Broken decap bolt on 223

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

Im running a Dillon RL550 with Dillon dies. I have bent 2 decap bolts. When they bend I end up with stuck cases. Anyone ran into this? Not sure why its happening. Cases have been deprimed, sonic cleaned, tumbled, and then resize. Read somewhere to adjust the die so the decap pin just barely pushes primer out? Was going to try that next, not sure how deep I had it adjusted before.

[waumo1]

You say the cases are deprimed before they go into the Dillon press?

In that case about the only problem could be the deprimer pin is missing the flash hole or the deprimer is screwed too far down and bottoming out on the case head.

I screw down the deprimer until it reliably deprimes. I have never bent or broken a deprimer in 20 years of use.

I guess another possibility is something in the case from tumbling. What type media are you using? I wouldn't expect a piece of corncob or walnut to break a pin but ceramic might.

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

I'm pretty sure at this point that I had the deprimer pin down too far, because after I got it all apart I could tell the neck was jammed up. Nothing was in the flash hole. I inspect them all after tumbling, wipe clean, and make sure all media is removed. Going to call Dillon tomorrow and get the new one ordered. Thanks for the reply!

[WireBender]

I have been reloading .223 on my Dillon RL550 and was having some trouble with that die too. I didn't break the deprimer pin but the cases were having a hard time getting past the expander ball. There was some damage to the decap bolt and I think, like you, it was adjusted down too far. After raising it up a little there is no more problem. Call Dillon and they will send you a new decap bolt for free.

Make sure that you are using lube on your cases. It is a must on rifle cases. Just don't use too much or you will crush your cases. (Don't ask me how I know). After lubing, wipe off the case a little to remove the excess lube and there should be no problem.

 

Good Luck

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

They sent you a free one? I got ripped lol. Ordered one yesterday, along with some dillon case lube and a new 4 lb spring set for my trigger. Maybe ill have some time to try next weekend.

[WireBender]

The decap bolt and I think the die housing itself have a lifetime warranty. Where they get you is on the expander ball and the decap pins. They are not replaced free. I think the pins are $3.99 and the expander ball is like $16.00. If you call Dillion and ask, they will send you the new decap bolt. I just did that last week and I got it in the mail in just a few days.

 

I have been using the Dillion case lube and it is working great. Not too expensive either.

 

I know what you mean about having enough time. Prepping cases takes forever. But I just do it a little at a time. Soon I will get to actually load the damn things. Then look for the time to go shoot them.

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

I'm not too worried about it. Good to know future reference though. They charge $25 for the bolt, ball, and decap pin, so I'm not out much more than I would have been. Find time, life gets in the way of all the fun stuff.....lol

[patriot]

...nevermind... I misread your post.

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

Got in the new bolt assembly. Readjusted everything and ran about 100 rounds with no problems. Thanks for the help. Also bought a bottle of dillon case lube to try. And installed a set of JP duty trigger springs and Mako magwell grip. Have to take it out for a spin when the weather breaks.

[WireBender]

Glad to hear that you got it figured out. I think you will like the case lube. It seems to work well for me.

Let us know how the new trigger works out.

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

Got 50 rounds through this evening. Everything fed perfectly. The trigger is very minor change from stock, feels a little better, but I dont have a trigger scale to measure. For $10 its also nice to have extra set of springs.