Bent Decapping unit

madluk18

madluk18

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Location
Peace River AB
Hello

So with my recent purchase of a 22-250 I naturally want to reload for it.

I finally got a set of RCBS FULL Length two die set. Set everything up following the instructions provided and the shell holder on the box. I run a few cases and works. Then the decapping pin would not go through the flash hole(I didn't know this at the time) and I tried to force it thinking it was just a stuck primer and broke the decapping pin (I claim responsibility, I should know better). So I went to wholesale to grab a replacement part as I don't want to wait on RCBS to send one. Could not find the part but found a neck sizing die set, which I prefer to do.

So I take it home and set it up as per instructions and run TWO cases and the third case won't work. the decapping pin is bent, so I take the unit out of the die and it is bent in TWO places. I took it back and was able to exchange the die luckily. I get the second one home and I run at the most ten cases and it does the exact same thing again.



My question is has anyone heard of this happening?? or know of any causes?? I didnt force anything this time around and was very careful making sure nothing was being forced or pushed.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Lukas M
 
I don't know how you could possibly get that much force on the pin to bend it like that without breaking the actual pin.What brand of brass are you using?

Berdan primed cases would be my guess
 
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The only reason I can think of is that you have the rod screwed down too far and are hitting the solid web of the case. I've had pins stuck in undersize flash holes before, but that shouldn't bend the rod.

The decap pin should only protrude below the die 1/4 to 5/16".
 
22-250 doesn't come in a berdan case to my knowledge. But check the rim Dia and the shell holder number.
I was reloading some 6.5x55 and had the same thing happen. Why? Because american made 6.5x55 uses a .473 rim not the proper .480 rim. This difference was enough to off set the case in the die when using the proper #3 shell holder and cause the decapping pin to strike the bottom of the case next to the flash hole. It would then slip in after the brass buckled and it felt like a crimped primer....bit by bit it got worse until upon examination it was found to be buckled. A new decapping rod and a #2 shell holder fixed everything.
 
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I would say the decaping pin is set way to deep and the stem is bottoming out on the bottom of the case
 
The OP has has problems with both the original FL sizing die, and the replacement Neck sizing die. The fact that he has had the same issue with both dies, leads me to believe that he isn't setting up the dies properly. Either that, or the shellholder isn't in the ram properly, or he isn't placing the cases fully into the shellholder, which is forcing the decapping rod out of alignment, so the decapping pin misses the flash hole.
 
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stubblejumper said:
The OP has has problems with both the original FL sizing die, and the replacement Neck sizing die. The fact that he has had the same issue with both dies, leads me to believe that he isn't setting up the dies properly.
Click to expand...
Agreed, decapping pin is way too deep. Set the pin so it just clears the bottom of the case and you should have no issue.
 
OP, here is the answer to your problem.
There is so much slop in the threads at the top of your die, that when you tighten the lock nut, there is a good chance the firing pin is not pointing straight down.
It can easily be pointed a bit off, so as not to fit the hole in the case, when the handle is pushed down. The pin can then hit solid brass and you see what happens.
Do it this way.
Screw the centre down so as to extend the pin the desired distance, which should be just the minimum needed. Carefully move the press handle down, making sure the pin is going into the hole.
With the handle fully down and the pin in the hole, tighten the lock nut.
The pin will now be aligned dead centre and will hit the hole every time.
 
Hey guys

Thanks everyone for the feedback!!!

After read all the feedback I went over the die and it would appear I set the decapping way to low and this caused it too bottom out like the folks above mentioned. It also makes sense with the way that the rod bented. I also was using a RCBS suggested #3 shell holder when a #2 fit much much tighter. I can only imagine the sloppiness didn't help anything.

StubbleJumper, After wrecking the second necksizing die I also came to that conclusion, there was no way I got faulty dies twice in a row.


Thanks again everyone I appreciate the help!

Lukas M
 
[Sometimes it's good to step back and look at what you're doing, especially when things are breaking or bending. If it isn't working, there must be a reason and doing the same thing again won't fix it.
 
I broke plenty of RCBS pins, so I moved to a specific Lyman Decapping die which has a strong pin and haven't had issues since including using it accidently on a few berdan cases
 
I bent a pin decapping a Norinco 7.62 x 51 case. I'd picked it up along with my brass at the range. The pin was set properly. The crimped in primer (hard primer also) was just stronger than the pin. New pin, no more Norinco cases, no more problems.
 
the decapping pin should be backed way off, then set the depth of the die to have just a very slight pressure on the shell holder at the top of the stoke. then slowly work the decapping pin down until it finally is enough to push out the primer.
 
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