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.222 case prep problems

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 10:40 pm
by Alpha1
I spent this evening resizing once fired PPU .222 brass. I used a lee shell holder in a lyman crusher press with a lyman full length sizing die.
The cases were hand lubed with unique sizing wax. The cases ran up into the sizing die Ok but dragging them back over the expander button was hard work and the primers were not fully punched out I had to re run the cases through the die a second time to pop the primer out. I adjusted the primer decapping pin at least twice.
I thought .222 would be a doddle to re load for I don't have this problem with any other calibre's. Any ideas any one. The expander is stamped .223 could that be the problem.

Any way I intend to have another go over the week end but this time Ill use a Lee decaper die first to remove the primers then Ill run the cases through the lyman full length die with the de capper expander removed and see how that works.

I think I need to invest in a set L.E.Wilson bushing dies. Or make one. This full length sizing is just to much like hard work.

Re: .222 case prep problems

Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 5:45 am
by dromia
Serves you right for using those damned expander balls. You should have more respect for your brass.

Re: .222 case prep problems

Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 6:04 am
by Chapuis
Reloading .222rem normally is a doddle to reload.
What lube are you using inside the case necks?

Re: .222 case prep problems

Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 6:20 am
by dromia
Just bin the expander ball, replace it with a recapping rod. No need to worry about lubing case necks.

Re: .222 case prep problems

Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 7:36 am
by ovenpaa
Even better just pop it in the lathe and machine a few thou off the expander.

Re: .222 case prep problems

Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 8:45 am
by Alpha1
I thought about sticking it in the lathe but there is not a lot to machine off. I will just ditch the expander.

Re: .222 case prep problems

Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 6:53 pm
by Alpha1
I came home with lots of lovely empty cases to reload. I solved the de priming problem with a modified L.E.Wilson neck die.
Just need to source a suitable size neck bushing. Ill just use the Lyman die without the expander as a body die.

Re: .222 case prep problems

Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 8:07 pm
by ovenpaa
You really do need to start making your own bushings.

Re: .222 case prep problems

Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2016 9:54 pm
by Alpha1
You are probably right I have some time to morrow. I'll give it a go and see how I get on.

Re: .222 case prep problems

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2016 8:18 pm
by Alpha1
I had a go I didn't get on very well. I got distracted I pulled the dust cover of the mill and noticed I had left it set up with a fly cutter. I decided to finish that job first. I made a absolute hash of it and spent a hour trying to put things right. I then moved on to the lathe I was not in the mood for making bushings by this time so I drilled and tapped a couple of .222 cases for the overall length gauge. I then started on making a bushing neck die. I broke two parting off blades and ended up finishing things of with a hack saw. I really need some thing to cut metal to size with. Any way enough is enough I opened a bottle of wine and stuck a pizza in the oven. There is all ways another day.