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Posted: 7/7/2009 9:29:35 AM EDT
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I just got some of reloading gear in and I wanted to de-prime some PMC brass so I can tumble it. Problem is that I follow the directions and adjust the Hornady custom grade deprimer/ re sizer so that the de-priming pin is about 3/16" out. Lube the PMC brass with Franklin arsenal lube (inside and out) and I still cant get a single one to work! There is so much resistance with the resizing that I'm destroying the brass with it getting stuck in the resizer.
Once fired brass..... What in the world an I doing wrong? |
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Considering .223 Rem in an AR........I'd be thinking...........
Clean brass first.........then, de-prime and F/L re-size. Custom grade dies, maybe tighter specs? PMC brass, maybe thicker than commercial, so more effort? PMC brass, maybe smaller then US flash hole/path, so de-capper stuck? Also, good lube also goes a long way. Aloha, Mark |
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I deprime before tumbling with a universal depriming die. Lube is not required.
Since you're trying to use a sizer die, you'll need to make sure the brass is clean first. After getting the next piece of brass out of the die, check the interior for damage from grit. Also check the die to see if it is manufactured correctly - the interior should be a high polish, including in the neck. The clean the die with solvent, and a copper solvent if you spot brass smears inside. Does the lube feel slick on your fingers? I suppose it's possible to get a batch that has insufficient lanolin added. Check the decapping pin clearance in the flash hole, too. |
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You need to make sure the die is clean, removing the factory preservative, then make sure your brass is clean, lube the caes well on the outside to the point that it feels slippery AND lube the sizing die with the same lube––-I think this will solve your problem, if not change your lube––-STP works well on hard to form cases––GOOD LUCK––-let us know how you do!
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Quoted:
I just got some of reloading gear in and I wanted to de-prime some PMC brass so I can tumble it. Problem is that I follow the directions and adjust the Hornady custom grade deprimer/ re sizer so that the de-priming pin is about 3/16" out. Lube the PMC brass with Franklin arsenal lube (inside and out) and I still cant get a single one to work! There is so much resistance with the resizing that I'm destroying the brass with it getting stuck in the resizer. Once fired brass..... What in the world an I doing wrong? You didn't mention the caliber, 223? 308? You don't need to decap before you tumble. The primer pocket will not get clean by tumbling. I use Hornady dies and FA spray lube, yes you are doing something wrong. You should not run dirty brass through a sizing die. What you want to use for this purpose is a Universal decapping die, Lee makes a good one. Dirty brass (even if lubed) will scratch the sizing die. (grit on cases) Once scratched, die will scratch every piece of brass run through it. Adjusting sizing die, Clean inside of dies per instructions, if you didn't, could be one of the problems. Use alcohol or brake cleaner. Once inside of dies are dry, spray the inside of the sizing die with well shaken FA lube. (Hornady instructions say to use one shot, but we're using FA lube here) Place shell holder in press, push handle of press all the way down to raise the ram to the top of the stroke. Leave it there. Loosen lock ring, screw sizing die all the way into press until it contacts the shell holder. Lower ram. screw die in 1/8 of a turn. Tighten lock nut on die lock ring. Snug, do not over tighten. Adjust decapping stem so that it sticks down below die about 3/8 inch, tighten collet. Lubing cases, Get a clean cardboard box, about 8" x 10" with 4" sides. A shoe box is perfect. Place cleaned (tumbled or wiped off) fired brass in box. Shake FA spray lube for 10 seconds. Tilt box so all of the cases are at one end. Two deep is ok. Spray cases with a couple of pumps of lube. Shake box around, couple of more sprays. Let brass sit for a couple of minutes, so the alcohol will evaporate. Try resizing a case. How did that work? You may still need to adjust sizing die down for proper chambering in you rifle, but first you need to get past stuck cases. Report back what happened, Good luck. |
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