Removing stuck case without destroying decapper

Spindrift

Well-Known Member
Luckily, I’m not a leading expert on removing stuck cases. But today, I had the pleasure of breaking out my Lyman stuck case removal- kit again. And I found a little helpful trick that I’d like to share with you. This might be self-evident to you, but it wasn’t to me :)

First, let’s look at the kit, and the way it works:

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Loosen the nut on your expander/decapper, leaving it as loose as possible. Soak with oil. Install die upside-down in press, some threads showing on top. Screw the black cap/ counter-hold on your die. Drill flash-hole, cut threads and screw in the extractor screw.

As the extractor screw progresses, it will gradually extract the case. But it will also protrude more and more into the case, usually at some point engaging and bending your decapping pin. How to avoid this?

The solution was so simple, it is almost embarrasing. Spacer material! As the extraxtor screw is progressing, you can unscrew it and use spacer material, like an over-sized nut, or an upside-down case holder. Less of the extractor screw will protrude in the case, and you might salvage your decapper. Worked for me!

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Edit: fixed photo
 
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