This Is Getting Old
Quote from Reloader on August 17, 2017, 6:25 pmI lubed up a bunch of .223 cases this morning, in anticipation for the arrival of the sizing/depriming die that I had to replace last week. I opened the XL650 instruction manual, following the instructions, including FIRST checking the case with the case gauge. Okay, fine, it was where it was supposed to be, so I adjusted the sizing die just a tad lower because the instruction said start by screwing the sizing die down to a dime's thickness from the shellplate. During this time, I did NOT have the depriming pin inserted into the die, just sizing. Again, the same case, still lubed, put into the machine, inserted the depriming pin and adjusted it downward. The first time, it didn't extract the primer fully and I couldn't get the primer out of the case, nor the case out of the die, and I couldn't get the case back under the shellplate notch to have something to pull against. So, I tried screwing down the pin a little further to get the primer out, and maybe also force the case out of the die. No luck. I'm really getting tired of trying to follow the instructions and have something like this go wrong. I don't have a case extractor, and I see no reason why I should get one if the cases are properly lubed (I used Dillon spray lube, let it sit for a couple of hours in a plastic bag). When I checked the cases before starting, they were well coated with lube, but not excessively. I can't even find anything to drive the case out of the top of the sizing die. I did manage to remove the decapping pin and bolt, but I'm afraid I bent the bolt slightly, and now it won't go back into the die. I didn't have this much trouble with setting up my .30-06 using military brass. I've reordered a depriming top bolt for the .223, maybe it'll work. In the meantime, I still can't get the case out of the die.
I lubed up a bunch of .223 cases this morning, in anticipation for the arrival of the sizing/depriming die that I had to replace last week. I opened the XL650 instruction manual, following the instructions, including FIRST checking the case with the case gauge. Okay, fine, it was where it was supposed to be, so I adjusted the sizing die just a tad lower because the instruction said start by screwing the sizing die down to a dime's thickness from the shellplate. During this time, I did NOT have the depriming pin inserted into the die, just sizing. Again, the same case, still lubed, put into the machine, inserted the depriming pin and adjusted it downward. The first time, it didn't extract the primer fully and I couldn't get the primer out of the case, nor the case out of the die, and I couldn't get the case back under the shellplate notch to have something to pull against. So, I tried screwing down the pin a little further to get the primer out, and maybe also force the case out of the die. No luck. I'm really getting tired of trying to follow the instructions and have something like this go wrong. I don't have a case extractor, and I see no reason why I should get one if the cases are properly lubed (I used Dillon spray lube, let it sit for a couple of hours in a plastic bag). When I checked the cases before starting, they were well coated with lube, but not excessively. I can't even find anything to drive the case out of the top of the sizing die. I did manage to remove the decapping pin and bolt, but I'm afraid I bent the bolt slightly, and now it won't go back into the die. I didn't have this much trouble with setting up my .30-06 using military brass. I've reordered a depriming top bolt for the .223, maybe it'll work. In the meantime, I still can't get the case out of the die.
Quote from Reloader on August 17, 2017, 11:22 pmThe depriming assembly is intended to enter the case mouth before it is resized. The size die sizes the case neck to smaller than the final diameter, then the expander ball being pulled up through the case neck opens it up to the correct inside diameter. The reason for this is that cases will vary in neck wall thickness. Doing it this way ensures uniform neck tension on the bullet.
It sounds like you jammed the expander ball into the neck by attempting to force it down into a sized case. Nowhere in the instructions are you told to remove the depriming assembly during die setup. The depriming assembly is preset to optimum depth to deprime cases. That is why the spring clip and jam nut are located where they are.
If you cannot remove the case, please phone or email us for return authorization, send us the die, and we'll remove the stuck case and repair any damage to the die.
The depriming assembly is intended to enter the case mouth before it is resized. The size die sizes the case neck to smaller than the final diameter, then the expander ball being pulled up through the case neck opens it up to the correct inside diameter. The reason for this is that cases will vary in neck wall thickness. Doing it this way ensures uniform neck tension on the bullet.
It sounds like you jammed the expander ball into the neck by attempting to force it down into a sized case. Nowhere in the instructions are you told to remove the depriming assembly during die setup. The depriming assembly is preset to optimum depth to deprime cases. That is why the spring clip and jam nut are located where they are.
If you cannot remove the case, please phone or email us for return authorization, send us the die, and we'll remove the stuck case and repair any damage to the die.
Quote from Reloader on August 18, 2017, 2:29 amI got it out at the expense of a bent top depriming bolt. I have a new one on order already, it'll be here in a few days.
I did not see where it stated that the expander ball resized the neck on the upstroke. I did see where the sizing die can be used without the depriming pin.
Whichever, it's fixed, no damage to the die, I was able to get it out without having to do anything to the die.
I got it out at the expense of a bent top depriming bolt. I have a new one on order already, it'll be here in a few days.
I did not see where it stated that the expander ball resized the neck on the upstroke. I did see where the sizing die can be used without the depriming pin.
Whichever, it's fixed, no damage to the die, I was able to get it out without having to do anything to the die.