Currently have a set of RCBS universal de-capping dies that I'm not overly impressed with, and want to get a different one. The one I'm looking at comes with a choice of a large (.074"), or a small (.057") pin. My pistol reloading ranges from 380, up through 45 Colt, and rifle goes from 204 Ruger up thru 338 WM. I think that all these cases would use the larger size, but not sure. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? TIA.
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primer flash hole question......
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OP
Update.... I'd left a message with the manufacturer with my question the other day and they finally just returned my call. According to him, the difference is that Lapua and most other European brass has the small flash hole, while American made brass uses the larger sized flash hole.
In the same caliber, some manufacturers may use a small flash hole and others may not. I don’t know of any foolproof way to say you could use the large size for everything you might have. Why not just buy the small size and figure it will likely work for anything.
boatbum101
Member
Depends on primer size . Large primer cases have the usual .080 & small primer cases have the smaller .060 . Supposedly to reduce ES / SD for long-range target loads .
rockquarry
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I've used a Lee universal depriming die for more than thirty years. It works fine for small or large primers, rifle or pistol cases. About a 1/4" of the pin broke off years ago but it still works fine as is. Very inexpensive.
OP
I've read that, but not sure how standard it is. I have some 221 Fireball brass with large holes.
I have come across the small hole/large primer combination with European 7.62x51mm, brass, boxer-primmed, ammo.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I had purchased a universal decapping die years ago and noticed it wouldn't do Magnum length Cases (375 H&H, 338 Lapua Mag, 300 Weatherby Mag stuff!) Then I realized that all it was is a 458 Win Mag Neck Die!
Any sizing die bigger than what you are decapping will do. Now days I just use the 375H&H die.
True Bench Rest and PPC cases have a "Tiny" flash hole. I mistakenly used a Univeral type decapper with a "Small" depriming pin and enlarged the hole in 60 of my 200 cases. In my rifle is seems to make a difference (SAKO VARMITER 6 PPC with Match chamber) Those 60 cases get a load for under 300 yards the unmolested cases are good out to 700 yards.
I have a 10" 221 Fireball T/C Contender, I have 3 brands of brass, from the factory they each had a different size flash hole, but the 4 sizing dies I own all came with a standard "Small" decapping pin. The more resent Remington brass shoots the worst, the reformed Lapua brand 222 Rem brass is second and the Nosler shoots the best! Which just happens to follow the flash hole size largest to smallest.
Ivan
Any sizing die bigger than what you are decapping will do. Now days I just use the 375H&H die.
True Bench Rest and PPC cases have a "Tiny" flash hole. I mistakenly used a Univeral type decapper with a "Small" depriming pin and enlarged the hole in 60 of my 200 cases. In my rifle is seems to make a difference (SAKO VARMITER 6 PPC with Match chamber) Those 60 cases get a load for under 300 yards the unmolested cases are good out to 700 yards.
I have a 10" 221 Fireball T/C Contender, I have 3 brands of brass, from the factory they each had a different size flash hole, but the 4 sizing dies I own all came with a standard "Small" decapping pin. The more resent Remington brass shoots the worst, the reformed Lapua brand 222 Rem brass is second and the Nosler shoots the best! Which just happens to follow the flash hole size largest to smallest.
Ivan
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SAAMI specs:
- rifle/pistol cases using large primers use a 0.078" - 0.082" flash hole.
- small primer pocket rifle and pistol cases use a smaller flash hole size of .074" - .078".
.
European CIP brass use 1.6mm - 1.7mm flash holes. (.063"-.067")
.
The Lyman Flash Hole Uniformer tool cuts a .080" dia. hole.
.
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gwpercle
Member
Get a package of both sized pins , small and large ...
You never know when you will bend a large one in a small hole or try to decap a Berdan peimed or crimped=in primer ...
I learned years ago ... you need to have spare pins on hand at all times and get both sizes .
I usually buy a package of 10 or 12 pins to keep on hand ...
Trust me on this ... you will use them and you will be glad to have spares on hand !
Gary
You never know when you will bend a large one in a small hole or try to decap a Berdan peimed or crimped=in primer ...
I learned years ago ... you need to have spare pins on hand at all times and get both sizes .
I usually buy a package of 10 or 12 pins to keep on hand ...
Trust me on this ... you will use them and you will be glad to have spares on hand !
Gary
I've been reloading for almost 60 years. The only time I've needed anything other than the usual US decapping pin diameters (there are two different sizes from some manufacturers-largely to deal with crimped military primers) was after I bought Lapua .308 Palma Match brass with small primer pockets and the tiny (~0.060 in) flash hole.
However, in my adventures searching for a decapping die with the appropriate pin for the Lapua brass, I discovered that apparently, some folks who make cases for .17-20 caliber rounds have gone to the tiny flash holes. They're also pretty much standard for some cases made for precision target shooting-like the PPC benchrest rounds. The small primer/flash hole is supposed to provide more uniform ignition of the powder. From examining spent primers I've a sneaking suspicion it also minimizes pressures in the primer compared to the standard size flash hole.
I'd go with the larger size and a package of spare pins. BUT, I can't believe I'm actually touting a Lee product, but they make a decapping die with the tiny pin for a most reasonable $13. A good thing to have on hand if you need it. I've used it to pop a few primers in cases with standard flash holes with no issues, but I'd be real hesitant to try to punch crimped in military primers with it. Over the decades I've bent/broken a few decapping pins.
However, in my adventures searching for a decapping die with the appropriate pin for the Lapua brass, I discovered that apparently, some folks who make cases for .17-20 caliber rounds have gone to the tiny flash holes. They're also pretty much standard for some cases made for precision target shooting-like the PPC benchrest rounds. The small primer/flash hole is supposed to provide more uniform ignition of the powder. From examining spent primers I've a sneaking suspicion it also minimizes pressures in the primer compared to the standard size flash hole.
I'd go with the larger size and a package of spare pins. BUT, I can't believe I'm actually touting a Lee product, but they make a decapping die with the tiny pin for a most reasonable $13. A good thing to have on hand if you need it. I've used it to pop a few primers in cases with standard flash holes with no issues, but I'd be real hesitant to try to punch crimped in military primers with it. Over the decades I've bent/broken a few decapping pins.
rockquarry
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This thread has drifted a lot almost from the beginning. I think the initial poster is talking about a universal decapping die, one die you can use for depriming any cartridge.
RMFnLA
Member
9mm Norma has the smaller hole as well.
Yeah, but a good many die manufacturers sell those dies in SETS (or 2 separate dies) because there can be issues with the one size does all approach. You just might get away with it if you never, ever reload any brass with crimped primers.
BTW, the "small" primer punch in my RCBS universal decapping die is too big for the Lapua flash holes. If you order the set of dies, you can request the punch for the itty bitty flash holes. Lyman appears to use a short pin-less likely to break- small enough to do it all, but buy a pack of spare pins just in case.
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rockquarry
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I've found the Universal Lee decapping die works for everything. On the other hand, I've decapped many, many crimped .223 primers with a regular .223 size die. I don't recall ever breaking a decapping pin doing so, but it's certainly a possibility.
Chubbs103
US Veteran
Mind if I ask what the issue is?
I'm just honestly curious, but it might help folks narrow down a recommendation.
OP
The large decap die has a spring on it, between the pin and the shaft that is supposed to kick the primer off of the pin, but the spring seems to always get bound up between the two and reduce the travel, not allowing it to fully deprime the case. I've purchased several springs from RCBS, but they don't seem to make a difference. The small decap die is solid, w/o the spring, which should make it work better, but I haven't used it yet.
After looking on-line, many people have had the same problem.
Chubbs103
US Veteran
Interesting. It is likely mine is just too old to be spring loaded.
One thing I have learned is that RCBS has excellent customer service. If they have a non spring loaded pin that will fit, I bet they will send you one for free.
One thing I have learned is that RCBS has excellent customer service. If they have a non spring loaded pin that will fit, I bet they will send you one for free.
