Not mine, thank goodness, but a friend that's new to reloading. He bought the Hornady package deal. I asked if he'd used a lube and he had - that Hornady spray lube. I suggested that he get the RCBS lube for use from now on. But anyway...he brought the sizing Die, with case in it, hoping I could get the case out. Nope...I could not. In all my years of reloading, I haven't stuck a case, so I have no real experience in 'un-sticking' one.

What are a fellow's options in removing a stuck case? Throw it away? Send it to Hornady?

Several brands but this works good.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/504741/rcbs-stuck-case-remover

+1 The RCBS works fine

Never had a problem with One Shot but most folks never read instructions and don't get enough lube around the case or don't let it sit for a few minutes. I started out using RCBS then Imperial sizing and for lower volume ammo making its good but the Hornady is so much easier and works great.I have been thru a few dozen cans and two bottles of the homemade spray lube.

Also if he is around Waco I have a RCBS stuck case remover that I bought to get a case from a rusty 270 Die years ago. I will let him borrow or bring it by sometime and we can get it out.

Dstroud, thanks for the offer, but he said he was off to Waco tomorrow to Cabelas to just get a new Die, the RCBS lube, and a Lyman 49 or 50.

I took him slowly through the whole reloading process this afternoon, and explained all the why's and wherefores, using all my gear. He's pretty excited.

He'll probably join the forum too. Lots of good info here, and I didn't answer every question he's going to have.

I forgot to tell him to not ask if it's Ok to hunt deer with a 223 or to ask what scope is best.

That's typical of a new reloader. Whether it's not understanding the process thoroughly, or deciding to take a shortcut.

This is why I tell anyone new to the hobby to buy 3 reloading manuals and read each one 3 times before they even buy a press.

Depending on type of die, this should work. If the neck sizing portion is threaded into the die, just remove the pinch-type locking screw, then carefully hammer on the tip of the neck sizer so as to drive the case out the bottom. You may end up needing a punch that fill fit down inside the threaded hole in the die to push it all the way out. I have personally done this and it does work.

Or, I have read about this-BUT HAVE NEVER PERSONALLY TRIED IT-so proceed with caution. I read that a guy used a MAP gas/propane type hand held torch and annealed the entire case to make it really soft. The brass case will be destroyed by the heat, but the die will not be harmed or damaged. Once he got the brass to a really soft state, he allowed it cool off and then used a a screwdriver, or pick, to collapse the brass case and pull the pieces out. I'm not sure this would be my first choice, but in a pinch it might work.

I was a bit afraid to get serious with the Die and case, thinking I'd destroy the Die.

I've stuck a few and drilled out primer pocket/ flash hole and used a tap to thread the case then used a bolt thru a socket as a spacer to extract the case.

I've stuck a few so I made my own remover. First loosen the primer pin so it will fall away from the case. flip the die upside down in the press. Take drill bit and thread tap and thread the primer pocket of the case. Next take a bolt that fits the threads and a handful of washers and whatever else you have laying around to make a spacer. Tighten the bolt and the case pops out. Here is my handful of junk I use.


This will do the same thing but mine cost a few bucks.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/504741/rcbs-stuck-case-remover

Beat me to it.

I stuck a few when I first started using spray lube. What aggiehunter03 shows in his pics works to remove the case from the die. Chances are your buddy wasn't generous enough with his lube or he didn't shake it well before spraying the cases. He needs to make sure he sprays the whole case, not just one side.

Hornady One Shot case lube needs to be called Hornady One Big A$$ Shot case lube. I'd say 99% of the stuck cases I hear about are with One Shot. When you think you have enough, spray a little more.

But get a stuck case remover kit, and it will come out easily.

Yup.

*Drill the primer pocket 3/16"
*Tap 1/4 X 20
*Slide 1/2" washers over the brass until they are taller than the brass sticking out of the die.
*Run up a 1/4" flat washer, followed buy a 1/4" nut onto a 1/4" X 1 1/2" bolt
*Screw the bolt into the threaded primer pocket almost to the 1/4" washer.
*Hold the bolt with a wrench
*Screw in the nut toward the washers, extracting the case.
*If you run out of pull, remove the bolt assembly, add 1/2" washers, repeat the process after screwing the 1/4" bolt into the threaded primer pocket.

If you reload enough then a case removal tool is almost a required piece of equipment to own. Sooner or later something doesn't work out to plan.

If you use an aresol case lubricant to resize brass it's best to not use a loading block when applying the lube. If the brass is sprayed while it's in a loading block the. bottom 1/2" to 3/4" of the case doesn't get any lubrication. This area is also where the brass is thickest and requires more force to resize. Most of the resistance you feel when resizing brass, especially bottleneck rifle brass, comes from when this portion of the case is being sized. With little or no lube it will stick almost every time

There's nothing wrong with One Shot if it's applied correctly. It's best to stand the brass on a piece of paper or cardboard and the apply a thin, even coat of One Shot and give it a time to dry to the touch.

I have stuck a couple of pieces of brass before but it was operator error, not failure of the lubricant.

Lots of good info. I wish I had asked this prior to today.

Chad & Rtter made to great points. Takes a lot more than one shot and you have to make sure the bottom of the cases get lube as well. DStroud is spot on as well, need to let it sit and dry for a few min.

good stuff