Sticking Primers

[SC_Dave]

During the decapping process I'm having an issue with sticking primers. I have the decapping pin as far down as I'm comfortable putting it and they still stick from time to time. I assume it's the sealant the factory puts in the pocket. I'm using an RCBS die and pin. Anyone else experience this? Any solutions?
Thanks in advance.
SCD

 

[Cheesemaker]

What makes you uncomfortable about setting the decapping pin a bit lower?

I have always turned mine down more when primers stick.

 

[SC_Dave]

Well it's nearly bottoming out against the inside of the case if my measurements are correct as it is now.

 

[splattergun]

It's gotta stick out far enough to push the primer out. Otherwise, it won't work right.

 

[Cheesemaker]

How close is nearly? What caliber?
How many stick? Everyone? 1 in 2? 1 in 5? 1 in 10?

I would turn it down a half turn and see if that helps - or causes other issues. I would be surprised if it did.

 

[SC_Dave]

9MM
1 in 5 stick
I can't see the pin when the press is in the up stroke so I'm going by my measurements. IF they are correct the pin should be sticking past the base of the case by 1/4 of an inch on the up stroke of the press. Which again, IF my measurements are correct on the inside of the case it should be close to bottoming out. I can't tell how close is close because I can't see inside to tell.
BTW it's on a LnL AP.
SCD

 

[Dave P]

How bout taking a case with no priners, and sliding the punch all the way down, and then tighten it.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Don't forget to take into account the thickness of the shell plate when doing your measurements.

Another thing to look for is the anvil sticking to the decapping pin and pulling the primer partly back inside the pocket when the case is withdrawn from the die. If this is happening, simply polish the end of the decapping pin and round it slightly.

When properly set up, the decapping pin should extend past the bottom of the die enough to push the expended primer all the way out of the case. A good way to test to see if you've adjusted the decapping stem properly is to back off the stem and take a deprimed case and run it up into the die. With the case all the way inside the die, screw the decapping stem down until the lock nut touches the inside base of the case. Now back it off several turns and lock it in place. That should solve that part of the problem.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[SC_Dave]

As you can see in the photo I adjusted the pin down so far it left a witness mark in the bottom of a dirty case. I then backed off 1/2 turn at a time until this mark was no longer present. Unless the thickness of the shell plate takes up more than the length of the decapping pin I am pushing completely through the base of the case correct?

 

[rg1]

Round and polish the tip of the decap pin as mentioned. A pin will hang in the primer anvil and when on the upstroke will lightly seat the primer back into the pocket. Rounded pins won't hang in the spent primer.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Is the spent primer not being thrown clear or is it getting pulled back into the primer pocket as the pin is withdrawn?

I usually work it backwards.

Raise a deprimed case into the die and insert the decapping pin through the primer hole to correctly align it. Back the pin off half a turn and tighten...or just use a separate de-capping die.

On my LNL AP, I use a Lee de-capping die in Station 1 and the sizing die in Station 2

 

[SC_Dave]

Problem solved

As mentioned by several I rounded and polished the pin. I also put a little teflon lubricant on the pin. The lube is no big deal for me because my next step is to send the decapped cases through the sonic cleaner anyway so any residual thats left will be gone. Anyway, the next 100 or more cases decapped with no stuck primers at all. Problem solved! Thanks a lot fellas! You helped me solve a very aggravating problem!
SCD

 

[ReloaderFred]

Glad you solved the problem. It's not really that rare an occurrence, so don't feel bad.

Fred

 

[SC_Dave]

Thanks for your help!
SCD

 

[Walkalong]

It's not really that rare an occurrence, so don't feel bad.

Yep, I have had a couple of different decapping pins in sizers do it. Really confused me for a bit the first time around.

 

[mdi]

I wish I could help, but in 30 years of reloading with a press and dies, I've never even had to measure, just look at the pin protruding below the die ("Hmm, that otta do"). I have used Lee, Pacific, RCBS, and Herters dies...

 

[Walkalong]

It isn't a matter of measurement, or even where the pin is, it is the shape of the pin that catches sometimes. It wedges in the anvil and hangs up.