I need to de-prime/de-cap my cases before resizing them (pin in the sizing die is too short even at it's furthest extention unless I want to FLR the cases, and I don't), these are all 25-06, 30-06 and 35 whelen cases...

who makes the best tool/die to get this done?

I don't know if it's "the best", but I have and use Lee's universal decapping die, works just fine.

i also have one of the lee universal decappers and ive deprimmed about 2500-3000 cases with it with no issue. ive read that the rcbs is prone to breaking pins so i stayed away from it. i even hit probably 3-4 berdan primed cases and it still knocked the primer out.

the way the lee is designed its nearly impossible to break the pin. if you put to much resistance agains it, it will actually shove the pin up out the top before it breaks it. then all you have to do is loosen the tension nut on top put it back in place and tighten down and proceed with what you were doing.

I have been using the RCBS universal de-capping die for a number os years now without issue.

Von Gruff.

I have used the RCBS decapping die for years without any issues.

- mike

I use the hand held depriming tool made and sold by Neil Jones. It's faster than any other decapping system available.

punch and a hammer

I like my RCBS

DMB how is the NJ tool any faster then others? I can see it being more convenient, I`d like knocking out primers in the back yard or in front of the TV away from the press, but don`t see any advantage in speed.

I have used the rcbs and the lyman de-capping dies and they both do a good quick job of it.

The Lee is virtually indestructable. I have two friends who dropped the RCBS and went to Lee.

The Lee universal decapper is the only one I've used. It is also the only die I own which broke the decap pin for no apparent reason. The replacement was inexpensive and has worked fine for years.

quote:

Originally posted by Ol` Joe:
I like my RCBS

DMB how is the NJ tool any faster then others? I can see it being more convenient, I`d like knocking out primers in the back yard or in front of the TV away from the press, but don`t see any advantage in speed.

Joe,

You need to see a pix NJ's depriming tool to get an idea of how much faster it can be.
It should be shown on his web site.
But, you just pick up a case, slip it over a decapping rod, and punch out the old primer. Then, go for the next case. No need to sit the case in a shell holder, then lower the lever on the loading press, punch out the primer, then go for another case.
With the NJ tool, you can easily knock out primers while listening to your wife give you work assignments...

May as well add the Redding Universal die.

I've used the Lee universal decapping die for some time now without any issues.

thank you very much gentlemen!

quote:

Originally posted by sksshooter:
i also have one of the lee universal decappers and ive deprimmed about 2500-3000 cases with it with no issue. ive read that the rcbs is prone to breaking pins so i stayed away from it. i even hit probably 3-4 berdan primed cases and it still knocked the primer out.

the way the lee is designed its nearly impossible to break the pin. if you put to much resistance agains it, it will actually shove the pin up out the top before it breaks it. then all you have to do is loosen the tension nut on top put it back in place and tighten down and proceed with what you were doing.

For the record SKS how would a centralised boxer primer de-capping pin knock out a Berdan primer which has two small offset flash holes. Unless of course the pin was strong enough to punch clean through the centre of the primer pocket taking out the built in anvil and all with the spent primer and stuffing the case for reloading? Does not seem possible but I might be missing something.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim C. <><:
The Lee is virtually indestructable. I have two friends who dropped the RCBS and went to Lee.

That is not exactly True...

They are real good units.. but I got thru spurts where I bust them all the time..

I am not overly concerned.. as I call Lee and they will send me out a new spindle..

The entire unit only costs less than $10...

so I have to admit.. I own 3 of them.. and buy the spindles from Lee in quantities of 5 for $10 over couple of years..

I also have an RCBS one I picked up used for like $2 with a broken spindle.. which I called RCBS and they sent me a replacement for free..

its not either are bad units... it's just you ever known someone who could just managed to break anything? .....welcome to my world..

I have the lee universal decapper die and a lee universal expander die sitting in a single red plastic box. I have used them both for years. I have deprimed mil spec crimped primers with the lee and not broken anything.
I think they will outlive me and be passed on to son/grandson. Not fancy items, but, they perform as advertised.
thanks rc

Another one for the Lee Universal Decapping Die. I doubt it's the best, but it does work well and I've had no problems with it.

i just finished depriming 35,000 .223 brass with the lee universal die with out any breakage. most of the brass was crimped,

broke both the rcbs and redding stem the lee just keep punching the primers out

quote:

Originally posted by eagle27:

quote:

Originally posted by sksshooter:
i also have one of the lee universal decappers and ive deprimmed about 2500-3000 cases with it with no issue. ive read that the rcbs is prone to breaking pins so i stayed away from it. i even hit probably 3-4 berdan primed cases and it still knocked the primer out.

the way the lee is designed its nearly impossible to break the pin. if you put to much resistance agains it, it will actually shove the pin up out the top before it breaks it. then all you have to do is loosen the tension nut on top put it back in place and tighten down and proceed with what you were doing.

For the record SKS how would a centralised boxer primer de-capping pin knock out a Berdan primer which has two small offset flash holes. Unless of course the pin was strong enough to punch clean through the centre of the primer pocket taking out the built in anvil and all with the spent primer and stuffing the case for reloading? Does not seem possible but I might be missing something.

yes eagle it just knocks the entire center out of the primer pocket. i think i still have one of the cases at home if you would like to see a pic.

quote:

Originally posted by sksshooter:

quote:

Originally posted by eagle27:

quote:

Originally posted by sksshooter:
i also have one of the lee universal decappers and ive deprimmed about 2500-3000 cases with it with no issue. ive read that the rcbs is prone to breaking pins so i stayed away from it. i even hit probably 3-4 berdan primed cases and it still knocked the primer out.

the way the lee is designed its nearly impossible to break the pin. if you put to much resistance agains it, it will actually shove the pin up out the top before it breaks it. then all you have to do is loosen the tension nut on top put it back in place and tighten down and proceed with what you were doing.

For the record SKS how would a centralised boxer primer de-capping pin knock out a Berdan primer which has two small offset flash holes. Unless of course the pin was strong enough to punch clean through the centre of the primer pocket taking out the built in anvil and all with the spent primer and stuffing the case for reloading? Does not seem possible but I might be missing something.

yes eagle it just knocks the entire center out of the primer pocket. i think i still have one of the cases at home if you would like to see a pic.

Thanks SKS, I appreciate your point now. Obviously the Berdan primed cases are no good after having the anvil punched out but at least as you say, you don't have to worry about the odd Berdan case slipping through the process when using the strong Lee universal de-capper.

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
punch and a hammer

X2 TRUE roger

quote:

Originally posted by bigbill0690:

I just finished depriming 35,000 .223 brass...

My God, man! How long did that take? Did you keep a rough record of hours? I've got a bucket of maybe 500-600 that await my attention. I don't even want to start. I cannot imagine facing 35,000...

Big Bill,

you are THE MAN!

Rich

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
punch and a hammer

+3 buy the punch from Wilson.

quote:

Originally posted by homebrewer:

quote:

Originally posted by bigbill0690:

I just finished depriming 35,000 .223 brass...

My God, man! How long did that take? Did you keep a rough record of hours? I've got a bucket of maybe 500-600 that await my attention. I don't even want to start. I cannot imagine facing 35,000...

35,000-UNBELIEVABLE...WOW

well it took me 3 and 1/2 weeks to do all 35,000 most days about 5 hr some were 6 hr now my right arm is quite larger than the left lol now iam looking at triming to length and doing the primer pockets thank god you only have to do this once