What's the trick with small base dies?

[One Lung Wonder]

I cannot seem to run these damn things without breaking the decapping rod. I'm using resizing wax - can you fellas point out any brain farts I may be having without inducing emotional trauma to my self esteem?

Goddammitalltohell...I just know I am doing something staggeringly stupid, here...

Your two cents is sincerely appreciated.

 

[fiddler]

Sizing lube has nothing to do with your problem, unless your case gets stuck in the die. You need to take off some length of your decapper pin. Its going too far and bending on the bottom of the case.

You should have instructions to set the pin, but if not just pull the pin all the way back and start moving it out a bit at a time until the primer can come out with a full stroke of your press. If it sticks, adjust it out a bit more then stroke again. Repeat as needed.

 

[Brianma65]

The only time I've ever broken a decapping pin was when I was resizing berdan primer pockets.

 

[stubblejumper]

Are you breaking the decapping rod that holds the decapping pin, or are you breaking the decapping pin? If you are bending or breaking the rod, then the rod is adjusted wrong. If you are breaking the actual decapping pin, then the rod likely isn't centered in the die, and is missing the flash hole.

 

[One Lung Wonder]

I am breaking the pin! Thanks for the info boys!

 

[PitBull1973]

The pin shouldn't have to stick out the bottom more than 2 quarters (coins) thick

 

[Brianma65]

Mine always come loose and get real wobbly I can see that being a problem. I'm constantly checking and retightening them.

 

[Chrossphyre]

The only time I broke a decapping pin is when I ran across some 9mm range collectibles that had really small flash holes using a Lee die set. The pin got stuck in the flash hole and pulled out of the expander.

 

[silverfoxdj]

I broke them when I had a misaligned die or not secured in the machine otherwise never

 

[vagrantviking]

I would say the rod is bent or loose and not aligned with the primer hole. Take it out and roll on a smooth surface to see a small deviation from center.

 

[Shooter ----/]

The only time I broke a decapping pin is when I ran across some 9mm range collectibles that had really small flash holes using a Lee die set. The pin got stuck in the flash hole and pulled out of the expander.

I was under the impression the rod and pin were one machined piece. I'll have to have a closer look at mine when I get home.

 

[Brianma65]

You can buy 5 packs of pins only. RCBS sent me a 5 pack for free. I haven't broken one since the first one

 

[Trevor60]

what brass are you sizing? brand

 

[gewehr76]

Check the ram rod of your press for alignment. It may be loose in the casting and not aligning with die body when up at upstroke. Slight deviation is acceptable, but if too loose then case can not be aligned and pin contacts case's base instead of going through the flash hole.

 

[beltfed]

I cannot seem to run these damn things without breaking the decapping rod. I'm using resizing wax - can you fellas point out any brain farts I may be having without inducing emotional trauma to my self esteem?

Goddammitalltohell...I just know I am doing something staggeringly stupid, here...

Your two cents is sincerely appreciated.

Are you referring to a specific caliber or in general? It might be the brass you are trying to resize...
There are some boxer primed brass out there that have flash holes undersized from 'normal'.

 

[bigedp51]

What type/make small base die do you have?

I use a universal decapping die and wet tumble before sizing.

Below a RCBS small base die with a Forster high mounted expander and spindle assembly installed to reduce neck runout, the decapping pin has been removed.