resizing problem

J

John0011

New member
The caliber is 40 S&W
The press is a rcbs pro 2000 progressive with carbide dies
and I just started having this problem,
while resizing the die starts to dig into the casing, and I can't finish the stroke
Sort of messes me up considering I am using a progressive press
I think I might size and de prime first then reload.
the brass has a few reloads on them, is this a worn out brass problem?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/40340272@N06/23648690053/in/dateposted-public/
Click to expand...
 
The brass shouldn't be worn out after just a few reloads. It does look like you've developed a nasty bulge on your cases that may make them impossible to chamber. I know LEE offers a bulge-buster die which claims it can make those cases usable again. I have never used one so I cannot say for sure, might be worth looking into.
 
resizing

Almost looks like a belted case.

Are you using any sizing lubricant...even though your sizing die does not call for it?
 
I can't see the pic due to my old out of date browser and two cans and a string internet.

That said though the other post might be on to something about the bulged cases. Could it be possible you might have grabbed up a few extra cases that might have come from, like mentioned a Glock, when you policed up your brass at the range?

I know years ago when I was shooting my 10mm a LOT, I usually found at least a few that were bulged out when I was cleaning and inspecting them. It was usually pretty easy to tell mine form the others though since I used Starline cases exclusively. However I wasn't the only one shooting a 10mm then at that range, or using SL brass either.
 
It is assumed the cases have the same problem 360 degree around the base of the case. If I am looking at the bad side of the case I would suggest your shell plate is not indexed.

F. Guffey
 
Just to summarize:
New or old problem?
Used dies before and had the same problem?
Does the "belt" go all the way around or only, maybe, half way around. The ridge from a case bulge only goes around the distance the feed ramp leaves exposed--never saw one go all the around.
Are these your prior fired cases or range pick-up?
Disassembled, cleaned and inspected your die?
Die is stamped .40S&W?
Do you inspect your cases before sizing to look for bulges and such and did these pass inspection?
You can align the sizing die (raise ram, screw sizing die to just contact the shell holder/plate, do NOT lock the die down, lower ram and place case in shell holder/plate, raise ram and, if needed, fiddle the die body so case goes in, and then with case in die, tighten the lock ring). Other thing, as mentioned above is check the press is indexing correctly.
Call RCBS and discuss with them or answer these questions so we can try to help.
 
I am relatively new at reloading, the press has seen maybe 3000 rounds

Out of about 150 that I ran threw the resizing die 6 were bad
The deformation goes all the way around on 4 of the 6
2 go around about 3/4

New problem

I scavenge brass of off the floor, so who knows what I am picking up.
I also bought a bunch of once fired off the internet

I have never cleaned the dies

Thinking about trying some lube, can't hurt but I doubt if it will fix the problem
Is there some spray lube that works good?
 
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Hmmmmmmmmmmm

Are the "bad" cases the same manufacturer?

If so, try separating cases by brand?

Have you measured OAL of cases before sizing?
 
All of the bad cases are Winchester
And they come up shorter than the rest at .935 witch could be from the resizing die
trying to squash down the bottom of the case.
 
#1. clean the dies...

#2. use some case lube ...I like the Dillon spray lube / spritz it on ...roll them around a little ...one last light spritz ...let them dry about 15 min and run them thru. If nothing else, lube will make your press run a lot smoother...( I always use case lube).
 
I don't know all that much about pistol cases but that looks like the cases were about to have head separation . Meaning the case wall got really thin in that area . When you tried to size them the thin wall of the case folded/collapsed in on it self . I'm not even sure that's possible in a pistol case but that's what it looks like to me . :confused:
 
Like others said, it could be bulged cases to begin with, and the brass has to move somewhere when it's run through the die. If you have a chamber go/ no go gauge, see if they'll fit even before sizing if not use your barrel from the gun. Next, try just neck sizing the cases and see if they'll chamber. If they do, neck them until they wear out / crack or you're ready to discard them. Just because it's an auto it doesn't mean you can't neck size...it only matters if they'll chamber and feed ok.
 
What type of dies are you using John? I've seen this happen, not normally that bad but with severely bulged cases. Normally in range brass it's the federal brass that I tend to throw out because of the Glock bulge.

As for the press I have the same one, make sure the case retention springs are holding tight and that depriming station case holder is just touching the case to avoid movement. Also check the play in your die plate too.

P.s. my press has in excess of 150,000 rounds. Still going strong. RCBS customer service is tops.

I bought it "used" from a coworker who loaded once on it and hated the press, because he bought the manual index version. So I paid him $200 for the press, 5 shell plates, 3 die plates, and the uniflow measure with micrometer adjustment. Spent a $100 on the autoindex upgrade and never looked back!
 
Those are bulged cases, and if you check the primer, I'll bet they came from a Glock. You can either segregate those and do them later, or just dump them.

If you want to work on them after, just run them through the Lee Bulge Buster, wait till you see how much effort it takes to "resize" them. But they come out good as new. As long as you don't have the "guppy" bulge they should be fine. Those just end up in the recycle pile in my setup.

I can tell immediately when I have those in my press, and whether you work on them just after resizing or after you've completed you reloading, they work just fine through the Bulge Buster. Every one I've rechecked through my Lyman Chamber Checker passes through, and will cycle in my guns.
 
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