How Do You Remove a Case Stuck in a Sizing Die?

A cartidge casing stuck in a resizing die is one of a hand loader's worst nightmares. Typically the result of either the application of too little case lube or the use of a damaged cartridge, a stuck case poses the potential risk of permanently wrecking an expensive piece of reloading gear. Some straight-walled pistol cartridges can be removed by hammering them out of the die with a punch, but more often than not a stuck case has to be drilled and tapped at the case head, then pulled free with the use of a stuck case removal tool.

Things You'll Need

  • Adjustable wrench
  • Padded gun vise
  • Stuck case removal kit
  • Power drill
  • Tap handle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the lock nut from the sizing die's decapping pin using a wrench. Pull the decapping pin until it comes loose from the cartridge's flash hole. Do not attempt to remove the decapping pin from the die.

    • 2

      Place the sizer die upside down in the gun vise and tighten the jaws to hold it in place. Make sure the decapping pin settles as far down as possible inside the cartridge so you have plenty of room to work.

    • 3

      Lock the size 7 drill bit (included in the case removal kit) into your power drill. Drill straight through the cartridge's flash hole. Drill slowly and do not exert too much force on the drill to avoid damaging the decapping pin.

    • 4

      Insert the case removal kit's tap into the pilot hole, and turn it down to tap the case head. Run the tap completely through the case head to provide as much threaded area as possible. Back the tap out of the cartridge. Note that most case removal kits do not include a tap handle; you will have to provide your own or use a wrench to turn the tap.

    • 5

      Place the case remover body over the case head. Run the remover's screw into the case using an Allen wrench. Fully engage the screw threads in the case head, then continue to turn the Allen wrench until the case pulls free of the sizing die.