Good Decapping Die for 223

I use predominately RCBS dies, but for decapping, I use a Lee Universal Decapping die. Thicker shaft on the decapper retained by a collet that will let the shaft move if you his an obstruction. It is simply the best approach to the problem that I have seen.
 
While I realize that everybody wants to make as much ammo as fast as they can, so they don't "waste" their time, I've got time to waste, and I do it really "old school", and have for over 30 years.

I don't decap GI brass in my press with a die (the first time). I've broken several pins over the years (both RCBS and Lyman), while the pins are dirt cheap its a pain.

So, what I do is, do it in a separate step. I'm not a fan of LEE products, except for one, the manual punch and base decapper. The one where you use a hammer. Its not fast but it is 100% positive. You feel the pin in the flashhole, so off center holes are not a problem (though I do recommend segregating those cases) Berdan cases aren't a problem, because you can't get the pin in the flashhole, so that tells you to LOOK and see what's going on.

Also, the sturdy punch shaft works to round out any bent case mouths.

Have NEVER broken one of their pins, even though my oldest .30 punch has the head mushroomed out a bit from being beaten on for decades. There is a size for .30 and one for .22. Its slow, its a little dirty, and labor intensive, BUT like reaming/swaging the primer pockets, you only need do it once.

I consider it a part of prepping GI brass, PRIOR to sizing.

Plus, getting to wack something from time to time is a bit therapeutic! :rolleyes:
 
I use a universal decapping die , first step on the RockChucker . Then wet tumble an size . What quantity are you loading at a time. I'm not reloading alot at a time , when removing primers there have been times I could feel the pin stop but never bent or broke a pin . My have to slow down your reloading . Easy for me to say , I'm not loading quality.
 
I have had very good luck with the inexpensive Lee Reloader Press and Lee Universal Decapping Die. This was the first press and die that I purchased about 18-19 years ago. I stocked up on once fired brass and decapped lots of brass especially 223 with crimped primer pockets. I then ordered a rock chucker for my sizing/seating etc. The sole purpose of my Lee press is decapping before a good brass cleaning. I have seen a lot of reloaders use the Lee Reloader press for all steps of reloading with good results. I have broken very few decapping pins. I will say this, do not force or rush decapping this way. Sometimes you have to wiggle or align the case for things to line up.
 
Lee universal decapping die here, i just went through 1-2k decapping spree of 223 LC once fired brass and no major issues to speak of. Had a few primers that just did not want to come out so i trashed the case. I dont know how guys are snapping the pins on the lee die.... i even purposefully tried to snap it by putting the decapper in the wrong position on the press so there was nowhere for the primer to drop out, all it did was raise the pin up as designed, then i loosened the collet, set the pin flush, and tightened back up and was good to go. I hate my 9mm lee dies but this decapper actually works well.
 
Cw you better check your last word in your post- I think you meant quantity.

I like the line about friends not letting friends buy lee:D

I will say this is the exception. Also a cheap lee press with the uni decap die is nice to have a permanent station set up for this. That's how I roll.
 
locknloader - Yep. Based on all the recommendations, I picked up a Lee UDD. I had forgotten that Lee uses the "collet" system for their pins, rather than a threaded rod. My first set of .357 dies were Lee. I hated that system, as the collet never held the pin strong enough on my particular die set. But, on a 223 die, I can see where a sliding pin would be better than a threaded, as the pin would slide within the collet rather than bending or snapping. Seems to be a more sturdy pin than those that were in my Lymann die.
 
Joe-ker
Your right , it was an A H moment . It did make my laugh though . To late to correct so forever I won't be loading for quality . One time I was answering a post from the Pipe guy the I pad changed it to Tit guy . Never heard from him again.

Chris
 
I have a dedicated RCBS decapping die in .223.
I also have a Lee Collet neck die with a decapping pin and a Redding and a RCBS Competition neck die.
It is not that hard to snap the pin on the Lee if you don't have the case firmly in the shellholder or any neck sizing die or even the dedicated ones. If not centered reasonably well, the pin with hit the rim on the mouth of the case and snap. If you feel the ram stop short of where it should, don't push it.

When doing "volume" work, sometimes one gets sloppy. Take a bit more time and you won't be ordering five Lee pins at a time.
 
I'd like to see a case mouth break a decapping pin. The other way around, sure. I think maybe you meant the inside of the head web adjacent to the primer pocket. Reasonable centering accuracy (within half a flash hole diameter) is good, but a little bit of wiggle room to allow self-centering of an off-center flash hole is also good.
 
What I do on my RCBS Universal decapper die , I sandwich a O Ring between two washers placed on to the shaft on top of the die and lightly snug the lock nut down . Shouldn't be using force in popping a primer or seating. Fotheringill , hope things are going well. Say hello to the guy's for me , see you when weather gets warmer .

Chris
 
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