Things that'll make you see red.
I'm working up loads for a new 6.5x284. Using RL23 I've got velocity up to a point that's still conservative for barrel length but acceptable. Primers are starting to flatten but not bad, bolt lift and other indicators are fine except for ejector marks. So I take 5 once fired cases and was planning to load and shoot them until primer pockets loosened to see if it's actually a hot load or not. Spray them with one shot and set the sizing die up since it's the first time I've used it. Kinda distracted I put the first one through and about halfway through the ram stroke it was like oh shit, but I was committed and sunk her down before my brain could say stop. I figured I'd rip the case head off but instead on the upstroke I ended up tearing the handle out of the press. It was only engaged by about 2.5 threads and over the years as it backed out I'd just snug up the jam nut, never realizing how shallow it was getting. So the cast threads just crumbled. Now I was pretty mad. Thread the handle into the other side of the press and rip the case head off. Out comes the stuck case remover. Can't budge it. Try to get some kroil in there and nope. Throw it in the freezer and go eat supper. Heat the body up and nope. Sit on the bench and pull back up towards myself and something gives.
Not cool but I'm lh so I've no intention of using the press with the handle on the left side. I was able to clean the threads up and thread it back in on the right side with no jam nut. Press is fixed but it's not getting the case out and I don't want to damage it anymore.
I'm working up loads for a new 6.5x284. Using RL23 I've got velocity up to a point that's still conservative for barrel length but acceptable. Primers are starting to flatten but not bad, bolt lift and other indicators are fine except for ejector marks. So I take 5 once fired cases and was planning to load and shoot them until primer pockets loosened to see if it's actually a hot load or not. Spray them with one shot and set the sizing die up since it's the first time I've used it. Kinda distracted I put the first one through and about halfway through the ram stroke it was like oh shit, but I was committed and sunk her down before my brain could say stop. I figured I'd rip the case head off but instead on the upstroke I ended up tearing the handle out of the press. It was only engaged by about 2.5 threads and over the years as it backed out I'd just snug up the jam nut, never realizing how shallow it was getting. So the cast threads just crumbled. Now I was pretty mad. Thread the handle into the other side of the press and rip the case head off. Out comes the stuck case remover. Can't budge it. Try to get some kroil in there and nope. Throw it in the freezer and go eat supper. Heat the body up and nope. Sit on the bench and pull back up towards myself and something gives.
Not cool but I'm lh so I've no intention of using the press with the handle on the left side. I was able to clean the threads up and thread it back in on the right side with no jam nut. Press is fixed but it's not getting the case out and I don't want to damage it anymore.
