Need Help with Stuck Cases

I stuck two .223 Remington cases in a matter of a few minutes this afternoon. Needless to say I am a bit 'hot'...

I suspect that my base plate on my Hornady Lock N Load might be bit 'loose' where is grabs the rim because this is the now the second and third time this has happened, ONLY with this base plate. You can see where the rim is actually being bent (mostly) and sheared off (some). All of this with clean brass and dies and not even running them all the way in so as to try and avoid this very issue!

I now have two Hornady and one Lee (back up set) sizing die that have stuck cases with very deformed rims...

I have loaded MANY rounds in several other calibers with different base plates with no other problems. So while it very well could be user error, I think 3 stuck cases and ALL with one caliber and all with that base plate only in common forces me to look elsewhere...BUT I am VERY OPEN to suggestions!

Anyone have the stuck case kit? How difficult is this to accomplish, I have never used one? Anyone care to work something out where I may borrow the kit or send you my dies (this is my preference) and we do some sort of trade or small service fee exchange...?

Thanks

Ive used a socket and a bolt before. Drill out the primer pocket and tap it 1/4"x28tpi. Set the correct size socket on it so its touching the die. Insert bolt and slowly tighten it down. Pulls the brass right out.

Most cases your not getting good lube on those cases that got stuck.
I get a stuck case every now and again. But never have when using dillon case lube.

If you cant get them out you can ship them to me and ill take care of it for you. Or you can order the rcbs stuck case remover kit and have everything you need expect a drill and vise.

After u unstick your case - Hornady One Shot

+1 on the one shot, love the stuff. It sounds like lack of lube to me.

I had the mother of all stuck cases once with a 30 carbine. I stripped out the tapped hole and eventually had to take it to a smith who ate it out with acid.

Another vote for case lube.
This usually happens on the decap/resize die.
I bought my LNL AP from a guy who kept sticking 223 cases. He was using the Hornady Dies. I've come close to sticking, but figured out a process that works for me and no jams yet.

I usually process 223 brass in batches of 1000. After tumbling the dirty spent cases to clean them up, I throw them in a pan of synthetic motor oil, then drain them and let them sit a day or so to drip most of the oil out. Then I decap/resize. Then I dip them in some degreaser to wash off the oil, and move on to trimming.

If I were only processing a hundred or so, then I'd just use the spray lube.

Thanks for the feedback, I am ordering a stuck case remover and I'll see where that takes me, it sounds simple enough for even me.

I am using Hornady One Shot Case Lube and I am not stingy with it...if I were not using enough lube would I not stick other cases in other dies or is .223 easier to stick in general...?

Nonnie if I mess up on my own I very well may pm you and take you up on your offer! I really appreciate it!

arnygollott3 wrote:Thanks for the feedback, I am ordering a stuck case remover and I'll see where that takes me, it sounds simple enough for even me.

I am using Hornady One Shot Case Lube and I am not stingy with it...if I were not using enough lube would I not stick other cases in other dies or is .223 easier to stick in general...?

Nonnie if I mess up on my own I very well may pm you and take you up on your offer! I really appreciate it!

Issues I've had with One Shot are:

I didn't shake it up enough
Near the end of the can seems to be just propellant (possibly due to not shaking it up enough)
Not letting it dry enough. I've sprayed it and left them for 5 to 10 minutes before and it was much smoother.

I would also vote that Lube is the issue -- however, if there is grit in the die or on the case, that, too will cause a stuck case. Cases should be free of all grit/dirt, etc .. so should be the inside of the die. While shiny brass is not required for sizing, clean brass is -- once lubed, "stuff" sticks to the brass really, really easy.

PhillipM wrote:

arnygollott3 wrote:Thanks for the feedback, I am ordering a stuck case remover and I'll see where that takes me, it sounds simple enough for even me.

I am using Hornady One Shot Case Lube and I am not stingy with it...if I were not using enough lube would I not stick other cases in other dies or is .223 easier to stick in general...?

Nonnie if I mess up on my own I very well may pm you and take you up on your offer! I really appreciate it!

Issues I've had with One Shot are:

I didn't shake it up enough
Near the end of the can seems to be just propellant (possibly due to not shaking it up enough)
Not letting it dry enough. I've sprayed it and left them for 5 to 10 minutes before and it was much smoother.

Now this may be the issue...I am near the end of my present can and I generally do not wait all that long for the cases to dry...I do shake the can a couple times, but a few more may be necessary...

I am more certain about the dies and the cases being clean, however I will give this another look too...

Thanks everyone!

Well I finally got around to messing with my stuck cases...

SUCCESS...mostly.

I did end up breaking the decapper pin off of the Lee Die. Both of my Hornady dies are in good working order again and I will get a replacement part from Lee ordered up soon.

Thanks for all the help, the Hornady Stuck Case remover worked well and EASY enough.

I'm glad you were sucessful! I have to shake my one shot vigorously for about 5 seconds before the ball will even rattle.

Agree with captain-03. I've had perfectly lubed and clean cases get "blown" with debris from the loading process like, carbon powder grit, fine brass bits..etc. and almost get stuck if I didn't feel it when pulling the handle and stop before it got fully inserted into the die.
Now i be careful with high velocity fans and, brushes, and such around lubed cases. Plus I remove and wipe out my dies regularly.