universal decapping die

01 January 2009, 20:17

plainsman456

just bought 2 one rcbs and a lyman they will work on 204 ruger to 45-70 with no problem.they really shine with dirty cases cuz you can get the primers out without putting crap in your dies,i should have bought one years ago.the lyman seems to have a bigger rod,but they both get the job done.Good Luck

01 January 2009, 20:51

redial

I have a RCBS and a Lee. They both work just fine. Since I decap a lot of military brass, they save undue wear (and likelihood of damage) on my resize dies.

I also use one in the first station of my Dillon 550 in rifle calibers. I resize on a single stage, then tumble the case lube off. The decap die makes sure the flash hole is clear of media when priming.

Mark

01 January 2009, 20:57

craigster

I use a Lee, works fine.

01 January 2009, 21:43

michael.tx

Buy spare pins, you will break them. I use the RCBS. They sell those pins in 5 and 50 packs. I'd go ahead and grab the 50. I seem to average about 500 brass per broken pin.

01 January 2009, 22:17

Mort Canard

quote:
Originally posted by craigster:
I use a Lee, works fine.

+1!!!

The price is also right!

01 January 2009, 23:45

Cliff Lyle

quote:
Originally posted by redial:
I have a RCBS and a Lee. They both work just fine. Since I decap a lot of military brass, they save undue wear (and likelihood of damage) on my resize dies.

I also use one in the first station of my Dillon 550 in rifle calibers. I resize on a single stage, then tumble the case lube off. The decap die makes sure the flash hole is clear of media when priming.

Mark

You resize without the decap pin in your resizing die, I presume.

02 January 2009, 07:07

redial

No, I resize just like the directions suggest - I just do it seperately, on a single stage press. Brass goes back in the tumbler after that to get the lube off THEN to the Dillon for priming, charging and seating.

Since the brass is already resized and decapped, I don't need the size die in Station One on the Dillon, where it's usually used. The universal die pokes the flash hole clear, saving me from having to hand-inspect each for stuck media.

I use the universal die to decap once-fired military brass or any brass with crimped pockets since those are hell on the decap pins in resizing dies.

Mark

02 January 2009, 10:24

quote:
Originally posted by redial:

I use the universal die to decap once-fired military brass or any brass with crimped pockets since those are hell on the decap pins in resizing dies.

Mark

I didnt know you could deprime military brass that way!Makes me even happier I picked up a universal decapper last year!

02 January 2009, 16:09

Con

I use a Lee as a decapper, but I also change out the decapping pin and replace it with Lee's expander plugs for necking up wildcat cases.
Cheers...
Con

02 January 2009, 16:38

shootaway

I have used the RCBS for years,for many cases of different calibers or cartridges.I never had a broken pin or any problem aside for, once using a plier to straighten out the pin.

03 January 2009, 03:36

airgun1

I have the RCBS and have used it a lot. I use it for two main purposes.

I use it to decap crimped in military primers. It is less wear and tear on my die and also leaves the neck expanded for other case prep ops such as flash hole deburring etc.

04 January 2009, 06:54

Oddbod

I have the Lee & three spare pins - haven't needed one yet.
It's cheap & it works - 'nuff said.

04 January 2009, 07:59

Cliff Lyle

I ordered the Lee unit last night from Midway. Thanks for the information, all.

17 February 2009, 21:25

meptampa

quote:
Originally posted by redial:
No, I resize just like the directions suggest - I just do it seperately, on a single stage press. Brass goes back in the tumbler after that to get the lube off THEN to the Dillon for priming, charging and seating.

Since the brass is already resized and decapped, I don't need the size die in Station One on the Dillon, where it's usually used. The universal die pokes the flash hole clear, saving me from having to hand-inspect each for stuck media.

I use the universal die to decap once-fired military brass or any brass with crimped pockets since those are hell on the decap pins in resizing dies.

Mark

I am just getting started and it seems like I would want to use this sequence on all rifle brass (except brand new). 1)Decap (with universal decapper), then tumble clean (to keep any crud from getting in my sizing die). Then resize, then tumble clean again (to get rid of the case lube). Then proceed with priming, charging, seating. It seems like this is one extra step than what the manuals recommend, but it sounds right to me. Am I adding one two many steps, or is this a good process?

17 February 2009, 22:50

Oday450

quote:
Originally posted by redial:
The decap die makes sure the flash hole is clear of media when priming.

Great idea. Will work a whole lot better than picking the corncob out with an awl!

18 February 2009, 01:11

amamnn

A lot of unnecessary steps and $$$ that could be put to better use elsewhere.

18 February 2009, 05:20

Allan DeGroot

The lee decapper works so well it even decapps the berdan primed cases that slip into every batch of range brass...

It doesn't care that there is a solid chunk of brass in the way, it simply makes a new hole.

I have two of the Lee dies, one LIVES on a single stage
(RCBS "RS") press that is only used as a decapping station.

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18 February 2009, 08:03

seafire2

Actually have 3 of the Lee's.. they were cheap enough to have a back up or two...

I do break pins here and there...

Lee will replace for the first 2 years free....

Replacement pins are like $2.00, so I ordered $10.00 worth a few years ago..

I wouldn't be without them.. and deprime all my brass with them first before any resizing...

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18 February 2009, 16:02

jeffeosso

i have the rcbs one -- with all my wildcats, of course I do... it will do up to rum base diameter, not weatherby/rigby .. heh, when your shoulders are as larger as rum cases, that doesn't work, either!!

18 February 2009, 18:29

Bob from down under

I've got a couple of Redding ones. They work well. I am wary of decapping crimped primers. I do not want to break the pins so I use my old Simplex press for the initial decap. After that I use the Redding dies.
I have the Redding decapping dies set up with those Hornady snap lock mounts its real fast on the setup time.