Universal Decapping Die?

[tred1956]

Hi,
I am in the market for Universal Depriming/Decapping Die. I will be using it on 30-30 base wildcats but will also be using for .172, .204. .223. What brand do you use? Pros & Cons. What brand would you recommend? I lean toward Redding but am flexible.
Thanks In Advance
Doug

[dragon813gt]

Lee, no sense in paying more money for one.

[lancem]

^^^^^^ +1

[N4AUD]

I have the Lee Universal Decapping Die. Works fine.

[jmort]

Lee Precision

[largom]

Have had a RCBS for many, many years. If it ever dies I would probably buy a LEE.

Larry

[GabbyM]

Lee actaully makes a very good universal decapper. Person would need to work hard to break it.
I've broken a few brands deacpping millitary brass. Hitting berdan cases and such. Never broke another after I purchased a Lee.

[tred1956]

Thanks for all the replies. Will the LEE fit 17 & 20 caliber?

Safe shooting
Doug

[high standard 40]

Thanks for all the replies. Will the LEE fit 17 & 20 caliber?

Safe shooting
Doug

The stem on the Lee Universal Decapping die is .2035" in diameter. I will not work on the 17 caliber. It should work for the 20 caliber but just barely............with a warning. The end of the decapping stem is square cut and will sometimes catch on the case mouth of even a 223 case, causing a case mouth dent if you are not slow and careful when raising the ram of your press.

[rasto]

The Lee has one disadvantage which is the decapping rod. When the flash hole is narrow it will loose the tip of the rod and you are done.

[dragonrider]

I have had the Lee universal decapper for a very long time, decapped thousands of cases with it. Still using it.

[wallenba]

No question... the Lee. If you encounter a Berdan primed case with a lee, most likely you will not break the decapping pin, just have to reset it. Others will break.

It will not work however, with the small flash holes usually found on cases like 6MM PPC, 6MM BR and other competition brass sizes.

[jmort]

"While this is listed as a Universal die, it is not recommended for use with 17 or 20 caliber cases."

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/136543/lee-universal-depriming-and-decapping-die?cm_vc=ProductFinding

[tred1956]

"While this is listed as a Universal die, it is not recommended for use with 17 or 20 caliber cases."

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/136543/lee-universal-depriming-and-decapping-die?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Thanks for the link. Leaning toward the Redding kit. It has 17 caliber rod included.
Safe shooting
Doug

[Sticky]

Lee, but I shoot nothing smaller than 22 cal.. if I did, I would just turn down a decapping pin for the lee.. I always have a spare or two, just in case.. lol

[jcren]

Lee works perfect for me, never had a need to try another. Decapped hundreds of 30-06 military surplus from several makes, never even slipped the pin, even on some that took enough umph to make me nervous for my somewhat light bench!

[Garyshome]

Lee works great!

[tred1956]

LEE headed this way. Two extra stems to turn for 17 caliber.
Thanks fellows
Doug

[Bayou52]

For the $, Lee universal deapping die is a no brainer......

Bayou52

[Love Life]

Lee. Get a spare decapping rod and that will keep you from ever breaking the original.

[jmort]

^^^ I think you are right, things only break if you don't have a spare, Murphy's Law or some such.

[r1kk1]

I use two different decappers. One is Sinclair for subcaliber's as well as 475 and 500 Linebaugh. The other is a Lee for 22-45 caliber stuff.

take care

r1kk1

[DR Owl Creek]

I got rid of everything Lee years ago. I have been using the RCBS #87580 Universal decapping die. RCBS product info says it works with .22 - .25 caliber cases, however, I've used it with cartridges with crimped military primers, and cases as large as 405 Winchester and 45/70 with no problems what-so-ever. RCBS also has a larger "heavy duty" Universal decapping die (#87585) which they say is for cases .27 caliber and up, including those with military primers.

Dave

[HGS]

I use both RCBS and Lee decaping dies, and think they both do a real good job. Have a universal hand decapper (Harvey de-primer) that I use for decapping small amounts, liked it so much that I sent Harveys tool to my son-in-laws.

HGS

[Blanco]

Did someone say "Lee" ?

[gunoil]

Lee uni decap and uni expander. Work great:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThMYhaZ-bMM

[flyingmonkey35]

Lee or just buy cheap Lee size / decaping dies for each one. Can't beat the led though.

[RACWIN375]

Lee Precision

[bluelund79]

Lee, no sense in paying more money for one.

Couldn't have said it any better

[lpspinner]

This is the one product made by Lee that I think everyone agrees with. I've used mine for over a decade and have not broken the rod yet. I have accidentally mixed in a few berdan cases and all that happened was the rod got pushed up (as it was designed to do) to protect the rod.

Learned something new. Thanks! I didn't know about the .17 caliber limit as I don't have anything that small to decap.

[bottomline]

yep Lee works great & as Love Life stated get extra pins - several they are inexpensive