Military 5.56 brass decapping problems

[bsctov]

I'm trying to decap some lake city 5.56 brass to reload them, but the pin keeps backing out on my die, I tapped it back in with a hammer gently several times but it keeps backing out, and the nut is impossible to move even with channel lock plyers, I ordered the lee universal decapping die, but an I doing something wrong?

also, I will be using the die I have now for resizing the cases, how do I know how far to push the pin back in as to not screw up that process?

 

[bocefus78]

If you can tap it back down, it's not tight enough. Push it down flush with the top of the die.
Get 2 wrenches that fit the decapping pin collet and die body. Not pliers, or channel locks. Wrenches. Then Crank that thing down harder.

 

[rg1]

Plus make sure the end of the primer pin punch is rounded. May need to polish the end of the pin so it doesn't stick in the pushed out dead primer and try to pull the dead primer back into the pocket. This will pull the pin from the spindle too. Just lightly polish and round the end of the pin.

 

[Reefinmike]

Grab the flat sides of the die body with a wrenchand crank down on the collet nut on top. Like others said, if you can tap the pin back down, its not tight enough.

 

[243winxb]

My first Lee 223 die set had the same problem. The fix is RCBS dies. Never tried Lee again.

 

[bsctov]

Thanks for the info guys, I thew it in a vise and cracked it down with a pair of vise grips, went a good 2 turns, seems to be working now, hopefully it lasts.

 

[PhilMc]

I use a separate RCBS decap die, then run it through the sizing die afterwards. I have far less trouble doing things this way.

 

[GBExpat]

Thanks for the info guys, I thew it in a vise and cracked it down with a pair of vise grips, went a good 2 turns, seems to be working now, hopefully it lasts.

Alternately, you could have left the die in the press, used a ¾" open-end wrench on the die body and a ½" wrench on the decapping pin holder. It is far easier to avoid chewing things up that way.

Like PhilMc, I (usually) decap in a separate process. For this I use a Lee Universal Decapping Die.

 

[FROGO207]

FWIW You have to really tighten the collet on the decapping die to have it work as designed. It might be impossible to get it too tight as it is designed. It would be a good idea to invest in a pair of open ended or combination wrenches in those two sizes and keep them on the bench to use when needed. Pliers of any sort for tightening the collet will eventually ruin the nut. I have a complete set of Craftsman wrenches and a 10" Craftsman adjustable available as a dedicated reloading tool set. I can see where Lee could offer a pair of wrenches as an option for those that need only what they require. Between the wrenches, screw drivers, pliers, files, taps, and other such tools I have what amounts to a second complete dedicated set of tools located in the reloading room that I have built up over the years.

 

[frankenstein406]

Try sanding the decapping rod or lightly marring it with a par of pliers.

 

[Rule3]

Alternately, you could have left the die in the press, used a ¾" open-end wrench on the die body and a ½" wrench on the decapping pin holder. It is far easier to avoid chewing things up that way.

Like PhilMc, I (usually) decap in a separate process. For this I use a Lee Universal Decapping Die.

YES! use the right tools for the job, Proper size wrenches not vice grips!!

I have many many many LEE dies and no issue with the primer pin. In fact it is very difficult to loosen it if you want to take it out.

"Don't worry are mechanics are experts" (classic old commercial)

 

[gamestalker]

You really need 2 wrenches, pliers won't work.

Just use two actual wrenches, and tighten that nut down real tight. It's a collet design, so it requires some serious tension to keep the pin from moving with those crimped primers. They aren't the easiest decapping pins to deal with, but it can be corrected.

GS

 

[readyeddy]

My first Lee decapping pin broke while decapping primer crimped 5.56. My second decapping pin came loose, like the OP. Two wrenches were needed to tighten down the pin.

I later bought a universal decapping die to decap all crimped cases. I hate having to stop all production because of a parts failure.

 

[Dudedog]

The Lee Universal decap die is worth having for crimped .223. Some of them seemed to be crimped in quite well......