Not sure why my decapping pins are getting bent....
-
- Posts: 16
- Joined: 26 Apr 2015 11:16
- My Press Choice: Turret
- Location: TX
- Been thanked: 5 times
Not sure why my decapping pins are getting bent....
OK Lee Gods,
I've bent three decapping pins in my Lee .308 dies over the past two weeks, and I can't figure out why. I don't use Berdan-primed brass, so I know it's not that. I can't see anything that's out of alignment, and like I said, everything has been fine using that die until fairly recently. Any ideas? Thanks.
I've bent three decapping pins in my Lee .308 dies over the past two weeks, and I can't figure out why. I don't use Berdan-primed brass, so I know it's not that. I can't see anything that's out of alignment, and like I said, everything has been fine using that die until fairly recently. Any ideas? Thanks.
- Fyodor
- Founding Member & Supporter
- Posts: 1512
- Joined: 04 Jan 2014 05:45
- My Press Choice: Progressive
- Location: Gernsbach, Germany
- Has thanked: 794 times
- Been thanked: 504 times
Re: Not sure why my decapping pins are getting bent....
The only reason they can bend is when they hit the case head instead of the hole. I bent one so far, and that was a clear indicator that the shellplate was out of alignment. I use a pro1000, which press do you use for decapping? Please give a short description of your process and tools used.
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
- Evelyn Beatrice Hall, often misattributed to Voltaire
I think I'm thinking, therefore I may possibly be.
- Evelyn Beatrice Hall, often misattributed to Voltaire
I think I'm thinking, therefore I may possibly be.
-
- Founding Member
- Posts: 736
- Joined: 30 Jun 2013 09:30
- My Press Choice: Turret
- Location: Kingsland, GA
- Has thanked: 51 times
- Been thanked: 222 times
Re: Not sure why my decapping pins are getting bent....
I've not seen cheap .308 brass but flash holes don't always line up the way they should. Agree it could be the case not centered in the shell holder or plate. Make sure the case enters the die body straight.
- Ranch Dog
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6457
- Joined: 22 Jun 2013 17:16
- My Press Choice: Progressive
- Location: Inez, TX
- Has thanked: 1617 times
- Been thanked: 2850 times
Re: Not sure why my decapping pins are getting bent....
I see trashy's preference is the turret press so it is possible the issue is turret head alignment with the ram. Which turret do you have trashysquid?
Michael
-
- Founding Member
- Posts: 1617
- Joined: 17 Oct 2013 18:09
- My Press Choice: Turret
- Location: West Virginia
- Has thanked: 1017 times
- Been thanked: 323 times
Re: Not sure why my decapping pins are getting bent....
Good point as mine is starting to give me fits after 2 years of use and about 2500 rounds through it. So it's time to change that 50 cent part Lee sells.Ranch Dog wrote:I see trashy's preference is the turret press so it is possible the issue is turret head alignment with the ram. Which turret do you have trashysquid?
Je suis Charlie
-
- Posts: 16
- Joined: 26 Apr 2015 11:16
- My Press Choice: Turret
- Location: TX
- Been thanked: 5 times
Re: Not sure why my decapping pins are getting bent....
I use a four-hole Lee Classic turret. I use the sizing die to decap my brass, which is always commercial (RP/PMC/WIN/FC). I don't recall doing anything to the press to knock it out of alignment (if it's that), but I did disassemble my .308 die set recently to clean it since it sees so much use. I do tighten the pins in my dies down pretty good, because I've had troubles in the past with the pins slipping up through the collet fairly easily, or getting stuck inside the brass. Thoughts?Fyodor wrote:The only reason they can bend is when they hit the case head instead of the hole. I bent one so far, and that was a clear indicator that the shellplate was out of alignment. I use a pro1000, which press do you use for decapping? Please give a short description of your process and tools used.
-
- Founding Member
- Posts: 1617
- Joined: 17 Oct 2013 18:09
- My Press Choice: Turret
- Location: West Virginia
- Has thanked: 1017 times
- Been thanked: 323 times
Re: Not sure why my decapping pins are getting bent....
The only other thing that comes to mind is the flash hole may be to small for the pin. Happened to to someone on a different forum, can't remember the case or caliber he had.
Je suis Charlie
-
- Founding Member
- Posts: 1617
- Joined: 17 Oct 2013 18:09
- My Press Choice: Turret
- Location: West Virginia
- Has thanked: 1017 times
- Been thanked: 323 times
-
- Posts: 16
- Joined: 26 Apr 2015 11:16
- My Press Choice: Turret
- Location: TX
- Been thanked: 5 times
Re: Not sure why my decapping pins are getting bent....
This is intriguing, chevy....I might have to check the flash holes in the brass I listed. But what I don't get is how this brass may now be a problem after rolling a couple hundred cartridges with no problems up until now.
And as a side note, my very first car was a 1974 Chevy Monte Carlo...I remember seeing the gas tank needle move when I floored it!
And as a side note, my very first car was a 1974 Chevy Monte Carlo...I remember seeing the gas tank needle move when I floored it!
-
- Founding Member
- Posts: 1617
- Joined: 17 Oct 2013 18:09
- My Press Choice: Turret
- Location: West Virginia
- Has thanked: 1017 times
- Been thanked: 323 times
Re: Not sure why my decapping pins are getting bent....
LOL my brother in law bought one in 74. Did several tune ups on it till he smashed it into a brick building in 78. And being a Cop in NYC he got rushed home and no one knew a thing. They can't do that so much now days.
Je suis Charlie