Reloading .45acp

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jimmyj

jimmyj

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Preparing some once fired .45acp cases this P.M.
A couple of Winchester cases broke the decapping pins when I tried to decap them. First I thought "Crimped Primers" ?? So I went though the cases and put the Winchester cases aside. Later I punched the primers out by hand.

Does Winchester cases have crimped primers ?
 
Some of them do. May have been off center flash holes, but Winchester usually has better quality control than that. Was it by chance some of that steel case ammo?
 
You have the cases! Is there a ring stamped round the primer, if so that is the crimp.

I had a number of cases from range pick-up that the sides of the primer were fused to the pocket walls with corrosion. Some were hard to remove, some the deprimer pin just punched the whole top of the primer off!

Ivan
 
I've been reloading .45 for forty years. Never heard of that. I've punched out thousands of crimped primers and never a problem with a decapping pin. I'd check it out carefully.
 
Yes, at least some Wi Chester cases have crimped primers. I ran into this with some of their 38 Special cases.
 
I have loaded thousands of 45acp rounds with all kind of brass and never had that happen. Need to sort out the small primer but they should not cause a problem with the decapping pin.
 
Since 1972 I have broken several decapping pins (I just kept a ready supply on hand). Some have been my fault for not properly inspecting the brass before proceeding (foreign matter, tumbling media, etc). At least one was a seriously undersized flash hole in a case (seized the decapper pin and pulled it out of the decapper stem, broke when I tried to pull it out). A couple have been due to off-center flash holes. Manufacturing tolerances are what they are, and the ammo makers aren't producing ammo to be reloaded (although I'm sure they have figured out that it happens).

I have also resized and decapped thousands of military cases (.45, .38 Spl, .5.56mm, 7.62mm, .30-06) with crimped primers, and never had a problem doing so.

Over the years I developed my own routine for reloading. I no longer use reloading die decappers or neck expansion buttons. I decap as a separate operation and use Lyman M-dies for precise neck expansion without overly working the brass.

For decapping I have been using the old Lee Loader decapping rod and base (purchased new in 1972 with the Lee Loader tool set, $7.49). Couple of years ago I busted the decapping pin, contacted Lee Manufacturing, and they sent me a new one within a week at no charge. I bought another as a back-up.
 
A crimped primer wont break a decapping pin. Berdan cases or off center flash holes might.
 
I have bent only one decapping pin and I did it when a berdan primed case made it's way into my 45 ACP brass supply. I've punched out hundreds of crimped primers. The only thing I note with crimped primers is that it takes just a little more force to push the primer out of the pocket.
 
Always tighten your decapping assembly locking nut with a deprimed casing in the die. Helps to hold pin on center.
 
Don't think I've ever seen a crimped primer pocket in a 45 acp. I did come across some crimped primer pockets recently in some 38 SPL and 9mm range pick-ups...

Bayou52
 
Bayou52 said:
Don't think I've ever seen a crimped primer pocket in a 45 acp. I did come across some crimped primer pockets recently in some 38 SPL and 9mm range pick-ups...

Bayou52
Click to expand...
Really? When the 1911 was still the military's standard pistol and .45 ACP military brass was common, crimped .45 ACP brass was common. I guess I'm telling my age!
 
Bayou52 said:
Don't think I've ever seen a crimped primer pocket in a 45 acp. I did come across some crimped primer pockets recently in some 38 SPL and 9mm range pick-ups...

Bayou52
Click to expand...
Then you have never reloaded true, military brass. Crimped primer pockets were standard fare for all military brass, but was a step often skipped with civilian ammo loaded into military overrun brass. My last, major experience with primer pocket crimps in 45 ACP was with a batch of Israeli brass. I remember it well. The case heads were marked "TZZ-86" and it had already been deprimed. I found that it was nearly impossible to seat a primer until all 1000 of those pieces of brass had their primer pockets reamed. It was a chore, but it was also very uniform brass.
 
If range brass, it needs a real fine going over for any problems or defects !!

Off center flash holes are the major problem.......
the second is a bent or off center die pin, that just happens.

I try to look at the pin as I screw the die in to make sure that it is "True" and not turning.

After a Brass case goes through your dies, it should be good to go until it dies or is lost.


Note;
Any time I feel more resistance than normal on my stroke........... I STOP!!
There is a reason for more pressure than normal.
More lube needed, blockage, poor alignment etc....

Good luck.
 
Last edited:
Years ago. I replaced the stems and decapping pins in my .45 brass with the same units from a set of 30.06 dies. They are much larger, but still fit the .45 dies.
 
Anybody think of a small "O" ring or rubber washer under the decap spindle lock nut. Might provide enough flex to save the hassle of broken pins.
 
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