I think something happened to my die...

[Kaiser7 33]

So, ive been having a bad day, and deciding to get my mind off it I thought I'd load some ammo. I noticed one of the primers didn't pop out all the way. So I noticed the top of the die popped up, and the depriming pin is set deep.

 

What should I do?

 

 

[Jon 264]

Is it just the decapper pin that popped up? On Lee dies if the decapper encounters an obstruction(berdan primer, etc) it moves upwards to prevent the pin from breaking. If this is the case, all you need to do is loosen the upper part of the die, slide the pin back down, and retighten. Throw that piece of brass in the scrap pile.

[Kaiser7 33]

Is it just the decapper pin that popped up? On Lee dies if the decapper encounters an obstruction(berdan primer, etc) it moves upwards to prevent the pin from breaking. If this is the case, all you need to do is loosen the upper part of the die, slide the pin back down, and retighten. Throw that piece of brass in the scrap pile.

 

 

I assume I just use a wrench, loosen it, and re-set it?

 

That's good to know, I was worried it was kaput. I tried posting a couple pictures, but was having difficulty doing so, but the pin appears fine, it's the little screw-top part that moved up.

[Jon 264]

What brand die? Try using http://imgur.com to post pictures.

[Vlad G 345]

I assume I just use a wrench, loosen it, and re-set it?

 

 

 

Assuming it is a Lee die, which does this, then yes, loosen the top bolt, make the top of the pin level with the top of the bolt, re-tighten.

 

In my experience the damn things only work some times, I've broken a few pin, they don't always slip as they should, so while you are at it check the tip as well and make sure it didn't chip, break, or bend.

[T Bill 649]

Maybe a berdan primed case, or an overpressured case with a flatten primer.  What others said is correct, loosen the top nut, extend the decap pin 3/16" below bottom of die and tighten.  Not to much, just enough to keep in place when using.  Check to make sure pin is 100% OK, not broken, etc.  Happens often.  Are you using brass with crimped in primers?

[Kaiser7 33]

I don't think it was berdan primed, as it was a .223 case.

Here's the die

 

I can't figure out how to loosen that up and set it back to normal.

[Vlad G 345]

You need two wrenches. One to hold onto the flats of the die and one for the screw in bit at the top. Usually they are tight as the dickens and you are going to have to apply serious power. I've had one I had to set in a vise and crank on it with a large wrench and a piece of pipe.

[djg0770 481]

I've had one I had to set in a vise and crank on it with a large wrench and a piece of pipe.

 

You should not need this much force

[Vlad G 345]

You should not need this much force

 

And normally you don't but when you have a die that hasn't been apart in 10 years and has loaded 50k rounds .. apparently I did. That is pretty much the worst case scenario, I agree.

[SmartAss 11]

Lee's instructions...

 

 

 

I usually put a decapped case in the ram, elevate it into the die so that when you loosen the clamp nut the decapping pin doesn't fall through. Snug the clamp nut and push the decapping pin up a hair, then fully tighten.

[Kaiser7 33]

 

Lee's instructions...

 

 

 

 

I usually put a decapped case in the ram, elevate it into the die so that when you loosen the clamp nut the decapping pin doesn't fall through. Snug the clamp nut and push the decapping pin up a hair, then fully tighten.

 

 

 

A COOKIE FOR YOU SIR. I got it apart. I think there's a build up of crap in there. I personally haven't loaded more than a few hundred rounds, but stupidly I never inspected it after I got it (as with most things I buy, it was second-hand).

 

How do you go about cleaning these things?

[Vlad G 345]

http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/reloading/care-and-maintenance-of-reloading-dies/

[Kaiser7 33]

Awesome, one final question, how do I reassemble the die?

I looked for a video online, but didn't see anything, but cleaned it out, and it looks good as new.

 

I'm mainly unsure about the decapping pin, I can't remember whether it's supposed to be flush with the collet or not.

[djg0770 481]

Awesome, one final question, how do I reassemble the die?

 

I looked for a video online, but didn't see anything, but cleaned it out, and it looks good as new.

 

I'm mainly unsure about the decapping pin, I can't remember whether it's supposed to be flush with the collet or not.

 

Flush w the top of the collet