Author Topic: Decapping crimped primers  (Read 1283 times)

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Darts2116

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Decapping crimped primers
« on: March 10, 2023, 09:12:17 AM »
Hi all I’m using a Lyman tmagII to learn how to reload. I’ve been buying Lee dies. The 9mm decapping and resizing die can’t handle military crimped brass. I called Lee and they told me I needed the universal depriming die. I got it installed it and tried to decap some LC nato stamped brass 5.56mm. The first one worked. Then I put the second one in and the decapping pin popped up. I fixed and really tightened it down. The next piece of brass I tried it on I snapped the tip off the decapping pin and it punch a hole in the side of the case. I had ordered extra pins but they won’t be delivered until next week. So my question is how do you decap crimped primers?  It’s not a big deal for 9mm I don’t have that much of the crimped brass. However I have a ton of LC brass for 5.56 and it’s all crimped.
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GuitarmanNick

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Re: Decapping crimped primers
« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2023, 05:37:44 PM »
The only time I have damaged a Lee universal decapping die pin, has been on a Berdan primed case that got mixed into my brass. It did what you describe because the anvil in the Berdan primed case tends to push the tip of the decapping pin away from the center as you apply pressure to the press.
It happened once, and I learned from the experience. Have not bent or broken a pin since because I carefully check each piece of brass before putting it into the shell holder.
I have no problem removing primers from crimped brass as long as the primers are Boxer.

Filroy77

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Re: Decapping crimped primers
« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2023, 06:43:55 PM »
What Nick said. Berdan cases have two flash holes.
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Rocketvapor

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Re: Decapping crimped primers
« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2023, 01:07:39 AM »
The LEE decapping stem is designed to slip.  Needs to be tight.
I've used the universal die for thousands of rounds without breaking a pin.

Normally the pin will enter the flash hole first, align, and then push out the primer.
Any misalignment and the pin hits the web and bends/breaks. 
Putting force on the pin when it is not in the flash hole will damage it. 
It's a 'Feel' thing when operating a press. 
When decapping is combined with another operation, like Full Length Resizing, decapping 'Feel' is lost. 
I haven't done crimped primers in a long time but pin in the hole and a slowly applied force should suffice to decap crimped primers.

Loading for precision, not bulk pew pew pew rounds I tend to separate every operation. 
Takes more time but when 'Feel' is needed, it's there. 
Sometimes I touch the base of the case so I can actually feel the pin enter the flash hole before pushing.


My typical reloading process (some order in steps is variable) is;
Shoot,
dump spent cases into tumbler,
take a nap :),
remove cases from media and media from cases,
quickly inspect cases for any visible issues,
anneal some loose pocket cases then anneal like cases,
deprime with the universal die and 'feel' for loose pockets,
Body size with a Redding Body only die,
-I have one preset for my 22 Nosler/Dogtown brass in my No-Gas AR, and another preset for the wife's
 22 Nosgar Gasser.  Run a few and check bump with a fit check in the chamber. 
Check length and trim (sizing can change case length),
deburr and chamfer,
Neck size with a LEE Collet Neck Die,
Sort the pile of brass by weight,
Presort bullets by weight and length, base to ogive,
Prime, again feeling for loose pockets,
Set the desired quantity in a loading block neck down,
Weigh powder and charge case, insert an upside down projectile in the neck and set back in the block neck up,
Seat bullets and check CBTO for a few then run with it.
Wipe off all lube and if for a competition fit check every one in the corresponding chamber.







« Last Edit: March 11, 2023, 01:24:16 AM by Rocketvapor »
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Darts2116

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Re: Decapping crimped primers
« Reply #4 on: March 11, 2023, 11:58:36 AM »
I may not have had the shell lined up properly. I decapped everything else with a Lee full length sizing die and that was 9mm. Live and learn. I know there is going to be more than one broken egg. I’m learning there is a finesse to reloading rather than brute force strength.
« Last Edit: March 11, 2023, 01:15:20 PM by Darts2116 »
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branflakes

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Re: Decapping crimped primers
« Reply #5 on: March 11, 2023, 12:38:33 PM »
The whole brute force and strength thing is a great take away from this. I have found if it is fighting back, check all components and start again.

Some of the newer x39 stuff was tough. Not sure if it was sealer or crimp. For those I bring the ram into contact, then give a strong nudge and steady force right after. Pulling some sealed bullets from loaded cartridges were similar.
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Darts2116

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Re: Decapping crimped primers
« Reply #6 on: March 11, 2023, 08:30:11 PM »
I save the piece of brass and it was not berdan primed. The shell was miss aligned and there was a dent  just off to the side of the flash hole. Lesson learned.
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GuitarmanNick

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Re: Decapping crimped primers
« Reply #7 on: March 14, 2023, 02:48:03 PM »
Glad you figured out what happened. Still a good idea to keep a spare pin on hand.

Darts2116

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Re: Decapping crimped primers
« Reply #8 on: March 14, 2023, 04:04:44 PM »
I had ordered 4 extra ones but I guess they were shipped from a different company. I got them yesterday and decapped a bunch of Military brass and it worked well. The ones that were the absolute hardest to decap were  Norma 9mm brass. It actually moved the pin slightly when I decapped them.
Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones, But Hollow Points Expand on Impact
 
“Easy Cochise I don’t see hollow point wound care on the menu…”