Which decapping die

[MtTom]

Thanks for all the great answers here, I have loaded thousands of pistol rounds and thousands of rounds for all my AR platforms but I am new to reloading in a precise manor and from reading it seems like everyone decaps and then either full sizes or neck sizes. Please correct me if I am wrong. What would be a good decapping die--
Thanks,
Tom

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Id decap while fl sizing

 

[JohnKielly]

I don't like getting primer residue in my good dies so I have one of Lee's tiny C presses set up permanently with their universal decapping die. I did spin the decapping pin those few thou smaller to fit through Lapua small rifle case flash holes. It has a custom shaped hole right through my loading bench with an old powder bottle underneath to catch the spent primers which neatly exit the ram into the body of the press.

When I go to an event that uses a lot of loaded ammo, I knock the primers out in my spare time with another Lee die set up in their hand press.

 

[MtTom]

Thanks for the info

 

[jcampbellsmith]

I have a RCBS and a Sinclair decapper, but any decapper will do.

Regards

JCS

 

[Dgd6mm]

I use a Lee Universal Decapping Die, I like it a lot.... ;D

 

[Willoughby]

I use a Lee Universal Decapping Die
its the stoutest of the lot- (has a more robust pin than most)

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I use a Lee Universal Decapping Die, I like it a lot.... ;D

+1.

I'm not a fan of many LEE products. But their decapping die works great. Very durable. Couldn't even count how many trouble free rounds I have decapped. Though if I remember correctly the LEE decapping die is only good for 22 cal necks and larger. Pretty sure I recall having to use my FL die to decap my 20 cal cases. Though I may be wrong, it's been a while since I hand loaded for my 20 caliber rounds...

 

[AndyTaber]

I tried the Lee Universal, broke a pin and discovered a new one would cost almost as much as the die, had to replace the whole stem. I have had very good luck with the RCBS for my 223's, and the Sinclair for the 6mmBR. Never broke a pin and replacements are affordable.

 

[motobtcr]

I have both a Lee universal decapping die and a Sinclair...haven't used the Lee since purchasing the Sinclair though some years back. The Sinclair stays threaded in one of my presses as a dedicated decapping setup. No concerns

 

[memilanuk]

I have a few, and the one I like the most is the Sinclair International version. It has a shouldered decapping pin that is removable, should you somehow damage the original (like if you shoot an old mil-surp caliber and pick up a Berdan primed case by mistake...) or if you want to decap cases with PPC sized flash holes - i.e. 6mmBR, 6.5x47L, .308 Palma, etc. It costs a little more, but is very well made.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

good point on the size/diameter of the pins

the Lee decapper measures .063

the decap pin on my Forster 6.5X47 Lapua dies measures .053

these measurements were taken with a dial caliper and are probably off by .001 or a little more

The Lee decap die sees use on everything from belted magnums, crimped primer military brass, and .223's and has never failed.

The Forster dies will probably be never used on any thing but Lapua brass. Not knowing, I doubt that there are any crimped primer rounds that use PPC or the small primer holes. Forster advises using the decap pin on my die for mil type or crimped primer brass. Possibly a similar pin size decap die would not be adequate. The decap pin on the Lee die barely fits the 6.5X47 Lapua brass and continual use of the Lee decapper on this brass would probably enlarge the primer holes

The 6.5x47 die has a smaller pin because some of the brass uses PPC size flash holes.

I love Forster dies, but they have the weakest decapping pins of all the manufacturers. Forster dies is what prompted me to purchase a dedicated decapping die. I was sick of having to keep a bunch of extra decapping pins on hand and change them out every 100-200 rounds. IF loading slow, the Forster pins seem to do ok, but if your really whippin through brass fast, the pin won't hold up.

 

[BillPa]

Pretty sure I recall having to use my FL die to decap my 20 cal cases. Though I may be wrong, it's been a while since I hand loaded for my 20 caliber rounds...

I've been using a Lee for more years than I care to (can?) remember. IIRC it cost 6-8 bucks when I bought it. I had to turn the stem down for 20s but hasn't affected it one bit. Its permanently mounted in an old yard sale ( $8 ;D) Lee Challenger press in the shop were I do all the dirty work.

Bill