help, decapping die pin retracted

a1dookie

a1dookie

Regular
Rating - 100%
12   0   0
Location
GTA, Ontario.
So I had just set up and started loading some 40S&W on my lee and after the 11th on the 12th case I noticed the spent primer did not drop, so I inspected and it was still in, then I noticed that the pin was way up inside the die, and at the top the die i noticed the pin had extended up from the die. What to do?
 
Unscrew collet/nut from top of die. Lube threads on collet/nut. DO NOT lube pin/shaft. Push pin/shaft flush with top of collet/nut. Tighten the collet/nut 'Gorilla-tight' (until the threads smoke, then 1 full turn more). Resume decapping. Revel in not having a broken decapping pin.
 
Loosen the nut holding the decapping pin . Slide the pin where you want it to be. Then tighten the nut like you are really mad at it. you should be good to go.
 
Loosen the tension nut holding the decapping pin using two wrenches, one on the die itself, the other on the nut. Lower the decapping pin so that it is flush with the top of the nut. Tighten the nut.

Edit: Damn, you guys type fast!
 
a1dookie said:
Thanks, going back into it now. Anyone know why it slid up?
Click to expand...

Sometimes they just aren't that tight from the factory. Lee Precision laid off all their gorillas several years ago due to the economy tanking and the increased cost of feeding gorillas and the high insurance premiums involved with employing them.

You could have had a primer that was especially stiff to press out. They are designed to push up like that when they meet too much resistance so that you don't break the pin off (like if you accidentally put a berdan primed case in).
 
*MALICE* said:
Sometimes they just aren't that tight from the factory. Lee Precision laid off all their gorillas several years ago due to the economy tanking and the increased cost of feeding gorillas and the high insurance premiums involved with employing them.

You could have had a primer that was especially stiff to press out. They are designed to push up like that when they meet too much resistance so that you don't break the pin off (like if you accidentally put a berdan primed case in).
Click to expand...


Yeah....sometimes that nice looking brass just ain't what you think it is
 
Dissassemble, degrease it all,oil thread's on collet and reassemble tight.
I had the same problem with some 50's dated Canadian 9mm brass. The primer's were in so tight I was punching the decapping pin thru the primer instead of decapping it. I had to use a screwdriver and a hammer to get those out of the shell holder! I scrapped that whole pile after that happened 3 in a row.
 
What I have done on some of mine whre I use military brass is to place it on a rough file, put a piece of 2x4 on it and roll it back and fourth a couple times. This knurls it the easy way
 
*MALICE* said:
Sometimes they just aren't that tight from the factory. Lee Precision laid off all their gorillas several years ago due to the economy tanking and the increased cost of feeding gorillas and the high insurance premiums involved with employing them.

You could have had a primer that was especially stiff to press out. They are designed to push up like that when they meet too much resistance so that you don't break the pin off (like if you accidentally put a berdan primed case in).
Click to expand...

I clean and lube but the areas that the pin is captured in I hit with alcohol only and tighten down securely
 
I don't know if they have them for pistol rounds, but I got a universal decapping die for rifle reloading because I tired of broken pins. Great investment, IMHO.
 
Another thing that works is to chuck the decapping pin in a drill press and cut shallow grooves in it with a hacksaw blade. A lathe would be better but not everyone has access to one. Lube the collet nut threads, you can get another turn out of it. This will make the pin pretty much immovable.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom