Lee Classic Turret Press decapping

[lckdnldd]

I handload .45 auto using a Lee Classic Turret Press. I want to decap my used cases in a stand alone operation prior to tumbling them. I was planning on purchasing a single stage Lee Reloader Press, decapping die and shell holder to perform the decapping. Then I thought of another option that may work just as well using my LCTP with a separate turret and a decapping die. All I would have to do is change out the turrets when decapping. Anyone see any disadvantage to doing the decapping using this option?

 

[Artofgolf]

I use the first option you mentioned, although the second choice would also work. I see no disadvantage.

 

[lckdnldd]

The primary purpose of using the second option would be to save space on my bench and maybe save a little bit cost wise.

 

[rcmodel]

Whats wrong with tumbling them a little first to get the grunge off.
The sizing & de-priming them, and then finish tumbling them?

That's the way I have done it since dirt was invented.

Not sure I understand the problem though?

rc

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I sometimes decap brass before cleaning and I use a Classic Turret press with a universal decapping die. One hint, remove the auto-index rod so you don't have to worry about advancing the turret.

IMO there is no reason to buy another press for decapping alone. (unless you want a second press) Why add the expense since you already own a good press. BTW, you mentioned buying a die and shellholder above. Why buy another shellholder since you already have one?

 

[1SOW]

I do use the $25 reloader press for the same use on my covered patio..
When I come home from the range I wash, size, decap and sort all the usable brass, and I put them in a coffee container on the patio until I get enough to tumble.

My turret press stays very clean for very looong time with no decapping.

 

[lckdnldd]

Thanks for the replies. My post is just asking for opinions. There is no problem. I removed the indexing rod right off the bat. I prefer to use the press in single stage mode. The process I use is tumbling them in a wet tumbler, drying, decapping/resizing, cleaning primer pockets with a Dremel straight tipped wire brush, prime, powder drop and bell each case, put each case in a reloading tray as I go, visually inspect powder level in each case, seat bullet, and crimp. By decapping before tumbling in a stand alone process I can tumble, dry and begin my loading process. Although I may still hit the primer pockets with the Dremel. It just seems to me that decapping with a universal decapping die before tumbling may increase the life of the decapping/resizer die I keep in the turret. As you can tell by my process I am not in a hurry whatsoever. To some cleaning the primer pockets or tumbling at all is not necessary and I probably agree but I am retired and have plenty of time (I hope) so I do it. To each his own. Thanks for bringing the shell holder up ArchAngelCD. I just noticed the Reloader Press comes with a universal shell holder. I am leaning towards the second option though. +1 on that 1SOW.

 

[HardwarePro]

I use a dedicated turret for de-capping and sizing. I've made a custom Index rod which reverses the rotation and kicks the cases to speed up the de-capping and resizing process. I ground the square nut so that the index rod spins to kick the case without turning the turret while de-capping and sizing.


4 finger kicker for de-capping sizing. Single finger for normal reloading.




ETA: The reason I reverse the rotation is so that I can insert the cases from the left as opposed to the right side when using a case kicker. My inspiration came from watching this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=butIkDAUu3s

 

[greyling22]

second post like this I have seen today. What's wrong with just tumbling the cases? the only difference would be that the primer pocket wouldn't get polished right? I've loaded a whole lot of cases without cleaning the primer pocket and haven't ever run into an issue. Am I missing something?

Neat setup hardwarepro.

 

[Mike44]

Just remove the index rod

If you are using a carbide sizing/decapping die, I wouldn't worry about wearing it out. I would just remove the index rod and use the press in single stage mode to size and decap. This way you have nothing to purchase.

 

[mdi]

Since I inspect all my brass before processing, I just keep a rag in one hand and wipe off any sand, grit, grease while I look at 'em. Then run through my size/decap die and then tumble. Sometimes I tumble first, depending on how I feel, if the press is set up, and/or how much trouble it is to get the tumbler set up...

I see a dedicated hand press set up for depriming only to be a bit too much work (even though I did just that before I got a dedicated reloading room). The only reason I would use a separate set up for depriming would be to keep my primary press free of all the carbon, grit, burned priming compound, etc. (may contain abrasive compounds that would wear the ram/frame bearing surface).

 

[greyling22]

actually as I have throught about it some, with 45acp, it might not be a terrible idea to deprime off press. that way you can inspect and sort the SP and LP cases then and there and not have to worry about them being all mixed in together later on.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

ETA: The reason I reverse the rotation is so that I can insert the cases from the left as opposed to the right side when using a case kicker. My inspiration came from watching this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=butIkDAUu3s

The only problem I see in that video, the person reloading is so occupied with picking up the brass and refilling the bullet feeder it doesn't seem there is much attention being paid to the powder drop. Because he is so far from the press I see no way he can be looking into the case to be sure there is powder in the case. IMO, even on a turret press, looking into every case is a requirement.

 

[HardwarePro]

The only problem I see in that video, the person reloading is so occupied with picking up the brass and refilling the bullet feeder it doesn't seem there is much attention being paid to the powder drop. Because he is so far from the press I see no way he can be looking into the case to be sure there is powder in the case. IMO, even on a turret press, looking into every case is a requirement.

I agree. On my 9mm turret, I opted for a longer feed tube for the bullet feeder to allow for better focus and inspection during the reloading process.

 

[dickttx]

You are never going to wear out a carbide die, no matter how dirty the brass.
I have three presses (C-H CHampion, LCT, and LnL AP) all of them drop the primer and residue down the tube, not all over the press.

 

[Airpirate]

I just added the Universal Decapper to my 9mm Luger turret. Like others have said, remove the advancing rod and decap those .45's all day. Just buy the decapper, if you don't have one.

 

[Potatohead]

I'm sick of tumbling. My ammo has been ugly lately and shoots pretty good.
But maybe it's just the shooter












Doubt it

 

[Wizwheel]

I use a Harvey Hand Deprimer. It keeps the press clean, I can watch TV or sit with the family and deprime and sort cases for tumbling. Only clean cases go into the press, much nicer!

 

[lckdnldd]

Thanks for the replies. I am probably going to go with the separate turret. I may also put a bullet puller in it along with the decapper die. I am not to worried about getting the brass looking shiny new. I just like it clean. It just seems to be a little easier to work with that way. That's a nifty set up you have there HardwarePro. Definitely food for thought.

 

[Frankl03]

I have a second press that I have used for decapping rifle brass. For pistol brass I just tumble, then deprime, size, charge, seat and crimp.

I used a lee 4 hole turret for several years but now am loading on a Dillon 550.

 

[oldreloader]

I sometimes decap brass before cleaning and I use a Classic Turret press with a universal decapping die. One hint, remove the auto-index rod so you don't have to worry about advancing the turret.

IMO there is no reason to buy another press for decapping alone. (unless you want a second press) Why add the expense since you already own a good press. BTW, you mentioned buying a die and shellholder above. Why buy another shellholder since you already have one?

yeppers!

 

[1SOW]

I'm retired, like shiny AND slippery brass for semi-auto feeding, don't like crud and lead styphnate in/on my main turret press reloading area and like getting a second look at clean cases. Pulling the roller handle on sized, deprimed and slippery brass is effortless.

No harm, no foul either way, but haven't had a pistol jam in a couple of years of 2X/week shooting/matches. maybe this method has nothing to do with that, but I think it likely does---I also use car polish inside the mags for more slippery---slippery is good.

 

[ljnowell]

A friend of one did something like this. He preferred to size and deprime prior to tumbling so He took a four hole turret and put a sizing/decapping die in each hole, for four different calibers. Removing the index rod while doing this he was able to use one turret for four different calibers and do all of his sizing/depriming in one sitting and never have to reset or change dies or turrets.

 

[1KPerDay]

Thanks for the replies. I am probably going to go with the separate turret. I may also put a bullet puller in it along with the decapper die.

I keep a separate turret head mounted with a couple of universal decapping dies for this reason, though I only use it when loading rifle. (decap, clean, size, clean, trim primer pocket uniform, etc.) The way the Lee Classic Turret disposes of spent primers so well is the reason I use it rather than the single stage next to it.

For handgun I don't decap before tumbling.

 

[mdi]

I'm sick of tumbling. My ammo has been ugly lately and shoots pretty good.
But maybe it's just the shooter

I remember when I started shooting at a Police Range in So. CA. about 40 years ago, there were a few fellers that always shot a lot, and they picked up all their brass. I noticed these guys' brass was brown, not shiny. They were all reloaders and back then ultra shiny brass wasn't as important ("necessary") as today, but the results on the target were!...