new brass problems

[politegunner]

Once again I've run into something weird when loading brand new brass. I got a new batch of Starline (this time .45acp) and when I started loading a batch the cases began to "stick" in the (Dillon) re-sizer and had scratches lengthwise from the case mouth about 1/2 down the case. They'd go in ok, but on the down stroke get increasingly hard to get back out of the re-sizer. I stopped, pulled the die, cleaned it out with Hoppes and a brush, dried and re-installed and it was the same after a couple more cases. I've run into this before (in 40S&W) with new brass. What gives? Is it residue on the carbide encountering new, never sized brass and grinding small particles into the carbide? It looks now like the carbide is scratched for good. Any insight would be appreciated.

Wyley in Oly

[Nik Habicht]

Once again I've run into something weird when loading brand new brass. I got a new batch of Starline (this time .45acp) and when I started loading a batch the cases began to "stick" in the (Dillon) re-sizer and had scratches lengthwise from the case mouth about 1/2 down the case. They'd go in ok, but on the down stroke get increasingly hard to get back out of the re-sizer. I stopped, pulled the die, cleaned it out with Hoppes and a brush, dried and re-installed and it was the same after a couple more cases. I've run into this before (in 40S&W) with new brass. What gives? Is it residue on the carbide encountering new, never sized brass and grinding small particles into the carbide? It looks now like the carbide is scratched for good. Any insight would be appreciated.

Wyley in Oly

I seem to remember a similar issue years ago --- pretty sure I resolved it by tumbling all new brass prior to use to clean up any manufacturing residue that was left....

I might have replaced the die on the SDB too --- this was prior to my 650/1050 years....

[gm iprod]

Struck a similar problem with some Winchester 38Super brass most recently and a bunch of other cases over the last 15years or so. It would appear that your assumption of residue on cases from factory would be the most likely answer. The die is usually damaged forever and a replacement is required (at least that is what I did), the cases are just marked and seem to work fine but the scoring never goes away. Use good cases in the scored die and they all will be marked the same real soon. I don't think running the scored cases through the scored die will enhance case life.

I now (like Nik) check my new brass and if I am not happy it goes in the tumbler. I have had to do this with some 38Super Starline and some Winchester 9mm mid last year. Use a good quality case lube (Dillon or Hornady) and away you go.

You can feel this "odd" residue on your hands. Hard to describe but is does not feel right. Cleaning your dies regularly would be a good idea, this is advise I should actually heed my self very soon.

[HI5-O]

With new brass there is seems to be a bit of "flashing" around the case mouth after manufacturing.

I have solved it by deburring the case mouth inside and outside. It's a pain but I no longer have any sticking issues in the sizing die and sometimes the crimping die. The sticking caused other problems such as flipping primers; bullets tipping over; spilling powder

Only need to do it once.

b

[Edubya]

Once again I've run into something weird when loading brand new brass. I got a new batch of Starline (this time .45acp) and when I started loading a batch the cases began to "stick" in the (Dillon) re-sizer and had scratches lengthwise from the case mouth about 1/2 down the case. They'd go in ok, but on the down stroke get increasingly hard to get back out of the re-sizer. I stopped, pulled the die, cleaned it out with Hoppes and a brush, dried and re-installed and it was the same after a couple more cases. I've run into this before (in 40S&W) with new brass. What gives? Is it residue on the carbide encountering new, never sized brass and grinding small particles into the carbide? It looks now like the carbide is scratched for good. Any insight would be appreciated.

Wyley in Oly

If you have pretty much confirmed that your Dillon carbide re-sizer is fouled up, I suggest that you call Dillon. They have been very good to me about less things.

[kevin c]

With new brass there is seems to be a bit of "flashing" around the case mouth after manufacturing. ..

I have solved it by deburring the case mouth inside and outside...

+1. A heavy duty Scotch brand abrasive pad works well - a couple turns of the case, mouth down on the pad over a hard nonskid surface worked for me.

I also have tumbled new brass (Starline, AAMOF) on the advice of a professional reloader - it helped decrease sticking.

[politegunner]

Thanks for all the replies. I've got a new .45acp re-sizer die on the way from Dillon. I tumbled a couple of hundred new Starline cases and will have (hopefully!) resolved the issue. I'll keep the re-sizer clean from now on and tumble all new brass before loading it. I'm really hoping that this will do the trick as I don't much like the idea of having to "de-burr" the case mouth for all the new brass I'll eventually use. When I ordered from Dillon today I asked about "de-greasing" the new carbide die. The Dillon customer service guy said no. But I'm thinking....maybe yes?

Wyley in Oly