Die Damage, new dies

by Eindecker Sun Aug 06, 2023 7:02 pm

LEE 44 magnum, full length sizing die. Ran 60 pieces of brand new starline through it. Afterwords noticed that each case has a scratch around the whole case, same spot on each one. Not found on un sized brass.

My question is, is it worth trying to sand it out with sand paper and emory cloth, or just bite the bullet and get myself a new set from another company

by fc60 Sun Aug 06, 2023 7:41 pm

Greetings,

You have experienced "Galling".

The new brass is chemically clean and has welded little bits to the Carbide ring of the sizing die.

The brass that is stuck/welded to the Carbide ring can likely be removed with some fine steel wool and oil.

Cheers,

Dave

by Eindecker Sun Aug 06, 2023 10:43 pm

care to share why its in a p erfect ring around one spot in the die..

or why it never happened to my other dies..

by **Wobbley** Sun Aug 06, 2023 10:51 pm

The whole carbide ring has been affected. Sanding won’t help. Send it to Lee with a sample case. They’ll either polish it out or replace the die.

by Jack H Mon Aug 07, 2023 4:53 am

I had the carbide ring in a factory crimp die crack like you slice a bagel. Lee replaced the die

by rbwillnj Mon Aug 07, 2023 7:50 am

New Starline brass can be very difficult to size. I always use Hornady OneShot case lube on new Starline brass. Subsequent sizings generally don't require it.