Primer Problems

[Joe D]

I have a problem with primers being pulled back up into the pocket on my 550. Out of 100 rounds 10 will have the spent primers pulled back into the pocket. It is more of a problem with 9mm, but I have the same issue to a lesser degree with .40. I have tried changing the depth of the depriming rod from deep to shallow and also changed the little pin itself. This occurs with a RCBS sizing die and a Lyman.

I have even tried polishing the pin to a mirror finish. I am stumped.

[Flexmoney]

Farily new brass? Tight pockets? "Crimped"?

[Guest Larry Cazes]

This is affectionately known as Primer Drawback and is quite common with small primers. You can fix this by filing a radius on the edges of the tip of the decapping pin. Just use a small flat file and shape it sort of like a cone. I had major issues with this until I figured it out and now I modify any replacement pins before even trying them out. Give it a try, it should completely solve it.

[Larry White]

If you are useing a dillon decap and sizeing die they have a spring loaded shank that is supposed to flick the spent primer of the pin. This gets dirty and stuck sometimes. Radius the pins as others have posted and clean and lube the spring and shank and life should be better. Larry

[EricW]

The first thing I do with a new decapping pin is to chamfer and polish it as shown above. You are not alone. This is a VERY common problem.

[Joe D]

Thanks guys, I will try the radius trick. The brass is from an indoor range. I am sure it has been reloaded several times. Most of the pockets are still tight.

[Singlestack]

I tried a chamfer/radius on my pin and it still grabed primers. Somebody suggested (here btw) a nail point. It worked. Never had the problem again.

[Joe D]

Thanks John, I have several pins will try both ways.

[Joe D]

John, the nail point trick worked. Thanks.

[Singlestack]