I went too fast with the 223 so this happened. I already have about 500 cases with primers in them so I'm in no hurry to solve this problem. I may just send the dies to Lee and see if they'll fix them for me.

I was just seeing if there was an easy way to get the pin out.

Pinecone · Mar 24, 2021

Drill, tap, bolt, a stack of washers.

For the future, buy and stick on the shelf the RCBS Stuck Case Remover. Easy, peasy

dist1646 · Mar 24, 2021

Gcs7th said:
This guy does it in his press but same idea.

Why not just leave the die in place and just use the nuts, washer and bolt from the bottom to do the same thing. A whole lot simpler and they do make a thing called a ratchet wrench these days. :innocent0

Gcs7th · Mar 24, 2021

Striper69 said:
I was just seeing if there was an easy way to get the pin out.

Completely Loosen the part that threads into top of the die and holds the pin/expander. Find a nut which fits on the threaded rod. Insert a deep socket over the assembly.place a washer and then a nut. tighten until the pin and expander pop out.

GunBum · Mar 25, 2021

Gcs7th said:
Completely Loosen the part that threads into top of the die and holds the pin/expander. Find a nut which fits on the threaded rod. Insert a deep socket over the assembly.place a washer and then a nut. tighten until the pin and expander pop out.

That doesn’t work on a Lee sizer because the pin and expander aren’t threaded and are held in by a collet. The correct way is to loosen the collet and beat the expander rod out with a big f#&@ing hammer.

Pinecone · Mar 25, 2021

dist1646 said:
Why not just leave the die in place and just use the nuts, washer and bolt from the bottom to do the same thing. A whole lot simpler and they do make a thing called a ratchet wrench these days.

How do you drill and tap the case with the die in the press?????

Gcs7th · Mar 25, 2021

GunBum said:
That doesn’t work on a Lee sizer because the pin and expander aren’t threaded and are held in by a collet. The correct way is to loosen the collet and beat the expander rod out with a big f#&@ing hammer.

Well then that stinks. Good info.

GunBum · Mar 25, 2021

Pinecone said:
How do you drill and tap the case with the die in the press?????

Right angle drill... :innocent0

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