Is my full-length sizing die toast?

[J-B welder]

1. Get a new unfired case
2. Drive a self tapping screw into the primer hole.
3. Cut off screw head.
4. Coat the shoulder of case with fine valve grinding compound.
5. Put case in die, decapper removed.
6. Put cutoff screw in electric drill.
7. Run drill at low speed for 30 seconds.
8. Clean die and inspect
9. Repeat 7 if necessary.

That seems like a good route to try if I need to go that far. I put a little PB Blaster in it and let it sit for a while, then put a wad of fine steel wool on the end of a dowel and spun it in there with a drill, followed by a clean cloth on the dowel. I can still see where the rust was, but the oxidized color is gone. I'll have to try a few more cases and see if that changes anything, along with backing off on the lube a bit more. Not scientific, because I'll be testing two changed variables, but who gives a crap if it stops denting the cases.

GLTaylor: I was thinking the dimple was a little chunk of rust, but a kernel of powder could also have caused it, and may be the more likely explanation.

Just out of curiosity, what's the danger in shoulder dents? All the manuals say to avoid it, but they don't say what bad stuff would happen if you loaded a case with a dented shoulder. Is it just an area of weakened brass?

 

[zr600]

I wouldn't worry about that dent, you can shoot that case it will be fine if your not shooting a super hot load. Won't be worse then fireforming an ackley

 

[RYEWSKY25284]

I have an RCBS full-length .243 caliber full-length sizing die that was given to me by a friend, and I don't think it's been used in quite a while. The first time I used it in the used Reloader Special (1st generation) I have, it dented the shoulder of the cases I was resizing. I was very careful not to get any case lube on the neck or shoulder of the cases, so I don't think that's causing the dents. Just to be sure, I took out the decapping pin and twisted a clean cotton cloth up into the die to remove any substance that might be up there. Still dented the shoulders. Then I looked inside the die with a flashlight, and I could see what looks like a spot or two of rust around the shoulder cone, which seems like it might be what's creating the dents.

Knowing RCBS has a great reputation for standing behind their products, I sent them an email to see if they could do anything to help, and I got this reply: "I am sorry you are experiencing this issue with your die, However we do not cover any rust nor do any service on any item that has rust damage. I hope this information helps. Thank you for contacting RCBS!"

Not a surprise really, but I thought it was worth a shot. My question at this point is, is there anything that can be done with this die, and if there is, is it going to cost more than just buying a new one? Maybe a gunsmith could ream it out lightly? Thanks for any suggestions.

RCBS Dies have a very small relief hole within the die body to allow trapped air to escape.
I believe that the dented shoulder is because the relief hole is plugged, this would certainly cause a shoulder dent.
If this is the case, it will require a tiny wire to clear that hole. Should work fine after that.

SC

 

[misterc01]

Just for grins, took a look and saw RCBS FL sizing die on eBay starting at $9.99.

 

[Alibiiv]

Here are the best pics I could get with my phone. The one with the dimple in the bottom of the dent is the worst, and is the only one with that little dimple. Some of the dents can be felt more than seen. Couldn't get a good picture of the inside of the die.

View attachment 239508View attachment 239509

Yes, I am very new to reloading. I've been using the lubrication method shown in the RCBS die instructions I found online, which match the process shown in the Lyman manual, with a slight modification. Both of those sources show a hand placed palm-down on the cases being lubed. I put one case on an RCBS lube pad with RCBS case lube on it, and using my fingernail against the side of the case roll it one revolution across the pad without putting any downward pressure on the case. Basically trying to put as little lubrication on the case as possible but still lube the length of it. Maybe I'm still getting too much on the case though, as there were a few cases that didn't dent. Out of the 15 I sized, I think 7 had dents of varying size and depth.

These are Winchester cases purchased as factory ammunition, fired once and then full-length sized to bump the shoulder 0.002".

Cleaned the vent hole, which did have some lube in it, but nothing solid like grit. Looked fairly dirty, though. Thanks for the suggestions on how to remedy the situation so far. I will try some solvent and soft bristles to see if I can remove the surface corrosion I can see. Mainly I was trying to avoid making it worse by doing something stupid.

243winxb I think is right in the ballpark with his reply about the vent hole. What you are showing in these photos looks to me like an application issue, or....the vent hole is plugged. And....from what I am seeing in the photos there's too much lube on the casing prior to resizing. I have dies that probably are older than many of the people reading this thread, thousands of rounds through them and they are still working fine. Yes rust can be an issue, but that would be more in line with marking the brass. I would be looking at the vent hole and back off on the lube. I probably will get killed here, however I have been using One Shot for a number of years now and would not go back to anything else. If applied properly there have never been any issues. This is one of those products that either you like it or you don't.

 

[epoletna]

You said some cases dented and some did not. If I read that right, then the rust spot is not your problem -- the lube technique is. Believe it or not, you're getting too much lube on the case or left in the die. If the rust were causing the dent, every case would come out dented.

You might also check to see if the dent is always oriented in the same line relative to the die. if it is not, then it cannot be caused by the rust.

Someone recommended you use 3-in-one oil for resizing. I have always heard that will give you problems. Use resizing lube, and learn how to apply a very light coat.

 

[arch408]

Don't see how rust can cause a dent. I agree with prior people. I suspect a plugged vent hole. Clean out the vent. See if you can polish the rust out. If the resized cases chamber and fire normally, I wouldn't bother replacing it.

 

[Window]

I have an RCBS full-length .243 caliber full-length sizing die that was given to me by a friend, and I don't think it's been used in quite a while. The first time I used it in the used Reloader Special (1st generation) I have, it dented the shoulder of the cases I was resizing. I was very careful not to get any case lube on the neck or shoulder of the cases, so I don't think that's causing the dents. Just to be sure, I took out the decapping pin and twisted a clean cotton cloth up into the die to remove any substance that might be up there. Still dented the shoulders. Then I looked inside the die with a flashlight, and I could see what looks like a spot or two of rust around the shoulder cone, which seems like it might be what's creating the dents.

Knowing RCBS has a great reputation for standing behind their products, I sent them an email to see if they could do anything to help, and I got this reply: "I am sorry you are experiencing this issue with your die, However we do not cover any rust nor do any service on any item that has rust damage. I hope this information helps. Thank you for contacting RCBS!"

Not a surprise really, but I thought it was worth a shot. My question at this point is, is there anything that can be done with this die, and if there is, is it going to cost more than just buying a new one? Maybe a gunsmith could ream it out lightly? Thanks for any suggestions.

Make sure your die is clean and not just wiped out. Also make sure the vent hole is note plugged. I use a nylon brush with a cut rag and carb cleaner with a cordless drill to clean and the same with a mild lapping compound to polish it. It only take a few minutes and works like a charm.

 

[JKB57]

If the vent hole is open this is a common problem of using to much case lube and from the pictures this looks to be the problem there are better lubes out there than the rcbs case lube pad but if using that put a small amount on the pad all over and then smooth it out all over the pad and work it in evenly then very lightly roll your cases across the pad with little pressure and see if that helps you

 

[Window]

Make sure your die is clean and not just wiped out. Also make sure the vent hole is note plugged. I use a nylon brush with a cut rag and carb cleaner with a cordless drill to clean and the same with a mild lapping compound to polish it. It only take a few minutes and works like a charm. I would also recommend imperial wax for your lube.

 

[misterc01]

Might be worth getting some Imperial Sizing Die wax and give that a try. You use a VERY small amount with your fingers. It also always in handy when doing just a couple cases.

 

[Window]

Make sure your die is clean and not just wiped out. Also make sure the vent hole is note plugged. I use a nylon brush with a cut rag and carb cleaner with a cordless drill to clean and the same with a mild lapping compound to polish it. It only take a few minutes and works like a charm. I would also recommend imperial wax for your lube and it only takes a little. Too much will create the issue your experiencing now and as you're stated, keep it off the shoulder.

 

[Paulstarr]

I have an RCBS full-length .243 caliber full-length sizing die that was given to me by a friend, and I don't think it's been used in quite a while. The first time I used it in the used Reloader Special (1st generation) I have, it dented the shoulder of the cases I was resizing. I was very careful not to get any case lube on the neck or shoulder of the cases, so I don't think that's causing the dents. Just to be sure, I took out the decapping pin and twisted a clean cotton cloth up into the die to remove any substance that might be up there. Still dented the shoulders. Then I looked inside the die with a flashlight, and I could see what looks like a spot or two of rust around the shoulder cone, which seems like it might be what's creating the dents.

Knowing RCBS has a great reputation for standing behind their products, I sent them an email to see if they could do anything to help, and I got this reply: "I am sorry you are experiencing this issue with your die, However we do not cover any rust nor do any service on any item that has rust damage. I hope this information helps. Thank you for contacting RCBS!"

Not a surprise really, but I thought it was worth a shot. My question at this point is, is there anything that can be done with this die, and if there is, is it going to cost more than just buying a new one? Maybe a gunsmith could ream it out lightly? Thanks for any suggestions.

Yes,check the die body, there should be a small hole in the die wall at the neck area that allows air to escape when the case enter the die.the hole can be cleaned with Oxy/acetylene nozzle cleaners

 

[epags]

. I probably will get killed here, however I have been using One Shot for a number of years now and would not go back to anything else. If applied properly there have never been any issues. This is one of those products that either you like it or you don't.

I have also gone to One Shot but I take a paper towel and lightly rub the shoulder and neck after spraying (allowing a few minutes to dry). Too much spray and you can get a dent. A little lube goes a long way no matter what you use.
As you start the sizing stroke you can feel if you have too little if so stop before you get a stuck case.