Decapping issue

[WildBillD]

I need some help. I have a Dillon 550 and am having a problem decapping 9mm brass. Every 10-15 rounds, it's not knocking the old primer out consistently. I've loaded .357 and .45 and have not had this problem. I'm guessing the pockets on 9mm may be a tad tighter, but that's just a guess. Could also be the hole in the case the decapping pin goes through is smaller. Again, just a guess.

I'm using Lee carbide dies, and since I've had this problem, make sure to make full strokes both directions.

I talked to Dillon and they said the spent primer is getting stuck on the decapping pin, and then getting sucked back into the case when lowering the ram to insert the new primer. I can see that could happen, so it makes sense to me. Dillon said to flatten the decapping pin with a file, which I did, but hasn't helped. It doesn't matter which type of brass, as it has done it with Speer, Federal, R-P and S B. Most of the time the spent primer is flush with the bottom of the case, but the attached picture shows the primer halfway out (or in, but since it's a spent primer, let's use out). This particular case has been through the decapping die 3 times, and doesn't want to come out.

I know a lot of you have been reloading a lot longer than me, and hopefully someone has had a similar problem and also a fix.

Thanks, Bill

 

[ronnie gore]

primer

i had the same problem with several dillion square deal presses i have, never had the problem until i switched to remington primers, dillion told me to take the decapping pin out and grind it like sharpening a pencil, which i did and have had no more problem.

 

[PhilOhio]

I've had that problem now and then, with the Lee dies in my RL550B also. The Lee pin is held in a collet, to let it slip rather than break if you accidentally hit a Berdan primed case, etc.

I just had an idea, which I think might work, but I haven't tried it myself. Remove the pin and, with a Dremel cutoff wheel, cut the tip of it off at about a 75 - 80 degree angle, rather than 90 degrees and rounded. This should still let it guide into flash holes O.K.

Then, what I think might happen is that as the primer is pressed out, when it is clearing the last bit of the primer pocket, it will tilt slightly, because of the new angle. Then it will be impossible for it to be drawn squarely back into the pocket on the up stroke, because it will no longer be centered and squared with the pocket...just enough.

I'm assuming that you also know that the collet holding the pin in the sizing die has to be adjusted very tight, or the pin will slowly slip, protruding less, until eventually it does not push every primer all the way out. I'm talking REALLY tight, using two pairs of pliers. Are you sure that something like this is not happening? It gave me fits for awhile, until I got used to how the Lee die works. I had used RCBS exclusively for years. The Lee decapping system is better; fewer broken pins. And die quality is very good, at much lower cost.

 

[max]

You might adjusting the pin so that it sticks out further and pushes the old primer out more.

 

[tlen]

You might adjusting the pin so that it sticks out further and pushes the old primer out more.

+1. Every time I have a primer issue not having the pin stick out enough is usually the problem.

 

[WildBillD]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have the pin flush with the nut, and it's tight. That was my first thought but was not the case.

I've been thinking about this all day. I think what Dillon said was correct: it's getting stuck on the pin and sucked back in. Something in the primer, probably the anvil, is acting kind of like a speed nut. Goes on fairly easy in one direction, and but not the other. I think I'll try to put a very slight taper on the pin and see if that works. Funny it only happens with 9mm though.

 

[sar4937]

Back during the primer shortage I purchased CCI primers, and they are consistantly doing this to me. Since your other listed calibers are large primers, perhaps your 9's are CCI's? The methods mentioned will fix the problem, and when I run out of CCI's I will go back to Winchester.

 

[fredj338]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have the pin flush with the nut, and it's tight. That was my first thought but was not the case.

I've been thinking about this all day. I think what Dillon said was correct: it's getting stuck on the pin and sucked back in. Something in the primer, probably the anvil, is acting kind of like a speed nut. Goes on fairly easy in one direction, and but not the other. I think I'll try to put a very slight taper on the pin and see if that works. Funny it only happens with 9mm though.

THis is possible, but adjusting the pin to push the primer further out should eliminate it. I use RCBS dies in my 550B for 9mm, never have issues.

 

[Treeman]

I also only experience this with any consistency in 9 x 19 . A second cycling usually clears it(Another reason that I still process cases single stage in box lots.)