decap without die?

[mike_mccue]

I am in the process of ordering reloading tools but I already have a lot of range collected .45 ACP brass. I happen to own a large rock tumbler (just finished a 5 week amythest tumble sequence) and some pet store walnut shell.

I am eager to polish some brass and begin inspecting it.

So my question: Can you remove caps manually with a hammer and punch in lieu of using something like a universal decapping die?

Just to get started of course.

thanks,
mike

 

[MCgunner]

You can decap with a hammer and punch, but the decaping die does more than decap, it sizes the case. So, when you do get your dies in, you need to run the cases through the die anyway, decapped or not.

The Lee hand loader tools that were what got Lee in the handloading business had such a decapping pin that you would use with a mallet to decap after you punched the case out of the resizer die. I have a couple of those Lee hand tools from years ago and still use that decaping pin once in a while on a case that didn't prime right or something.

BTW, I usually run my brass through the vibratory cleaner first before I decap it. Doesn't get any little bits of corn cob in the primer hole that way. I decap, then use a primer pocket cleaner on it.

 

[mike_mccue]

thank you for the info,

I had not considered the resizing was done by the same die. I was going to get a Lee universal decapping die along with the the Deluxe pistol set. It makes sense to wait to decap as you describe.

mike

 

[USSR]

I had not considered the resizing was done by the same die. I was going to get a Lee universal decapping die along with the the Deluxe pistol set.

Mike,

A Universal Decapping die DOES NOT resize a case. The only contact that the die has with the case is the decapping pin with the spent primer.

Don

 

[mike_mccue]

understood,

but the Lee Deluxe .45 ACP pistol 4 die set includes a combination die as MCgunner pointed out.

I was thinking it was best to decap before the cleaning, and had not considered that the 4 die set came with a decapping function.
Now I understand you can do well either before or after.

thanks for the clarification,
mike

 

[donkee]

I run all my brass (rifle and pistol) through the universal decapper first. Soak in my secret sauce, tumble, then size. The benefit (to me anyway) is that the primer pockets get cleaned out, no grit or crud on the brass to scratch my dies, and when I'm sizing them, the sizer die pin pushes out any walnut that gets stuck in the flash hole. I don't use any corncob these days. I just want them clean as possible not necessary to have a high shine on them.......

 

[kimbernut]

Tumble away

Go ahead and tumble. The media will leave pieces wedged in the flash hole/primer pocket. When you deprime it will be punched out along with the fired primer and if you are sizing at the same time your brass will have already been tumbled free of grit with is easier on your dies.

 

[1911 TERRY]

I'm do what "donkee" does. When I get back from the range I usually only have 200 to 300 rounds to decap. I like clean primer pockets, and decapping insures me that I won't need to brush each pocket. Many pistol reloaders do not clean pockets, but I feel it's very important for rifle reloaders.

 

[db_tanker]

I too decap then tumble.

It gives me the first opportunity to actually inspect all brass for defects before going too far with them...plus it also gives me a chance to feel how the primers are...if they are loose, then they go to the recycle bucket.

MTCW
D

 

[mike_mccue]

I appreciate the differing views. Thanks forthe detailed explanations.

I tumbled 700 rounds of Winchester today and they look nice. I will decap them later.

When I get the tools I will try the other way and figure out what I might prefer.


Thanks again,
mike

 

[callgood]

With range brass, Winchester White Box once fireds, etc. I decap with the Lee universal decapper, clean/uniform the flash hole with a Sinclair uniformer in a drill, then tumble to clean. I do this to put as clean a case as possible in my carbide sizing die. I set the decapping pin in the sizing die just deep enough to clean out the flash hole of any walnut.

PS- I reload 9mm, so I don't need YOU to tell me I'm nuts.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Ah gee callgood (I prefer Goodcall)...And I was just going to suggest you trim them 9mm's. How ya doin' callgood... .

I tumble range brass and the stuff that I have fired for about 15 to 30 minutes. That way the brass is reasonably clean so I can check them for cracks or other problems and they are clean enough to run through my dies without scratching them...After resizing/decaping I tumble them for about an hour or two. Inspect, measure, trim, sort by head stamp and/or number of times fired. Then they are reloaded or stored in sets of fifty for pistol/revolver and by 20 count for rifle...

 

[MCgunner]

I bought all my dies before the four die sets were available. Seems to me, decapping before cleaning then decap/size is just another friggin' step I can leave out. LOL! Being a lazy bum, I really don't miss decapping only dies.

When the cases are face down in the tray, it's easy to see which primer pockets need cleaning. I feel, with corn cob anyway, they don't get cleaned in the tumbler, least they don't look any cleaner when I decap first. How clean could they get when they all get a chunk of corn cob stuck in 'em. Small primers are more prone to that.

So, when I'm priming, I look at each as I pluck it out of the tray and if the pocket looks dirty, a coupla spins with the primer pocket cleaner (you do have one of those, right?) does that job just fine. It is on decap/sizing that I check each case for cracks and such that might have gotten past my eye before dumping 'em in the vibrator.

There's far more than one way to skin a cat, though. You'll acquire your own routine with time.

 

[SASS#23149]

since I load on a progressive,pistol only,I don't decap first as it's another step.
IF I were out for rifle accuracy I'd prolly decap and clean pockets,but for now I'll take the easy way.Steel plates at 15 yds don't know the difference.

 

[74sharps]

I've been decapping with a punch for years in my 45-70. It's slow and tiring work. However, it allows me time to check each case. On another note, do you have any facet grade amethyst you would like to get rid of?