Thread: Dented cases when sizing

Hey team,

Was doing my first batch of case sizing last night and when I finished I noticed all bar 2 of the 30 cases I did had a small dent on the shoulder of the case (wasn’t there before sizing). What could be the cause of this? Die not set correctly? Too much lube? And are these cases okay to shoot? All the lengths are fine and within tolerances.
Any additional information would be appreciated.

Cheers, 7RMBoy

too much lube usually, also sometimes can be some dirt or something stuck up in the die. Give the die a clean out and try next time with less oil.

too much lube on the shoulder.
They'll disappear when you fire them.

When lubing your brass put none on the shoulder at all.

None? Isn’t it far more likely to get stuck that way? Already managed to get one stuck and was a big muck around to get it out

Definitely none on the shoulder of the case. Your stuck case had nothing to do with lube (or lack) of on the shoulder. Elsewhere, maybe.

Originally Posted by 7RMBoy

None? Isn’t it far more likely to get stuck that way? Already managed to get one stuck and was a big muck around to get it out

None. The shoulder doesn’t slide in and out pressed against the die like the sides of the case do, it only contacts the die at the very end of the stroke (if at all).

Okay, i’ll try that next batch. Just glad the cases are still sweet to use.
Cheers

yeah mate no lube on the shoulder and clean your dies out as it may have built up inside it

Originally Posted by Bill999

yeah mate no lube on the shoulder and clean your dies out as it may have built up inside it

Brake cleaner?

I use brake cleaner to clean them after a while and it works a treat

For full length sizing I use the oiled stamp pad method and inevitably lube gets on the shoulder. I don't stress by getting an itty bitty cloth and wiping if off. The cases are only finely filmed, which is all that is needed after all. I have never dented shoulders and never had a case jam in a die. I sometimes use Imperial sizing grease (tiny tiny amount) and wipe that on using fingers then straight into the die, no probs.

As always, too much of anything is bad fer ya.

Excess lube build up inside the die as @ChrisW points out is one that can sneak up on you, but the in the OP's case it sounds like excess lube right from the start.

Brakleen is good stuff. I buy it a box at a time. Also used during my barrels cleaning. And lots of other uses but never yet used it on brakes.

I use vasoline on fingers..twirl case between them with other hand leaving small film on body of case...the neck is dipped in powdered graphite with steel shot added to it to make it move around better,sits in lid of small jar.
dent definately as others have said from lube on shoulder...rookie mistake MOST of us will admit to having made.

I use graphite power and steel shot 2 md works a treat for inside of the necks

pretty sure I saw the wee container of graphite powder in the warehouse of all places...Ive had a wee container for 25 years and havent looked like running out yet.