Case stuck in lee sizing/depriming die.. now what?

[afrattner]

Thats helpful.

If you get lee carbide dies you dont need to use lube, so no stuck cases

[Grumpa72]

My Lee Classic Cast Turret has instructions for removing stuck cases. Fwiw, when I recently started reloading .223, I had two cases that got stuck due to poor lubing on my part. Does your kit come with instructions? Have you gone to www.leeprecision.com and looked at their FAQ section? A quick glance there shows this: http://leeprecision.com/cgi/faq/index.cgi.

[Lycanthrope]

If you get lee carbide dies you dont need to use lube, so no stuck cases

I wasn't aware Lee made a .223 carbide die.......and with bottleneck carbide dies, you still need to use some lube.


Lycanandcarbidediesarepriceythrope

[fingers80002]

I wasn't aware Lee made a .223 carbide die.......and with bottleneck carbide dies, you still need to use some lube.


Lycanandcarbidediesarepriceythrope

Just looked at Lee, RCBS,Lyman and Dillon sites, Dillon is the only one who listed a carbide bottle neck die, and only in .223 and .308.

[tl_3237]

I'm not sure what small base refers to.

Tomorrow I'm going to home depot.

I'm going to get a mapp/oxy torch (not related), a 1/4-28 inch tap, and bolt (how long is long enough? should I eyeball it or take my die with me?). A bunch of washers, and a metallic electrical conduit screw coupling.

Thats everything, right?

Sounds about right. However, if you have a socket set, you can use it instead of the conduit spacer. Just select the socket which will allow for a case base to enter easily but not so large as to allow for the die base to enter. After tapping the case, place the socket on top of the die and then a washer, then the bolt. Thread the bolt into the case and tighten with a wrench until it breaks free. The bolt length can be estimated by measuring the distance that the case extends out of the die's base plus the height of the socket plus the thickness of the washer plus 1/4-3/8" for working room. Make sure that sufficient threads are available to snug up the case and a 1/4" more to draw the case into the socket.

[afrattner]

Just looked at Lee, RCBS,Lyman and Dillon sites, Dillon is the only one who listed a carbide bottle neck die, and only in .223 and .308.

Sorry Dillon Dies

[topsykretts]

Just an update:

I tried doing it the way they describe in that video on Lee's website.

I put loosened the collet, but didn't remove it.. got my brass hammer and appropriately sized brass punch, put it in a vice, not tight enough to damage the threads on the die, but tight enough to hold it still. Gave it many good wacks with the hammer. Stuck case didn't move at ALL.

[Flash]

Just an update:

I tried doing it the way they describe in that video on Lee's website.

I put loosened the collet, but didn't remove it.. got my brass hammer and appropriately sized brass punch, put it in a vice, not tight enough to damage the threads on the die, but tight enough to hold it still. Gave it many good wacks with the hammer. Stuck case didn't move at ALL.

That's grim. I started .223 with an RCBS die, and stuck one, and tried the 1/4x28 screw, and stripped it out of the case. I wound up gnawing it out of the die with a dremel and a small stone. Then is when I bought the LEE which made it easy to hammer out my next (and LAST) stuck case.

Flash

[Grumpa72]

I know the post is getting old but I don't believe that Lee makes a carbide .223 die. Pistol only, afaik.

[lexnaturalis]

I think you can send it back to Lee for a replacement. I'm fairly certain it's not free, but I vaguely recall reading about that in some of my Lee literature. You can give them a call and ask, but if you can't unstick it yourself that's probably your best option aside from throwing it away and buying a new die.