31 July 2003, 13:43
JBMauserI think I reall messed up a sizing die... Ideas?
Well I think I went and done it. I set up to size some 45 LC rounds and I grabbed a few that were flared and not yet sized. When I ran them threw the Bonnanza die I have (not carbide) it went very hard. after that I noticed that the brass was comming out with many lateral scratches and when I run my nail aroung them. Ouch. grooves! I looked in the die and there were stings of brass stuck all around the die. I soaked it in solvent and then hit the inside with very very fine wet/dry emmory paper to see if there were any steel to remove. It looks as bright as a mirror. Then I try and size some more and it slowly comes back. each round has more and more scratches in it. Did I junk the die? Any remidies that will not cost more than a new die? I wonder if Lee still offers to trade any die for theirs....Hummmm. Thanks in advance. JB
31 July 2003, 14:33
LeftoverdjTake it as a sign from God to buy a carbide die. And you can use a .45 ACP die until the carbide gets in. Just kinda size halfway.
31 July 2003, 15:30
JBMauserleftoverdj, that is how I did it before I picked up the Bonanza on ebay. I hit the die again with the wet/dry emmory and this time I was much more aggresive. It seems to be better. I may have to figure a way to polish it with some rouge to get it right again if it ever comes back. Lee makes carbide Hummmm.....JB
31 July 2003, 15:31
tasco 74GET YOURSELF A LEE CARBIDE SPEED DIE . I BOUGHT ONE ABOUT 15 YRS YRS AGO AND WOULDN'T DO WITHOUT IT.
THE 2ND AMENDMENT PROTECTS US ALL.............
31 July 2003, 15:46
packratBeen there...done that. I used a wooden dowel and jewlers rouge to polish the die. It worked, but you know, I still opted to get carbide dies. They are the only way to go when reloading pistols and revolvers.
31 July 2003, 16:34
LeftoverdjMidSouth has the .45 carbide die alone for about $14 and the whole set for about $20.
01 August 2003, 05:17
TrapdoorIf it isn't a carbide die, you need to lube your cases. Did you lube them? Sounds to me exactly like no lube, or not enough.
Carbide dies are great. You will be thankful once you get one, but for now, try some lube and see if that helps.
01 August 2003, 10:45
Tom HargerI did that once with a carbide Lee die. Just tossed it and got another one, their cheap. A little lube will not hurt. A little and don't even worry about removing it.