RCBS die problem (decapping apparatus)

[civilaggie2011]

I'm new to reloading, so don't be too harsh!

I'm trying to adjust my decapping pin upwards. However, the lock nut holding the entire decapping rod in position is so tight on the guide bushing that I can't get it to budge. I've stripped the flat head slot on the top of the decapping rod just trying to hold it in place while working at the nut.

Has anyone else run into this problem, and are there any easy solutions short of having RCBS send me a new part?

 

[Blackrock]

Tighten the die in the press, use a 7/16" end wrench on the nut. If too tight hold the die body firmly with a pair of Channel Lock pleirs. I have never found the need to use a screwdriver on the stem.

 

[JimKirk]

You should have held the die body and not the stem itself. The screwdriver slot is just to move the stem up and down after the lock nut is loose. The lock nut is bound against the knurled stem holder not the stem. Once you loosen the nut, you will be able to screw the stem up/down with your fingers. Cut a new slot with a hack saw... but you don't really new to, just use the fingers.

Clarification ... not really the body, but the knurled stem holder....neither should be over tightened....as RF said "snug"

 

[Walkalong]

Follow Jims advise, or call RCBS, and they will send you a new one.

Welcome to THR

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I've never had a RCBS decapping rod that was that hard to turn. Never even used the screwdriver slot, always turned the rod with my fingers. The locking nut should turn with the rod when it is loose. Have you run out of travel, running the decapping rod against the die body? Or is the rod bent or hitting an obstruction? RCBS can talk you through all of this and help you figure out what's wrong.

 

[unwise11]

My neck sizer die broke and I called and they are sending me a new one, no questions asked, RCBS is fantastic.

 

[civilaggie2011]

Jesse, I think you might be talking about removing the decapping apparatus from the die, which is easily done by hand. What I'm trying to do is move the decapping pin upwards in relation to the bottom of the die while still having the apparatus completely screwed into the die. I think this is accomplished by moving the lock nut and guide bushing up or down the threads of the decapping rod. I hope that doesn't sound too confusing.

The whole reason I'm doing this is because my brass is showing some shallow vertical scratches around the entire neck of the case after resizing, even when the die is squeaky clean. I've read that this could possibly be due to the expander/decapping pin being too low in the die. Am I on the wrong track?

 

[rfwobbly]

There have been many configurations down through the years, but I'll assume you have the latest model RCBS dies bought within the last 5 years.

The decapping (aka de-priming) assembly consists of a 1) decapping rod, 2) a decapping pin, held in place on the end of the rod by the 3) internal neck sizer, 4) a knurled rod holder which screws into the die body, and 5) a common 3/8" hex nut that acts as a lock nut (aka a "jam nut") for the rod.

Before the position of the #1 decapping rod can be moved up or down, the #5 plain hex nut must be loosened. Once the hex nut is loose ~1/4 turn, then the screwdriver slot can be used to adjust the position of the rod. When the rod is in the correct position, the #5 plain hex nut is returned to it's locking position by torquing it against the #4 knurled rod holder with a very small torque of 3 or 4 inch-pounds. In other words just "snug".



Hope this helps!

 

[DickM]

It sounds like he's trying to remove the piece that holds the decapping pin in place at the bottom of the threaded rod - the part that's also the expander in bottleneck rifle dies, but only decaps in pistol dies (part #3 in rfwobbly's photo) - so he can reposition the decapping pin higher while leaving the rest of the assembly in it's same location.

If so, that's not how you do it - there 's really no adjustment of the extent that the decapping pin protrudes out of that nut-like fixture. The entire decapper is repositioned by first loosening the 3/8" hex nut on the top, which should then allow you to move it very easily.

 

[civilaggie2011]

The picture and description helped confirm that I am trying to adjust the correct thing.

I don't need just the decapping pin to move up, I need the expander to go with it...so I think I'm doing the right thing, trying to loosen the hex nut at the top. It's just on there so tightly that it won't budge. I've used channel locks and they don't get a good enough grip on the guide bushing to hold it in place. I've had my roommates try as well, and they can't get the hex nut to loosen either.

I think I'll just have to get RCBS to send me another one.:banghead:

 

[kelbro]

Don't tell me, College Station, right??

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Don't tell me, College Station, right??

Isn't that the place that made seats for helicopters that ejected out the top?

He definitely needs to call RCBS and let them walk him through this.