My new rule for decapping crimped primers

[dbarnhart]

I was decapping a thousand rounds of 223 today, most of them with crimped primers. Every now and then I would hit one that the primer was in the pocket really tight and the decapping pin would go 'thunk' when it hit it. (yes, they are all boxer primed).

After the second time I broke a decapping pin on one of them, I suddenly came to the realization:

1. I have about 4000 cases in my stockpile, so I have plenty.
2. An individual 223 case is worth 3 - 5 cents - a lot less than the pin.

Not worth the time and aggravation of replacing a decappng pin. So now when I encounter one that goes 'thunk' I just toss it into the scrap bucket

 

[noylj]

It takes a wise man to know when a task in not worth doing.
I looked at the situation when I bought a .223 Rem and simply bought 200 virgin cases. For the number of times I will shoot and reload them, they should last for the rest of my 10-20 years here on Earth.

 

[beatledog7]

A very rational approach, and one that I respect. It sure is hard to toss a case though.

 

[USSR]

Not worth the time and aggravation of replacing a decappng pin.

Agreed. That's why I use a Universal Decapping Die. Built like a friggin' tank, you will never need to replace the pin.

Don

 

[langenc]

Get RCBS dies. They will send new pins at no cost.

 

[kelbro]

That Lee decapper is tough.

 

[dbarnhart]

I believe that the Lube Die #1 and the small Universal Decapping Die share the same decapping rod and pin.

 

[Canuck-IL]

Just get the Lee Universal decapper and 3 extra pins ... I've broken 7 pins or so over the years, mostly off-center flash holes that bend the pin rather than force it out of the collet. Eventaully ig gets flexed enough that it snaps.
Whenever I've got 2 broken I mail them to Lee and get 2 fresh ones back in a couple of days.
/Bryan

 

[Fishslayer]

Not worth the time and aggravation of replacing a decappng pin. So now when I encounter one that goes 'thunk' I just toss it into the scrap bucket

Yup. That makes perfect sense. I have loads of brass but when sorting pistol brass I still cringe when deciding a case is just too creased to use and tossing it in the bin. I gusee it's my inner miser/hoarder acting up.

 

[m33p0n3]

Yep, I had an old milsurp case actually pull the decapper portion out of the stem of my sizing die. Turns out that whole batch with that headstamp was such a bear to get through because the flash holes were way undersize.

 

[rcmodel]

"Thunk" generally indicates you hit a Berdan case with no flash hole.
Or, the flash hole is off center.
Or, your decapping stem is not truly centered in the die threads.
Or, your die is not truly centered in the press threads.

I like to loosen the locknut's, then run the decapping pin down in a flash hole.
Then wiggle the die in the press threads, and wiggle the decapping stem in the die threads.
Then tighten both locknut's.

That insures the pin is really centered in relation to the die and shell holder centerline.

I haven't broken a decapping pin in about 35 years.

rc

 

[ArchAngelCD]

All good points and ideas but when I decap crimped primers I use the Lee hand decapper and base for military cases.
here is the link for the 22 Cal decapper and for the 30 Cal decapper. They are fast and easy and most of all, they work!

 

[TheCracker]

I've decapped 2500 crimped primers through my lee full sizing die with no problems. My thoughts are possible off center flash holes is a good possibility.

 

[chris in va]

I also noticed those undersized flash hole 223's. One broke my pin actually. It's a certain headstamp, can't remember right off hand but I know it when I see it.

 

[jcwit]

All good points and ideas but when I decap crimped primers I use the Lee hand decapper and base for military cases.
here is the link for the 22 Cal decapper and for the 30 Cal decapper. They are fast and easy and most of all, they work!

Same way I've done it for years, there's a new decapper similar to a hand priming tool that I plan to get that will also keep one from breaking pins if they watch what they're doing.