Depriming Question

smokingunns

smokingunns

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Been having a bit of an issue with the depriming die not pushing out all the spent primers...1 out of every 15 or so do not completely deprime...it would go to the next stage (primer seating) with the old one about half way or so in and seat the old primer...then of course it completes the cycle and I get a full reload with a spent primer reseated.

This is more of a nuisance than anything as I need to remove the bullet then go through the entire process again...the other issue is that the factory crimp then resizes the bullet (i'm using TMJ...not FMJ) and the bullet is useless as it no longer fits in the casing properly.

Anyhow, I've tried lowering the depriming pin until I don't get this problem anymore however it has gone down so much that the decapping pin is stopping the case from fully going into the resizing/decapping die...this also messes up the other die set up.

Anyone have any hints/suggestions on getting more consistent decapping?

I'm using RCBS dies on a Lee reloader and loading .40 s&w.

thanks,
 
Can't you set the die lower without changing the decapping pin? Or is that what you meant when you said you lowered the decapping pin. In any case, I didn't think it was possible to lower the die too much since the entire case ends up in the die anyways, and when its in there, there should be enough clearance to fully eject the spent primer.
 
Onagoth said:
Can't you set the die lower without changing the decapping pin? Or is that what you meant when you said you lowered the decapping pin. In any case, I didn't think it was possible to lower the die too much since the entire case ends up in the die anyways, and when its in there, there should be enough clearance to fully eject the spent primer.
Click to expand...

The actual die touches the shell plate (need the full resize)...the primer pin (including the shaft) is depth adjustable...this is what I was adjusting.

The further down the pin and shaft went to fully push the spent primer out consistently, I found that the shaft went too far down and it would hit the bottom of the inside of the case (hitting the flash hole).

I backed it up (higher into the die) bit by bit until the case could fully enter the resizing die however this would result with 1 out of every 15 decaps not fully pushing out the spent primers.

The real answer (I think is to make a longer depriming pin:))...but i'm wondering if anyone has another suggestion.
 
I run a case up to the top of the deprime stroke then lower the decap pin to "just" touch the inside of the case, this ensures that the pin has the maximum projection to push the primer out.

I also found that i would "short stroke" on the decap motion and this would leave behind a few primers as well.

If you can, check that all the decap pin is there, you might have broken a small piece off the end and this would be a reason that some primers are being left behind.

For one in a few not depriming it almost sounds like you have to have 2 or more issues at the same time for that to happen. If it was one issue you would think that it would occur more often.

Good luck.

Edit Just read RCBS dies, I had one that shortened a decap pin and had the same problem with some 9mm, a good (new) pin is about 0.720 inches long.

Kim
 
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Any chance that the actual depriming pin in your die is the wrong length? I remember something about two different lengths of replacement pin available from RCBS. Anyway, a section of broken drill bit of the right diameter cut just a bit longer will do the trick.
 
I dunno how it gets set up on RCBS press, my Hornady calls for:

- raise the press ram to highest position;
- thread the die in so it toches shell plate;
- de-capping pin should be extended 3/16" below die

never had an issue.
 
"I'm using RCBS dies on a Lee reloader and loading .40 s&w."
Could you clarify which Lee press you are using? Sounds like you are using a progressive press but a "Lee reloader" is far from that.
 
Sometimes I have found the decapping pin pushes the primer out but it sticks to the end of the pin. When you lower the case the primer partially reseats. Try polishing the end of your decapping pin.
 
smokingunns said:
The actual die touches the shell plate (need the full resize)...the primer pin (including the shaft) is depth adjustable...this is what I was adjusting.

The further down the pin and shaft went to fully push the spent primer out consistently, I found that the shaft went too far down and it would hit the bottom of the inside of the case (hitting the flash hole).

I backed it up (higher into the die) bit by bit until the case could fully enter the resizing die however this would result with 1 out of every 15 decaps not fully pushing out the spent primers.

The real answer (I think is to make a longer depriming pin:))...but i'm wondering if anyone has another suggestion.
Click to expand...

If the depriming pin isn't getting deep enough, either your decapping pin is broken already, or you have the die adjusted incorrectly.

IT's not about adjusting the die realtive to the holder. You do realize that you can adjust the position of the the decapping arm within the die body by screwing it deeper into the top of the die, right??? It's the screw thing on the top of the die.

Every die I have ever seen has ample adjustment to stick the depriming pin all the way through the flash hole past the end of the case. Unless your decapping pin is already broken?? And AFAIK, nobody makes extended length deprimer pins, because there would never be any need for them.
 
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joe-nwt said:
Sometimes I have found the decapping pin pushes the primer out but it sticks to the end of the pin. When you lower the case the primer partially reseats. Try polishing the end of your decapping pin.
Click to expand...

Yep...tried this and it seems to have solved the problem.

Looks like the the pin from the factory decaps most cases but on the occasion it would deprime but stick to the primers ultimately bringing it back to the case.

After sanding it the tip a bit, it did the trick.

Another question about primers...can different primers from different manufacturers increase the pressure or power factor when using the same type and amount of powder? Due to the shortage of primers, I changed from Winchester to Federal...I tried the first 100 reloads with this new primer however the power factor seems to have increased.

I usually like 4.4gr of Titegroup however with the Winchesters it feels like 4.6gr...
 
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