Thread: Why does pulling case out of FL resizing die require so much force?

Hi Team,

Looking for advice on how to make pulling case out of resizing die easier.

Moving the case up into the FL resizing die and decapping aren't too bad, but pulling it out requires tremendous amount of force. 10 cases later I need a 5 minute break. 50 cases later I am too tired to continue for the day.

Before resizing I always lubricate the case body, shoulder and neck from outside by rolling on lubed pad.

Manufacturer's instructions on how to use the dies have always been followed precisely.

I use Hornady and RCBS full length resizing dies. 223, 243, 308, 7.62x39..... This occurs regardless of calibre, die brand, and case brand.

I really enjoy every other step of reloading, the only step that puts me off is the amount of effort required to resize.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Assume you’re using rcbs, Lee or something similar. I started off using the rcbs pad and lube and quickly switched to using crc lanolin spray, same active ingredient in some reloading companies aerosol lube but a lot cheaper. Brass in bucket couple of quick squirts swill it around and off you go. Best spray it outside. Huge difference in press effort. One everything is sized chuck the brass into the tumbler or wipe it clean. Think the can cost about $20, have loaded couple of thousand rounds so far and it still feels full.

You need to lube inside the case neck! Otherwise friction of the expander ball will stretch your case.

Lots of ways to do this from graphite powder to lube on a swab, patch and tweezers or a ear bud.

Should be minimal friction on the upstroke.

What @Dicko said, live the inside of the case neck.

I use a cotton tip, put some case lube on it and do about 10 necks then size, then lube the next 10.

Makes a huge difference. I'm using the Lee paste stuff.

Good chance it is reducing the neck too much and then the expander is having to work hard to get back through. Hornady FL dies are terrible for this. Measure the necks and use a bushing die with the appropriate mandrel to give 1 - 3 thou neck tension. It will change your life.

Been there done that it's a tongue holding issue crazy though ,makes reloading exciting

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1. Yes, lubrication is necessary for the expander ball. If you don't wash cases afterwards, make sure it's a lubricant that won't interfere with primers.

2. My expander ball travels easier since I polished it to mirror shine with 2000 grit paper. Less lubrication needed.

3. Properly anneal case necks before you FL resize the the cases. The FL resize adds additional work-hardening of case necks, which in turn increases resistance to the expander button, so at least start out with an annealed case neck.

Hornady dies work fine if you lube inside the necks. Saying this, they are my least favourite dies.

Agree on the annealing comment

I lube outside of cases with Lyman imperial wax and then dip the necks in graphite powder which does inside and outside.
Annealing also makes it easier to size cases

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An easy and cheap way to lubricate case necks is to get a small container of about 6 shot (I use lead, don't know how steel would go) and give it a good dose of powdered graphite. Just dip and swirl the top of the case in it.

Or just use hornady one shot lube and angle the spray shot so a bit gets into the case neck.

Originally Posted by Tentman

An easy and cheap way to lubricate case necks is to get a small container of about 6 shot (I use lead, don't know how steel would go) and give it a good dose of powdered graphite. Just dip and swirl the top of the case in it.

Or just use hornady one shot lube and angle the spray shot so a bit gets into the case neck.

I use steel and it works a treat

Greetings Synthetic,
Being a low tech sort of chap I lubricate the inside of the case necks with a strip of Chux cloth wrapped around an old bore brush. I lubricate the cases by smearing the wax type lube on with my fingers and just give the Chux a light smear from time to time. Popular to popular belief cases are not stretched by the expander button. Pulled out of line yes stretched no. This is a natural conclusion judging by the din made but the actual stretching happens in the chamber plus a little more going into the FL die. If you are getting a lot of stretching and I assume not it is due to oversizing the case.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by Rated M for Magnum

What @Dicko said, live the inside of the case neck.

I use a cotton tip, put some case lube on it and do about 10 necks then size, then lube the next 10.

Makes a huge difference. I'm using the Lee paste stuff.

CHUCK IT AWAY....99% of cases of stuck cases Ive read about in last 20 years have been using this toothpaste like stuff...yes it works if all is perfect....but sometimes it just doesnt and then you poked...

graphite powder in jar lid with some steel shot to help move it around is ideal for case necks....taking out expander ball and putting it in cordless drill and giving LIGHT sand to smooth off edged helps no end too...you dont want to make it smaller,just take sharpness of angle off corners.

Ditto on the Hornady dies, least favorite.