Does anybody have a method of removing a stuck case with tools around the shop? I don't have a specific "stuck case remover". My dies are Hornady new dimension.
This is the second stuck case I've encountered in the last few years. The last one I tried to drill out and accidentally scarred the die. I should have invested in a case remover, but never did :rolleyes: .

HAve a drill, large strong washer, and strong self tapping machine screw?

Remove die from press. Back the decapping asembly up out of the way, drill the primer pocket. Either tap the hole or use an aggressive self-tapping screw. Remove screw.
Screw die into press...attach big washer (bigger than the press opening) to tapped case through the washer.

Back the die out of the press with a wrench...washer contacts inside of press...die back out leaving case attached to washer.
(Washer can be any chunk of steel that will fit into the press opening and be too large to pass through).

A simple wood dowel the right dia works fine, just tap it out each case with a small hammer. This is for removing a case from a cylinder, not a die. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

Have read of drilling out primer pocket with a #7 drill , which is correct for a 1/4 -20 tap, tap out hole w/1/4-20 then using a socket to index on outside edge of die, insert a bolt of right size w/washer over end of socket and thread into case, and drawing it out.

Have read of drilling out primer pocket with a #7 drill , which is correct for a 1/4 -20 tap, tap out hole w/1/4-20 then using a socket to index on outside edge of die, insert a bolt of right size w/washer over end of socket and thread into case, and drawing it out.
The .223 rem are bad for this if you don't lube enough. Thats how I do it!!

GOT IT! Thanks to everybody...all great ideas. I happened to have the stuff OMBESB described and it worked great.
Thanks again,
Bill

If you've had two in the last several years then it's time to check you case lube. Either its not doing its job or you aren't applying enough. You got too much lube when you dent the shoulders on bottle neck cartridges. You can tell by the fell of resistance on the reloading press handle. Experiment and you will develope a feel for the right amount of lubricant need on a cartridge.

I've been reloading for over 45 years and only had a couple of stuck cases. You develop a feel for the right amount of force to use on the press handle. If its too great not enought lube. The only time this really doesn't apply is when your case forming to another cartridge, then other parameters come into play.

The only REALLY stuck case I ever had was the result of a dumb move on my part. I had some 308 Norma factory loads that wouldn't chamber in my rifle. I decided to be lazy and resize them without pulling the bullets. NOT A SMART MOVE ON MY PART!!!
Well, one of them got stuck in the die. Now I had aloaded round stuck in what is essentially a VERY tight chamber!! I pulled on all sides of the rim until I succeeded in pulling it all off. I finally ended up drilling a hole in the case, just ahead of the case head. (I did this by holding a 1/16th inch bit between my fingers and turning it). Needless to say, I was as nervous as a long tail cat in a room full of cowboy boots. When I finally got the hole drilled, I shot it full of WD 40. I think I then used the #7 drill and the 1/4" tap method.
Needless to say, I learned two lessons that day. First I learned not to re-size loaded ammo. Then I learned the value of using ENOUGH case lube.

One other way to stick a case in a die other than not enough lube is to use a poorly fitting shell holder. I have had trouble with .222 using I think a #26 shell holder after being told by difirent people that I wasn't using enough lube or the right lube I bought a new shell holder of the same number and my problems went away.
Snowtigger, I have had need to resize loaded cases too but have allways decided it cant be done because the neck would not have fitted with the bullet in place. Did you have a die from a necked up case?

The 1st stuck case was my fault. It was a 7mm mag and I definitely was a little shy with the lube. Lesson learned :rolleyes: .
This last one however I'm not sure about. It was a nickel case, which I normally don't mess with. The downward pull of the handle went relatively smooth, but when I began to extract it, she bound up.
Anyhow, the case was removed and I'm back in business. I really dislike using nickel and will probably refrain from using any more.

I have to say I have been using RCBS spray pump lube for years, and no problems, just a few pumps accross the cases,let it sit for a few minuets and your good to go, no more rolling cases on a lube board;) Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

By the way.... I once tried to de-activate a primer on some Turk mil-surp ammo (had already pulled the bullet) with WD-40. And I mean a LOT of WD-40, enough that I turned the case back over and poured out the excess.

Guess what... it still went 'pop'.... much to my surprise. Fortunately, had put on some earmuffs and was working in the garage and had it pointed away from me and anything else valuable.....

One other way to stick a case in a die other than not enough lube is to use a poorly fitting shell holder. I have had trouble with .222 using I think a #26 shell holder after being told by difirent people that I wasn't using enough lube or the right lube I bought a new shell holder of the same number and my problems went away.
Snowtigger, I have had need to resize loaded cases too but have allways decided it cant be done because the neck would not have fitted with the bullet in place. Did you have a die from a necked up case?


I was using a 338 Win mag die. The dimensions are the same , except for bullet diameter.

I did some experimenting into what would kill a primer....
Just informal, for my own education.
IME, WD-40 WILL kill a primer, but it may take up to 3 days for the primer to be killed.

I guess I am one lucky *** then. It's been quite a while, but, I don't remember waiting that long.

FYI I have ten cases of 12 ga. trap loads that were completely submerged under water for two months when my basement flooded during the spring thaw of '97 here in the Dakota's. I was going to throw them away several years ago when on a spur of the moment thought I would see if they would fire.

Randomly selecting a half dozen shells from a half dozen boxes I loaded a gun and shot the shells. Imagine my shock when all six fired. Today I'm in the process of setting up to recover the shot, wads and hulls from those ten cases. To date none have failed to fire from primer strikes--all primers have fired!! Some powder charges have failed to burn and I get a blooper that pushes the wad and shot out the barrel but the primers still worked.

From my experiences in Explosive Ordnance Disposal while in the Army, I would say without reservation that the reliability of US made ammo and components under the worst possible extremes is without reapproach. With that said I cannot impress upon you how dangerous a situation you were involved in removing that stuck case.