Stuck case in sizing die, Suggestions?

[lancem]

Got a set of Hornady 308W dies for free, problem is there is a stuck case in the sizing die with the head torn off, and I mean the whole head of the case gone. Lot of scraping on the brass inside like something was used to try to get it out, maybe a drill bit??? It doesn't look like the die itself has been harmed in this madness so that's a plus.

I'm thinking of soaking it in Kroil for a couple of days but I'm not sure what to try after that, any suggestions?

If I returned it to Hornady do you think they could get it out if I can't?? Hate to just throw it away...

[Silverboolit]

Try packing the die with dry ice and see if it will come out. The cold should shrink the brass and then you can give it push.

[Minerat]

If these id3eas don't work I'd try contacting Hornady customer service and explain the problem. If it was RCBS they would have you send the die in and get it out, check the inside die condition of the die and fix or replace it under their warranty. Bet Hornady will do the same. You have noting to loose but time and a little postage.

[Johnny_V]

I use a broken shell extractor (http://www.amazon.com/AR-Broken-Shell-Extractor-308/dp/B00FPZLXPG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1407957189&sr=8-2&keywords=broken+shell+extractor).

Whenever I go hunting, I carry one with me for the caliber rifle I'm using. Using this or the dry ice should get you out of trouble..........

[lancem]

I use a broken shell extractor (http://www.amazon.com/AR-Broken-Shell-Extractor-308/dp/B00FPZLXPG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1407957189&sr=8-2&keywords=broken+shell+extractor).

Whenever I go hunting, I carry one with me for the caliber rifle I'm using. Using this or the dry ice should get you out of trouble..........

Excellent idea, went out and gave it a try and it wouldn't grab hold, what the heck??? Look in the die and someone had drilled in and removed most of the neck, now that I've seen this I'm wondering if the neck portion of the die is OK. Guess it's time to jump right to Hornady as there is no dry ice available, and see what they can do for me.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[lancem]

OK, FYI Hornady will remove stuck cases for $5.00, not bad since I think that would cover return shipping. The problem is they say to send UPS or FedEx as if you ship USPS it will probably be returned. Living 60 miles from town makes anything but USPS pretty much a pain you know where so....

I decided I would pick up where the previous owner left off and started step drilling the case out, hoping that being brass it would bind up on the bit and come out, and it did! Cleaned it up and tried it out and all looks good :) Got lucky on that one. Needless to say I don't recommend this method to anyone, I didn't have anything in it and had literally picked it out of the trash can so I figured I had nothing to lose.

So now I have a set of 308W dies I have no use for as I already have my set of Reddings... and the wife wonders how all this stuff collects :)

[gwpercle]

Another trick you might try is a stiff brass bore brush . Not sure what size you will need. After a good soak in penetrating oil ( the die and stuck case) shove the brush into the opening and , in theory, the brass bristles will grab onto/dig into the brass case and can be pulled out. Trying this will not damage the die and just might get the job done. I've got some old military brushes that are quite stiff...try something like that .
You always have to have a back up. I got three sets of 9 mm dies and don't have a 9mm, but if I ever do....I'm set.
Gary

[williamwaco]

Haven't done it with .308 but have done it once before many years ago by taking it to the hardware store and finding a bolt that would enter the die but be too large to enter the case body without engraving the threads into the case wall.

You need to be real careful with this one because if you screw it in very far, it will expand the case wall into the taper of the die wall and just make it worse.

[Shiloh]

OK, FYI Hornady will remove stuck cases for $5.00, not bad since I think that would cover return shipping. The problem is they say to send UPS or FedEx as if you ship USPS it will probably be returned. Living 60 miles from town makes anything but USPS pretty much a pain you know where so....

I decided I would pick up where the previous owner left off and started step drilling the case out, hoping that being brass it would bind up on the bit and come out, and it did! Cleaned it up and tried it out and all looks good :) Got lucky on that one. Needless to say I don't recommend this method to anyone, I didn't have anything in it and had literally picked it out of the trash can so I figured I had nothing to lose.

So now I have a set of 308W dies I have no use for as I already have my set of Reddings... and the wife wonders how all this stuff collects :)

It's a moot point now that it out, but what the heck is this all about!! It's a piece of metal with a stick piece of metal in it. It is not ammo.
Glad you got it out. Use adequate lube inthe future.

Shiloh

[lancem]

It's a moot point now that it out, but what the heck is this all about!! It's a piece of metal with a stick piece of metal in it. It is not ammo.
Glad you got it out. Use adequate lube inthe future.

Shiloh

Wow Shiloh, sorry that my post seemed to irritate you so much, I was looking for some advise and then went on to explain what I did. I put this post in the reloading equipment section being that the problem was with the equipment, so I don't understand your point about it not being ammo. I would also suggest that perhaps you should put me on your ignore list, much like I am going to put you and then you won't be bothered with my posts that don't fit into your narrow minded view of what should be posted here..

[M-Tecs]

Drill and tap it.

Good pics here

http://www272.pair.com/stevewag/reloading/reloading2.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSzkdqM45KE&NR=1

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/504741/rcbs-stuck-case-remover

http://ultimatereloader.com/how-to/removing-a-stuck-case-hd/

[Janoosh]

You didn't need dry ice. If there is a next time, just put it in the back of your freezer for a couple of days, it works. I've done that with a 8×57 case I stuck. I just packed it away and moved on to another project for awhile.

[MrWolf]

I think Shiloh's comment was directed at Hornady's comments to you about the shipping and not directed at you - that is how I took it.

Ron

[Janoosh]

Same here with Shiloh's comments. Definitely directed at Hornady.

[Weaponologist]

I've used this before...well worth the $18...<http://www.midwayusa.com/product/504741/rcbs-stuck-case-remover> Only happened once...wasn't using enough Lub in sizing Rifle cases.

[lancem]

I've used this before...well worth the $18...<http://www.midwayusa.com/product/504741/rcbs-stuck-case-remover> Only happened once...wasn't using enough Lub in sizing Rifle cases.

I've got one but this time it wouldn't work as someone had already removed the whole case head!

[John Boy]

For the future - use CerroSafe. Fill the case and some past the mouth - tap out with a hickory dowel. Works the same with cases in the chamber that went South

[Weaponologist]

I've got one but this time it wouldn't work as someone had already removed the whole case head!

****,,,Sorry, Didn't see that,,You'll have to have the broken shell extractor (http://www.amazon.com/AR-Broken-Shell-Extractor-308/dp/B00FPZLXPG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1407957189&sr=8-2&keywords=broken+shell+extractor). like Johnny-V was talking about unless one of these other ideas would work..Not sure if they make an Easy Out that big but I bought one of the Broken Shell Extractors after I needed the RCBS tool but luckly have never needed it yet...I've heard that when reloading some times the case will separate after they get old?? never has happened to me yet...

[monadnock#5]

For the future - use CerroSafe. Fill the case and some past the mouth - tap out with a hickory dowel. Works the same with cases in the chamber that went South

Thank you for posting this John Boy. Of all the good suggestions given, this is the pick of the litter.

[OuchHot!]

Instead of cerrosafe, I've epoxy glued a dowel section into the case. Put the die in my rockchucker and used a wood screw against a washer to "extract" the piece of case.