Damned recapping rods

Walks

Well-Known Member
I've bent a number of RCBS decapping rods. I actually prefer Lyman Sizers. On those the Decapping pins break before the Rod bends. And I've got a lot of Lyman decapping pins. And the old style RCBS decapping pins in large and small. And several rods for each.
I've even managed to break Redding decapping pins.

But that's why they sell extras.
 

Tomme boy

Well-Known Member
I have broke and bent them all. PMC 223 brass from years ago had almost all the primers holes off center. Broke about 5 of the RCBS pins before I actually looked at what was doing it.

Had a 25acp in the bottom of a 308W I did not see. Broke the pin and bent the rod. Broke numerous LEE pins. From 9mm to 7.62x54r cases. Broke one on a 8x57mm. I looked in the brass and it looked like it was boxer primed. I sized 3 cases then the 4th would not come out of the shell holder. The pin broke when the primer was about half way out. Come to find out, I was making my own boxer primed cases. Punched right through.

357 had a 380 in it while processing a large batch of cases.

Hornady 223 FL sizer has a carbide expander. Broke several of them.
 

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
I don't recall which maker of dies it was, but one of them used two pin styles- a straight pin and an nail looking pin. Whenever I broke a pin, I'd be out of the style needed. It was like a curse. I think it might have been RCBS. The nail looking ones are hard to find IIRC. These days I'm a lot more careful and do a lot less reloading of pick up brass. Now that I've put that in print, I'll need to reload something and find I'm all out of pins altogether!
 

RBHarter

West Central AR
RCBS has the headed and straight pins . Lyman has large and small straight pins . None seem to interchange smoothly .......
 

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
Once you bend it your done...

you have had it set too long and its hitting bottom inside a case and bending.

its hard to get straight once bent RCBS has your back. Get new and watch adjustments.

cW
 

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
I've contacted RCBS a couple times over the years about their reputed wunnerful, no questions asked, busted parts policy. I never got so much as a reply, much less anything free in the way of a fix.
 

Ian

Notorious member
Call them on the phone. A few years back I contacted them about buying a new ram for my Ammomaster which I finally wore out after 20 years. It wobbled like crazy. The man who answered the CS number simply asked for my address. I gave it to him and asked if he had a base, too, because it was probably wallowed out as well. He said yes, we'll send them to you. I asked if they took credit cards over the phone and he said nope, we'll just replace it, have a nice day. WOW. So I thanked him and about a week later the parts showed up. Only problem was the new parts were within a few thousandths of being as sloppy as my worn-out parts were, evidently their tolerances faded over the years. Also, the pillars didn't line up the top plate as well with the new base and ram as with the old base and ram. Drilling and tapping the base in four places for 5/16x24 bolts and installing some brass load bolt plugs in the holes took care of both problems with the new ram and base.
 

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
I have contacted them TWICE this year. NOT EVEN LOOKING FOR FREEBEES!! And GOT THEM!!

I never ever herd of anyone having a problem. I have been at this a very long time.
CW
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Can't remember anyone ever saying anything about getting an email response. Try calling them on the phone and see if you don't have a different experience.
 

Walks

Well-Known Member
Phone is the way to go. Although you have to go through a "Call Center", just say you need technical assistence. And never call on Monday, Everybody calls on Monday.
 

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
RCBS I just send them an e-mail and explain the problem....Then when the e-mail is answered it is always it is coming to you in the mail No Charge!
Great service
 

S Mac

Sept. 10, 2021 Steve left us. You are missed.
I have also emailed them and received a response, seems like it took a few days. A bit if back and forth some times but they took care of my concern.
 

462

California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
Both telephone and e-mail have worked, for me. Odd thing with e-mail, though, twice I didn't receive a reply, but a few days later the part(s) showed up in the mail.
 

Mitty38

Well-Known Member
I had a used .243 die set from RCBS, was missing the decapping- expanding pin that threads on the end of the decapping rod. Got it at an estate auction. Called to ask them about where I could buy parts. Told them the truth on how I got it straight up.
At the time I was very inept about terminology. They had me send them a pick and the #'s off of the die to their e mail with an ATTN tag. Did not get a response back from them, was going to call them back. But 8 days later had the decapper rod, nut and pin sent to me with a blow up of the die showing how it went together, an RCBS catalog, and a invoice for $0 with "thank you for being a valued customer" on the bottom.
Of course when I got my 30- 06 neck sizing die I got an RCBS.
I have also had exceptional costumer service experience with Lee, in replacing the decapping pin on my .223 die for free.
 
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Ian

Notorious member
RCBS got my business first and still gets a fair bit of it. I particularly like their Gold Medal Match bushing sizing dies, their specialized cast bullet expanding dies, and their powder handling equipment. I've been looking at the Rockchucker Supreme press for precision work, it apparently is a real sleeper in that regard due to a couple of nuances of design which aren't readily apparent, but show up when doing certain precision operations.
 

Walks

Well-Known Member
I know RCBS makes Great Stuff, but I've been using the Lyman M-Die all My Life. It has served Me Well and until some body comes up with something better, I AM NOT GOING TO CHANGE.

If ya got it, send it on. I'll be glad to try it on your dime.
 

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
LOVE MY M-DIES!

I agree Ill keep them.
But RCBS doing well and standing behind there product in NO WAY deminishes other companies from making good usable and quality products!

cW
 

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
RCBS Cowboy expander die/plug can be substituted for the Lyman "M' die. Specifically, designed for cast bullets.