Depriming problems in Dillon 650

[Tom-C]

This was a new one to me and took me a while to figure out and fix.

Dillon 650 and 38 special, at about the 2,000 mark for this load, I started getting primers left in the case. Once it started it got worse and worse. First once in a while and finally about half the time. When it first happened I pulled the die (RCBS) and cleaned/readjusted it. The resizing die is set just off the shell plate and the collet that holds the primer punch is just off touching the base of the case. With this adjustment the primer punch sticks out about ½ inch and I couldn’t see any way that the primers were not being pushed out (or the pin bending). Put a new die (Lyman) and everything is great, but this problem is bugging me. Problem is that you cannot see what is going on in there. This morning when I had just finished up at the gym and sitting in the steam room it hit me. The primer must have been sticking to the pin! I looked at the pin under 10 power and the tip is worn round. A new pin is squared off. There also is a round indentation in the Winchester primer anvil.

I called Dillon and they said it is fairly common. The primer comes back up on the pin until it touches, then vacuum pulls in back in most of the way and the new primer fully reseats it.

 

[cfullgraf]

The pin shape and pin extension can give you problems. The primer gets stuck on the end of the decapping pin and pulled back up into the pocket. Or, the pin extension is not enough for the primer to clear the pocket.

Lots of folks have the problem, including me, from time to time. I have never re-shaped the end of the pin, probably should, but I have read folks that have.

 

[EddieNFL]

Chuck gives good advice. I've had to polish a few pins over the years.

 

[Win1892]

8 years with a 650, with at least 50 thousand rounds loaded, and I've never had that happen.

 

[Marc257]

I've had the same problem with my Square Deal B. Polishing the decapping pin with a little 600 grit paper solves the problem.

 

[CMD-Ky]

Same problem on a 550, I used a green ScotchBrite pad to polish the pin. It solved the problem.

 

[jmorris]

I have had that happen but its been many years. Dillons pistol dies have a spring loaded decap pin that shoots the primer away once it clears the pocket, for this very reason.

 

[Master Blaster]

When it first happened I pulled the die (RCBS) and cleaned/readjusted it.

RCBS DIE, well there is your problem.

 

[Tom-C]

This die started out on a Dillon 550 and is now on the 650. Dates from 1981. Possibly 30,000 reloads or so. The tip is worn to a hemispere and rough, but the overall length is .9265, the same as a new one. Diameter is down about half a thousand at .0615.

I was using once fired Winchester and the anvil appears to be thicker that the anvils in the CCIs that I an reloading with. Looks like a "perfect storm" of a thicker anvil and a rounded pin that the anvil could grip.

I appreciate the advice about polishing the pin, But I think I'll bite the bullet, hang the expense and just replace it

 

[hentown]

I load on a 650, but use Lee dies. Never had a decapping problem.