Broke two .223 decapping pins help!

[Smeeg]

Started doing case prep on my Dillon 650 for .233 and was going okay but then broke two decapping pins does the adjustment of the decapping assembly effect this? I thought I just needed to screw it down enough to punch the primer out. If that’s not it any other ideas why this would happen? 
it’s a Dillon full length resize die FYI

Edited January 15, 2021 by Smeeg

[TonytheTiger]

What's the headstamp on the offending brass?

[Sigarmsp226]

Deleted comment

 

Edited January 16, 2021 by Sigarmsp226

[Don_B]

Another thing to check is that the decapping pin is centered. Leave the decapping stem slightly loose, deprive a case and then tighten everything up with the decapper still in the flash hole. 

This will make sure it is lined up. 

[RGA]

Berdan cases maybe.

 

 

[Tom S.]

I bought an extra 650 tool head and stuck a Lee universal decapping die in it.  I use it to decap all my brass before cleaning/processing.  The Lee unit is made so the decapping pin is less likely to break if you run into a stone in a case, a berdan primer or a particular tough crimp, because the pin is usually just forced up into the die. I'm never measured the Lee pin but I think it might be slightly thicker than Dillon's decapping pin.

[NOSHMJ]

I use the Lee Universal decapping die, and have busted multiple pins with that.  I found a set of aftermarket replacement pins on Ebay and have had very good success with those.  With that said, I also have a separate tool head I decap, and resize.  Then when its time to load, I swap tool heads, and I have another decapping die in station 1 to make sure flash hole is clean, then load normal from there. 

[SnipTheDog]

@SmeegPlease post some pictures of the offending brass so we can all learn.

[coordinator]

I use the Lee universal decapping die, and have broken 1 pin over the course of 20+ years.

It's a good tool.

[lefty o]

some of the 223/5.56 brass out there has flash holes so far off center (perfecta), decapping pins dont stand a chance.

[MG08]

I just finished up a big run of 223 on the super 1050.  I ran into two different headstamps of brass that were berdan. I only broke one pin. It was some military stuff, weird number / symbol headstamp.  Range pick up brass, so no idea where it was from .  Mostly just stopped the press short so I was able to remove the brass.  But there is berdan out there.

[warpspeed]

If I'm just decaping 223, I run a FW Arms universal decap die.  The Lee/Dillon/RCBS all work too unless you have an automated press then you are way better off with the FW Arms one. 

 

 

 

[Gunther7912]

Lee universal decappers are an inexpensive solution. Believe it or not they will warranty your broken decapping stems as well

Edited January 25, 2021 by Gunther7912
Spelling error

[MJC082581]

Second the FW Arms decapper.  Auto centers the case and pins are very tough

[ltdmstr]

+3 on FW decapper. 

[RGA]

+4

 

I use Mighty Armory and FW decappers and both are tough. But as stated, the FW centers the case better (and punches right through the bottom of a berdan case).

 

I also have the Lee decapper I used for years and although it is not so tough as the FW and MA dies, it is significantly cheaper.

Edited February 4, 2021 by RGA

[MNJoel]

On 1/17/2021 at 10:23 AM, lefty o said:

some of the 223/5.56 brass out there has flash holes so far off center (perfecta), decapping pins dont stand a chance.

 

I've noticed this as well... my mighty armory decapper with make some weird noises, but still blasts through it. 

[jbagg0705]

On 1/15/2021 at 4:59 PM, Smeeg said:

Started doing case prep on my Dillon 650 for .233 and was going okay but then broke two decapping pins does the adjustment of the decapping assembly effect this? I thought I just needed to screw it down enough to punch the primer out. If that’s not it any other ideas why this would happen? 
it’s a Dillon full length resize die FYI

Yes if you run across berdan primed brass.