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View Poll Results: Decapping as a separate operation

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  • Never

    80 19.51%
  • Not when using a progressive press

    29 7.07%
  • Only for rifle

    62 15.12%
  • Always

    242 59.02%
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Thread: Do you decap as a separate operation?

  1. #1
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Do you decap as a separate operation?

    I am interested in understanding the benefits of decapping before a case is sized.

    Thanks

    Don Verna

  2. #2
    Boolit Master

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    Not sure what some would consider a benefit - however, you can decap, uniform the primer pocket and flash hole and then tumble your brass prior to resizing and reloading. After that you can just decap, clean the primer pocket, tumble and the case will be ready for resizing and reloading.

    Some do it - most probably don't.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
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    I decap then wet tumble. That way the brass is clean. That's just me I'm sure there will be many others that do it different.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    I used to decap, then tumble. I got tired of picking media out of the flash hole and primer pocket. Now I tumble, then decap and size at the same time.
    In theory (my own theory) the decapping pin should center the brass and pre-load the die before the sizing operation is finished.
    If I'm right, this might matter on a Lee turret press where the turret plate is pushed up against the top of the press during the stroke, squaring it up. If I'm wrong it doesn't do anything.
    Warning: I know Judo. If you force me to prove it I'll shoot you.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by JSnover View Post
    I used to decap, then tumble. I got tired of picking media out of the flash hole and primer pocket. Now I tumble, then decap and size at the same time.
    Same here.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master VHoward's Avatar
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    I deprime before cleaning because I wet tumble with stainless steel pins. That gets the primer pockets clean.

  7. #7
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    Regarding Rifle Brass.
    Most of the time, my own brass, I decap when sizing, and many times I don't clean it, it's usually clean enough.
    BUT, Most of the time when I get someone else's range brass, I decap and then clean and process...there is more to be done to it, to make it uniform, also allows me to inspect it.
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  8. #8
    Boolit Grand Master Artful's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Carrier View Post
    I decap then wet tumble. That way pockets are clean. That's just me I'm sure there will be many others that do it different.
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    - at least take a small bladed screw driver or primer pocket brush and give a quick 1 - 2


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  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master

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    No, I do not. That defeats the purpose of a progressive or even a press like the LCT. Having primer pockets sparkling clean has no benefit just like brass that shines like jewelry has no benefit.

  10. #10
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    Always have, always will. I like to clean the residue out of the primer pockets before tumbling or seating a new primer. Very often I knock the old primers out with one of the primer punches from the old Lee Loader kits, then clean the pocket with the little double ended Lee primer pocket cleaning tool. One could de-prime them using the resizing die in the press, but I don't like running dirty brass into the dies, so it just seems to naturally follow that one de-primes them out of the press, cleans the pockets, then into the tumbler. Then one can resize and re-prime clean brass in one step in the press. But, actually, in the last couple of years I've found myself using the hand priming tool more, especially for rifle cartridges.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    I decap and size then clean and uniform the case before loading. I used to tumble clean but have gone to ultrasonic.

  12. #12
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Some things are done "just because", and don't need to be justified. I've decapped singularly, and with sizing depends on what cartridge and what I'm looking for. I'm not obsessive with virgin looking brass, shiny clean both inside and out, so I have no need to wet tumble to get primer pockets pristine. I have never had a problem with media stuck in flash holes if I decap and then tumble dry. I look at most every case before, during and after reloading, so I wouldn't miss a chunk of cob or walnut jammed in a flash hole (most of the time when I do see media inside the case, I'll just tap the case, mouth first on the bench and dislodge the chunk). Most reloaders decide what works best for their own particular reloading process, and has little (no) bearing on what I do, and as a matter of fact, sometimes I do deprime first, and sometimes I deprime after. (Never liked all these "polls" on reloading forums! )
    Last edited by mdi; 10-10-2016 at 11:53 AM.
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  13. #13
    Boolit Master


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    Only for rifle.... subject to cange since I finally drank the kool aid and started pin tumbling.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master Mauser48's Avatar
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    Only if I'm going to wet tumble. I don't before dry tumbling because media gets stuck and the primer pockets don't get clean anyways. No point in tumbling, decapping, then sizing.

  15. #15
    Boolit Buddy


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    I deprime first for a couple of reasons. I use a progressive almost exclusively. The residue from depriming would get in the mechanism causing repriming issues and dirt into the dies not to mention additional wear and tear on the equipment. Another reason is it gave me the opportunity to inspect the cases more closely than the progressive. Using the progressive I seemed to try to go faster to keep up a perceived high round count. That is just me though. I don't end up with spent primers on the floor or live primers either.

  16. #16
    Boolit Master



    Bzcraig's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Carrier View Post
    I decap then wet tumble. That way the brass is clean. That's just me I'm sure there will be many others that do it different.
    Me too....
    Last edited by Bzcraig; 10-09-2016 at 02:48 PM.
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  17. #17
    Boolit Master

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    For BPCR etc decap first always in prep for soapy water wash. For most rifle, no unless due for a tumble clean. Pistol, never unless heavy cleaning is needed.

  18. #18
    Boolit Grand Master
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    My answer is not on the poll, which is "Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't."

    BP yes. Smokeless, it depends.

    Robert

  19. #19
    Boolit Grand Master GhostHawk's Avatar
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    Come home from range, run all brass through FA hand depriming tool. Citric acid wash, maybe soak for half an hour if it is grungy. Then I like to go through and clean primer pockets, and give the outside of the case a roll on my leg on a towel.

    Brass going into dies is sparkling clean, no dust, dirt or residue.

    It is just an easy way to wind down after a couple of hours at the range.

    I would not have to do it that way, don't own a progressive. My main press is the lee hand press.
    I guess I just prefer working with nice clean brass.

  20. #20
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mk42gunner View Post
    My answer is not on the poll, which is "Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't."

    BP yes. Smokeless, it depends.

    Robert
    This is what happens when an ignorant person makes up a poll. I have never shot BP so it was not a consideration. Sorry....my bad

    Don Verna

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check