Universal De-Capper

[cloverleaf]

So whats your opinion? I have to reload down at my folks, 300 miles away, but I am slowly working on the needed equiptment of my own. I have a small "C" Lee press which Dad says is really too small to load with. But, If I could de-cap and tumble the brass before I got it home that would be cool. I have a blatant mis trust of anything "universal" Also, Im assuming that it will not work the brass or mess up the flash holes? Or am i just better off to buy the dies. I think Dads concern about my little press had to do with getting good, consistant re-sizing. Am I off base here? Thanks for the thoughts. CL

 

[DrMike]

I use a universal depriming die for brass slated to pass through the sonic cleaner. It is quick, easy and does not harm to the brass. Your Lee press will work just fine for 98% of what you need. I have one of the hand presses that works very well for most standard and magnum cartridges.

 

[Guest]

CL, I've been depriming with a Lee Universal die for about a decade. Works just like it should, and gets all the primers out before I tumble my cases. It's just a normal sizing die that's been reamed out so that no case body is large enough to contact the die body when you run it through the press. Only the decapping pin makes any contact. Just don't ram them hard, as every once in a while a case will be out of line with the center of the shellholder, and since there's no die body contact to "align" the case, the decapping pin can whack an occasional case mouth if you get to rowdy with it. For what you're talking about, a universal depriming die will do exactly as you're thinking - it will streamline and speed up the process, as you can show up at your folks house with clean brass ready to load. I might also suggest that you get a priming tool and go ahead and have the brass primed when you go, and then you'll just have to charge and seat bullets and you're done. I bet you can load a lot faster with that process.

I'm with Dr. Mike, too, on your current press. It will do just about everything you need for right now, and until you start shooting benchrest or some other hyper-accuracy pursuit (like 1000yd shooting). It should be fine to deprime, resize, and seat bullets. Just get good dies. I suggest Hornady, but RCBS and Lyman are very good also. Lee are acceptable, but not the best dies. I use a set, and the difference between them and my Hornady dies is noticeable, both at the bench and at the range. But, the Lee dies did the job when they were all I had, so don't misunderstand me on that. They will make 1.5" at 100yd ammo all day long, and load some that will shoot better. If you'd like to upgrade economically (don't we all, these days!) keep an eye on Craigslist and ebay, as well as the classifieds here. I've seen good used presses go for $20-40 if you're willing to shop and wait. A new one is something like $120 these days, so it's a huge savings. That's for something made within the last 20yrs and in good shape, too. A good O-frame press from Lyman or RCBS. If I run across one anytime soon I'll let you know.

Oh, and make sure your press is mounted to a sturdy surface. That's a key element to this whole thing. If the press moves, everything moves.

 

[DrMike]

Oh, and make sure your press is mounted to a sturdy surface. That's a key element to this whole thing. If the press moves, everything moves.

dubyam is correct. Make certain that everything is secure. When customers bring me a rifle for working up a load, I ask them to bring a set of dies. If I supply the dies, it costs them more, and I don't need to build my inventory any bigger than it is. Consequently, I've used quite a variety of dies over the years (Forster, Redding, RCBS, Lyman, Hornady, Lee, etc.). Any of these can be used to make accurate ammunition. What is essential is consistency, which translates out to care in setting up the die. I now use a Redding T7 and a Forster press, but for years I used an RCBS Rock Chucker and an RCBS Partner press. As I said, I have a Lee hand press, and all have made accurate ammunition. I have no doubt that your small "C" Lee press will work just fine. I wouldn't want to deter you from time with your dad in making ammunition at his bench, but neither should you suffer withdrawal because you are concerned about your own equipment. Best of luck in trying out what you have.

 

[nodak7mm]

CL,

Like the Doc and Dubyam, I use the Universal decapper too for the same reasons..

Be suprized what the little presses can do.. I have used a Bonanza Coax for pertnear 30 yrs and couple yrs ago bought a RCBS Partner. Was so impressed bought another Partner press, now I use those two partners 10:1 to the Coax. Easier, lighter, smaller. Kinda like the Coax is a D9 at and the partner presses are bobcat skid loaders....

Buy the dang lee Universal decapping die for 12$ and have fun..

 

[JD338]

I do not use a universal decapping die, just my normal RCBS, Redding, Hornady dies. I clean my cases in an old Vibra-Tek case cleaner.
Check the classifieds and you might find yourself a deal on an older RCBS press. My RCBS press is going on 36 yrs old and still turning our decent loads for me.

JD338

 

[cloverleaf]

Thanks guys- so maybe I have my "processes" mixed up- as I said usually load with Dads tutleage (sp). But how does the sizing process get done? Just remove the pin from the "other die"? Can you/should you do that (re-size) with the new primer in place? CL

 

[nodak7mm]

Morning CL,

What "I think the primary purpose of a universal decapping die is, is just that, to pop out the primer. It does not serve any other purpose. You will need to resize the case with the applicable FL or Neck die.

While I am not a fan of "Stock" expander buttons, generally remove them and use other methods, butif you if use std sizing dies & methodology, one of the best things can do to prevent runout is to: A) Polish your current expander button or B) Upgade to a Redding Carbide Button. This is on top of ensure you use enough lube inside the case neck.

Back to orig topic, what I think the primary advantages of using a uni decap die is, is to be able to pop the primer out of almost any, dirty case so you can toss the case in the tumbler for cleaning. This way you dont risk scratching your nice spendy sizing die by sizing a dirty case.

Yes, its an extra step. But its a nice tool to have..

Rod

 

[PJGunner]

I wouldn't be without a universal decapping die. I use it to pop out the old primers, then throw the brass into the tumbler for a good cleaning. Whwn I take the brass out of the tumbler, I use the universal decapper to punch out any tumbling media that is stuck in the flash hole. It's a lot faster than picking that stuff out with a nail or some other makeshift tool.
As far as your current press goes,it should work just fine. Probably the only way it might be "too small" is if you're loading something like the .416 Rigby or some other huge cartridge designed by the British for African dangerous game. They're too big even for a Rockchucker.
Paul B.

 

[FOTIS]

Yup I use a Lee.