De-Priming

[Geckgo]

Sorry for the noob question. I haven't gone over the top to buy a press yet, several things holding me back. For the moment I am saving and scrounging brass (I always keep my fired brass seperate from the stuff I find at the range). Going to get a tumbler soon to start shining up. I'm pacing myself.

Basically, do the standard presses (Lee, RCBS) come with depriming tools as part of the setup, or is it a seperate thing. I look at the kits from time to time but always have this question gnawing in the back of my mind. Basically wondering if there are hand deprimers out there so I can include depriming in my "cleaning up the brass" phase. Might pick up that ABCs book next time I'm onshore too. just curious.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Your sizing die (full length or neck sizing) has a deprimer punch in it that automatically deprimes cases when you resize them.

However, if you are using military brass that still has a crimp around the primer pocket, you must hand deprime them using a punch sold by Lee and others.

You really need to get one or more reloading manuals like Lyman's. They all have sections on basic reloading instructions. If you use Lee stuff, their manual is big and supposed to be quite good.

 

[Geckgo]

Thanks kevin. I see sizing die in all the kits, guess that's why i didn't see deprime. I don't think I'll be seeing any military surplus brass, but if I do then I'll know not to load it in the punch. I remember reading about crimped primers.

So I'm assuming that if I want to start polishing the brass, then I needn't worry about spent primers?

 

[cfullgraf]

Yes, you can tumble the brass with the spent primer in place.

Search the forum. There are a number of threads recently that folks tell their tumbling process. Lots of different opinions. none of them wrong. Just what works for you.

Have fun.

 

[JimKirk]

However, if you are using military brass that still has a crimp around the primer pocket, you must hand deprime them using a punch sold by Lee and others.

A regular sizing die will deprime crimped primers without any problem at all ....

 

[Geckgo]

Okay guys, thanks for all the help. I think I saw Hornady's reloading manual at the gun shop a couple weeks ago. I may check to see what other books they have and get me some reading material for my next trip offshore.

 

[rfwobbly]

Mr Go -

Welcome to reloading !!

Some observations.....

• When I started reloading there was no such thing as a tumbler. We just wiped our cases off and reloaded. So by buying your tumbler first you are placing the cart before the horse. You may want shinny cases down the road, but it is an absolutely non-essential step. This is like buying your wife's wedding night bedroom attire (color and size), when you're not even dating yet !!

• Collecting brass now is a wonderful idea. You'll be glad you did this. My hat's off to you. You are ahead of the game.

• As you were told the de-capping pin comes inside each sizing die. (That's the first die used in the process.) It's all done in one smooth step. But that's not the only way to do de-priming. You can also purchase a Universal De-priming die that will de-cap almost any brass. These are handy if you are de-capping range brass of various sizes. See here... http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=136543


Hope this helps!

 

[Foto Joe]

1+ on the de-capping die. I load a LOT of 45 Colt Black Powder cartridges and don't resize. If you're looking to de-cap quickly to clean primer pockets or tumble without the primer, this is the way to go.

BTW the Lee de-capper is half of what I paid for an RCBS!!

 

[Geckgo]

sweet. Guess I'll just wait till income tax time and order my press then, or maybe later. I imagine with a few more range trips I should have more than enough brass to get started. Then I need to decide on powders and bullets and such. I'll wait for my kit and get a de-capper (there's a bottle opener named that). I was wanting to tinker with the brass before buying the press but looks like the normal way to go is the best way. Usually works out like that.

 

[rick300]

Good on you for "pacing yourself". There's no need to hurry. I got interested in reloading in Oct 08 and loaded my first round in June 09. I was pretty sure I did ok but asked here first about my load. (lots of good people here that seem happy to share their knowledge) I still ask here now and then. I've never been sorry for going slow and I've never been sorry for asking questions. Be safe... Rick

 

[noylj]

Read a manual.
I use a Lee universal depriming die to deprime my brass as I inspect and sort my brass after each range section. Some worry that a small bit of media will stick in the flash hole. I only see a "sliver" of media in a flash hole occasionally and it is knocked out when the decapper on the sizing die goes through the case.
Get the little Lee Reloading Press with the Lee manual for about $35. Get the 4 die Lee set for your handgun cartridge. You can use the dipper that comes with the dies for loading or you can use the dipper to get the powder charge close to your goal and then trickle in some powder to reach the exact weight using a beam balance (~$70) or electronic balance (~$100).
There is really nothing else you NEED for loading straightwall cases, though you will WANT more.
After you have used the minimalist kit for a while, you will have a very good idea about exactly what you want in a "real" loading press and additional tools.
Start simple and work up to "advanced" reloading.