HEAD PULLED OFF--CASE STILL IN DIE - The Firearms Forum

LASIE · 03-13-2012, 03:42 PM

This happened to me for the first time in my 54 years of reloading.
I pulled out the decapper stem and tried to punch it out from the top to no avail then tried to twist a screw driver inside the case to no avail.
this is how I got out.
I cleaned out the inside of case with sand paper then
I poured melted cerrosafe in it then punched it out from the top with a drift punch it came out very easy.

woolleyworm · 03-14-2012, 06:38 AM

Good idea; first I've heard of that method. Sure is a pain in the butt to get a stuck case. I have multiple sizing dies for my important calibers. Just in case i do get a badly stuck case and don't want to stop my process .

steve4102 · 03-14-2012, 07:08 AM

Next time try putting it in the freezer for a couple hours.

LASIE · 03-14-2012, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve4102

Next time try putting it in the freezer for a couple hours.

What do you do after you freeze it?
does it just fall out?

Bindernut · 03-14-2012, 12:05 PM

Depending on the caliber, I've used a tap to remove stuck cases. Find the closest possible size and thread it up into the case. With the decapping stem removed, run a drift punch down through up against the tap and try to drive it out. A trip into the freezer before trying to drive the case out, as Steve posted, helps.

Due to different thermal expansion between steel and brass, freezing the die with the stuck case will usually give you a few ten thousands of an inch of extra clearance to loosen it up.

I do like that cerrosafe plug method though too. I'll have to remember that one, especially if I come across a case that I can't find a tap to fit inside.
Thanks for posting it!

muddober · 03-14-2012, 09:56 PM

I once heated a die with a torch getting it red hot and then quenching it in cold water. The case fell out in my hand. I did this some 35 years ago to an 06 sizing die and other than changing its color just bit it has not seemed to hurt its ability to size cases to spec one bit.

Ron

76Highboy · 03-14-2012, 09:59 PM

If you can't get it, send it back to the manufacturer and they will remove it at no cost. It's a pain and time lost, but they will remove it.

Good luck,
Jim

03-13-2012, 03:42 PM	#1
LASIE Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 20	HEAD PULLED OFF--CASE STILL IN DIE This happened to me for the first time in my 54 years of reloading. I pulled out the decapper stem and tried to punch it out from the top to no avail then tried to twist a screw driver inside the case to no avail. this is how I got out. I cleaned out the inside of case with sand paper then I poured melted cerrosafe in it then punched it out from the top with a drift punch it came out very easy. __________________ If you ignore what is around you will get bitten. -->

03-14-2012, 06:38 AM	#2
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,883	Re: HEAD PULLED OFF--CASE STILL IN DIE Good idea; first I've heard of that method. Sure is a pain in the butt to get a stuck case. I have multiple sizing dies for my important calibers. Just in case i do get a badly stuck case and don't want to stop my process . __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

03-14-2012, 07:08 AM	#3
steve4102 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota Contributor Posts: 2,760	Re: HEAD PULLED OFF--CASE STILL IN DIE Next time try putting it in the freezer for a couple hours.

03-14-2012, 12:05 PM	#5
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,443	Re: HEAD PULLED OFF--CASE STILL IN DIE Depending on the caliber, I've used a tap to remove stuck cases. Find the closest possible size and thread it up into the case. With the decapping stem removed, run a drift punch down through up against the tap and try to drive it out. A trip into the freezer before trying to drive the case out, as Steve posted, helps. Due to different thermal expansion between steel and brass, freezing the die with the stuck case will usually give you a few ten thousands of an inch of extra clearance to loosen it up. I do like that cerrosafe plug method though too. I'll have to remember that one, especially if I come across a case that I can't find a tap to fit inside. Thanks for posting it! Last edited by Bindernut; 03-14-2012 at 12:06 PM..

03-14-2012, 09:56 PM	#6
muddober Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,436	Re: HEAD PULLED OFF--CASE STILL IN DIE I once heated a die with a torch getting it red hot and then quenching it in cold water. The case fell out in my hand. I did this some 35 years ago to an 06 sizing die and other than changing its color just bit it has not seemed to hurt its ability to size cases to spec one bit. Ron

03-14-2012, 09:59 PM	#7
76Highboy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Meridian, Idaho Contributor Posts: 6,949	Re: HEAD PULLED OFF--CASE STILL IN DIE If you can't get it, send it back to the manufacturer and they will remove it at no cost. It's a pain and time lost, but they will remove it. Good luck, Jim