Decapping pin broke, now what?

9mmSkeeter · January 28, 2015, 06:02 PM

I was given an old 38 Special RCBS die set probably from the 70s, and I went to deprime my first cases and the pin just snapped off. There's a little rust on the dies so they probably weren't stored the best. Do I replace the decapping pin, and how do i do it? Or do I just buy a new die? Or maybe a whole new die set if this one is really old? Not sure if they are carbide or steel, they came in a green box with the huge lock rings.

Thanks!

jwrowland77 · January 28, 2015, 06:08 PM

Either A.) buy a new pin, or B.) what most people do, email RCBS and they'll probably send you a new one.

Blindstitch · January 28, 2015, 06:09 PM

Remove the decapping pin and inspect it. Then order a replacement.

Try contacting RCBS. I don't break many but I broke one from a Lee last summer and they replace it for free.

FrankenMauser · January 28, 2015, 06:26 PM

Call RCBS and tell them it broke.

Then,
remove the decapping stem from the die,
unscrew the 'expander ball' from the decapping stem,
and pull the remaining piece of the decapping pin (if any).

Installation is simply reverse order.

If you find any more issues during disassembly, wait to see what RCBS sends you. Quite often, then send entire decapping stems, rather than just the pins (especially now, with the switch to 'headed' pins).

I only damage the RCBS pins or stems when doing things the die was not designed for, or when doing something completely stupid. Even so... RCBS has always sent free replacements, even when I was brutally honest about the amount of stupidity involved in breaking the tool.
Just to be safe, I have a small collection of .22-.30 caliber decapping stems and expander balls that were salvaged from past incidents, and I always keep a stash of small, large, small 'headed', and large 'headed' pins on hand (just so that I can keep moving along, and call RCBS when I'm done).

condor bravo · January 28, 2015, 06:30 PM

In the meantime while waiting for a replacement, you could probably borrow one from another die. Not sure how it happened but I have at least 20 replacement pins. Must be that in other times they provided extra pins with the die sets.

jtmckinney · January 28, 2015, 06:30 PM

If it isn't a carbide die I would seriously consider getting one and not spending any money or time on an old non-carbide. I have a RCBS die set for 44 mag/special and am considering getting a carbide sizing die just for the convenience of it.

Wreck-n-Crew · January 28, 2015, 06:30 PM

Broke one in my 9mm Lee Carbide Die last year. Pulled one from a different caliber Die and kept on rolling. Was my fault, carbide or not I forgot to polish my brass after cleaning with lemon juice (left them hard to size) and I had my collate too tight on my decapping pin.

Longshot4 · January 28, 2015, 09:44 PM

Been there done that one time in 35 years. You should not have a problem finding a new pin. How ever! Perhaps you need to be more careful how you handle your equipment. I have learned to start by setting up the die and carefully feel for the pin to locate in the flash hole then lock the pin in location. I hear people having problems with seating bullets and busting pins. Think of it as a delicate process. Handle the tools with fines. You aren't driving nails of splitting wood. Take that press handle with your finger tips and feel what you are doing. Kind of like squeezing the trigger.

9mmSkeeter · January 28, 2015, 09:47 PM

I appreciate the advice but this was not due to mishandling. I have never once broke a decapping pin on any of my dies. The first casing caused this, and it just snapped, like it was rusted.

Nick_C_S · January 28, 2015, 09:50 PM

FrankenMauser nailed it.

I know RCBS will send you a freebie. But I went the proactive route and just bought like 5 replacement pins, and 3 assemblies.

Funny thing is, I've never broke one. But I'm ready if I do

hartcreek · January 28, 2015, 11:13 PM

RCBS has used at least two different designs in their dies. The old style dies used a decapping pin that had a shoulder on it. You usscrew the sizer and dump out the broken pin and insert another with the pin coming through the sizer.

The newer style the decapping pin fits into a collet.

FrankenMauser · January 29, 2015, 12:47 AM

Quote:

RCBS has used at least two different designs in their dies. The old style dies used a decapping pin that had a shoulder on it. You usscrew the sizer and dump out the broken pin and insert another with the pin coming through the sizer.

The newer style the decapping pin fits into a collet.

You've got it backward.

The old style is the straight pin.
The new style is the 'headed' pin.

I can't find a link with the pertinent information on their website, but here is a except from an RCBS catalog:

Quote:

"New" (headed) decapping pins for RCBS dies are available
all Precision dies, # 90164
except 6mm PPC, 7mm TCU, 35 Whelen, 357 Sig, 358 Winchester/356 Winchester, 416 Remington Magnum. [**]
"Regular" decapping pins for older RCBS dies are available
.22 through .25 caliber use small pins, # 09608
6.5mm through .45 use large pins, # 09609

**I don't know what these exceptions are supposed to be, and there isn't a part number listed for them. I do have a set of .35 Whelen dies made after the switch to 'headed' pins, and the pin is.... headed.

hooligan1 · January 29, 2015, 11:45 AM

I have an plder set of rcbs dies, .38 special, and at one time I was going to loads some but my dies were rusty, I just dropped them into my thumlers tumbler overnight and they came out brand new....
Call rcbs, and they will send you the parts,,over the years they have never charged me a penny for anything they have mailed me.....I do break stuff once in awhile, and usually it's like FrankenMauser said stupidity.....,,thank god for RCBS's customer service..

g.willikers · January 29, 2015, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Not sure if they are carbide or steel

It's easy to see the difference.
The carbide version has a ring of different metal around the entrance.

rsnell · January 29, 2015, 12:50 PM

Number 12 post is correct. I just replaced a decapping pin in an old die (about 25 years old). I called RCBS and was informed that the pin design had changed but they would send me a decapping rod and pin. I ask for several extra pins. I received the rod and pins in about 6 days at no cost.

Bob

kostner · January 31, 2015, 08:22 PM

Decapping pin broke, now what? There is always bowling or get another pin.

Jeff2131 · February 1, 2015, 08:58 AM

Ive broken a couple decapping pins on my rcbs dies. What i found out was that it actually worked itself loose over time. I.contacted rcbs, they sent me a whole new decapping rod and a small bag with about 5 spare pins in it. My fix....blue loctite. That was quite awhile ago and i have yet to break a pin or have one loosen up on me.

Smoke & Recoil · February 1, 2015, 09:08 AM

Just by chance, did you have an old BERDAN primed case in your set-up ?

rg1 · February 1, 2015, 09:51 AM

Yes RCBS will send you one for free if possible. In the meantime and you need to use the die you can measure the pin and take a drill the same or close to the diameter of your pin and cut off the shank of a drill. The shank of the drill is tough but not brittle. You need to grind or use an abrasive cut-off wheel to cut the shank of the drill. It's too tough for a regular saw blade.

Ozzieman · February 3, 2015, 07:01 PM

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/145...ProductFinding
Last time I had an order from Midway I ordered 50 each small and large. I don’t break them often but for that little coin to have enough to last me the remainder of my life X 10 removes one more frustration in life.

Tinbucket · February 5, 2015, 01:34 AM

..

rodfac · February 6, 2015, 09:41 AM

If you can't find the right dia. pin from RCBS, mic the one piece you've got and replace it a pin made from the shank of a drill bit of the same dia. Obviously, you'll have to cut/shorten it somewhat, but this has worked for me with an ancient set of Lachmiller dies from the 40's. Rod

hammie · February 7, 2015, 09:23 AM

I don't think anyone has mentioned this so far. In my early days, I would, on rare occasions, bend or break a decapping pin or rod. I finally bought a Lee universal decapping die and just decapped the spent primers in a separate step. I've decapped buckets full of military 7.62x51mm brass, with crimped in primers, and there was never a hitch. RCBS, Hornady, and Redding also make decapping dies, but the Lee die is cheaper and more robust.

Midwayusa.com sells the Lee decapping die for 13 $ and Midway's catalog/product number is 136543.

trapper9260 · February 7, 2015, 09:35 AM

I have contact RCBS for brake a pin and they send me 4 replacements for free they said it was under warrenty .I have bought some from a gunsmith before that because I needed it at the time.

hanno · February 7, 2015, 11:59 AM

Agree with Hammie, Lee is the way to go. Lee hit it out of the ballpark with this design.

http://www.amazon.com/Lee-LP90292-Pr...+decapping+die

January 28, 2015, 06:02 PM	#1
9mmSkeeter Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2014 Location: South Dakota Posts: 205	Decapping pin broke, now what? I was given an old 38 Special RCBS die set probably from the 70s, and I went to deprime my first cases and the pin just snapped off. There's a little rust on the dies so they probably weren't stored the best. Do I replace the decapping pin, and how do i do it? Or do I just buy a new die? Or maybe a whole new die set if this one is really old? Not sure if they are carbide or steel, they came in a green box with the huge lock rings. Thanks! __________________ I kind of like weaponry.

January 28, 2015, 06:26 PM	#4
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Call RCBS and tell them it broke. Then, remove the decapping stem from the die, unscrew the 'expander ball' from the decapping stem, and pull the remaining piece of the decapping pin (if any). Installation is simply reverse order. If you find any more issues during disassembly, wait to see what RCBS sends you. Quite often, then send entire decapping stems, rather than just the pins (especially now, with the switch to 'headed' pins). I only damage the RCBS pins or stems when doing things the die was not designed for, or when doing something completely stupid. Even so... RCBS has always sent free replacements, even when I was brutally honest about the amount of stupidity involved in breaking the tool. Just to be safe, I have a small collection of .22-.30 caliber decapping stems and expander balls that were salvaged from past incidents, and I always keep a stash of small, large, small 'headed', and large 'headed' pins on hand (just so that I can keep moving along, and call RCBS when I'm done). __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

January 28, 2015, 06:30 PM	#5
condor bravo Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2014 Location: Nevada/Ariz/CA Posts: 1,753	In the meantime while waiting for a replacement, you could probably borrow one from another die. Not sure how it happened but I have at least 20 replacement pins. Must be that in other times they provided extra pins with the die sets. Last edited by condor bravo; January 28, 2015 at 06:49 PM.

January 28, 2015, 06:30 PM	#6
jtmckinney Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 490	If it isn't a carbide die I would seriously consider getting one and not spending any money or time on an old non-carbide. I have a RCBS die set for 44 mag/special and am considering getting a carbide sizing die just for the convenience of it. __________________ “Government does few things well but it does them at great expense” Cal Thomas “When Government Can’t Be Trusted” 6/11/2013 When I am weaker than you, I ask you for freedom because that is according to your principles; When I am stronger than you, I take away your freedoms because that is according to my principles. Frank Herbert "Children of Dune"

January 28, 2015, 06:30 PM	#7
Wreck-n-Crew Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,820	Broke one in my 9mm Lee Carbide Die last year. Pulled one from a different caliber Die and kept on rolling. Was my fault, carbide or not I forgot to polish my brass after cleaning with lemon juice (left them hard to size) and I had my collate too tight on my decapping pin. __________________ If you ever have to use a firearm, *you don't get to pick the scenario!*

January 28, 2015, 06:08 PM	#2
jwrowland77 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2012 Location: Conway, Arkansas Posts: 1,398	Either A.) buy a new pin, or B.) what most people do, email RCBS and they'll probably send you a new one.

January 28, 2015, 06:09 PM	#3
Blindstitch Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2013 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 2,693	Remove the decapping pin and inspect it. Then order a replacement. Try contacting RCBS. I don't break many but I broke one from a Lee last summer and they replace it for free.

January 28, 2015, 09:44 PM	#8
Longshot4 Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2014 Posts: 868	Been there done that one time in 35 years. You should not have a problem finding a new pin. How ever! Perhaps you need to be more careful how you handle your equipment. I have learned to start by setting up the die and carefully feel for the pin to locate in the flash hole then lock the pin in location. I hear people having problems with seating bullets and busting pins. Think of it as a delicate process. Handle the tools with fines. You aren't driving nails of splitting wood. Take that press handle with your finger tips and feel what you are doing. Kind of like squeezing the trigger.

January 28, 2015, 09:47 PM	#9
9mmSkeeter Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2014 Location: South Dakota Posts: 205	I appreciate the advice but this was not due to mishandling. I have never once broke a decapping pin on any of my dies. The first casing caused this, and it just snapped, like it was rusted. __________________ I kind of like weaponry.

January 28, 2015, 09:50 PM	#10
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,523	FrankenMauser nailed it. I know RCBS will send you a freebie. But I went the proactive route and just bought like 5 replacement pins, and 3 assemblies. Funny thing is, I've never broke one. But I'm ready if I do __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

January 28, 2015, 11:13 PM	#11
hartcreek Junior member Join Date: April 22, 2014 Location: Washington Posts: 1,549	RCBS has used at least two different designs in their dies. The old style dies used a decapping pin that had a shoulder on it. You usscrew the sizer and dump out the broken pin and insert another with the pin coming through the sizer. The newer style the decapping pin fits into a collet.

January 29, 2015, 11:45 AM	#13
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	I have an plder set of rcbs dies, .38 special, and at one time I was going to loads some but my dies were rusty, I just dropped them into my thumlers tumbler overnight and they came out brand new.... Call rcbs, and they will send you the parts,,over the years they have never charged me a penny for anything they have mailed me.....I do break stuff once in awhile, and usually it's like FrankenMauser said stupidity.....,,thank god for RCBS's customer service.. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

January 29, 2015, 12:50 PM	#15
rsnell Member Join Date: January 25, 2011 Location: Cleveland, TN Posts: 74	Number 12 post is correct. I just replaced a decapping pin in an old die (about 25 years old). I called RCBS and was informed that the pin design had changed but they would send me a decapping rod and pin. I ask for several extra pins. I received the rod and pins in about 6 days at no cost. Bob

January 31, 2015, 08:22 PM	#16
kostner Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2007 Location: Kommifornia Posts: 120	Decapping pin broke, now what? There is always bowling or get another pin.

February 1, 2015, 08:58 AM	#17
Jeff2131 Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Spring City, PA Posts: 497	Ive broken a couple decapping pins on my rcbs dies. What i found out was that it actually worked itself loose over time. I.contacted rcbs, they sent me a whole new decapping rod and a small bag with about 5 spare pins in it. My fix....blue loctite. That was quite awhile ago and i have yet to break a pin or have one loosen up on me. __________________ ---I DON'T DIAL 911---

February 1, 2015, 09:08 AM	#18
Smoke & Recoil Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: East shore of Lake Michigan. Posts: 714	Just by chance, did you have an old BERDAN primed case in your set-up ?

February 1, 2015, 09:51 AM	#19
rg1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Posts: 1,125	Yes RCBS will send you one for free if possible. In the meantime and you need to use the die you can measure the pin and take a drill the same or close to the diameter of your pin and cut off the shank of a drill. The shank of the drill is tough but not brittle. You need to grind or use an abrasive cut-off wheel to cut the shank of the drill. It's too tough for a regular saw blade.

February 3, 2015, 07:01 PM	#20
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	http://www.midwayusa.com/product/145...ProductFinding Last time I had an order from Midway I ordered 50 each small and large. I don’t break them often but for that little coin to have enough to last me the remainder of my life X 10 removes one more frustration in life. __________________ It was a sad day when I discovered my universal remote control did not in fact control the universe. Did you hear about the latest study.....5 out of 6 liberals say that Russian Roulette is safe.

February 5, 2015, 01:34 AM	#21
Tinbucket Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2015 Posts: 355	.. Last edited by Tinbucket; February 5, 2015 at 01:52 AM.

February 6, 2015, 09:41 AM	#22
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	If you can't find the right dia. pin from RCBS, mic the one piece you've got and replace it a pin made from the shank of a drill bit of the same dia. Obviously, you'll have to cut/shorten it somewhat, but this has worked for me with an ancient set of Lachmiller dies from the 40's. Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

February 7, 2015, 09:23 AM	#23
hammie Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Temple, TX Posts: 959	I don't think anyone has mentioned this so far. In my early days, I would, on rare occasions, bend or break a decapping pin or rod. I finally bought a Lee universal decapping die and just decapped the spent primers in a separate step. I've decapped buckets full of military 7.62x51mm brass, with crimped in primers, and there was never a hitch. RCBS, Hornady, and Redding also make decapping dies, but the Lee die is cheaper and more robust. Midwayusa.com sells the Lee decapping die for 13 $ and Midway's catalog/product number is 136543.

February 7, 2015, 09:35 AM	#24
trapper9260 Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 119	I have contact RCBS for brake a pin and they send me 4 replacements for free they said it was under warrenty .I have bought some from a gunsmith before that because I needed it at the time.

February 7, 2015, 11:59 AM	#25
hanno Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2008 Posts: 394	Agree with Hammie, Lee is the way to go. Lee hit it out of the ballpark with this design. http://www.amazon.com/Lee-LP90292-Pr...+decapping+die