OK - I managed to rip the head off a shell that is now stuck in a FL sizing die.
Anyone have any tried and proven methods to get it out or should I just go and buy another?

Thanks
Hollywood

1. You didn't use enough lubrication, or none at all?

2. Now the fun part. Find a 1/4"x20 TPI bolt 2.5" long. 4 or 5 3/8" flat washers. And a 1/4 nut. You may need bigger washers as long as they will fit over the case its ok.

3. You will need a drill and a 3/16" bit and a 1/4" x 20 TPI tap.

4. Drill the center of the case that is stuck in the die with the 3/16" bit.

5. Now take the tap and thread the case.

6. Start the bolt with the washers and nut assembled on it, make sure the washers are resting on the die body, and you have enough threads on the bolt to hold the brass case, now tighten the nut down against the washers and within a few more turns the case should pop free.
7. Next time just lube the case its alot easier that way. If you can't remove it send it to me and i'll get it for you. This will work every time if done properly.

send it to the die maker. usually for a small fee they will remove it.

hammer
sent you a PM.

RCSB makes astuck case remover that works the same as Hammer spoke of. It's cheap & nice to have around just in case.

Agree with fredj338, get a RCBS stuck shell remover and like having an umbrella handy, it won't rain (or better yet) you will use enough lube next time and forego the bother of removing the stuck case.

If you need to try sometihing RIGHT NOW try putting the die in the freezer to shrink up the brass a bit and then try to tap out or otherwise manhandle the stuck brass.

Guy's Hollywood said he has "ripped the head off". No head means no place to run your 1/4 X 20 tap in to thread anything.
Send the die to the maker. They will be able to remove the case. For a fee that is.
The stuck case tool from RCBS or whoever, or your make shift kit, will do a great job if you have a head left to work with.

muck

If the head is gone then take the decapping ass' out,twist a round file into the case neck from the bottom, put in the freezer for a few min,take it out and warm the die in your hand. Put it back in the press and tap the brass out with a hammer and punch.The file will not damage the die as it only touches the brass case. Mark

RCBS clears stuck cases free, other companies and some friendly gunsmiths might also.
I have used Cerrosafe to remove stuck cases both from guns and dies. It is just like pouring a chamber cast.
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross

A Way to avoid that in the future... besides lubing the case properly.....

Is one of two ways....

1. Run your decapping pin all the way as high as it will go.... It will still size the neck the proper diameter, but will not punch out the old primer.. but it is easier to remove if you have a stuck die...
I then use a universal decapping die in a separate operation... but If I do end up with a stuck case, I just put a nail down in the die and tap it out with a hammer... nails make cheap punches..
2. Just take the decapping pin out period.. If you get a stuck case you can remove it with the nail and hammer like above...
To get the neck the proper diameter... I use a neck sizing die in a separate operation...

But are extra steps, but nothing messes up life worse than a stuck case....

That is why I have an RCBS and then a Lee Die Set for almost every caliber I shoot....

cheers
seafire


PS: I have used RCBS's two different types of stuck case removal kits.. I think they both suck.. I couldn't get either one to work worth a darn! Either that, or more likely... operator error....

It seems like my RCBS stuck case remover gets used occasionly and when it gets wrecked a 1/2" socket works good too.

If the entire base is torn off, and not just the rim, Tom Burgess posted the best method-

Heat a line in the case with an acetylene torch. The brass will conduct the heat much faster so you don't have to worry about harming the die. Start at the base and when the brass turns red just move the flame towards the neck. When you have angled the torch so it can't reach any deeper, you're done. Takes all of 15 or so seconds. Then turn the die upside down and the case falls out.

What happens is the brass will expand and leave a little hump, then when it cools off it shrinks and makes the OD smaller, and the formerly stuck brass now just drops out of the die.

Takes a lot less time to do than what it takes to describe it!

Next time use Imperial Die Lube, toss the rest out.
Good luck!

If the entire head is gone, no primer pocket, send it back to RCBS. They'' remove it, polish out & send it back NC (been there done that).

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who has done this!
Thanks for all the input.
Hollywood

Hollywood,
I feel your pain.... Redding charged me $5 to remove the stuck case from my 22-250 AI FL die and had it back to me in less than 1 week. The RCBS tool that's been mentioned worked well for me the only time I've used it (unfortunately, bought after the problem w/ the aforementioned Redding die ). Gary T.

You can buy a plumbers pipe easyout at most any hardware store and the case should come right out, also works if the case has seperated in the barrel of your rifle. CHEERS

fredj338--I have one of the RCBS stuck case remover kits--that I bought right after I pulled the rim off my first case. I've used it one more time since then, and wouldn't trade it for anything, not even an automatic reminder to properly lube the case first. I figure Murphy will still pop up his ugly head from time to time, so I'm hanging on to the kit.