I received a batch of nicely cleaned .223/5.56 cases a while back and decided to load them up. I was going to use the 1050 as it swages the primer pocket but I wanted to do some load work ups first. I have four AR's that I have never shot so it seemed prudent to test some different loads before making up a couple of thousand. So I decided to process a number of different test loads using the old single stage.
I had stuck a case in the sizing die a couple of weeks ago and when I ordered replacement decapping pins I decided to get the Lee Universal decapper on a whim. Not sure why I even mounted it as it seems silly to deprime and then size when it can be done in one operation (and I am lazy). Well, after about 12-15 cases, I found a berdan primer case. Sadly, it was par for this lot of brass. Every 12 -15 cases were berdan.
If I had been using the 1050, it would have been a disaster. Even sizing separately, I may have bent a decapping pin. The Lee unit worked and saved a lot of frustration.
I wish I could remember who I purchased those cases from. I can accept a couple of cases slipping through but 6-8% is not acceptable. The money is a minor issue but the pain caused is avoidable.
ALL military cases that are bought from others will be deprimed with the Lee die to make sure they are boxer primed. I sort by manufacturer and have found that I get a brain phart and sometimes throw a case in the wrong pile. I have even put .308 cases in the 5.56 pile!!! Anyway, the Lee depriming die is a good investment even if it adds another step to an already tedious process. At least you only have to do it once to make sure your cases can be processed on a progressive.