Loading .40sw and ignoring the little voice

[SwaneeSR]

Did something stupid tonight.

Reloading .40SW tonight, it's been a while. I have been loading a lot of trap loads this Summer, not much else.

I set my Dillon 550b up and was about 50 rounds into the run when I felt resistance when pulling the lever down on the press. The little voice said "lay off". So I did once, didn't see anything wrong, pulled down hard and snapped the decapping pin on the resizer die.

No big deal since I have one spare pin. Why didn't I just listen to the little voice? So I had to stop everything and repair a totally avoidable mistake.

 

[gamestalker]

Things happen. Maybe just listen to that little voice next time

GS

 

[shovel66]

Glad you had a spare pin laying around. It could have been much worse if you would have had to place a $12 order (with shipping) to Dillon for a $1.00 part.

 

[SwaneeSR]

True. It is nice having spare parts when you need them.

In general, I have a habit of keeping too many spare parts around. But in the reloading room, it is a must.

 

[kerreckt]

Spare parts take the sting out of these types of mistakes. I try to stop and listen to that little voice. It is hard for me but that voice is usually right.

 

[Scooter22]

Ahh look at the big picture. It was a cheap, easy fix and nothing went BOOM. If we listened to the "little voice" all the time we'd never have fun.

 

[vaalpens]

I thought there were two voices. One coming from the left shoulder , and the other from the right shoulder . The one telling you to go ahead, nothing will happen, and the other say stop, there is a problem. The one telling you that it is fine to start at the maximum charge, and the other saying no, start at minimum and work up your load.

So what actually broke the decapping pin. Wouldn't the primer come out or was something misaligned?

 

[bfalcon00]

Yeah I would like to know what actually broke the pin as well. I'm guessing something down in the flash hole. That's what usually get me.

 

[Dframe]

Good lesson here. NEVER ignore the little voice!! Always investigate.

 

[Sunray]

NEVER ignore the little voice, but don't be seen talking to it. Isn't a good idea to give it a name either. snicker.
Two voices is a different thing. Indicates a metal illness. HAHAHAHAHA.
Decapping pins will break. No big deal, They're the same size in every die by the same maker. RCBS(assuming you have their dies) will send you a whole pack of 'em for the asking. Otherwise, decapping pins are cheap.
They can be made out of finishing nails in a pinch too.

 

[vaalpens]

Two voices is a different thing. Indicates a metal illness. HAHAHAHAHA.

You are probably correct.

 

[SwaneeSR]

Missalignment was the problem. It missed the pocket and tried to push out the bottom of the case. It may have been obvious if I would have pulled the case out of the station and checked before pulling hard and breaking the pin.

I load 9mm and .40sw on the press. I have tool heads setup for both.

It may be a good idea to do some preventive maintenance from time to time. Dissassemble and clean up resizing station and primer feed assembly etc.

PS - i feel and look like Homer more every day.....