FrankenMauser
New member
My bent/broken parts were the expander/decapper assemblies, not just the replaceable pin. Still, RCBS had double replacements to me within 5 days; on each occassion.
Busted My RCBS Decapping Die
- Thread starter 1911_freak
- Start date
FrankenMauser
New member
That's a negative. As I said, I was doing things the dies were never designed for. (And shall not be revealed.)
The OP still hasn't responded, though.
johndefresno
Inactive
I found this review and believe that a comment in order, for possible new users of this lube die.
I just ordered all four dies and note that the decapping pin is factory installed w-a-a-y deeper than it should be.
The instructions that come with the dies state that the decapping pin should be only 3/16" below the die. That should end your problems.
I just ordered all four dies and note that the decapping pin is factory installed w-a-a-y deeper than it should be.
The instructions that come with the dies state that the decapping pin should be only 3/16" below the die. That should end your problems.
Call or email RCBS and they will correct the problem. They sent me a free 5-pack of pins many years ago when I broke one.
More recently, the handle on my RCBS Jr. single stage press got bent. I sent them an email inquiring as to replacement cost of a new handle. They replied that they did not make that handle any longer, but if I would send them the linkage that the handle screws into, they would re-drill and tap the linkage to fit one of their current handles which they would send back with the linkage at no charge. Can't get much better than that for customer service.
More recently, the handle on my RCBS Jr. single stage press got bent. I sent them an email inquiring as to replacement cost of a new handle. They replied that they did not make that handle any longer, but if I would send them the linkage that the handle screws into, they would re-drill and tap the linkage to fit one of their current handles which they would send back with the linkage at no charge. Can't get much better than that for customer service.
The one and only time I ever broke a decapping pin was trying to unknowingly decap Berdan primed brass. If the brass headstamp looks unfamiliar , shine a light down inside the brass and look for those two small eyes staring back at you. If this is the case toss the brass in the scrap bag...
WVMountaineer
New member
I've broken RCBS decapping pins before. They have always replaced them but, never sent more than one. i have never broken a Lee. God Bless
To avoid bending a pin may be all you need to learn.
When setting up the die. Place the case in the shell holder and screw down the die to your setting with the primer pin backed out so as not to make contact with the flash hole.
Then tighten the die. Now screw in the punch pin with your fingers until it makes contact with the primer. Back die off with the press handle and lower the pin about 3 turns. With your fingers gently lower the press handle to the bottom of its stroke. The primer should fall out if the pin is low enough. If the primer failed to pop out. Continue lowering the pin until the primer pops out. Turn the pin down a little at a time. When the primer pops out with the pin at the bottom of the stroke lock the punch pin location.
As you work the rest of the cases if a primer fails to fall lower the pin a little more as above. Always lock the pin with it in the flash hole to hold that location.
Use the press with finesse by lowering it and feeling the contact. Learn to feel the process.
I always deburr flash holes the first time I load my cases to eliminate problems in this case (snags).
This is the way I set up and punch primers.
To feel the process is to know what is going on.
When setting up the die. Place the case in the shell holder and screw down the die to your setting with the primer pin backed out so as not to make contact with the flash hole.
Then tighten the die. Now screw in the punch pin with your fingers until it makes contact with the primer. Back die off with the press handle and lower the pin about 3 turns. With your fingers gently lower the press handle to the bottom of its stroke. The primer should fall out if the pin is low enough. If the primer failed to pop out. Continue lowering the pin until the primer pops out. Turn the pin down a little at a time. When the primer pops out with the pin at the bottom of the stroke lock the punch pin location.
As you work the rest of the cases if a primer fails to fall lower the pin a little more as above. Always lock the pin with it in the flash hole to hold that location.
Use the press with finesse by lowering it and feeling the contact. Learn to feel the process.
I always deburr flash holes the first time I load my cases to eliminate problems in this case (snags).
This is the way I set up and punch primers.
To feel the process is to know what is going on.
I've built many reloading dies and always used drill blanks for the decaping pins.
These are actually hardened drills that haven't yet been ground with flutes. You'll have to shorten them off by using a cutoff wheel and grinding them to length. They can be bought at tool supply companies that sell to machine shops. They come in all sizes, letter, number and fraction. You just have to mike you're decaping pin that you need to replace to know what to buy.
Also always adjust them as short as possible to remove the primer to make them less likely to break.
These are actually hardened drills that haven't yet been ground with flutes. You'll have to shorten them off by using a cutoff wheel and grinding them to length. They can be bought at tool supply companies that sell to machine shops. They come in all sizes, letter, number and fraction. You just have to mike you're decaping pin that you need to replace to know what to buy.
Also always adjust them as short as possible to remove the primer to make them less likely to break.
Mike Irwin
Staff
You're not a real reloader if you haven't broken at least one RCBS decapping pin.
As with others, it's one of the reasons why I went over to Lee dies.
As with others, it's one of the reasons why I went over to Lee dies.