wvcardsfan
Member
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2020
- Messages
- 20
I have picked up a lot of .223 range brass lately. I set about depriming it only to find that it is VERY hard to deprime. I broke a pin doing them. Can anyone shed some light on this issue?
The only time I've ever come anywhere close to breaking a pin decapping is when I missed a Berdan-primed case. Crimped primers decap about the same as uncrimped.
Edit: but that seems to happen often enough that I stock spare stems and pins for every 5.56, 7.62, and .30-06-based cartridge.
Wondering if you've maybe got some Berdan primed brass
I've had Monarch brass break RCBS pins. The flash hole was about half a hole off and I had the decapper set too low.That would be my guess... that was my introduction to broken decap pins, some Indian .308 brass.
OP, dumb question time: This isn't steel-cased, is it?
The only time I've ever come anywhere close to breaking a pin decapping is when I missed a Berdan-primed case.
I've seen a lot of commercial .223 with crimped pockets.
I've had Monarch brass break RCBS pins.
Check the headstamp, is it military brass? If so the primer is crimped in. I used the Lee "whack-a-mole" primer remover. Haven't had to use it in years. It is inexpensive and warranted against breakage. They have replaced 2 for me in the past.
After deprime, you have to remove the crimp. Lots of ways, some inexpensive, some $$$. Least expensive is careful use of a pocket knife...(I've used this) and primer pocket uniformers are next step up $$wise. Comes in large and small primer size. My "technology" stopped there. You will hear all anout swagging shortly....
Some of us 'seasoned' reloaders (43 years for me) are just plain stubborn......I am not the best reloader of all time but for some reason I can "feel" the ocasional extra back pressure from the berdan primer and stop.
Be aware too that NATO brass isn't the only cases that are crimped. I've seen a lot of commercial .223 with crimped pockets. I run everything I pick up at the range through my Dillon swagger
Some of us 'seasoned' reloaders (43 years for me) are just plain stubborn......
I second the use of the Dillon super Swage.I vote for the Dillon Super Swage 600 for the crimp normalization stage.
I second the use of the Dillon super Swage.
Is is true that you must adjust the swager for every different 223 headstamp?[/QUOTE
No. Once you adjust the Dillon Super Swage for your specific cartridge, the 5.56 or 223 for example, you never have to adjust it again regardless of what head stamp cartridge you're swaging. If you switch from 223 to 9mm you would have to change the swaging arm and readjust the tool. Been using mine for at least 5-6 years so I speak from experience.
Crimped primers decap about the same as uncrimped.
Yup! One of the best tools for brass prep I have ever bought.I will second the use of the Universal decapping die.
Answered above..........Is is true that you must adjust the swager for every different 223 headstamp?