Breaking pins with LC crimped primers
- Thread starter krw
- Start date
Use a separate decapping die, like the Lee Universal. Has a collet to tension the rod, so it can slip before bending the pin.
Otherwise, don’t quickly “slam” the RCBS die/pin into the primer, but feed it in slower, then apply more force after the pin is firmly against the primer.
Otherwise, don’t quickly “slam” the RCBS die/pin into the primer, but feed it in slower, then apply more force after the pin is firmly against the primer.
more specifically these decapping dies.....https://www.mightyarmory.com/
I've broken way too many pins. This mighty armory die is fantastic.
I've broken way too many pins. This mighty armory die is fantastic.
Send the brass to m&s processed brass in Indiana they will process it for you for $40 a thousand.
I send my 5.56 brass to m&s dirty and when I get it back all that I do is run it through the Giraud and it’s all ready to go.
I use a frankford arsenal handheld depriming tool that I picked up on clearance at Academy for $15, grab a box of whatever I need to deprime and sit down on the couch with and throw an episode of The Office on. It uses different size collet inserts that can be restricted or loosened to help center the cases as you deprime. So far I've only deprimed a few thousand 7.62 and 3 5 gallon buckets worth of 5.56 in terms of crimped brass but I've only broken two decapping pins. They are pretty cheap to replace, Amazon does carry a hardened decapping pin under the Squirrel Daddy brand that is a little more expensive but based on reviews looks like it works fairly well.
If I’m not using a case prep tool head on a progressive, then I’m running on a RockChucker with a Case Kicker to speed things up. I run a good old Lee Universal Decap die and can fly through crimped primers with no problems.
I’ve been doing it for a long time and developed a feel for the stroke so I can feel the contact between the pin and the flash hole, then apply smooth stroke. I don’t smack the tool into the primer.
Another tip is to start out with segregated brass till you get the hang of it. Stick with all crimped for a session so you can get used to those without mixing in the regular ones. Slow down on the first ones till you can feel the difference at the contact point.
To start out, hesitate on the contact and then press. Learn what that feels like and the smoothness and speed will follow. The case kicker attachment is a must for reducing fatigue and minimizing the handling steps. With that kicker on the press, you can just reach for the next case as you stroke the press and it really speeds things up.
A new tool to watch is that Lee Automating Processing Press. If they smooth it out and get rid of the little bugs, that will also speed things up so you can focus on the decapping instead of the feeding.
I only broke on of these Lee tools in about 40 years worth of decapping lots of Mil-Spec ammo. They are cheap so keep a spare and don’t over think this. If you broke one, it probably was not aligned to the flash hole or maybe you ingested a Berdan primed case.
On the progressive head, the Mightyarmory tool is a good upgrade.
Good Luck and don’t worry.
I’ve been doing it for a long time and developed a feel for the stroke so I can feel the contact between the pin and the flash hole, then apply smooth stroke. I don’t smack the tool into the primer.
Another tip is to start out with segregated brass till you get the hang of it. Stick with all crimped for a session so you can get used to those without mixing in the regular ones. Slow down on the first ones till you can feel the difference at the contact point.
To start out, hesitate on the contact and then press. Learn what that feels like and the smoothness and speed will follow. The case kicker attachment is a must for reducing fatigue and minimizing the handling steps. With that kicker on the press, you can just reach for the next case as you stroke the press and it really speeds things up.
A new tool to watch is that Lee Automating Processing Press. If they smooth it out and get rid of the little bugs, that will also speed things up so you can focus on the decapping instead of the feeding.
I only broke on of these Lee tools in about 40 years worth of decapping lots of Mil-Spec ammo. They are cheap so keep a spare and don’t over think this. If you broke one, it probably was not aligned to the flash hole or maybe you ingested a Berdan primed case.
On the progressive head, the Mightyarmory tool is a good upgrade.
Good Luck and don’t worry.
