Good grief! Is it me or is it Lee?

[Stopsign32v]

Been having some trouble lately with reloading. One step forward and 2 steps back it seems. Today I've decided to separate my once fired .223 from the other and wet tumble all brass. So I have my second batch cleaning today and I decided I would do some depriming. This is a less than month old Universal Depriming die, maybe 150 9mm through it and 100 .223 through it. Was depriming some crimped .223/5.56 and then this stopped me in my tracks. I can't win for losing!

Does anyone make good replacement pins for Lee? I'd rather not replace crap with more crap.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52331703119_fa148b4a93_b.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/gp/113193676@N08/440Z0e6y18)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52331404166_795300694f_b.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/gp/113193676@N08/24t3P07520)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52331703194_06cb56c495_b.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/gp/113193676@N08/6nFdN21VAb)

[wilecoyote]

chinese miracle, I suppose_
once the pin would have cleanly snapped himself in two, because they were supposedly recycled steel roller pins.
this pin seems a cheap iron nail...

[Hannibal]

Since the pin is bent it probably wasn't lined up with the primer when you operated the press handle. If it had been harder it would have broken and you'd still be dead in your tracks. I've never had to replace one but I believe replacement pins are available from Lee at low cost.

How did that die accumulate so much surface rust in a month? You might rethink your die storage practices while you're deciding what to do for a depriming die.

[Stopsign32v]

How did that die accumulate so much surface rust in a month? You might rethink your die storage practices while you're deciding what to do for a depriming die.

That's an observation I noticed as well. Both brand new sets of Lee dies have surface rust on them within a month where as my Lee dies from 3-10 years have none. All stored the same way.

[Hannibal]

That's an observation I noticed as well. Both brand new sets of Lee dies have surface rust on them within a month where as my Lee dies from 3-10 years have none. All stored the same way.

Very strange. Perhaps the cases were still wet from tumbling and the cleaning solution contaminated the die?

[Finster101]

Simply taking a picture of that and an email to Lee will get you a free replacement pin. You might buy a couple of spares to have on hand if it happens again so you are not dead in the water till you get a warranty replacement.

[super6]

crimped primers can be a booger to remove, Best to get a tool to remove the crimp. And at least a hardened pin. Looks as thou you have nut cutting on the threads, Most likely why it wont line up.

[Stopsign32v]

Very strange. Perhaps the cases were still wet from tumbling and the cleaning solution contaminated the die?

Nope, I use this die on range pickup brass before I clean it.

Here's a brand new set of 9mm dies I started using maybe 3-4 weeks ago which MAYBE have 150 rounds through them.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52331515001_8908bdee31_b.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/gp/113193676@N08/Gq3grBkHHj)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52331813419_2a3793f127_b.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/gp/113193676@N08/3iDN33wA62)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52331813369_2f3a074af0_b.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/gp/113193676@N08/iT6A8Nm294)


And here are my old set of 38/357 dies I got back in 2014 which have thousands of rounds through them. These have been exposed to the same climate as the 9mm cases, just 8 years more of it.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52331752238_c22d76f873_b.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/gp/113193676@N08/dS26NBG8Sy)

[megasupermagnum]

It's just a decapping pin. Crimped primers can be a pain. Nothing unusual here.

[Electrod47]

I bust decapping pins so much I keep several spares on hand. My dies (All Brands) pick up rust spots annually. I keep a stick " rubber eraser thing" that's diamond impregnated to polish up said spots. There's some pure titanium/carbide dies out there thats pure cost prohibitive for me. As long as the insides are buffed. Your good to go.

[Stopsign32v]

Does anyone make good replacement pins for Lee? I'd rather not replace crap with more crap and we all know Lee isn't the Rolex of reloading.

[dtknowles]

One problem with a universal decapping die is it does nothing to line the case up with the decapping pin. It is easy to miss the hole, you got to use some feel for are you in the hole or not, you can't just go slamming away at the brass. I understand that with crimped brass the feel might not be much different in the hole or not.

Tim

[Stopsign32v]

One problem with a universal decapping die is it does nothing to line the case up with the decapping pin. It is easy to miss the hole, you got to use some feel for are you in the hole or not, you can't just go slamming away at the brass. I understand that with crimped brass the feel might not be much different in the hole or not.

Tim

This is probably what happened.

[Stopsign32v]

Might grab a set of these https://www.squirreldaddy.com/3-Heat-Treat-decapping-pin-upgrade-for-Lee-90783-p/sd24-112.htm

I like the stuff I've seen off that site before, just never purchased from them.

[turtlezx]

sweatly hands will rust in 2 days

[Hannibal]

Well, whatever the case if it's human error don't feel like the Lone Ranger. I just cut the decapping pin off of a Lee neck sizing die because I neglected to size the brass before priming and given the supply situation I didn't want to trash the primers. Oh, well. It's not the first mistake I've made and it won't be the last. Lee had nothing to do with my problem, just not enough attention given by me.

I've got a Universal Decapping die from Lee also so I'll be using it more often than before.

[Dusty Bannister]

If you are depriming dirty brass, sometimes you will build up debris in the shell holder that does not allow the rim to move into correct position. If you use more than three fingers on the press handle, you will break or bend pins. If there is any range dirt in the case or the case mouth is deformed, you could also have a problem. It sort of sounds like your original post suggests you cleaned the brass before trying to deprime the cases. My experience tells me that increases the resistance in punching out the primers. A light hand on the handle will save you a lot of angst.

[Three44s]

For just decapping in .223 (particularly brass with crimped spent primers), I have better luck with using the Lee collet die set high enough that the collet neck sizer is not sizing the neck.

Three44s

[Stopsign32v]

For just decapping in .223 (particularly brass with crimped spent primers), I have better luck with using the Lee collet die set high enough that the collet neck sizer is not sizing the neck.

Three44s

The full length sizer?

Edit: I see it's just a neck sizer? Is that the die that comes in the .223 set?

[Hannibal]

The full length sizer?

Edit: I see it's just a neck sizer? Is that the die that comes in the .223 set?

Unless it's the Deluxe die set in the yellow box you'll have to buy it separately. You might be able to decap with the full length sizing die also if you set it high enough. I don't know if that's possible or not as I never tried that.

[Moleman-]

I have a lathe so it's sort of cheating, but when the new soft pins they're putting in Lee dies now fail I take the broken pin and drill it top and bottom for a standard decapping pin cut in half and loctited in. They last longer than the one piece pins but not as long as the older roller bearing pins. If you don't happen to have a lathe or three handy but have a drill press, you can easily make a drill guide. Find a scrap piece of steel at least 3/4" thick (1" is better), clamp it in place and drill a hole half way though with a #9-#8 or 5mm drill bit (13/64" will work but will be sloppy). Then switch to a thinner bit that is the same size as the decapping pin size you want to use small or large and drill the rest of the way through. Loctite them in place and when they need changed, hit the pin with a torch (out of the die of course) until the heat makes the broken/bent pop out. If you do both sides just flip it over.

[WinchesterM1]

Does anyone make good replacement pins for Lee? I'd rather not replace crap with more crap and we all know Lee isn't the Rolex of reloading.

I replaced all my 22 cal stems with Squirrel daddy de calling pins look him up, he is on YouTube, I have t broke one of his ever and I don’t think you physically can!!

[David2011]

Without being there it’s hard to guess why the dies are rusting. Personally, I would clean them up with Scotchbrite, put some Boeshield T-9 on them and move on.

The bent decapping pin is human error. The end is peened so it probably hit something other than primers several times before the fatal incident. Either the case wasn’t lined up correctly or there was debris in the case. The only Lee decapping pin I’ve broken was due to a rock inside the case. When you shoot in the desert that can happen. I ordered several replacements from Lee and that solved the problem. None broken since I have spares on hand. My spares are 8-10 years old so they’re probably still the hardened ones.

I have to agree with what Megasupermagnum said earlier. Lee’s equipment is not junk. They make a few items that might not be great but they make a lot of good tools for very affordable prices. You have chosen to buy quite a bit of their products and chosen to ignore some good experience of others. Don’t get mad at me for saying this. Maybe try slowing down, step back, take a deep breath and review your procedures. It’s a safe guess that most of the contributors here have at least one time in our casting/loading careers had to reevaluate our techniques.

[Omega]

I replaced all my 22 cal stems with Squirrel daddy de calling pins look him up, he is on YouTube, I have t broke one of his ever and I don’t think you physically can!!They don't break, they bend. I bent two of a three pack finding berdan primed 308s in my brass collection. But they are good replacement pins, the third one has lasted a long time so far.

[wilecoyote]

Does anyone make good replacement pins for Lee? I'd rather not replace crap with more crap and we all know Lee isn't the Rolex of reloading.
these steel pins belong to rolling pin cages. measure the pin dia.
some auto parts store, tech. spare parts or hardware store sells some donor roll pin cages with the same pins inside to use_

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Every now and then it pays to check the tightness of the little cap that holds the pin into the die. If it gets a little loose the pin can wander off center and break.

Good advice already given to buy a pack of spare pins. I doubt if Lee's stuff is being made in China.

Those rusty dies can be rehabbed by using a soft wire wheel. Thereafter, oil is advised. Bare steel needs to be protected.

DG

[docbrown]

The Squirrel Daddy pins do work really well. As far as the rust, a little 0000 steel wool will take that right off and then a light coating of some type of gun oil - Ballistol or G96 CLP works wonders to keep the rust at bay and keep the dies in great shape.

[dtknowles]

They don't break, they bend. I bent two of a three pack finding berdan primed 308s in my brass collection. But they are good replacement pins, the third one has lasted a long time so far.

If you don't over tighten the locking nut when you hit a rock, berdan case or just a stuck primer the pin will back out and not break.

Tim

[imashooter2]

Don’t have any input other than to observe that my Lee Universal decapper has done many thousand crimped primer .223 and is still going strong.

[toallmy]

Get a 5 pack of squirrel daddy pins , you will be in good shape.

[oley55]

I must be holding my mouth all wrong because I bought three replacement pins in anticipation of eventually breaking one. Some years later and who knows how many rounds the original deprimer pin just keeps on, keeping on.

[Scrounge]

Nope, I use this die on range pickup brass before I clean it.

Here's a brand new set of 9mm dies I started using maybe 3-4 weeks ago which MAYBE have 150 rounds through them.

SNIP!

And here are my old set of 38/357 dies I got back in 2014 which have thousands of rounds through them. These have been exposed to the same climate as the 9mm cases, just 8 years more of it.

SNIP!

From my experience living in South Carolina 30-odd years ago, the humidity is usually pretty high there. Get a quart or gallon of EvapoRust or one of the similar rust removal liquids, disassemble each of your dies, and soak them in it for an hour or so. If you're not going to use them right way, at least with the EvapoRust you can let it dry on them, and it will prevent rust until it's washed off. If you plan on using them again soon, rinse them thoroughly in distilled or demineralize/softened water, and oil them heavily. Kroil would be good, but not WD-40 unless you submerge them in a puddle. Remove the oil to use them, then re-oil to store them.

Spent four years at Shaw AFB, back in the late 80's & very early 90's. Wasn't doing much reloading then, but was doing medieval recreation stuff, and rusty armor and swords is not much fun, either.

Bill

[Stopsign32v]

What's the difference between the two?

https://www.squirreldaddy.com/3-Ball-end-decapping-pin-upgrade-for-Lee-90783-p/sd24-107.htm

https://www.squirreldaddy.com/3-Heat-Treat-decapping-pin-upgrade-for-Lee-90783-p/sd24-112.htm

And dumb question, can these be used (and useful) in a universal decapping die?

https://www.squirreldaddy.com/Hardened-Steel-223-5-56-Decapping-pin-p/sd24-114.htm

[Omega]

What's the difference between the two?

https://www.squirreldaddy.com/3-Ball-end-decapping-pin-upgrade-for-Lee-90783-p/sd24-107.htm

https://www.squirreldaddy.com/3-Heat-Treat-decapping-pin-upgrade-for-Lee-90783-p/sd24-112.htm

And dumb question, can these be used (and useful) in a universal decapping die?

https://www.squirreldaddy.com/Hardened-Steel-223-5-56-Decapping-pin-p/sd24-114.htm
Looks like one just has a ball end, and the last one will defeat the purpose of a universal decapping die, it sizes the neck.

[Geezer in NH]

Mine look like that when I slam into a Berdan primmed case. I buy Universal pins by the dozen from Titan reloading saves time in the long run by the way they are cheap. You also have to have the case fully into the case holder and don't go by the "force' when de-capping

[David2011]

After my previous comment about human error I broke two decapping pins this evening. I was decapping a big bunch of .308 and 7.62x51 brass and ran into two makes that were Berdan primed. The die was a Redding; certainly not the fault of the die. I was also trying to repair some misshapen mouths so I used a resizing die on a few instead of the universal decapper. Looked into a lot of cartridges after the first one but later found about 8 Canadian pieces that were Berdan. That was after decapping a bunch of IVI, also Canadian, that was Boxer primed. The Berdan primed brass was all properly demilitarized.

[wilecoyote]

since 2000, my Lee dies never failed to decap or snap in two (by my fault).
but today I understand that mine are all considered quite old stuff_
if newer Lee dies instead are folding the steel(?)pin, the stuff they were made of has changed,
and/or is not anymore what R.Lee wrote in his book_

[hollywood63]

Might grab a set of these https://www.squirreldaddy.com/3-Heat-Treat-decapping-pin-upgrade-for-Lee-90783-p/sd24-112.htm

I like the stuff I've seen off that site before, just never purchased from them.


And don't look back pops out crimped primers nicely ..............as long as the case is lined up of course

[toallmy]

With the hardened squirrel daddy pins you can almost punch a new flash hole in a berdan primer case .
If you take a peak in the case before trying to deprime them - and see the 2 little holes it can save a lot of aggravation especially 223,308,3006 ..........
Besides cases out of alignment in the shell holder - debris in the case ( like a 22 case , or a pebble ) or even a off center flash hole will cause trouble .

[mdi]

Well, I'd guess it's operator error. What was inside the case that the pin hit? Did a Berdan primed case sneak through? Did you have the case in crooked, off center? Did you stop when there was extra force needed, or did you just slam the die down on a case?. I have been using Lee tools since 1970 and a universal depriming die for roughly 12 years. I have bent pins only when there was a chunk of hard tumbling media in the case. I have never found a military primer crimp that was difficult to remove, even WWII brass. I have never found a flash hole so small as to bend a pin either. The case of foreign articles, or small/blocked flash holes is easily remedied by inspection.

My Lee "crap" dies had loaded tens of thousands of rounds, quite successfully even military once fired range pickups (I got "ringers" way before any bent pins). Maybe because of my background (lifelong machinist/mechanic) that I know how to use tools as they are designed?

[wilecoyote]

the undersized hole of some .308 Win. Hirtenberger cases, pin well centered an primer not crimped, was enough to break the Lee pin, in my case.
sure not Lee's fault.
said that, I like and I trust in my Lee univ. decapping die for every case I have.

[ddeck22]

I had this happen on some Berdan primed cases. I've learned to put only so much force on the handle. If I feel some resistance, I will push a little more to see if it is a heavily crimped primer. If nothing, I pull it out and look to see the flash hole. Sometimes it's Berdan and other times it is a small flash hole. For 223 and 9 mm, those go in the scrap bucket. No need to potentially break a pin for a ubiquitous cartridge.

[jmorris]

That ones on you, if you don’t tighten the collet so tight the pin will slide up before you can mangle the steel like that.

[bedbugbilly]

I have been using my Lee universal de-priming die for probably 20 years - have de-primed thousands of casings and still the original pin.

I personally think that a lot of the pins get damaged like shown because a person hand places the casing in the shell holder and doesn't make sure the casing is fully seated in the shell holder - this causes the primer hole to be off center so when the ram is raised, there pin hits the casing and not the priming hole. Easy to do because the process is repetitive and your mind can wander.

I have the same die in AZ, and out there, I've deprived a lot of 223/5.56 range brass - I have found that with the small casing, if I am not seated all the way into the shell holder, the pin can reallyy find resistance very easily - regardless of if the primers are crimped or not.

Solution? Keep your mind on what you are doing and make sure the casing is fully in the shell holder so the primer hole is centered inline with the pin. Then order 2 or 3 replacement pins to have on hand - they aren't that expensive.

Think of the mechanical advantage you have in a loading press when you pull the handle down and raise the ram - doesn't matter what brand of dies you have - the pin hits the brass instead of the primer hole - it's going to bend. When de-priming crimped primers - you have to be even more careful - coax them out - it's not a case where "brut force" is the answer because something is going to have to :give" - either the primer or the pin.

[Stopsign32v]

That ones on you, if you don’t tighten the collet so tight the pin will slide up before you can mangle the steel like that.

Yep, you're right. I had been getting the pin push up so I locked her down with Gorilla force. Lesson learned

[skeet1]

On occasion, you will find Berdan primed .223 brass. That decapping pin looks like mine when I discover one.

[Stopsign32v]

Like said by someone above, Lee is sending a new one free of charge. That is some pretty good customer service.

[45 long]

Another vote for Squirrel Daddy pins. Heat treating makes all the difference.

[45 long]

Anothe vote for Squirrel Daddy pins. Heat treating makes all the difference.

[1hole]

This is a less than month old Universal Depriming die, maybe 150 9mm through it and 100 .223 through it. Was depriming some crimped .223/5.56 and then this stopped me in my tracks. I can't win for losing!

Does anyone make good replacement pins for Lee? I'd rather not replace crap with more crap.


Crap or no crap, and I don't care what brand of die it is or how many times it hasn't been used, it's misuse of the tool to expect anyone's decap pin to punch a new flash hole. If the decapping pin doesn't align with the flash hole but we ram it home anyway that little pin is going to get broken or bent every time it's tried.

Or .... maybe it is all Lee's fault. ???

[Driz]

On occasion, you will find Berdan primed .223 brass. That decapping pin looks like mine when I discover one.

I just found one today[emoji853]. Yea I broke a brand new RCBS pin[emoji35]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[lightman]

I've deprimed thousands of cases with my Lee die and I've broken one pin. This was a case with a piece of pea gravel in it. The pin rode down the side of the gravel much like a flash hole out of alignment and broke. I don't feel that this was Lee's fault. I emailed Lee, mostly because I didn't get anyone to answer the phone, and was told to mail the broken pin to them and they would send me another if I paid the postage. For about what that would have cost I just ordered 3 from Midway. I wish I had known about Squirrel Daddy then! My die has remained rust free.

[deces]

I wonder how long this video could go before some from Lee breaks in it?


https://youtu.be/JZXVs_ITErs

[popper]

Most don't clean the case holder - junk accumulates. Light pressure to 'find' the flash hole, then punch it out.

[DurangoDave]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52331703194_06cb56c495_b.jpg
That pin did not hit the primer. If it did it wouldn't be able to jump out of the primer hole and bend to the side like that. It must have just missed the primer flash hole and then bend as you continued to push.

I think that depriming pin was loose and the pin was off-center. You didn't notice and pressed harder on the lever.

[derek45]

I process 1000 round batches of 5.56 Lake City brass with a LEE decapper. it works fine.

I keep spare pins on hand, …..but typically,…if something feels wrong,… don’t force it

when you find berdan prime’ed brass, crush it with malice and pitch it




https://youtube.com/shorts/_uBjoIuvAQQ?feature=share

[414gates]

The swaging rod in my new Lee Ram Swage looks like steel but bends like toffee.

I replaced it with an old Lee decapping rod that was missing the pin, set into a dome nut with epoxy.

The old decapping rods are hardened steel.

I may have used the tool incorrectly, but maybe that part should not be so soft.

[mikeatl]

I like to use a 223 decapping pin as it helps line up the case.

[Soundguy]

I'm surprised it just didn't slip like it's designed to instead of bending

[jmorris]

I'm surprised it just didn't slip like it's designed to instead of bending

The collet is 1/8 NPT threads, the more you tighten it the harder it locks the pin in place. Unless you have an inch pounds torque wrench it’s more of a “feel” kind of thing, setting it.

As much as I don’t like having to back the collet off and tap the pin back with a tiny brass hammer, it beats destroying a pin.

I have used them for years, even in my projects because, if set right, will slip vs being mangled.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJgU3-OXuUU

[Soundguy]

The collet is 1/8 NPT threads, the more you tighten it the harder it locks the pin in place. Unless you have an inch pounds torque wrench it’s more of a “feel” kind of thing, setting it.

As much as I don’t like having to back the collet off and tap the pin back with a tiny brass hammer, it beats destroying a pin.

I have used them for years, even in my projects because, if set right, will slip vs being mangled.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJgU3-OXuUU

That's my entire point.. take some time.. set the gear up properly.. and problems like this are drastically cut. Sure.. I don't like to dink around and waste time setting up a die.. but I also don't want to have to totally stop production for 2 weeks waiting for a part via snail mail because a part broke because i couldnt waste a couple minutes setting it up correctly...
It's just like setting up and exercising a slip clutch on a farm mower. you loosen the bolts on the clutch till it slips, then tighten them a hair and do another pass.. and keep doing this till the normal material you cut doesn't cause a slip. you use white out lines across the disc and carrier to see if it has slipped. once you do this and are mowing and hit a hidden stump or tire.. or ant mound.. the clutch.. which is just tight enough to cut weeds and grass hits that stump.. and slips.. and doesn't ruin a 1500% mower.. or a 350$ shaft.. or a 35000$ tractor... and all the time to replace such.

[Engineer1911]

This is why you buy RCBS sizer dies and a 50-count bag of extra pins, large pins, small pins. headed pins. You don't need to worry about breaking pins again.

[Multra]

The nut on the top of your die was too tight if the pin bent that badly.

[parson48]

I've been pleased with these. https://www.squirreldaddy.com/Decapping-pin-s/336.htm

[Hannibal]

You guys would know you're waaaay late to the party if you'd read the whole thread.

[hoodat]

I have been using the Lee Decapping die for years and have found another purpose for it.

When I started reloading for a 20 cal., (20-222) I found that the de-capping pin is the perfect diameter to serve as a final neck expanding mandrill. Measures like .203", leaving necks perfect for .204" bullets. As I deprime the cases, I can easily detect any ones with excessively loose diameter, and weed them out for further neck sizing. jd

[ranger391xt]

Might grab a set of these https://www.squirreldaddy.com/3-Heat-Treat-decapping-pin-upgrade-for-Lee-90783-p/sd24-112.htm

I like the stuff I've seen off that site before, just never purchased from them.I've used these. Got them off ebay. They are stronger, but still possible to bend them if a berdan case slips by.....

Seems others have chimed in on the Squirrel Daddy stuff. I should have read all the way to the end before replying.

Also, I have seen the quicker rusting on newer lee dies as well. The breech lock adapter for my app is really bad about flash rusting as well.

Sent from my SM-N981U using Tapatalk

[Hannibal]

And if you dont tighten it overly hard, those pins will pop out the moment you touch the primer with it.

There's definitely a fine line and it's not easily defined. I once bought a Lee 3-hole turret press and a set of used .223 dies. Someone had apparently clamped Vice grips on the decapping pin shaft repeatedly to provide more purchase. I still have the die set and it still has that 'modified' pin in the sizing die.

[poppy42]

The nut on the top of your die was too tight if the pin bent that badly.

No it wasn’t. I’ve bent plenty of the capping pins on my Lee universal. Usually when I’m not paying attention running thousands of range pick ups. You’d be surprised how fast the decapping pin will bend/break When it encounters a 22 rimfire stuck inside whatever case you’re depriming. Incidentally they bend because they are tempered so that they have a little bit of give. Loosen the nut and the pin just slides! Some have suggested using the sizing die. No dirty brass touches my sizing dies! It only takes one grain of sand to really screw up a perfectly good sizing die! (Ask me how I know) My brass gets decapped, cleaned, then sized. I decap first because I like to inspect the primer pockets and flash holes. On a sidenote I haven’t ran a crossed it in 223 but I can certainly tell you that 9 mm Norma brass the flash hole is so small that my lee de capping pin will not fit through it! I’ve got a whole separate post on that someplace here on the forum.

[technojock]

Although I didn't think it was damp in my gun room, my Lee universal decapping and universal expander dies both rusted recently (outside only.) For an experiment, I wire brushed them and then sprayed them with Midway drop out mold lube. I've always found the drop out lube useless for molds but it has other good uses... Anyway I have to very black and now protected dies but I don't know how long it will last.

[technojock]

i use the lee hand press, i have a feeling SPEED is the big factor in killing decapping pins

I have one of those too. It's great for decapping brass while watching the tube...

Tony