Sizing Die Terror *dramatic intro*
Quote from Reloader on September 22, 2012, 4:05 amSo yes, I got a .308 shell stuck in the sizing/depriming die. Stuck good.
I popped the retaining pin and eventually got the shell out using the extracting method, but when I put the depriming pin back inside the die it appears slightly bent. On top of that when I put resizing die back in the press and tried to run more brass, now the shells won't get halfway down the case before getting a lot of resistance. The shells don't seem to fit into the die as before. I tried removing the pin and just dropping the brass into the die to see if it were the pin or die causing the problem, and with just an empty sizing die the shells only go about halfway before getting slightly stuck. Could I have damaged the die itself, or is the problem because the pin is slightly off? Or perhaps both?
So yes, I got a .308 shell stuck in the sizing/depriming die. Stuck good.
I popped the retaining pin and eventually got the shell out using the extracting method, but when I put the depriming pin back inside the die it appears slightly bent. On top of that when I put resizing die back in the press and tried to run more brass, now the shells won't get halfway down the case before getting a lot of resistance. The shells don't seem to fit into the die as before. I tried removing the pin and just dropping the brass into the die to see if it were the pin or die causing the problem, and with just an empty sizing die the shells only go about halfway before getting slightly stuck. Could I have damaged the die itself, or is the problem because the pin is slightly off? Or perhaps both?
Quote from Reloader on September 24, 2012, 4:17 pmI suspect the upper decap bolt, that the decap pin threads into, is damaged. Email us, include a copy of this along with your address, and we'll mail a replacement.
I suspect the upper decap bolt, that the decap pin threads into, is damaged. Email us, include a copy of this along with your address, and we'll mail a replacement.
Quote from Reloader on September 26, 2012, 2:30 amYep, using Dillon's spray case lube - literally coating the shells and still they get lots of resistance (mainly at the bottom 1/4). Shells themselves are only on their 3rd cycle so there should still be half their lifespan left and at 42 grain for .308 it shouldn't be generating a lot of case bulge.
I swapped out depriming pins with the spare that came with the 3-die set and got about five rounds into it with moderate resistance. But on the 5th I got 3/4 down the case and it got stuck again! Using the extraction method I got it out, but I'm thinking this is really starting to either damage the resizing die/decapping pin or making it worse. At this point I disassembled the entire thing until I figure out what is going on.
Dillon I sent the msg to tech@dillonprecision.com so hope it finds you.
Yep, using Dillon's spray case lube - literally coating the shells and still they get lots of resistance (mainly at the bottom 1/4). Shells themselves are only on their 3rd cycle so there should still be half their lifespan left and at 42 grain for .308 it shouldn't be generating a lot of case bulge.
I swapped out depriming pins with the spare that came with the 3-die set and got about five rounds into it with moderate resistance. But on the 5th I got 3/4 down the case and it got stuck again! Using the extraction method I got it out, but I'm thinking this is really starting to either damage the resizing die/decapping pin or making it worse. At this point I disassembled the entire thing until I figure out what is going on.
Dillon I sent the msg to tech@dillonprecision.com so hope it finds you.
Quote from Reloader on September 26, 2012, 4:16 pmWhen you use our case lube, be sure to let the lubed cases sit for 5-10 minutes, so all of the alcohol carrier evaporates. I dump my brass into a shallow cardboard box, like a case of soda comes in, one layer deep, laying on its side. Spray a light, even coat, shake the box to roll the cases around, spray another coat. Wait for the alcohol to evaporate.
Depending on what the .308 is fired in, it has a life of 4-8 reloading, low side for semi-autos, higher side for exclusively bolt action use. In my M1A, I pitch it when it needs to be trimmed, otherwise I get separations.
When you use our case lube, be sure to let the lubed cases sit for 5-10 minutes, so all of the alcohol carrier evaporates. I dump my brass into a shallow cardboard box, like a case of soda comes in, one layer deep, laying on its side. Spray a light, even coat, shake the box to roll the cases around, spray another coat. Wait for the alcohol to evaporate.
Depending on what the .308 is fired in, it has a life of 4-8 reloading, low side for semi-autos, higher side for exclusively bolt action use. In my M1A, I pitch it when it needs to be trimmed, otherwise I get separations.
Quote from Reloader on September 26, 2012, 11:57 pmBut would the presence of alcohol cause binding like I've experienced? Or the pin to be off? I typically have an old container some of my weight lifting powder came in (cleaned out of course) that I spray the shells in and roll them around a few time before dropping them into the case feed tube.
The .308s go thru an AR-10 so if I'm on the 3rd rotation then I guess it should be normal for some to start showing their age.
But would the presence of alcohol cause binding like I've experienced? Or the pin to be off? I typically have an old container some of my weight lifting powder came in (cleaned out of course) that I spray the shells in and roll them around a few time before dropping them into the case feed tube.
The .308s go thru an AR-10 so if I'm on the 3rd rotation then I guess it should be normal for some to start showing their age.
Quote from Reloader on April 23, 2013, 9:30 amWell here I am, back from the 'Stain. Reloaded my first batch of .308 for 2013 and this time I'll admit, I was nervous. I was afraid I'd forgotten how to reload!
Several things were different this time vice the last when I had so many problems;
1) I had the de-priming pin (the entire thing from pin, bead, and threaded cap) replaced. Not only was the pin itself bent, but also when you screwed the pin down into the .308 die the entire thing was off alinement and some of the threads had been stripped (not sure HOW that happened).
2) I sprayed the shells with Dillion Case Lube in a container and shook it for a min to get a good coating. Only this time I let the shells sit out for a while in a case stand while I prepped other stuff.
Now I know a dozen rounds isn't much of a "large" sample, but they all ran through the press great with minimal resistance at the base as should be expected. Hopefully, the new pin and letting the cases dry will resolve the problem. My question however, is can I order a second complete de-priming pin assembly just in case this happens again?
Thanks
Well here I am, back from the 'Stain. Reloaded my first batch of .308 for 2013 and this time I'll admit, I was nervous. I was afraid I'd forgotten how to reload!
Several things were different this time vice the last when I had so many problems;
1) I had the de-priming pin (the entire thing from pin, bead, and threaded cap) replaced. Not only was the pin itself bent, but also when you screwed the pin down into the .308 die the entire thing was off alinement and some of the threads had been stripped (not sure HOW that happened).
2) I sprayed the shells with Dillion Case Lube in a container and shook it for a min to get a good coating. Only this time I let the shells sit out for a while in a case stand while I prepped other stuff.
Now I know a dozen rounds isn't much of a "large" sample, but they all ran through the press great with minimal resistance at the base as should be expected. Hopefully, the new pin and letting the cases dry will resolve the problem. My question however, is can I order a second complete de-priming pin assembly just in case this happens again?
Thanks