Decapping Pin

[timeout]

I broke a decapping pin used in a Lyman tungsten carbide sizing die for 38 spl./357 mag. Tried to contact Lyman via the net, but their spam protector where you type in the number/letter combo shown prior to submitting the request form is inop. It just doesn't recognize what is typed in. I must have retried it 15 times. Yesterday I called Lyman multiple times only to listen over and over to recordings. I could not leave a message because it is "full". I managed to get a receptionist twice. She was totally unwilling to listen to my story. I was finally able to leave a message. You guessed it, my call was never returned. I load so very little of the 38 and 357 ammo that I really don't want to buy a new die, a different brand of course. I have spare pins for all my other dies except this one. Does anyone have a pin or two they would sell me - or know a dealer that would stock them? I have considered purchasing the new Lyman borescope, but as terrible of a customer service department they have, they can keep their borescope. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[BigBlueandGoldie]

Do yourself a favor and buy a Lee universal decapping die. I think they are about $15 and they work great.

 

[f18hornet]

Do yourself a favor and buy a Lee universal decapping die. I think they are about $15 and they work great.

+1

 

[timeout]

+1

Probably a handy item to have on the shelf. My concern is that it adds another step to an already tedious job. the breakage of the Lyman pin was my fault as the pin was not locked down. I'm sure a pin will last me the rest of my time. I just don't load much pistl ammo. If I did, I would purchase a progressive loader. Most likely a Dillon.

 

[bugman]

Listen to the previous advise about the separate decapper die. Years ago I bought, from one of the big vendors, a Lee decapper and a 5-pack of the small diameter pins. The die and replacement pins cost very little, and I have been using the same gear for a long time.
It won't be wasted time to do the separate decapping stage because you will gain a better "feel" when sizing without the decapper, and you won't risk getting spent primer crud in your good sizing die.

Jack

 

[BoydAllen]

If your decapping pin is of the old collet secured straight variety (uniform diameter throughout) you might be able to find some music wire at a hobby shop that is the same diameter, and cut a piece to the length that you need.

 

[SS427]

You need a decapping die but not for pistol reloading. If you are using a crimp die, you are already running the cases through the press 4 times. No thanks adding a 5th time.

I like the Lee pistol dies. The design of the decapping pin essentially prevents you from breaking it. If that much pressure is put on it, it will slide through the collet that holds it in place to avoid breaking it.

Not much help for your pin problem. Hopefully Lyman will get back to you. I too am considering their borescope, so I'd like to hear if they ever resolve your problem. This is not a good customer service report.

 

[lightman]

The pin used in pop rivets make excellent decapping pins if you can fine the right size. Whatever you do for a replacement, get several. They break for many different reasons and there is no doubt that you will need another at some point in time.

Midway runs the Lee die on sale for around $10.00 occasionally.

 

[rogn]

If you cant get it organized, Midway has them in 10 packs for 4$ . Picture ;(http://www.midwayusa.com/product/625614/lyman-decapping-pins-package-of-10) I also have a "8 pack" on the shelf, Ill send you the extra if needed.

 

[timeout]

If you cant get it organized, Midway has them in 10 packs for 4$ . Picture ;(http://www.midwayusa.com/product/625614/lyman-decapping-pins-package-of-10) I also have a "8 pack" on the shelf, Ill send you the extra if needed.

Thanks everyone for the help. I clicked on the Midway link and that is the exact pin I need. I have a good supply of plain straight pins for all of my other dies, but just did not have any of these hammer headed pins for the Lyman. I'll order right away. I'll let you know if Lyman ever returns my call. Thanks again, it is much appreciated!

 

[Hntndad]

in the past, I've made them pretty quickly out of a finish nail.

 

[Tuxedo007]

You need a decapping die but not for pistol reloading. If you are using a crimp die, you are already running the cases through the press 4 times. No thanks adding a 5th time.

I like the Lee pistol dies. The design of the decapping pin essentially prevents you from breaking it. If that much pressure is put on it, it will slide through the collet that holds it in place to avoid breaking it.

Not much help for your pin problem. Hopefully Lyman will get back to you. I too am considering their borescope, so I'd like to hear if they ever resolve your problem. This is not a good customer service report.

Have used the Lee Decapping die for years! I de prime fired brass prior to cleaning...whether rifle or pistol. That insures that the primer pocket is cleaned as well as the rest of the case. After cleaning, if loading handgun brass, it goes through a Dillon 550B.

Just an FYI, I have waited for Lyman to return calls & emails on several subjects...have never gotten a response!

Good luck!

Tuxedo007

 

[dkhunt14]

I decap first so I can clean pockets and the case. I don't like running dirty cases into my die. Matt

 

[jlow]

I get what the OP is saying.

No one I know de-prime a pistol case before cleaning it because unlike rifle reloading, it is not necessary to clean the primer pocket. De-priming first adds a very significant step which is out of the sequence in pistol reloading which does not sound like a lot but if you say reload with something like a Dillon 650 like me, that is a big addition to your reloading because you are not doing it on the Dillon but outside of it i.e. before cleaning. I have a Lee de-priming die and I use it on all my rifle reloading and it is second to none, but I would never consider using it for pistol for the reasons listed above. I am glad the OP found a replacement and it is great that people are so helpful.

 

[Webster]

I broke a decapping pin used in a Lyman tungsten carbide sizing die for 38 spl./357 mag. Tried to contact Lyman via the net, but their spam protector where you type in the number/letter combo shown prior to submitting the request form is inop. It just doesn't recognize what is typed in. I must have retried it 15 times. Yesterday I called Lyman multiple times only to listen over and over to recordings. I could not leave a message because it is "full". I managed to get a receptionist twice. She was totally unwilling to listen to my story. I was finally able to leave a message. You guessed it, my call was never returned. I load so very little of the 38 and 357 ammo that I really don't want to buy a new die, a different brand of course. I have spare pins for all my other dies except this one. Does anyone have a pin or two they would sell me - or know a dealer that would stock them? I have considered purchasing the new Lyman borescope, but as terrible of a customer service department they have, they can keep their borescope. Thanks in advance for your help!

Looks like you will get a few donations in the mail. What's the diameter? Let me know if you don't get any freebees. I used to make them at work. I cut steel drill wire stock to length and rounded the edges. Most machine shops have them as drill rod. Any metal supply store should have drill rod in 3' lengths several diameters. Finn Feather Fur shooter supply stocks them near me. I could buy a pack for you? Are they straight wire?

 

[Shaggy357]

in the past, I've made them pretty quickly out of a finish nail.

+1 Easy to finish a session with a "temporary" pin if needed. I have a supply of most, especially the thin ones used in the Lapua brass. Used to use the universal decapping die a lot. Quit using it after about the third session trying to load ammo in shiny new looking brass that hadn't been resized, just deprimed and cleaned. Now I only use the deprime die for dirty brass that will come out of the tumbler and head to the press to be sized.

 

[timeout]

Not much help for your pin problem. Hopefully Lyman will get back to you. I too am considering their borescope, so I'd like to hear if they ever resolve your problem. This is not a good customer service report.

FYI Lyman never returned my call. Even Optics Planet has a better customer service department.