I know a lot folks don’t bother reloading 5.56 nato because it is relatively cheap to just buy. But, I’m enjoying reloading so far and I have a good bit of 5.56 brass so I figured why not.
Anyway, when I try to de-prime it, the pin in my normal universal de-priming die bends and breaks. I can get a few done, but every 5th or 6th one will bend it. So, I either won’t reload the 5.56 brass or I just won’t use that die to de-prime.
Do any of you know of a better solution for de-priming 5.56 brass?
I happen to have access to a lot of 5.56 brass and as a result can load it pretty inexpensively. Many of the cases, certainly Lake City or other NATO spec, should have a crimped primer pocket. I have had good luck with my RCBS small base die set. I haven’t broken a decapping pin yet. I just bought the RCBS universal decapping die, but haven’t tried it. Once you get the primers out you will also need to either ream or swage the primer pocket to open it up for a new primer. I have been using the RCBS swaging die with good results. I use a primer pocket gauge to set the die so I don’t go too far and get a loose pocket. Hope that helps.