Is it normal for the expander to pull out off the case fairly hard? I'm using mica lube.

Yeah, in certain calibers this seems to be common. I don't know if it is the certain caliber or my certain chamber but it is not uncommon. Or is it the dies for a certain caliber? I am getting a headache thinking about it, but it happens.

MICA IS not that good of a lube in my opinion.
You might try polishing the expander with some fine emery or steel wool. I also champer inside neck befor resizing , they can have a bur.
i use a small ammount of rcbs case lube on a q tip, then wipe it off after sizing.
Dave

Will retumbling clean the case lube out? Although I hate doing that with the primer out.

I just use a cloth and wipe the inside. you could tumble that up to you.
Dave

Yes, it's common but avoidable.

I chuck my brass up in a Lee Lock Stud with the appropriate case holder and clean the outside with a Scotch Brite pad and while I have it in the chuck I run a bore brush in the neck. It makes a huge difference in the amount of reduced friction for the expander ball. If they are still sticking I will apply a very small amount of Imperial Die Sizing Wax at the same time I'm lubing the outside of the case for resizing (even if only neck sizing). Polishing the expander ball helps too, sometimes they just get dirty so cleaning helps a great deal. When they need it I polish mine with very fine steel wool.

I looked into a few necks once, and the brass was as rough as sandpaper. No wonder the sizeing buttons drag. I use graphite which helps and doesn't need cleaning out.

All this tumbling? I had a friend who had this case cleaner on a shelf and there it sat. I wondered why but didn't ask.

Now I have one, used it once. Any cases that were stained/corroded, came out nice and shiney
but still stained and corroded.

Now mine sits on the shelf, and I suppose people wonder about it.

By the time I lube PFLS and wipe off, the brass is good enough, and no chance of mistaking for factory.