.223 Rem Streaks on Brass

[Countryfried Frank]

While sizing my latest batch of .223 Rem brass I noticed that there are very fine grooves all around the body of the brass and extracting the brass from the die is more difficult. When I took apart my sizing die I noticed that there are brass colored streaks on the inside of the die. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a decent picture. The streaks on the brass *barely* catch a finger nail. Does anyone have a suggestion for cleaning/repairing the die or is my best bet to pick up another one? The die ia a standard RCBS so It's not the end of the world to get a new one, it is just money I would rather not spend unless necessary. Thanks in advance for the opinions and advice.

[Rodentman]

Frank, PM sent...

[Countryfried Frank]

Received. Thank you sir.

[Sigfan220]

What's the solution? I have a couple dies like this. I have had hit or miss luck cleaning them.

[Countryfried Frank]

I don't know what will clean the die out but scrubbing with a brass brush and a dip in the ultrasonic had no effect. Ammonia seems to have softened the streaks some but they are still there and noticeable.

[Rip Van Winkle]

Redding recommends 400-600 grit emery cloth.

http://www.redding-reloading.com/tech-line-a-tips-faqs/149-scratched-cases-causes-and-cures

[Seismic Sam]

Okay, are we talking about resizing .223 brass that was fired in an HK chamber with the grooves in it to hang onto the case, or resizing Golden Bear steel cases by mistake??

[Beretta96CT]

Okay, are we talking about resizing .223 brass that was fired in an HK chamber with the grooves in it to hang onto the case, or resizing Golden Bear steel cases by mistake??

No Sam.

Its the small pieces that bond to the inside of die body and scratch all other brass that goes in and out of die.
I had one like that and the Oldman told me to use rifle bore cleaner to dissolve the brass out of the die, and then polish the die with #000 steel wool wrapped around a cleaning brush mounted in a drill. Clean afterward with brake cleaner and oil to prevent rusting. It took several tries but worked well and saved the die.

[Seismic Sam]

Okay - seeing as all my brass either gets boiled in water/lemon juice or tumbled in corncob media before it ever sees a die, that would explain why I have never encountered this situation.

[Countryfried Frank]

Okay, are we talking about resizing .223 brass that was fired in an HK chamber with the grooves in it to hang onto the case...

I wish. This is brass fired in a Mini-14 and the situation is as described by Baretta96CT. I'll try the bore cleaner/steel wool thing. Thanks all.

[usnret]

You might try getting a hold of the die manufacture and see what they have to say. They might even have you send them the bad die and send you back a new replacement one.

[OldmanFCSA]

Okay, are we talking about resizing .223 brass that was fired in an HK chamber with the grooves in it to hang onto the case, or resizing Golden Bear steel cases by mistake??

ThreadJack
SSam, I thought the grooves were to help release the cartridge brass from the chamber walls so the roller-lock action would not rip the case lip off during extraction ???
Anyway, these cases are reloadable, just look funny afterwards, especially after several firings/reloadings.
BackTo Topic,

[Countryfried Frank]

I got it clean with bore cleaner, 600 grit and a lot of patience. Thanks to all for the advice and PM's.

[OldmanFCSA]

Glad we could help - ends up being a learning process for all of us.

[Rodentman]

I am glad you had a positive result. I heard somewhere that running dirty brass thru the die acts somewhat as a partial lube, IOW it helps to prevent galling that clean brass may effectuate (a Howard Cosell word) in the die. I clean mine dirty, with case lube, trim and then pin tumble.

Anyway if you got a good result happiness ensues.