Topic: Hornady Lock N Load problem

[rnrphoto98]

We are having a bit of trouble with my Dad's re-loader.  We started with the resizer-deprimer die just like the video and book says, we turned down so the die just touched the holder plate with the piston all the way at the top.  It take what seems like excessive pressure to push the case into the die.  How far must the case go into the die to be re-sized properly.  At one point the neck was sized too small for the head of the deprimer to slide back out of.  It seems to me that the case is going too far into the die if this happens.  how can you tell of the case goes in far enough?

Thanks

Rob

[Grumblecakes]

Your decapping stem/ sizer ball may be up to high in side the die.try lowering it.

[DiamondMox]

Sounds like you set the depth correctly.  Make sure your cases are sized correctly and haven't grown.  Are you lubing your cases?

[luvmy45]

It sounds like you are reloading bottle neck cases, or rifle cases, is that correct?

If you are having to a lot of force, you probably don't have enough lube, or any lube... but no lube would pretty much result in a stuck case.

The ball in the decapper also expandes the case back out, so you need a little lube on the inside of the case as well.

Let us know what caliber you are reloading, that will help.

[luckypunk]

Your decapping stem/ sizer ball may be up to high in side the die.try lowering it.

assuming hornady dies?  it's way at the bottom, (or needs to be) at the mouth of the die with 3/16th of the pin out past the die base.

as long as the die hits the plate at the top of stroke, it's sized. if you have a tight chamber, maybe need to cam over lightly at the top of stroke, (1/16 turn on die?)


I would guess you need more lube on cases.  lube to the point you get hydraulic dents, then you know that's too much, also clean/lube die.  then check length after sizing

[rnrphoto98]

We are trying to reload. 243.  We are using Hornady one shot spray lube.  And now we have a stuck case.  What is the best way to get it out?

[luckypunk]

OK, I lol'd.

do you have a tap & die set?

tap primer pocket & pull.



or you could just use a long punch & knock it out, but with your luck....

ETA: use more lube

[carharttfarmer]

take the decapping stem loose (so drill bit dont  hit it) then drillout and 1/4inch tap the primer pocket put a socket over the case and thread a 1/4inch bolt into the case tightn down till it pulls out of the die

[carharttfarmer]

OK, I lol'd.

do you have a tap & die set?

tap primer pocket & pull.



or you could just use a long punch & knock it out, but with your luck....

ETA: use more lube

cant usally use a punch because the expander ball is still in the case and you would ruin it but if you do larrys has them in stock but there out of 223ones

and then cut the case in two to get your expander out

[luvmy45]

Or go buy the RCBS Stuck Case Removal Tool... 

You'll only use it every now and then, but when you need it... it's just right there waiting to be used.

Bought mine 15 years ago... have used it about 5x... once of those feel good tools

[rnrphoto98]

Do you know who would have one of those pullers in stock?

[luvmy45]

Cabela's or Sportsmans should have them, over here in Boise.

If your close to me, you can borrow mine if you want till you pick one up... over near 5 mile and Ustick in Boise.

Drop me a PM if you want.

[fj40mojo]

Do you know who would have one of those pullers in stock?

You don't need a store bought puller. You need a tap and tap drill for 1/4-20, a 1/4-20 SHCS, some large washers. Drill and tap the primer pocket then screw the die into your press far enough to use the combo of stacked washers and mechanical advantage of the screw to extract the case. This is exactly why I always advise that you find a mentor to help get you started. I've never tried any of the aerosol lubes, but I've heard enough people complain about problems to encourage me to stick to my old school RCBS case lube and pad. I use dry lube (graphite) in the case neck.

[SinisterRob]

Wanted to add about case lubing. That the Hornady One-Shot has been working excellent for me since I took luvmy45's advice of spraying the cases in a ziplock bag. Then shaking them up a bit. Don't use a loading tray!

[luvmy45]

If you have a tap and die, which I do now, but didn't when I started reloading, then that is essentially what the RCBS setup it... they just package what you need to do it. With age and time comes more tools in the house. 

I've used one shot for a long time, and the ziplock back 'shake n bake' method that I found somewhere on the web really works well, maybe when I run out of One Shot, I'll try some Dillon spray lube, I've heard good reports about that.

All this chatter about reloading, reminds me, I need to load up some LRTR rounds for the next shoot coming up.

Good luck with the stuck case, they suck, but we've all done it, and will probably do it again at some point. 

[rnrphoto98]

Thanks for all the help. Gonna wait till Monday and let the frustration pass,  then get it unstuck and start over, with a lot more lube.  I am sure there is a good joke to go with that, but just cant come up woth it tonight!

[fj40mojo]

Thanks for all the help. Gonna wait till Monday and let the frustration pass,  then get it unstuck and start over, with a lot more lube.  I am sure there is a good joke to go with that, but just cant come up woth it tonight!

Too much lube is a bad thing too. With no place to go it will form dents in your cases. Just sayin. I'm leaving tomorrow for Salmon for a few days but will be back Thursday and am off through the following weekend. If you'd like to come to my place I can give you some pointers and maybe get you started off on the right foot. hate to see a pontential reloading enthusiast ruined by some initial frustration. PM me if you are interested.

[Jaggy13]

these guys will get you all staightened out, they helped me a ton.
If you want to feel better about your situation just read my 4  page thead about my Lee 1000.

On a side note, I almost bought an LnL yesterday. great deal and comes with free bulits!
The clerks at cabelas were nice but not very knoledgeable on the product.
What else is needed after the inital purchase? I have dies and realize I would need a shell plate.
anything else?

[luvmy45]

If you want to talk with someone that can sell you some reloading equipment, either Cliff's or Larry's is your best bet.

Both have been reloading for a long time, and are good local resources. Cliff carry's Dillon and his prices are the same as if you mail order it. Haven't been into Larry's lately, but that's where I got my first press when I lived in Nampa and was a good resource.

Blue, green or Red, doesn't really matter, but I prefer Blue, just my preference. But Cliffs is just down the street from me so I like being able to just run down there and ask questions, and get what I need.

[carharttfarmer]

these guys will get you all staightened out, they helped me a ton.
If you want to feel better about your situation just read my 4  page thead about my Lee 1000.

On a side note, I almost bought an LnL yesterday. great deal and comes with free bulits!
The clerks at cabelas were nice but not very knoledgeable on the product.
What else is needed after the inital purchase? I have dies and realize I would need a shell plate.
anything else?

LNL bushingfor your dies not sure if they still ship some with it but you'll need more for your other cailbers anyway

[Jaggy13]

yeah, you get 5 in the box.
I didn't really see an offering for caliber conversions like other manufacturers have.
also the powder thru die, does that also set the flair for pistol casings? or do I have to loose a space on the tool head for that?
basically I want a factory crimp die and powder check.
I was leaning toward a dillon 650 but saw the LnL.
Also last time we talked you had high reviews of yours, so I thought I would give it some consideration.

[luckypunk]

if your going to use a powder cop then get the powder through expander

[RGinIdaho]

With the Hornady One Shot and the zip-lock; after you shake everything around really good make sure to unzip the bag and let the alcohol evaporate for about 5 minutes before using the cases or you will stick another case.

[carharttfarmer]

yeah, you get 5 in the box.
I didn't really see an offering for caliber conversions like other manufacturers have.
also the powder thru die, does that also set the flair for pistol casings? or do I have to loose a space on the tool head for that?
basically I want a factory crimp die and powder check.
I was leaning toward a dillon 650 but saw the LnL.
Also last time we talked you had high reviews of yours, so I thought I would give it some consideration.

all you need is bushings for your dies and  the shell plate for the cailber to go from one cailber to another you can also get metering inserts for the powder measurer so you can leave one set for each cailber/load
and the pwder threw expanders free up space in the tool head

[rnrphoto98]

Well we got the case out and should be good to go now!  My dad picked up the RCBS lube and pad and wants to try it out.  The people at Hornady suggested a past type lube you put on with your fingers, they said it is slower but works better, have any of you used it??  Thanks for all your suggestions and help. 

[Jaggy13]

I've used the wax. works fine, just slower to apply.
What ever works best for ya.
If you are doing volume, the other method may be better for prepping large batches.

[birddog1989]

Well we got the case out and should be good to go now!  My dad picked up the RCBS lube and pad and wants to try it out.  The people at Hornady suggested a past type lube you put on with your fingers, they said it is slower but works better, have any of you used it??  Thanks for all your suggestions and help. 

I have been using that method since 1988 and have never had case get stuck.

[luvmy45]

I have been using that method since 1988 and have never had case get stuck.

Well now that you've said it, you will 

What quantity's of reloading are you doing? For small quantity's, use whatever lube syle, method you want, if you are loading lots, and that would mean like more than 100 at one sitting... then you probably want a the spray lube method, as it goes faster... once you get it down, you won't stick a case and it goes quick.

[birddog1989]

Well now that you've said it, you Will

What quantity's of reloading are you doing? For small quantity's, use whatever lube style, method you want, if you are loading lots, and that would mean like more than 100 at one sitting... then you probably want a the spray lube method, as it goes faster... once you get it down, you won't stick a case and it goes quick.

Yeah that would be just my luck.

I have been using a lube pad with a progressive press for about 10 years and have tried Hornady one shot a couple times.  I HATED the spray lube with all my hart, with my last breath I spit at it!  I never got a case stuck with it but they squeaked something awful when I ran them up into the die.  I can usually get about 25-30, .308 cases on my lube pad and don't have a problem getting plenty of handgun cases on to make loading go quickly.

[luvmy45]

they squeaked something awful when I ran them up into the die.  I can usually get about 25-30, .308 cases on my lube pad and don't have a problem getting plenty of handgun cases on to make loading go quickly.

Haven't had a problem squeaking, there's a reason there are so many different varieties of lube methods to choose from, each one fits different styles.

Although my process has changed a bit since I posted the pics, I have a Dillon trimmer/sizer that I use now, and I dump about 100-150 pieces of brass into plastic bags and spray with one shot, roll around, spray again and let set. I have 2 bags that I start with, so when one bag is empty I just grab the next one and keep going. But the general process is the same, I should update this.

idpa.kohagen.com there are 223 and 308 reloading methods...

[birddog1989]

I was using the method on the can label.  If I try the stuff again I'll the bag method a shot, so to speak.  It sounds like a good solution.

[rnrphoto98]

The case trimmer we have is made to use with the primer out, can you get one to be used with the primer in?  It would make more sense to me to trim then size and de-prime.  If you size/de-prime then trim, then wouldn't the case need re-sized after trimming?  Am I over thinking this?

Thanks

Rob

[Jeff]

Always size before trimming.

[broncovan]

The case trimmer we have is made to use with the primer out, can you get one to be used with the primer in?  It would make more sense to me to trim then size and de-prime.  If you size/de-prime then trim, then wouldn't the case need re-sized after trimming?  Am I over thinking this?

Thanks

Rob

Size, trim, then back in the tumbler for about 15 min to remove the lube.  Trimming does nothing to the diameter of the case.  If you notice, the collet is pretty sloppy in an unsized case.  You want the collet to fit w/out any slop, but not so tight that it's hard to get into the mouth of the case.  If it gets too tight, your expander ball could be worn down a bit.