Decapping Die - Mighty Armory vs FW Arms

[Oso]

I splurged and bought a new press. I was contemplating upgrading my decapping die for something a little more robust. The top 2 contenders are the Mighty Armory and FW Arms.

https://www.mightyarmory.com/collec...roducts/the-pua-decapping-die-for-lapua-brass
https://fwarms.com/shop/reloading/fw-arms-primer-popper-auto-case-centering-decapper-deprimer/

Both dies have the spring loaded primer flicker feature. The FW Arms also has a collar that helps to support/center the case during depriming. Anyone have some real time use on these two dies?

Thanks

 

[F Class John]

While I wasn’t able at the time to directly compare both systems popper units, this might help you compare some of the other differences between the two companies. I can honestly tell you having owned several dies from each company that both are really great and I’ve had very good interactions with both owners in terms of customer service whenever I’ve called.
Testing out Mighty Armory and FW Arms Decapping Dies

 

[nakneker]

I only have experience with the mighty armory decamping die (and a couple of their sizing dies). Their decamping die is a high quality die, the decamping rod has a tip that can be screwed on and off and is tougher than most decapping rods, in the off chance you bend the tip on the rod it’s easy to change out and your back in action, just unscrew the bent tip and screw on a new one, easy peasey. Very simple design, high quality, tough. Zero regrets with that decapper.

 

[Oso]

While I wasn’t able at the time to directly compare both systems popper units, this might help you compare some of the other differences between the two companies. I can honestly tell you having owned several dies from each company that both are really great and I’ve had very good interactions with both owners in terms of customer service whenever I’ve called.
Testing out Mighty Armory and FW Arms Decapping Dies

Thank you - I had viewed your video(s), which I find to be very useful including helping me decide on the Henderson case trimmer. I am trying to find the right decapping die for rifle brass to be used on a Zero Press.

Do you think that you would still have gone with the Mighty Armory if you were to do the comparison again using the with the newer version of the FW Arms die that features both the spring loaded primer flicker and the alignment sleeve for self-centering?

 

[SeabeeKen]

I have the MA die. It is a tank! Never broke a pin. It has the smaller lapua pin for the small flash hole. The die can also be set up to swage primer pockets with a simple swap of the decap rod for a hold down rod. Wayne sells a separate kit for the die that includes the swage parts. Ive never tried the FW arms die

 

[F Class John]

Do you think that you would still have gone with the Mighty Armory if you were to do the comparison again using the with the newer version of the FW Arms die that features both the spring loaded primer flicker and the alignment sleeve for self-centering?

I’ve switched to the FW popper but only because I’m now decapping on another machine and it seemed to like the FW a little better because of how it feeds. But honestly they’re both really great tools and I don’t think you can go wrong with either. MA does make a centering popper as well but it’s a little more limited to caliber. Just keep in mind the FW is really compared to the MA which can impact its use on some presses.

 

[Jdne5b]

I have both now. Originally, I was completely on the FW Arms train. But he’s constantly revising the design and it’s virtually impossible to get parts for the older designs since they aren’t interchangeable. I think I have 3 or 4 versions and now there’s a newer one. He’s never answered any emails about other parts, or emails of one of my buddies. The pins are nearly bulletproof, but running an automated 1050, stuff happens and stuff breaks. I’ve chalked it up to a cost of doing business I guess. Maybe I’ll buy the newest die when I’m out of parts on my current version or maybe not. I really, really like the alignment feature. Pin cost is high @ $5 each

I bought a Mighty Armory popper die on his holiday sales. The die seems to not be changing all the time, and over 5k pcs of brass processed and not one broken pin. Pin cost a little better at @$11 for 3. Primers liked to pull back on this pin more than the FW, so some polishing and beveling was needed. Could be the FW popping action is better? The MA can also be had with a .20 caliber center post/pin.

I believe the pins could be interchangeable but I have not tried yet.

TLDR: Either die is a great choice for a single stage. If you’re using something like a progressive or the Lee APP, the FW might be a marginally better choice.

 

[TylerFromMS]

I’ve only ever used MA, but I’ve been happy enough with it not to change. I’m one of those that likes to to try new stuff out, but like my Giraud, I haven’t really felt the need to explore other options.

 

[dbaird]

I splurged and bought a new press. I was contemplating upgrading my decapping die for something a little more robust. The top 2 contenders are the Mighty Armory and FW Arms.

https://www.mightyarmory.com/collec...roducts/the-pua-decapping-die-for-lapua-brass
https://fwarms.com/shop/reloading/fw-arms-primer-popper-auto-case-centering-decapper-deprimer/

Both dies have the spring loaded primer flicker feature. The FW Arms also has a collar that helps to support/center the case during depriming. Anyone have some real time use on these two dies?

Thanks

MA 1000% satisfied- cannot go wrong with these decapping dies.

 

[justinp61]

Just out of curiosity, what makes these dies better than a Lee just for decapping?

 

[farmerjohn]

Just out of curiosity, what makes these dies better than a Lee just for decapping?

I accidentally punched out a berdan primer while doing some 7mm brass, don't recommend it, but never missed a beat. Have had several others, not FW, so I can't comment on them. Don't know how you could improve on the MA, John

 

[Jdne5b]

I accidentally punched out a berdan primer while doing some 7mm brass, don't recommend it, but never missed a beat. Have had several others, not FW, so I can't comment on them. Don't know how you could improve on the MA, John

FW and MA will both punch a 3rd hole in most berdan cases, along with crushing rocks, stabbing through 22lr cases, etc. I have found one Berdan headstamp that cost me $25 in pins.

The pins are so hard they don’t bend, they crush or snap when they do finally break.

Just out of curiosity, what makes these dies better than a Lee just for decapping?

the spring loaded popping action is one benefit. The self guided centering spring of the FW is another. It keeps cases from wobbling and hitting the sides of the mouth.

Again.. not really an issue on a solid single stage but when I'm processing a 2000+ and hour keeping 223 brass from wobbling and centering it up before running the decapper into it helps a lot.

 

[Martin52]

Just out of curiosity, what makes these dies better than a Lee just for decapping?

I have a Lee decapper and a MA, both do the same job on LRP brass, I use the MA mainly on SRP brass requiring a smaller pin size. Main advantage of the MA is that the pins easily swap out if you need to change the size. With the Lee, you would have to grind down the pin for SRP brass.

 

[Oso]

I thought I would close the loop on this thread. I had a minor change of course and decided not to dirty the new Area 419 Zero Press with decapping schmutz. This resulted in revisiting my case prep process, specifically the timing of when I wanted to deal with decapping brass.

I decided on a dedicated decapping station using a Lee APP press and a FW Arms Popping Self-Centering Decapping Die. I added a 4-tube case feeder to handle more volume. I bought an extra set of tubes so that I have one set for using with dirty cases (I shoot a lot of suppressed AR) and a second set for use with cleaned brass. Maybe down the road I'll think about incorporating a powered case feeder...

The FW Arms Decapping Die has made short work of any primer regardless of whether it is crimped, lacquer sealed, or simple plain vanilla. I can't believe that I hadn't bought a spring loaded decapping die years ago. I think the Self-Centering feature of the FW Arms model is a big benefit, especially with how the Lee APP press operates with its shell sled and shell plate.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I like the mighty armory but of the 2 its the only one ive used. Be sure you get the right size pin for your flash hole if youre using the small hole lapua brass

 

[Oso]

I like the mighty armory but of the 2 its the only one ive used. Be sure you get the right size pin for your flash hole if youre using the small hole lapua brass

I have no doubt that I would be just as pleased with the Might Armory die.... almost bought one as well so I wouldn't feel left out!

I went ahead and ordered a replacement set of both the standard and small size pins and a spare guide rod assembly. I'll tuck them away in my spare parts drawer and sleep soundly knowing that I have a solution on hand for any future user errors

 

[kenhwind]

I've been considering buying another decapping die not that there is anything wrong with my Lyman Universal decapping die. I've been using the Lyman die for years and the only reason I had to replace the decapping rod is I did an oops and put it the wrong position in my Dillon 550.

I like the idea of a spring loaded decapping die, I know Lyman makes one, but the Mighty Armory die looks like a nice piece of equipment and comparatively priced too.

 

[jpx2rk]

I have the MA decap-swage die, no complaints at all with either function. I like the ease of swapping out the pin(s) to de-cap or swage, simple, don't even have to adjust the die body, just find all the swage parts in the parts drawer and go to town. I was able to order some small de-cap pins for the 6BR brass, and use this same pin for everything else now. Don;t have to worry about remembering to swap the pin for 6BR brass. It's rough getting old. LOL

 

[Cryhavoc]

Does anyone know if the FW and MA pins are interchangeable? They appear to be similar in the photos....

 

[1shot]

I only have experience with the mighty armory decamping die (and a couple of their sizing dies). Their decamping die is a high quality die, the decamping rod has a tip that can be screwed on and off and is tougher than most decapping rods, in the off chance you bend the tip on the rod it’s easy to change out and your back in action, just unscrew the bent tip and screw on a new one, easy peasey. Very simple design, high quality, tough. Zero regrets with that decapper.

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