Depriming problem

[medalguy]

I'm having a problem depriming some pistol brass, .380 mousegun stuff. The problem is that with one out of about every twenty cases, it will deprime, but the primer doesn't fall off the pin. I'm using an RCBS Universal Depriming die in a Rockchucker press. Just depriming. The only way I can get the primer to fall off the pin is to run the case back up into the die and pull the case out again, and this will usually dislodge the primer.

It's not a real problem but it sure does get aggravating. I have about 4,000 rounds to deprime.

Anyone else have this problem? I'd sure like to find a solution. I tried calling RCBS this afternoon but did you know their customer service desk is only open Monday thru Thursday???

 

[jcwit]

I've had it happen just lately. Sorta a pain but not a big thing. The depriming pin gets hung up in the anvil.

 

[Hondo 60]

I've noticed the same issue recently.

When I go to seat the new primer it re-seats the old one.
I just move it over to my single-stage & pop the old primer out using a universal depriming die.

 

[bloominonion]

just adjust your de-priming pin down 1/8 inch or so. The easy way is to get a deprimed case, and adjust the pin to the lowest point with the case up in the die, then bring it back 1/8 inch or so.

I do that every time I run into stubborn to de-prime cases show up.

 

[cfullgraf]

As bloominonion said, you can adjust the decapping pin up or down and it will help.

On a single stage press, you can raise and lower the case a time or two and it will knock the primer off the pin. That may not work on a progressive as it upsets other parts of the process.

It is not a 380 ACP thing but can happen with other cartridges as well.

 

[Walkalong]

Square off the tip and see if that helps.

 

[medalguy]

Well glad to see it's not just me. I have the headed pin in the depriming die, and went so far as to put a ball bearing in the space behind the pin to lengthen the pin already. I've tried setting the pin penetration length from just barely enough to punch the primer out, to having the depriming rod itself bottom out on the web of the brass, and everywhere in between. None of these adjustments seems to make any difference.


The only thing I haven't done (yet) is to grind off the end of the pin to square it up. I didn't want to do this unnecesesarily. You know, the law of unintended consequences and all.

Well I'm working my way through all this brass slowly and with some aggravation but I'm getting there. I was just wanting to see if maybe it was something particular to my operation or if others were experiencing the same problem. I guess it's a common problem, but I'm wondering why it seems to be a new problem. I haven't experienced this particular problem with other dies and this .380 die is a new one. Maybe RCBS changed something in their manufacturing process or specifications. I'll try them again on Monday and see what they say.

Thanks to all who commented.

 

[jcwit]

Doubt it the die, as it happened to me with Lee dies. I didn't try grinding the pin flat tho, might give it a try later.

 

[northark147]

At least its only happening every 20 or so.. The other night I had it happening about 1/3rd of the time. I'm gonna have to try that squaring off the end of the pin deal.

 

[amlevin]

This problem occurs a lot with 9mm as well. Dillon solved the problem with their sizing/decapping die by making the pin spring loaded. When pressing the primer out, the spring is compressed. When it's free of the primer pocket, the pin is "snapped" down by the spring thus "flicking" the primer off the pin. Much like someone might flick something nasty off a finger.

The pin is often sticking in the anvil and changing the profile of the head of the pin will relieve this. Some say square it off, some say make the radius smaller, but not pointed, and these will help.

For me, I just got a Dillon Die and haven't had the problem for the last 7 or 8 thousand rounds.

 

[medalguy]

Well, here's an update of sorts. I don't have a grinder available to square off the pin, so I dropped by my local reloading store and picked up a Lee carbide sizing die (all they had in stock) and replaced the RCBS with the Lee die. I normally don't use Lee equipment but prefer RCBS. However I have to admit, I've since sized/deprimed 1,200 cases and I have not had one single primer stick to the depriming pin with the Lee die. I'm impressed with whatever Lee does differently from RCBS. When I'm done I'll look carefully at the Lee pin and see if it's squared off more than the RCBS. But that seems to have solved the problem.

 

[amlevin]

medalguy-

Don't sell LEE dies short. They are a lot of "bang for the buck" and unless you want to spend 4-5 times as much you'll find they build some real straight and accurate ammo. You'll have to buy that High end "Competition" stuff to get better dies.

?Their plastic stuff, on the other hand-----

 

[Walkalong]

The anvil is V shaped on the inside contour. The pin wedges down in it. Square the end and it will generally stop.

 

[PCCUSNRET]

You might try one of the Lee Decapper dies for removing the primers.

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=LEE90292&src=sim

After 10 years of use, I have only broken 2 pins and had one pull out in a 357 Sig case. The replacement rods w/decapping pin can be found for a couple bucks. Hope this helps.

 

[thump_rrr]

Yuo could have also bought replacement decapping pins for the RCBS die.
They have 2 sizes small or large and they run about $3.00 for 5.