[bob35]

I bought about 450 Sig 357 brass from the range master and it has about 150 Speer cases that I can't de-primed without damaging the de-primer pin. Looking inside the case I see around the primer fire hole a flat about 1/8" in diameter. The de-primer pin hangs up on this flat, bending or breaking. Most other cases have a nice "funnel" shape that guides the pin.

Any suggestions.

[SJ 40]

Sounds as if you are describing Berdan primed cases,their by chance wouldn't be two small holes on either side of said bar,one on each side? SJ 40

[GIockGuy24]

The Speer 357 Sig cases have smaller than usual flash holes. The early RCBS decapping pins in the 357 Sig die sets were standard size. RCBS will send you the newer smaller diameter decapping pins for use with the Speer 357 Sig cases and they work with other brands also. The newer die sets should have the smaller diameter pins but the older ones might still be on shelves. I'm not sure any other brands of 357 Sig dies have this problem with the Speer 357 Sig cases.

[Beanie-Bean]

bob35,

I decap on a Hornady SS with a Lee universal decapping die. No problems with anyone's cases/flash holes yet.

This is the one I'm using, about $11

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/136...-decapping-die

[bob35]

Thanks to everyone who answered. I measured the RCBS decapping pin diameter as .070. It will pass thru some of the Speer flash holes, but not others without heavy pressure, think broken pins and a bent decapping rod. Other cartridge case brands will easily pass a .078 drill bit.
I will call RCBS on Monday for rod replacement and smaller pins.

[dkf]

I use Lee dies with the Lee die pins which are .0625" in diameter but they are even tight in some brands brass. The Lee decapping pins push up if there is too much pressure which helps to keep from breaking the pin.

My RP .357sig brass has a quite a bit smaller flash hole than my Speer .357sig brass. The FC has the largest and is quite a bit larger than the other 2.

[bob35]

Problem solved. I took the .072 de-capping pin out of the 40 S&W die that I size with first. I now de-cap with the second station, a RCBS 357 SIG die which has a .062 pin. I called RCBS and they were very helpful, that's how I found out about the .062 pin.

I have also encountered cases other than Speer which have the small flash hole.

[michael e]

I use Lee and had no issue, but when I was comparing a 40sw round I necked down to a 357sig I noticed the speer hole was slightly smaller.