Resizing Die Keeps Sticking

Reloading
1

I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get these Redding FL resizing dies to not stick. I bought the entire “intermediate” setup mentioned in the guides.

It sticks using brand new starline LP brass & imperial sizing wax. I’ve watched countless videos from backfire and others mentioned in the guides, including the one Erik Cortina made using these redding resizing dies, going over the proper cleaning & lube amount.

So because the die is sticking i’m unable to properly set my shoulder depth because it just undoes my initial press. I’ve taken the de-priming rod out to see if that was what was causing the sticking, and it’s definitely worse when that is in.

What am i doing wrong?

2

Brandon, where is it sticking? As in how deep into the die is the case going before it gets stuck?

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It feels like the major stick point is at the bottom of the body, closure to the extractor groove. It’s a smooth drop until you get to about 1.5" down (on 6.5cm brass) then that last push is where it really sets up for the “stick”.

4

Hmm. I’m not quite sure what that would be. Maybe post a picture so we can check it out?

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You can see where it’s dragging on the return stroke.

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When I started reloading, I either put way too much or too little lube. I had several sticky cases and ruined some brass. I’m glad that is not happening to you.
I had to buy a case lube pad and use it. When I had too much, the brass would have dimples all over it. When I didn’t have enough, it stuck in the die. I’m just spitballing, but what case lube are you using? Have you checked the measurements of the die to make sure it is correct? I bought a “used” RCBS die for my 6.5 Creedmoor and it had a very tight base. I bought another brand and set of dies and they work fine.

7

I’ve tried doing exactly what others do. I’m using imperial die wax, cleaning and testing different amounts with little to no change.

I have the Redding premium 2 side set that is linked in one of the guides in Back fire. Seen numerous people use them with smooth action… mine have not been so smooth.

I’ll have to look into checking the correct measurements. But they are labeled with 6.5cm

8

I think that you are doing it correctly…like I said I’m just spitballing…I apologize if I offended you in any way…definitely not my intent

I have contacted a couple of people who reload and I bounce ideas off of. If they have ideas, or I think of something else, I’ll post ASAP!

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Oh man not at all! My experience level is 1 in person class, and online videos so I don’t really have a “routine” yet. I was just trying to say Ive only tried to mirror what I’ve seen others do with the same/similar setup.

I appreciate any and all help! Lol I’m quite stumped as to what the cause is. Definitely hasn’t been a smooth start.

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The answers that I have received so far say;“My first thought is the die is dirty or it is a factory bad die.
The marks on the case are not right, something is scratching the surface of the case. It should come out smooth.”

Have you contacted Redding to see what they say? Do you happen to have a bore scope that you could use to see if there are any burrs towards the base of the die?

I’ll keep thinking on it and if anything else comes to mind, I’ll post ASAP

11

Have you tried a different brand of brass to see if it’s the same outcome? Do you have any of your own once fired you could test?

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Gonna do a deep clean of the die tonight and see if that helps. I did reach out to Redding and haven’t heard anything yet so hopefully have some answers or things to try from them this week.

And ty !

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I picked up a bag of new Hornady brass today - wanted to test your brand theory. I did run a couple different types of once fired brass previously with the same outcome (stick) - so i’m hoping re-cleaning the die does the trick? If not, hopefully hear back from Redding soon.

14

I reload 6.5cm with Redding dies as well. I also get that wear line towards the bottom of the case but I’ve never had one stick. One of my first thoughts was it could be a bad batch of brass or a factory defect. For clarification, what do you mean by sticking? Are the cases actually getting stuck in the die?

15

I’m using a FA m-press and the floor that holds the case feels like it’s going to rip out through the screws because the die is so tight/snug.

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Update : Redding has asked I send in the die and some recently fired brass to examine if something is wrong. They think it may need a repolish. So we’ll see how that goes.

2 Likes
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I sure hope that they can get it resolved for you soon. I know how frustrating it can be.

1 Like
18

keep us updated. I’ll like to hear what the problem is.

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Update : Sorry for the late follow up - been traveling and finally got some time to work on some loads post Redding fix.

Die got sent back from Redding and they work as intended now. Idk what caused the issue from get the get-go but they seem to have worked out that “stick”. Customer service was helpful… took around a couple weeks from when i sent them out to when i got them back.

20

I think I am having the same issue with my redding dies. This was my first set of dies, so I didn’t have anything to compare it to, so I thought it was normal for it to be so though; so when I saw your thread it made me think that maybe I am having the same issue. I will send mine in as well, and see if that fixes it. I have resized a couple hundred cases, but not without a TON of effort. I’m hoping another polish will help.