Here’s How to Remove A Stuck Case From Your Die
Whether it’s happened to you or someone you know, getting a case stuck in your die is an issue that affects both new and experienced reloaders. Read on to learn why cases become stuck in sizing dies, how to prevent this, and the tools you can use to fix the issue, including RCBS’s Stuck Case Remover.
Why Did My Case Get Stuck?
Common Reasons for Sticking a Case
- No Lube: Failing to lube a case prior to full length resizing the case will result in getting a case stuck in the die. An experienced reloader will feel the unusual increase in force as the case is being inserted in the die. Once this extra pressure is felt, it’s possible the case can be removed from the die before it passes the point of no return – and becomes stuck. Once the case is run completely into the sizing die and cams over with the press, chances are, it’s too late.
- Not Enough Lube: The most likely reason handloaders get a stuck case? Not applying enough lube. This generally happens when lubing a batch of cases and applying an aerosol or spray lube. Some cases may not get as much lube as they require.
How to Properly Lube a Case
Now that we know why and how the case gets stuck, let’s discuss the kinds of lube, how to apply lube and ultimately how to prevent the dreaded stuck case:
Case Lube & Case Lube Pads
A thick, viscous liquid, case lube helps do just that – lube your case prior to sizing. Lube pads use high density foam pads or sponges where case lube is applied. Saturate the pad with lube, put your cartridge cases on the lube pad and roll them back and forth to coat case lube around the entire circumference of the case bodies. Next, use the case neck brush and apply a thin coat of lube in the inside of the case mouth. This has nothing to do with sticking a case in the die, but the lube in the case mouth makes your case sizing process smooth and easy.
RCBS’s Case Lube Kit is a great way to have everything you need to lube your cases prior to sizing.
RCBS also offers case lube pads and our case lube formula for sale separately.
Case Slick or Case Lube Sprays
Aerosol case lubes are easy to efficiently to apply to your cases, as they can be sprayed on. Reloaders lube a batch of brass at a time, by placing a handful of cases in a small box, tray, etc. and simply spray lube and shake the cases ensuring there is lube on all the cases. With this method, it is difficult to prevent getting lube in the shoulder/neck region of the case, so you will need to use a rag or cloth to remove the lube from these areas prior to sizing.
Also, don’t forget to spray your case neck brush and apply to the case mouth of each brass case to ensure less friction when pulling your expander ball through case mouth.
RCBS Case Slick is not as viscous as Case Lube and still does a great job helping you keep your cases from sticking in a die during sizing.
Where to Apply Case Lube
Liquid or aerosol, the main area where lube is needed is the body of your cartridge case, up to just below the shoulder.
Where NOT to Apply Case Lube
No lube is necessary on the case neck or shoulder region of the case. If there is lube present in this area, use a cloth and remove it. Otherwise, lube in this area can cause hydraulic denting of your case shoulder. While not a showstopper, it doesn’t make your brass look good and doesn’t help the life of your cases.
It is possible to use too much lube, if so, hydraulic denting can occur in areas other than the shoulder region. If this happens, reduce the amount of lube applied.
How to Remove a Stuck Case
We’ve done our best in applying lube, yet still managed to stick a case. Not a problem, RCBS has two separate tools to help you remove the stuck case efficiently and effectively.
Do not try to remove the case by any other means. Using other tools can cause excessive damage to your dies and make them un-useable.
If the procedures below don’t work for you, contact our customer service team to return the die to RCBS, and we’d be happy to help with proper removal.
STUCK CASE REMOVER
- First step is to lower your ram, or raise the die plate (like on the RCBS Summit Press). This will take a bit of force, but what you are going to do is pull the shell holder out of the case. This will shear off the case rim or fold it over, so all that remains is the die with the stuck case.
- Next, loosen the lock nut on the decapping rod and loosen the decapping rod so the decap pin is clear of the flash hole and the expander ball is positioned just below the neck. The way to know you’re at this point is to back the decapping rod off completely until you feel resistance. Now, the expander ball has reached the shoulder neck junction.
- Turn the decapping rod down about one to two turns.
- Loosen die lock ring and remove die from press.
- Turn the die over and re-insert into press. The die will be upside down in the press and the case head will be at the top.
- Using the tap drill included in Stuck Case Remover kit, drill through the primer pocket into the body of the case. Try to prevent going in too far and hitting the decapping pin. If you do, not to worry, you can easily replace the decapping pin.
- After the tap drill, run the tap through the primer pocket into the case body.
- Place the cup over the case head and insert the socket head cap screw through the hole on the cup and thread it into the case, once finger tight, use the provided hex key wrench and continue to tighten the cap screw until the stuck case is pulled free.
- That’s it! The case has been removed, and you are back to reloading. Be sure to disassemble the die and clean thoroughly before use.
STUCK CASE REMOVER 2
- This is very similar to the Stuck Case Remover; however, this remover is used for Size Dies that use Neck Bushings
- After sticking case, attempt to pull case out by lowering the ram or raising the Die Plate (Summit Press). Continue to apply force until the case head pulls through the shell holder and the ram is free of the stuck case and die.
- Leave the die in the press as it is used, need to remove die.
- Remove the Lock ring and guide bushing from the top of the die.
- Thread the correct size extractor nut, with countersink end towards die, onto the expander rod and thread it all the way down until it is centered and in contact with the top of the die.
- Use a wrench to turn the extractor nut clockwise against the top of the die, this will pull the decapping rod through the case neck and out of the die.
- Select the proper size punch rod and insert the punch rod into the top of the die and run down until it touches the bottom of the stuck case.
- Before proceeding, make sure you are wearing eye protection. Using a hammer, tap on the top of the punch rod until you drive the stuck case out of the sizer die.
- Clean and inspect your sizer die making sure there is no damage. Reassemble and get back to reloading.
Final Thoughts on Stuck Cases
No one wants to stick a case in a sizing die. Its best is to ensure that you are properly lubing your cases prior to sizing to eliminate this from happening. Even when you have lubed, you may not have lubed enough and the case will get stuck. When sizing, be aware of the amount of force required when sizing a properly lubed case vs. a case that is not properly lubed.
If you don’t already have a Stuck Case Remover tool, be prepared and have one hand just in case. Hopefully you’ll never need it, but when you do, RCBS’s stuck case removal tool kits are there ready to save the day.
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