Decapping Question

[Chadp82]

I had a new problem today. I was resizing some once fired 300WM brass, and I broke 2 decapping pins. This is actually the first time I have ever broken one.

When the first pin broke, I figured maybe I didn't get the case in the shell holder all the way or something and was slightly out of alignment. I just chalked it up to an error on my part. I replaced the pin, set it to about 3/16" inch protruding from the die, and then proceeded to try again. When I hit the bottom of the stroke on the press, i heard a pop. The new pin broke. At this point, I scrapped the case, reinstalled another new pin, and everything went fine from there. I did run across one more case that was not wanting to let me push the primer out, so I scrapped it as well.

My question is, is it possible the hole from the primer pocket to the case was misaligned from the factory, where I was actually hitting the bottom of the case with the pin? This was once fired factory loaded ammo. Or is it possible the primer was so tight it just would budge?

 

[The Oregonian]

I switched to the decapping die from mighty armory, which seems to be much stronger. I have yet to snap one with that die, even using the small flash hole pin for all rounds so I don't have to switch pins based on what I am depriming.

 

[Seabeeken]

I recently saw several perfecta cases at the range that had the flash hole completely to one side of the pocket. I too have the mighty armory decap and its tough as nails. Ive even hit into a few berdan cases but still havent bent or broke a pin. An added benefit is it can also be used to swage pocket crimps with a few other parts

 

[Ken61]

I wonder if your decapping rod, the part that holds the decapping pin, might be bent a little or maybe isn't tight in the die

 

[Chadp82]

I wonder if your decapping rod, the part that holds the decapping pin, might be bent a little or maybe isn't tight in the die

It seems to like up just fine on the ones that didn't give me trouble. I did check to make sure it was tight.

I will check to see if it perfectly straight.

 

[Orange Dust]

More often than not when you break a pin you will also have to replace the rod. I buy them when I buy pins. Most likely it got a little loose, off-center, and missed the hole. Bet it has enough runout you can see it if you roll it on a flat surface.

 

[MagnumManiac]

I have come across off centre flash holes in factory ammo several times…even had eccentric primer pockets as well.
I have never broken a pin, if I feel the cases are suspect, I back off the lock ring and let the rod self align inside the case.
So it is very possible that you hit the bottom of the case because the hole was off centre.

Cheers.

 

[asd9055]

Are you sure the case did not have a "berdan" type primer hole? The one on the left is "Berdan"

 

[Chadp82]

Asd9055 - These were all matching headstamp and were the center hole like the one to the right as far is I could tell.

 

[asd9055]

Asd9055 - These were all matching headstamp and were the center hole like the one to the right as far is I could tell.

It was just a possibility.

 

[Ol' Red]

Just curious if these are military brass with a heavy crimp. I have decapped many rounds of military brass in the past and had one that broke two pins. The third pin punched it out with no problem. The flash hole appeared to be centered. It went into the recycle bin anyway.

 

[azarcher10x]

A buddy had some factory rounds he using up to reload. One just made a loud pop. When he extracted the round, the primer was blown up and fell out. The cartridge was unfired. There was literally no primer hole in the case! For safety reasons, I pulled the bullet and tossed the case.

 

[Orange Dust]

I got a 28 Nosler case from ADG with no flash hole out of the 200 I bought. I also got one in a box of Nosler "Prepped" brass. Never did figure that one out! Unfortunately, pretty common.

 

[264 Win Mag Man]

I also use mighty armory . I have never had a problem with all brands of brass including military. I highly recommend them.