[billy]

this primer did this to my new RCBS comp.full length sizer decapping pin!
the pin is in the photo.
of course i dont have a replacement.
but i DO have the lee deluxe die set.
so the rcbs is doing sizer duty and the lee is the decapper.
i only have a few of these kind of cases and am chucking them as i find em.

[Mooseman684]

Looks like you hit a Berdan primed case...Is there Snake Eyes in the bottom of the case ???
Check those Headstamps !!!
Rich

[billy]

yep!

i was pissed until i remembered that i have more than 1 set of .308 dies

90% of my cases have that circle with the cross so i didnt think anything of it.

[SwedeSteve]

Those sneaky Berdans! They'll getcha' every time!

[billy]

i was bent out of shape (get it ? huh? huh?)
but it's all better now.

i have replacement rcbs pins but they are from the 50's and dont fit!

[irish murphy]

If it wasnt a berdan primed case i have seen the same if there is tumbler media still in the case/primer hole

[jerry]

Also watch off center primer holes. I had some LC 30-06 that broke pins like crazy. Turns out a bunch of primer holes were not center.

[JOEGUN94]

i have a few hundred of those, fnm 78-15 berdan primed, so so accuracy, medicore clean made portugal, or mexico city ??

[toolman]

That's the best thing about Lee and Hornady dies, the pins don't break, but they'll let you know if someting ain't right.

[Johnny_Revolver]

Lee saves day! YAY!!!!

[just_a_car]

Quote:       Originally Posted by billy

90% of my cases have that circle with the cross so i didnt think anything of it.

billy, that circled cross only means that it's a NATO-spec round. Pretty important when there's a big difference between SAAMI-spec pressures and NATO-spec pressures like with .308Win/7.62NATO.

[irish murphy]

Quote:       Originally Posted by toolman

That's the best thing about Lee and Hornady dies, the pins don't break, but they'll let you know if someting ain't right.

I have broken a few lee ones.22/250 and 44magnum.Pin snapped clean off.havent snapped a redding rcbs hornady or simplex.The thing that sucks about the lee dies is they wont replace it and you cant make a replacement on your lathe and slip it in.

[toolman]

That's strange Irish, I've never seen one break. FWIW, Lee pins are actually the roller bearings used in automotive universal joints, you just have to find the correct size to replace it with. You can also buy a replacement decapper for $5.00 U.S. + shipping from Lee.

[billy]

i just drove 130 miles round trip to replace that stupid pin.
i couldve used the lee some more but i need to use the rcbs resizer and i felt dumb running 1 case through 2 different sizing dies

[Seabeescotty]

Some nato round have the primer crimped into the pocket, notice the little dimples around the primer? Them are dimpled darlings and like to break stuff.Scotty

[billy]

i thought those dimples were the culprit at first.

[Seabeescotty]

I finally invested in a good supply of decapping pins for my RCBS dies, and the funny thing is I haven' broke one since!Scotty

[sunray]

"...it's a NATO-spec round..." Yep. Made by Portugal or Mexico. Definitely crimped. Look inside the case for the number of primer holes. Two means berdan and NOT easily reloadable. One is boxer and your pin bent due to the crimp.
"...just drove 130 miles round trip to replace that stupid pin..." RCBS would have mailed you a package of 6 with a phone call.

[billy]

yes and i would have gotten it in a week.

i spend about $6 to $8,000 a year on firearms and accoutrements.
i know all about shipping.

[blaster]

The only Lee die I have (other than my ancient hand loader) is for my 7.62x25 and it has a neat setup that allows the decapping pin to pop out of a collet type holder if you hit an obstruction or berdan case. I didnt know they had different methods for different calibers. Iguess I'll stick to RCBS, Lyman and Foster.