Need a little help guys, I have never had to do this before... I bought a used set of Lyman dies in .22-250 and I need to put in a new decapping pin, how do I do this? Does the pin just slide in or is there some secret to doing it properly?
How do I replace a decapping Pin?
- Thread starter Amanda
- Start date
- Location
- St. Paul AB
Remove the decapping rod assembly from the sizer die body. The expander plug on Lyman dies are threaded onto the end of the decapping rod. Spin that little puppy off of there, and the old wrecked pin will (should) come out the top end of the expander plug. Replace it with a shiny new one, and reassemble. Lyman pins have a step-up shoulder on the top of the pin. Make sure everything is good and tight before starting again. that's how I've broken pins and wrecked flashholes on cases. I always kep a small supply of expendable parts like that on hand because they ususally don't cast much, but when they go down, it will tie up the whole operation.
When resetting the decapping rod, make sure you don't set it too deep. Start with the pin just barely poking out the die bottom then plunge the non-decapped empty case into the die and set it a little lower each time until you pop the spent primer out. When the expander plug meets the case head, more things get bent.
When resetting the decapping rod, make sure you don't set it too deep. Start with the pin just barely poking out the die bottom then plunge the non-decapped empty case into the die and set it a little lower each time until you pop the spent primer out. When the expander plug meets the case head, more things get bent.
- Location
- St. Paul AB
Geez Ben you're fast and sneaky. Don't you have some bullets to cast? 
- Location
- St. Paul AB
On all the sets of Lyman dies I've had (.30-30, .303 Brit, and .44-40) yes. The expander plug screws out, and there is a shoulder on the pins so they will not fall through. Maybe Ben knows something I don't and there are a few sets that use the straight pin. Some makes of dies like my set of Redding .45-90 use the straight pin and "collet" like system (OK I'm just making up terms just so you know), but all of my RCBS and Lyman sets have similar pin setups, but I don't think they are interchangable. Give Lyman Products a call in the morning 1-800-22-LYMAN. They are over on the east coast so by noon, they are calling it a day. They are super to deal with if your local shop has nothing to help you with.
