Reloading DIY - Stuck Case Removal

DIY: Stuck case removal tool

As you can see here, I managed to get a .223 case stuck nice and tight in my Dillon sizing die.  I even pulled part of the rim off trying to free the case, with no luck.  Now I'll show you how to get it out with very little time and effort wasted, so you can get back to reloading as soon as possible.

Required Materials

• The materials you need:

All of the materials you need can be sourced from just about any local hardware store.  I happen to have an Osh right around the corner from my house, so I went there.

First thing I did was source 1/2"x20 tap.  The tap that I got had the proper sized drill bit packaged with it, so that made it even easier.  If you can't find a tap/drill bit package, you will need to source a #7 drill bit as well.

Bolts, washers and spacers are also required.  1/2x20 thread bolts are needed, so as they match the thread size and pitch of the tap.  I got 2 different lengths, a 2" and a 1 1/2", so I have options depending on what the problem is.  

I also glued together a stack of washers to use as a spacer, and I bought a couple different length bronze spacers, again, just so I have more problem solving options.

Last, but not least, I also picked up a clear container tube to store everything in, so that I have it handy for future use.  

• Now that we have everything together, lets put it all to work.

This case was stuck pretty good.  I had just cleaned the die, and I must have just not had enough lube on the brass and it just cinched itself into place. 

First thing to do is drill through the center of the primer pocket with the #7 bit.  If, like me, you were not able to remove the de-capping pin, be quite mindful of it while drilling and GO SLOW!

Once you have the primer pocket drilled out, you will need to thread the hole with the tap that you purchased.  Again, the best advice I can give you is to go slow and back it out every quarter of a turn or so.  You will want to use a bit of light oil on the tap as well, which will help keep it from binding up and it will help it stay sharper longer.  If you break the tap off, you might as well just go buy another die, so be careful and again, go slow.

Once it is tapped, you will want to clean all the brass shavings up as best as possible and grab your spacers along with the corresponding length bolt.  Place the spacer down over the case, top with a washer and then thread the bolt in.  

As you tighten the bolt, you are pulling the case up and out of the die.  It doesn't take much force with a ratchet and socket, and the case is free before you know it.

This case came unstuck easily, but as I mentioned earlier, the de-capping pin was still stuck in the case. That's where the longer bolt and spacer came in handy.

I placed the longer spacer over the case, and pushed the de-capping pin up and threaded it back into the die body, so I could exert force on the case and pull it away from the ball sizer on the pin. I'm very thankful I had the foresight to grab the extra spacer for this as it made life much, much easier.

And here you can see the case free from the die, and the mouth severely deformed during the process.  This was likely caused by the de-capping pin being pulled through and the expander ball catching the lip of the case mouth.  Luckily I was able to save the de-capping pin and went on to re-size a bunch of cases only a few minutes after freeing it up.

Hope this was helpful for you.  Remember, use enough lube and if something gets stuck, don't panic, just use some ingenuity and fix it yourself for just a few bucks and a trip to the hardware store.

-LongRangeProductions