Smitty79 Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 I'm running a Dillon 550B with a case feeder. I went out to load some 9mm this afternoon and I had cases stick in the sizing die 4 times in loading 50 rounds. It's range pick up brass. The stuck cases were all different head stamps. The first 2 stuck on my normal Dillon die so I changed it out for a Lee U Die I have. That stuck twice in 30 rounds. I finally gave up. I'm following the Dillon manual and screwing the die down to touching the shell plate and then backing off a half turn. Is there some kind of set up problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atbarr Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Case Lube? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Case Lube? My first thought as well. Still, they shouldn't totally stick? How are you unsticking them? Do they come out ok with just more force? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitty79 Posted November 22, 2015 Author Share Posted November 22, 2015 I have to disassemble the die and tap out the case with a squib rod. I'm seeing rim damage too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpssrh Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Is it possible that the depriming pin is getting stuck in the primer (rather than pushing it out)...and then retracting into the case when you push the operating handle back up? Just trying to think of something that would "jam" the case so tightly into the die that it would get stuck there. If this is the problem, you can file the tip of the pin into a profile that will not stick in the primer. Others on this Forum have experience at how to do this and can offer specific advice about that. Interesting problem. Please keep us informed so that we can learn something from your situation. Best wishes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 cases stick in the sizing die 4 times in loading 50 rounds. It's range brass all different head stamps. How did you clean the brass? Sounds like you may have used an agent that affected the surface of the brass? Did you use a lube? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TANFARM Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Whatever it's worth.....when I tries Stainless Steel cleaning on my 9 mm , I found the brass was so clean they were hanging up on the dies. I did not want to mess around with lubing pistol brass and having to reclean....back to dry tumble with mix of Flitz and Dillon case polish...seems ok......just my experience....for rifle brass S/S is absolutly amazing!!!!!..after deprimed that is....lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitty79 Posted November 22, 2015 Author Share Posted November 22, 2015 It is not sticking to the primer. Once I loosened the collett, the pin comes right out. I clean in a Dillon vibration cleaner. It takes about 200 cases at a time. I use walnut media with a half cap full of NuFinish added per batch. I've been doing this for about 20k 9mm loaded in the 20 months I've been loading. This morning, using my Lee Udie, I screwed it down to the shell plate and then backed off to 1 full turn. I had a sticking case at about case 20. After cleaning it out, I set it up backed out 1 and quarter turn and it ran fine for 200 more. I did have one where the spent primer didn't come all the way out. I can push the pin in a little bit more to deal with that. All of the ammo case gauged fine. It still seems like there's been a change someplace else in the set up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Maybe look up inside the die and see if anything is broken off up in there. Or maybe the die got scored or scratched really bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Miles Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Again, case lube? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitty79 Posted November 22, 2015 Author Share Posted November 22, 2015 Again, case lube? Why now and not the previous 20k cases? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Miles Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 You ask for insight into your problem, my suggestion is to use some case lube and see what results from using it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob DuBois Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Always lube cases especially when using the U die. Sometimes there's a problem at the powder through die sticking also. Here with the U die your sizing the brass tighter than a standard die so the case neck is tight on th Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Always lube cases especially when using the U die. Sometimes there's a problem at the powder through die sticking also. Here with the U die your sizing the brass tighter than a standard die so the case neck is tight on th I get where smitty is coming from. I always lube but on occasion I have somehow gotten a batch of cases in the feeder that were dry and they were super hard to size but none even came close to sticking in my udie. Check the obvious. You don't have a 38Super die or something other than 9mm in the machine by mistake? Again check the die for issues inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 (edited) look inside the die and see if anything is broken off. Or maybe the die got scored or scratched really bad Sarge might be on to something here - seems to me that the sizing ring in my SDB station had to be replaced a few years ago. Something went wrong with it - of course, Dillon sent me a new one for FREE and it's been all fine ever since. Edited November 22, 2015 by Hi-Power Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom S. Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 Again, case lube? Why now and not the previous 20k cases? Possibly because after 20K cases you've gunged up the die. Dry tumbled have dust on them. And despite the carbide, Dillon and other die manufacturers recommend the use of some lube. My advice, disassemble and clean the die, then try a light lube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dillon Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 Use a copper fouling bore solvent to clean the interior of the size die, then try it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canine582 Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 I went through "sticking" problems with my 550 year before last. It all stopped when I incorporated lube in my brass prep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimk60 Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 I started needle and wet cleaning about a year ago. Had all the same problems reported by others, sticking brass, sticking and galling on the flare etc. External lubing fixed the re-sizing problem, but still had problems with the flare. . Remember that Dawn removes ALL traces of oils as well as grime etc. I then read a thread where they discussed this same issue, and 1 responder discussed using Armor All Wash and Wax with Carnuba, instead of Dawn. What a world of difference, not only does it leave a slick microscopic coating inside and out, it also prevents the brass from tarnishing. So, no more sticking on the sizing die, no more excessive force needed on the flare, and the cases maintain that shiny clean look. Win Win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzw26n Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 Use a copper fouling bore solvent to clean the interior of the size die, then try it again. Dillon - very impressive that you try to help out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitty79 Posted November 26, 2015 Author Share Posted November 26, 2015 I have my U Die backed out 1 and a quarter turn. Everything's case gauging and nothing sticking through 200 rounds yesterday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now