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7/14/2008 7:29:34 AM EDT
Just started reloading rifle this month and I broke a depriming pin and bent the rod on the Dillon resizer/deprimer.  I call them this morning and told them what happened and them said the IMG brass should be fine to reload.  The guy on the phone thought it was maybe a pebble or something in the primer hole but all of the brass I've done so far with IMG head stamps have been difficult.

Is the flash hole on these small?  I couldn't measure it but it looked smaller than the Remington brass I just finished.

Any one else having any issues ... or ideas?

thanks in advance,
scott

7/14/2008 7:38:23 AM EDT
[#1]
yes on the smaller flash holes. it has been discussed here before and I have had the same experience. What I did was reduce the diameter of my decapping pin by sanding it. I simply just wrapped a piece around the pin and twisted until it fit in and out of the holes easier.
7/14/2008 7:46:40 AM EDT
[#2]
I haven't seen any IMG brass, but my experience is that some flash holes are off-center, or too small.

My solution is that stock extra decap pins/rods, maybe 2-3 extra. That way if you break one you can still continue by just replacing the pin/rod.

I know that many folks think that blue is the holy grail of reloading, but it it not true.

Or, get a Lee Decapping die, and decap all of your brass with this die.  The Lee rod/pin is one piece, and breaking it is difficult but not impossible. If the flash hole is a bit off-center, the Lee decap die will punch another hole, or enlarge it. Or if it is really off center, the decap ride with just go up, and won't decap the old primer, and in that case you will have to discard the case; and you will need to reset the decap rod/pin, but don't overtighten the collet nut holding the rod/pin in place, otherwise you will break the decap pin.  It take quite a bit of force to push the decap rod, but if it takes that much force, then the case if probably not salvageable.
7/14/2008 8:36:39 AM EDT
[#3]
Sorry to repeat the question.  I checked the FAQ and did a search but did not find anything.  
scott

7/14/2008 9:17:06 AM EDT
[#4]

Quoted:
Sorry to repeat the question.  I checked the FAQ and did a search but did not find anything.  
scott



The FAQ is not complete on this detail.

Most people that want to use IMG brass drill the flash hole to a larger diameter.  Off hand, I don't know the drill size required and I can't take a measurement until tonight.
7/14/2008 9:29:09 AM EDT
[#5]
Size matters?

OK.....IF you are gonna use the IMG brass and IF you want to make the flash hole bigger.  Why not........

Find some US mfn brass and de-cap it.

Then, using the assortment of drill bits, try finding one that will allow a "tight fit."

Found it.  

OK use that bit to drill out the IMG brass in your collection.  It won't cure the "off center" ones......but once it's done, it may be just enough to allow the standard de-capper rod to do it's job (even though it's a little off center).

Aloha, Mark
7/14/2008 12:12:15 PM EDT
[#6]
Or... one could get a PPC decapping pin from Sinclair.

I like smaller flash holes, but I'd chunk the off center ones.
7/14/2008 7:01:47 PM EDT
[#7]
I use a #46 drill bit.
7/14/2008 7:11:28 PM EDT
[#8]
No problems here with commercial IMG  (Weideners unfired, uncrimped, new...bought a few K.)  Usually using a Forester BR die.

Now mixing in a LC case with a crimped primer with a batch of decrimped LC has broken quite a few of my decapping pins.  I bought a dozen spares for that.



 
7/15/2008 3:56:11 PM EDT
[#9]
My opinion is not to drill the holes out larger, but to put the decapping pin in a drill and use some emery paper to make it a couple to three thousands smaller.  It's a lot easier to fix 1 pin than a 1000 holes.
8/5/2008 3:46:19 AM EDT
[#10]
Thanks for all the input.  
scott
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