For the past month, I'm not able to get the die to touch the shell holder when resizing the case. There was a 1/8 inch gap. I discovered that the decrimper expanding pin was frozen so had to put it in my vise to open it. I cleaned off the residue and reset. Now the gap is a quarter inch. What do you think is going on? Is it time to replace?

For the past month, I'm not able to get the die to touch the shell holder when resizing the case. There was a 1/8 inch gap. I discovered that the decrimper was frozen so had to put it in my vise to open it. I cleaned off the residue and reset. Now the gap is a quarter inch. What do you think is going on? Is it time to replace?

From what you said here the decrimper has no bearing on setting the die in your press. Lee dies have a lock ring or nut that is not locked in place like RCBS dies has. This lock ring/nut can turn and move and change the position your die is set at. Could it be this nut has rotated/moved down the die and just needs to be readjusted? Are you using quick change bushings or equivalent on your press/dies?

From what you said here the decrimper has no bearing on setting the die in your press. Lee dies have a lock ring or nut that is not locked in place like RCBS dies has. This lock ring/nut can turn and move and change the position your die is set at. Could it be this nut has rotated/moved down the die and just needs to be readjusted? Are you using quick change bushings or equivalent on your press/dies?

I've tried that. There's still the gap no matter where I set the die in the press. It feels like something's stuck in there but I know there isn't. I completely washed it out with rubbing alcohol when it was disassembled.

when you refer to the "decrimper," are you referring to the primer pocket swaging tool?

for your problem with the gap, try removing the decapping/expanding pin and the collet that holds it in place.  once those are removed, readjust the die height, and then run the brass through again.  report back if you're still having problems with the gap after removing the pin and collet.

when you refer to the "decrimper," are you referring to the primer pocket swaging tool?

for your problem with the gap, try removing the decapping/expanding pin and the collet that holds it in place.  once those are removed, readjust the die height, and then run the brass through again.  report back if you're still having problems with the gap after removing the pin and collet.

Sorry, I meant the expanding pin. Not sure where I got crimp from. I'll give that a try and see if it touches the shell holder.

For the past month, I'm not able to get the die to touch the shell holder when resizing the case. There was a 1/8 inch gap. I discovered that the decrimper expanding pin was frozen so had to put it in my vise to open it. I cleaned off the residue and reset. Now the gap is a quarter inch. What do you think is going on? Is it time to replace?

...
Your terminology is puzzling.
What press and caliber is this?

...
Your terminology is puzzling.
What press and caliber is this?

Lee single press and 7.62x54r.

...
Your terminology is puzzling.
What press and caliber is this?

maybe the case is stretching? LOL

I agree with OF; your terminology is still puzzling.

what do you mean when you said that your expanding pin was "frozen"?  for the lee sizing dies, the expanding/decapping rod is designed to move in the collet.  the idea is to prevent you from snapping decapping pins when you come across berdan primers or out of spec flash holes.  if you cranked down the collet too tightly into the full-length sizing die, then it kind of defeats the purpose of the "floating" design.

i suspect that you locked in the height of the expanding/decapping rod at the wrong height and you tightened the collet down too much thereby preventing the expanding/decapping rod from floating.  of course, this is just a wild ass guess.

this is also why i recommended that you remove the collet and the expanding/decapping rod and report back if the problem still persists.

Lee single press and 7.62x54r.

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Which Lee single stage is it?
They make at least 3 different models.
Look see if the press frame is cracked.

I removed both and there's still a gap. I guess it's time to replace the resizing die, really. The collet was frozen and I had to bang on it with a ratchet until it loosened.

The Lee instructions says "The decapper is retained by the collet. [That's where I almost got decrimper from.] Should it be overstressed by an obstruction; it simply slides up without damage. To reset, loosen the decapper clamp and position the decapper flush with clamp end and retighten. Considerable torque may be necessary." [Their emphasis.]

There does seem to be a small bur in the sloped part of the neck in the die but I wouldn't say it's causing an obstruction... or maybe it is.

From the photo it looks like you can loosen the large nut that keeps the die tight in the press and screw it down to the shell holder.

From the photo it looks like you can loosen the large nut that keeps the die tight in the press and screw it down to the shell holder.

I've tried that.

I've tried that.

I see upon further scrutiny that it looks like you are using a quick change bushing or equivalent?

I see upon further scrutiny that it looks like you are using a quick change bushing or equivalent?

Yes, it was included in the Lee Anniversary Kit so I bought bushings for all of my dies. Very convenient.

For the replacement, should I get FL or neck?
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/897423/rcbs-neck-sizer-die-762x54mm-rimmed-russian

Furst, make sure you are using the correct die and the correct case. If you load for more than one rifle caliber, you can get both the dies and the cases mixed up.

Secondlee, it looks like you are using boxer primed brass cases from the photo. If you are not, check to see that you are using boxer primed cases and not berdan. Berdan cases lack the center flash hole and will prevent the sizing die from touching the shell holder.

Turdly, make sure your casing is well lubed. There should be some amount of resistance when sizing a well lubed case but it shouldn't require gorilla effort. If your brass is not lubed sufficiently, it can cause substantial resistance and cause binding to the point where the die won't touch the shell holder. When this happens to me, I usually end up breaking the rim trying to retract the ram leaving me with a stuck shell case in the die.

Fot-ly, try removing the decapping pin from the resizing die and then setting the die into the press screwing it all the way down until it contacts the shell holder with the ram raised in the full-up position (i.e., with no shell loaded into the shell holder). I can't remember whether Lee's instructions say to lower the ram and then add a 1/4 turn but whatever the instructions say, do that. Next, place a test shell into the shell holder and try to resize the brass. If the problem persists, the problem is with your resizing die. The case is being obstructed by something. If you are able to touch the shell holder than its more than likely to be your decapping pin. You can raise or lower the pin relative to the body of the die to address that issue. I have never had a problem with resizing and decapping a case with the top of the decapping pin set such that the top of the pin is flush with the lock nut that holds it.

I hope one of these works for you.

~F

Yes, it was included in the Lee Anniversary Kit so I bought bushings for all of my dies. Very convenient.

For the replacement, should I get FL or neck?
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/897423/rcbs-neck-sizer-die-762x54mm-rimmed-russian

i have looked very carefully at the photos you provided. Assuming you are bringing the handle down for a full stroke, then the problem is your die has backed out from the bushing or the bushing is not fitting back in the same place. And per my previous post I would guess your die has backed out. I see no physical reason for why you cannot back off the die nut and screw the die further into the bushing.

1. Are you pulling the handle down for a full stroke in the photo?
2. What is the physical reason why you cannot screw the die farther down into the bushing?

i have looked very carefully at the photos you provided. Assuming you are bringing the handle down for a full stroke, then the problem is your die has backed out from the bushing or the bushing is not fitting back in the same place. And per my previous post I would guess your die has backed out. I see no physical reason for why you cannot back off the die nut and screw the die further into the bushing.

1. Are you pulling the handle down for a full stroke in the photo?
2. What is the physical reason why you cannot screw the die farther down into the bushing?

1. Yes
2. There is none. I don't believe it's an external problem. I think it's an internal problem. I screw the die mostly in... gap. I screw the die mostly out... gap. I screw the die anywhere in between... the same gap. It's like there's something inside blocking the neck from fully entering the die. I tried to take a photo from the top but difficult to see.

Perhaps you're trying to tell me something that I'm not understanding so here's what the Lee instructions say. "Screw the full length sizer in until it touches the shell holder. Then lower the ram and screw the die in 1/4 to 1/3 turn more. Raise the ram and tighten the lock ring finger tight." That's what I've been doing.

I bought the RCBS neck sizer from Midway. That should work, right? The shipping is only $5 plus rebate.

The case is being obstructed by something.
~F

Sorry, missed your reply. That's my current theory but don't know how to test it. The only problem I see is that small burr seen in the photo.

I'm using Norma, Win, and PPU brass.

 

are you screwing the die in without a case in it?