How not to remove a stuck case

[birdiemc]

Stuck a case this afternoon, first time ever, using imperial wax, not sure what went wrong.... I tried tapping it out with a punch but didnt work, ended up punching through the primer pocket...oops, now I dont have any way to pull it out so tried drilling it out, thinking once I got the body all cut out the shoulder would just fall out, but that didnt happen, talk about a frustrating afternoon. Got a few more ideas to try tomorrow, but probably gonna have to order a new die...

 

[GLTaylor]

RCBS makes a stuck case remover (I guess they still have it). It's pretty simple to use and won't run your die.
I've used mine 2-3 times in the last 50 years.

 

[antelopedundee]

Had it happen when I was fortunate enough to not have a decapper unit in it. Just insert the largest diameter bolt that will fit and tap it out.

 

[Scott E Ames]

If you haven't over drilled the base a 1/4 inch tap and a deep well socket and 1/4 inch bolt will have you fixed up in about 10 minutes. Drill out and tap the case put the right size socket over the die and thread the bolt through a washer into the case then tighten the bolt and you all done.

 

[Barehandlineman11]

Drill tap it 1/4-20 tap and run a bolt through a socket out in vise hit with impact gun or wratchet works

 

[birdiemc]

All great ideas had I not blown out the end of the case trying to bang it out with a punch...literally all that remains at this point is the shoulder and unfortunately all my drilling and milling seems to have work hardened that, so I think I'll try to anneal the brass inside the die then ream it out...or just throw it in the trash and not risk dulling a $250 reamer

 

[cohunt]

Try freezing it, I've seen that work before

 

[Hugnot]

Try filling the die in some copper fouling removing solvent for a week, like foam inside die, periodically refreshing the solvent, might work to loosen up the boundary between steel & brass case allowing the case to be pulled out, provided something can grip it. Solvents of this type won't touch steel. The heat from annealing the brass might damage the steel die. Sounds like some of the case has been removed so if die with case were to be standing on end the die could be filled with solvent/foam.

There is also the option of returning the die to the manufacturer.

Never tried the above... yet. I have stuck about 3 in the last 54 years but have managed to extract them using the drill, tap, and turn bolt method.

 

[antelopedundee]

Any way to contact the case mouth from the top end?

 

[BountyHunter]

Send it back to mftr, they will remove it

 

[slas]

I've done this twice. The first time I got it out with drill/tap process. The last time, no go. I had to send it back to Redding after weeks of messing with it until there was nothing to tap. I was pleasantly surprised that they only wanted $12 for return shipping after removing the stuck cartridge. If I'd known I wouldn't have wasted so much time and frustration on it.

 

[26Reload]

Fill the neck with an ear foam...epoxy a bolt in the case..let'er dry well...should take only a tap in any direction to pop it loose

 

[ultraedge]

Run a fine thread tap through the bottom of the die and thread the case neck. Leave the tap in place, set the die over a hole in metal, a vice, pipe coupling, etc., and with a hammer hit the bottom of the tap with a punch.

 

[antelopedundee]

If you have a lathe or access to one you could just chuck it up and try to drill out the part that's stuck. Use an undersized drill bit.