RCBS small base X dies...not good so far
 

Having alot of trouble setting this thing up. Shouldn't be this hard.
Followed the instructions EXACTLY.Results so far;
Got the decapping pin and retainer stuck inside the case THREE times in a row. How they come off the mandrel is a mystery to me.
Case stuck in the sizing die once,(still in there good) and a sized shell stuck in the chamber once, I was able to free it out with some kroil. lets just say I am not happy with this X die thing so far.
See what RCBS customer service is like in about in an hour.
:bash:

Before I would call customer service, you need to diagnose the problem. You got tools to do it. you have calibers (I hope), you have fired cases (I hope).

I'm thinkin 'case lube'.........

nope; not it, I lubed the snot out of it.
Problem seems to be with the mandrel /neck ball, size a case without it and she slipped in and out of the chamber nice. follow the instructions,#4 says to screw the mandrel in till you have resistance , tighten locknut and you should have 4 threads left. every time I have done this she got stuck in the case.
RCBS said to send it back.

My only other thought would be that the expander ball is coming thru the neck of the case at the same point the case neck is in the size die. Basically trying to neck down and expand at the same time. If that is the case RCBS should be able to explain to you on the phone how to adjust.

.........Seems to me that there is some serious mis-adjustment of the decapper/expander.

Small base X-die.... got me thinking....
What brand of brass are you resizing? Tell me it is not a case with a Berdan primer

Was the brass trimmed before the first sizing as per the instructions?

HT;
Followed the instructions to a T, trimmed the cases first, Brass is headstammped LC and some WCC also.
Sent the die back Thurs 27th , we'll see how long it takes to get it back.
I ordered a regular full length sizing die in the meantime ,figure that I will prolly off the x die on fleabay when it comes back, although I will have to give it another try first.

I would check your primer pocket to see what it is. I still believe this is your problem
I would be interested in the die , even as is, if you decide to sell
check this out.
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=136077

Got the die back..
 

RCBS got the stuck case out replaced the decapping pin and polished the die, took just under a month, and they sent me a bill for $5.
Sizing die works fine .
The shells sized through the small base die slip in and out of the chamber a bit smoother than the ones I put through the regular full size die.
The x feature is more trouble than it's worth imo though, setting the x mandrel is a big pia, problematic. Not worth it just to save a few trims. I will continue to check case length and trim as needed.
I will give RCBS props for the 5$ fix , even though the die has vice marks on it .
I was really hoping for a new one.:biggrin: