Thank you for great tips, Sir! Lee's instructions are limited to how to tap the decapping rod with the case out of a die. They don't describe how to remove decapping rod from the case. Your instructions along with other people's comments are very helpful. With a case stuck in a Lee die, sometimes I was able to remove it with the following technique. Remove shell holder. Raise the ram, slide in the shell holder in the ram and around the case head. Spin the shell holder around about 90 degrees or so. Lower ram. Very often (about 70% chance in my experience) it will grip the case head better and pull it out. Try again if it fails until it the case rim is stripped completely all around, then do what you did.
I really enjoy you videos. I hope you’re storing all of these videos for generations to come. Don’t count on RU-vid. Thank you for all the information.
@@cole4406 I happen to have a used gunship here. So for $6-8 less I got a used RCBS die. Fun fact. No one In store carries Lee. RCBS is King with dabbles in hornady, Lee, Lyman
I use lee dies and when I get them stuck i remove the brass like you did but when I get the brass out of the die I cut the brass in 2 pieces with a small pipe cutter and remove both halves. Love your videos.. Thanks
Thank you so much for your video! Got my 300 blk lee die back in action after watching your video, you are a man of much knowledge and I really appreciate all of your videos! Thanks again!
God Bless you GunBlue490. Another day you took me to school and learned. I hear times are tough for gun channels and can understand these advertisers getting upset with some of these jokers. Please keep up the good work, you are solid rock with wealth of knowledge for us 2nd Amendment gun owners.
Sir, at 57 I find myself feeling like I'm back in the school bench, enjoying every class and smiling as I watch this brilliant teacher doing such a great job with wit and a highly respectable down-to-earth attitude that should set an example to us all. You would make a brilliant teachers' instructor.
I'm 38 and I was blessed at a young age by my grandfather instilling in me that when someone who's lived life starts speaking you better listen because there's a good chance they've forgot more about the topic than you currently know. "God gave you two eyes and one mouth for a reason."
Just discovered your channel sir and i've been stuck on it for 2 days straight now. I just retired from policing after a 30 year career and i am now taking the time to go out to the range a lot more. I also recently purchased my 1st rifle and i got an AR-15 ( i know i know another black gun nut). I never had the chance to use a rifle when i was active and really wanted to learn more about this caliber and platform. In my "Progression" i also plan to start re loading hence why i watch related videos. I must say i was quite sold on Dillon machines before watching you videos but now, hmmm not so sure anymore :-)
Dillon makes great machines, but I consider Lee a better bargain, with equally good engineering, and they think outside the box. Nobody makes dies as good as Lee, and I've used every brand costing much more. If I were to own a Dillon press, and they are good with many great innovations, I would still equip it with Lee dies.
Know what ? I think you've just convinced me. I was talking to a friend who's been using a Dillon for years now and his reaction was "I don't think Lee is robust enough to handle 223 rem reloading". I don't know what is the rational behind that. Since i've been watching your videos (and i have watched many) i have seen nothing that even remotely suggests that ! But people being what they are, they always feel the need to justify what they already have as being the best wether it's a gun, a camera, a car or anything else for some reason. One guy near where i live has a used one for sale, not with the dies i need but it seems like a good deal nonetheless.
I use Lee dies. I followed the instructions here exactly, except, I drilled a 13/64 hole in an ice cream stick and put it over the top of the decapping pin so my hammer wouldn't contact the top of the die body. A couple of whacks and the case came free. Then, I took the suggestion of one of the comments here and used a tubing cutter to cut the case free of the decapping pin. Brass is harder than copper so go slow and be patient. Everything worked perfectly. Thanks, GunBlue and Mike.
Excellent teacher and a very cool guy !! I haven't stuck a case yet but Now I am prepared ! That part of my life must be charmed...... When it does happen I hope I am using one of my Lee die sets. With Lee there is more value than saving some money. I absolutely love the value being able to use wrenches that fit my dies for a solid grip instead of my old worn out fingers trying to grip a knurled surface.
I've heard how to do this, but I'm glad I've actually seen it. Thanks. Btw Probably took a while to get one stuck since you would have residual lube on the dies themselves.
MR MIKES GUNRACK They are very precisely made, and have a highly polished finish. The case neck expander is gently tapered, rather than an abrupt ball, to prevent undue case stretching and distortion, and it makes the withdrawal stroke much easier. For target and varmint shooting bolt rifles, their highly refined collet die is the best in the business, and sizes necks gently to a mandrel. It's best to get the deluxe set, which includes a standard sizing die for sizing hunting ammo that must chamber freely.
YOU Have The Best,Most informative videos out there! Clear, Non complicated straight forward Information.. Thank You for Your Time and Effort! And Yes I have stuck a Case in my Sizing die! got it out using Drill and Tap Method
"Oh, Hi ... I knew you were comin' eventually ..." - that was so corny and yet so appropriate for this video. Had me smiling right from the start, just like all of your amazing videos. many Thanks, Sir from the UK.
Thank you for another of your very informative videos. I have been hand loading since the early ‘80’s and finally got a stuck case. There are two kinds of hand loaders, one that has had a stuck case and one that will!
LOVED THIS VIDEO , SURE HELPED ME OUT GETTING MY 22-250 STUCK CASE OUT. IT WORKED WELL WITH MY HORNADY DIE. WILL REMEMBER THIS . EXCELLENT WAY TO EXTRACT A CASE. MANY THANKS
I use the Lee dies as well, and like many have had a stuck case or two. I use the same steps you did punching the pin thru the die, but I use a vise to hold the die. The problem I have/had is that the sizing/decapping pin is very hard to pull from the case. I nearly destroyed one pin with vice grips trying to get a good hold on it. Finally I took a Dremel tool and cut the case on opposing sides and removed it like a clam shell. The issue with this is that you can cut too deep and into the pin. I have one pin that has cut marls on it, but after a little Emory cloth to remove the sharp edges it still works fine.
Great Video! I usually grab the de-capping pin with vise grips and pull it out before drilling and tapping the brass. they are only in hand tight and come out easy. Saves on pins that way. My Herters die is almost the same as RCBS. I also take the die apart and blow the inside of the die out to make sure it is clean and squirt some "One Shot" case lube in it and let it dry before re-assembling.
Y'know, it's kinda funny that you had a time getting a case stuck in the die. I'm I had not trouble at all! This is one problem I'm glad I got out of the way early on in my reloading career. Now, I know how to take care of it with minimal cursing. My wife also thanks you. I have one of each kind of die, a Lee and an RCBS @@# die. Your vids are the best, bar none. Gun Blue, I hereby nominate you for the Nobel Prize! All those in favor, say "Aye,"
I did exactly that before I saw this video, but I slightly deformed the end of the decapping rod by hammering on it. It would no longer fit into the collet. It required a slight application of the bench grinder to clean up the decapping rod, then all was well. I also did not think about using the turret and used a bench vise instead. Being the brilliant fellow that I am, I ordered a new die before I discovered this and now have two .223 sizing dies.
I have now watch two of your videos and i have enjoyed watching . Your the man bud ! I would recommend trying a brass hammer and brass rod if you have one laying around .
TheGoodLife62 Got that apron just the spring before Katrina. Loved the city, and especially the fabulous food. Great time. Spent a year at Ft. Polk a long time ago. God bless you for the trial you endured.
Thanks GB. We still go back a few times a year to visit family and of course, have some of the wonderful food that's so hard to find anywhere else. BTW, thank you very much for taking the time to document and share so much valuable information. I've learned a lot and point all my shooting buddies to your channel. God Bless.
Twice got 308 stuck in 45 colt die, second time on purpose. Trying to decap without resize, shoulder buckled like Glass Joe. Used the Lee trick and had to verify, thought the engineering was pretty clever. Lee fan since.
Here is the easiest fix of all. I had this same thing happen on the resizing die on a progressive press. The rim was sheared off on two sides exactly like what is in this video. I removed the die and screwed it into a single stage press. Raised the ram and inserted the shell holder around the case - at the same time I snapped the shell holder into the ram of the press. Then I rotated the shell holder so it was on the undamaged portion of the case. Then I lowered the ram and presto problem solved. No special tools, no die disassembly.
With RCBS dies, you can loosen the nut from the top of the die like you did, but continue unscrewing the 2 nuts to the top of the threaded rod of the primer extractor. I usually remove the smaller nut and then get the larger nut unscrewed to the point that it is just extended past the end of the rod. Then you can tap the nut like you did with the Lee die to get the casing out.
Yes, you can, but it's far more complicated. I used many calibers of RCBS dies for 40 years, but I sold them all for Lee dies. RCBS are good, but Lee is in another class. They are far more smoothly polished, they come with a shell holder, and require no tools to adjust, and stay adjusted under constant use. Not to mention that they are still made in the USA, are guaranteed for life, and cost less. I recommend you try them.
@GunBlue490 I buy Lee dies if I need a factory crimp like my 35 rem or plan on using my Lee progressive press. Lee, RCBS and Redding dies have served me well over the last few decades, but they all have there quirks
When drilling use a stop collar to keep from drilling to far, then a bottoming tap so the tap will not go to deep. now you don't damage the decaping pin. the right tools gets the job done right.
With many dies you can pull on the stem so the expander ball is jammed against the case and unscrew it. Then drop in a pin punch and hammer the case out. If that doesn't work you at least have more room for drilling/tapping without wrecking the decapper or expander. Using a stop collar on the drill bit and a bottoming tap will also safe guard your die parts.
If you try to remove a magnum brass in a Lee die by using the hammer method you will end up with a broken decapping rod for sure. The drill and tap method works everytime. I usually attach a drill stop to prevent drilling on my decappingrod
This is one more for my library of useful videos from you. I have a question about the .223 brass. Is it really that easy to convert .223 to .222 ? If so, this is a double bargain video because .222 brass is so much harder to find!
Had a 243 get stuck just the other day with a Lee die. Figured out I had to do the same thing. Use a BFH and once the case was out, I just took a hacksaw to the case and out came the pin. Except I put the die on a vise loosely with 2 nuts on it. Was not gonna take a chance of damaging the press.
GunBlue490; Your skill and style of instruction brings a big grin to my face everytime. What a pleasure to share your knowledge combined with the love of firearms is downright heaven. My father was an engineer, and the skills you show are reminding me everyday how sharp he was. Thank you for your service and great guidance , Dana Huff
I found the only time I stuck a case when converting .223/5.56 to 300 AAC Blackout was when the inside forming ball was set too high in the die. I am using an RCBS die set. If I adjusted the decapping pin so it sticks out the bottom of the die about 3/8” then the case do not get stuck. I have used the method you describe to remove the stuck case..
Well, that day has come. I think my problem was swithcing lube types. I tryed a spray on lube that's supposed to be quicker. I guess it is, unless you count the time removing the stuck case. Think I'll switch back to the traditional way.
i took it out and actually just taped it out with a hammer worked fine after that i figured it worked or it didnt and i was buying a new dye if i bent it..... lucked out and still works... lube em good!
Patman Crowley I spoke about carbide dies in the earlier video about case lubrication. Carbide dies do not require any lubrication, but due to their design, where a carbide ring is used for a consistent diameter, they are only made for straight walled pistol and rifle cases, and never for bottle necked cases. I always recommend carbide dies for straight walled cases, and have used them exclusively for pistol cases all my life.
Eli Wagner Actually, I prefer them at any price, and have used them all. I consider them the best equipment, best engineering, most efficient, period. They think outside the box, and are always ahead of the other guy. Made in USA.
GunBlue490: I, too, like the Lee presses for their performance to price ratio. Started long, long ago with Lyman T-mag to learn reloading. (At 77. EVERYTHING was long, long ago!!). Then went progressive with a Dillon SDB. Good press that works well. Changing calibers....not so great! When I started shooting Action Pistol Matches, I needed to load faster. Went with a Lee Pro1000. After some mods to the primer system to make it reliable and adding a case feeder, I could load noticeably faster than the SDB. Now in retirement, I still use the Lee presses and the T-mag, but just a bit slower. Seems everything has to be done slower these days. ....(sigh).... Had a chance to use my youngest son's Dillon 650 a few times. Wow, nice. But he has to feed his subguns and has the $$$ to do so; I have neither guns or $$$ like his. So, yeah, Lee is just fine. Keep up the good work.
On the Lee die, I would yank that decapper out, and use the priming rod from my Lee Classic loader to drive the case out. However, I would think it impossible to get a case stuck in any of my Lee resizing dies, just sayin'....
I had a 300 rum case stuck in a Redding die... I tapped it and when I was pulling the bolt out it completely pulled the entire case head off the case and left the rest of case in the die with nothing but the case sides in the die... it's still in there I haven't figured out how to get this out yet I think it will be there forever lol
You can damage the end of the pin that you are striking with the hammer, simply using a bench grinder and taking the mushroom off will allow the stem to work perfectly. I am here because I was hoping for a better way with the lee dies as I am having hell with resizing 300 black out brass. Think 5 stuck cases per 100 and I am using plenty of lube.
Paul Heiser It must be a case of a larger diameter caliber, because seating dies are only meant to align and position the bullet to the case. I have never heard of that before. If the top of the die and seating stem can be removed, driving a rod through the top would knock it out. Otherwise, follow the tapping and extraction method, which would be identical.
I have been reloading for 42 years now and Never had a STUCK case yet. Now that I have bragged about it, the Devil hear that and I will have one stuck.
After removing the stuck case from a lee die just use tube cutters the ones that look a pipe cutter . There’s less chance of ruining the end of your decapping rod
I just unscrew my die and put the casing head in my vice and tighten to deform the brass. Then I use a wrench to turn the die and the case loosens off. Now with the case firmly in the vice I tap the die rearward with a leather mallet to remove the case off of the neck expander.
Why not make sure that you are truly saved by Jesus Christ and practice this way. Remorsefully confess with your heart your sins to Jesus Christ who is God and tell Him that you right now are repenting of your sins and you want to be born again of the Spirit from above. Tell Jesus that you are remorsefully sorry for breaking His commandments and that you are begging for forgiveness from Him. Allow His blood from the cross to wash away your sins. After this is done with your heart successfully the Holy Spirit will come to live within you and He will rebuild you from the inside out. Look for signs that you are saved. Things like spreading the good news from Jesus, getting other people saved, a craving for the word of God, reading the Bible, etc… These things are known as a calling and fruit bearing. If you're not bearing fruit then keep doing it. Sometimes it takes time to get saved. Read Matthew chapter 13 from the King James Bible. God bless!!!!!
Lee equipment, dies in particular are really inexpensive compared to other manufacturers. That being the case it makes me wonder why Redding dies are 5 to 7 times as expensive as Lee, in some instances. "Just proud of being flush" Sir, I do love your command on english.
Patrick Slevin Because people believe Redding dies do something different, that's all. I've used every die made, including Redding, and a die is nothing more than a minimum dimension chamber, and they all use the same dimensions. Lee's finish and polish is exceptionally smooth, and their engineering and intelligent tool-free design is without peer. Micrometer adjustments mean nothing. Any die can be reset to a perfect previous adjustment by counting turns and rotating to the same point logged for future use, using a simple Sharpie mark, as I demonstrated. The simplest way to convince folks that you have a better product is to charge more. Eat where the parking lot is full, not where the menu in the window has high prices.
Your experience saved me a lot of money. Always viewed Lee as a sort of "cheap" alternative but used them most of the time now anyway due to the price of other dies.
Yep I use Lee Dies .....I have driven the de caper threw the bottom of the case, no biggie just use a 1/4 inch dowel to finish knocking the brass out...Thanks
Thanks for another great instructional video. The only trouble I've had with the Lee dies was getting the split ring to catch the threads going back in. Other than that, I love them and they are all I use.
as a caution with the Lee die, you may need to lightly redress the de-capping rod on the end which you needed to hammer on. I did anyway, because the 06 case was really in there. It took numerous smacks and a rawhide and wooden mallet that I tried at first of course did nothing. The de-capping rod flared just a bit at the top. Putting the de-capping rod in a drill and just touching it to a grinding wheel will restore it and it will moved freely through the collet once again. Great video.
Very true. However, when driving out large cases like that, I suggest placing a flat steel on the rod, such as the smooth hilt of a file, and striking it with a 6 to 10 ounce ball peen hammer. The buffer will greatly preserve the rod from rolling over.
Now I know why I like Lee Dies . It isn't that my first press I got was a used Lee Turret 3 stage with the 45 ACP dies included . Couldn't beat the price at the time , if it would have been Blue or Green or the other Red , I would be up the creek w/o a paddle . But then again , I wouldn't have gotten ANY of the others for what I paid for that nice Lee set . Thanks again for a very easy to follow video . Can't wait for the next one .
Pull the decapping pin out? Your method is great, just throwing it out there. No reason to leave those parts in the die, unless they're stuck in there which is doubtful. In any case(pun intended), I've been reloading for 25 years, made thousands of cartridges, and never got a case stuck. Just blessed, I guess... You have great information going out there, to new reloaders, and I'm learning more detailed stuff I didn't know before. Thank You
All these stuck cases are the same thing. How about a video where the entire bottom and about a 1/4 inch of the case broke off? I have never seen a video that shows that kind of stuck case.
I haven’t had one stuck yet, but I’ve been close, and I’m sure it’ll happen some day. Now I don’t have to swear so much, and start searching videos when it does 🙂
I got a 38 special case stuck in a lee die once. I didn't know about just driving it straight through. I ended up clamping my die in a vice and pulling on the case with some pliers.
I know old video but. I have done similar to remove cases. To remove the expander I use a copper pipe cutter and cut the case in half just like you would cut a water pipe
i know the video is old but a word of warning about beating the lee decapping stem to remove a stuck case . the lee stems are very soft and will mushroom very easy and or bend very easily if you have a brass or leather hammer try them first but if you do it long eneough the stem will be destroyed and will have to be replaced but still better than replacing the die every time i have used both methods if you drill for the tap in a mill or drill press most of the time you can do it without destroying the primer pin great video sir
