full length sizing problem, need help

[gregw83]

I'm trying to FL resize my 243 brass with Lee dies. I used the die to FL size the brass when new, with no problems. I neck sized from then on out, for the next 4 firings, and now my bolt lift is getting heavier, so its time to FL size again. The problem is that the die is leaving a ridge at the bottom of the shoulder just a hair above where it meets the body. I can feel it catch on my finger nail on one side of the case, but not the other.

 

[gohring3006]

The first thing I would do, Take the die apart and clean it really well with a degreaser and qtip, and look inside with a light and make sure the die is not defective. I would say its very dirty with excess lube. Make sure your not using to much lube on your cases. I wouldn't even lube the shoulder.

 

[gregw83]

The die has only been used once to size 50 mew brass. I use hornady one shot case lube, in the spray can, so its usually pretty well dry by the time it goes into the die

 

[gohring3006]

Even though the lube is dry it still has a thin layer of displacement happening in the die. Did you look inside it to see if it has a piece of brass or dirt in it? If you can't find anything I would contact Lee for a replacement..

 

[LoneTraveler]

If the die worked perfect on the new cases something has gotten stuck in the die. Clean the die with a Q-tip and lighter fluid or similar cleaner. Check with a good light source. Sounds like a sliver of brass has gotten stuck in the sizing lube in the die. Good luck.

 

[FearNoWind]

It's impossible, IMO, to analyze your problem with any degree of confidence so I won't attempt to tell you what problem you're facing. An "unclean" die could be causing your problem. Also, although not likely, you could have brass that needs trimming or a dirty shell holder or an improperly adjusted die. There are several possibilities. Check everything you can think of. I'd also recommend getting rid of that spray on case lube and using Imperial Case Lube. I've used it for years, cleaned the die after about every 200 rounds (which isn't a bad idea with any case lube) and have never had a problem.

 

[gregw83]

There was a bit of brass flakes inside the die, and an odd dimple in there as well, the crease it leaves on the case has moved down the case a little, and is not as pronounced. My next question is, can I just steel wool the ridge down on the case, or should I pitch them? Thinking I just may want to buy a Forster benchrest FL die

 

[FearNoWind]

Who made the die? "Dimples" shouldn't be there.
IMO, just toss the die into a recycle bin and buy a quality piece of equipment.

 

[gregw83]

Its a Lee die...yeah, I know . The dimple, more of a hole really, isn't near where the problem is happening on the case. Its up higher on surface that pushes the shoulder back

 

[Sully2]

As FearNoWind stated...use Imperial sizing wax

 

[Sully2]

Its a Lee die...yeah, I know . The dimple, more of a hole really, isn't near where the problem is happening on the case. Its up higher on surface that pushes the shoulder back

I use Lee dies when I can and dont have 1 iota of trouble with them. The biggest problem comes from the USER and NOT from the press and dies

 

[FearNoWind]

I use Lee dies when I can and dont have 1 iota of trouble with them. The biggest problem comes from the USER and NOT from the press and dies

I don't use Lee dies so I can't speak to the quality of their finished product from a user point of view. But I will say that, as a former quality assurance specialist, any company whose quality assurance people didn't catch that imperfection in the OP's die isn't a company I want to do business with.

 

[LoneTraveler]

From your description of the problem now things have moved around inside the die. From your description you have brass slivers or something loose and moving around in the die. Sounds like the brass that has been run through the die had excess lube on it. Excess lube will cause dimples to form in the shoulder of cases. Give the die a go for broke cleaning. Take a piece of wood dowel rod that will fit sort of loose in the die, Split it lengthwise the depth of the die. Fit some 0000 steel wool in the slot and wrap the dowel, Remove the decaping stem from the die. Clamp the die in a padded vise and wet the steel wool with gun oil and put dowel in electric drill. Run the drill and polish and clean the inside of the die. Clean the die of Case Lube and Goobers. That should solve the problem or you may have to replace it. Good Luck