I bought an RCBS universal decap die .22-,25, P/N 87580 and I have a question about this die. Did I waste my money on buying this die? I decapped about 1500 9MM using this die but then I had to go back and using my Carbide die set from RCBS had to size the cases because they would not plunk. I can't figure out why anyone would want this die, if in the end you have to go back and size your cases anyway. Did I waste my money? What is the reason for this die? I am confused about why I bought this die in the first place. I love Carbide dies because you don't have to lube them cause I hate the lube mess. Lyman advertises a Carbide die set for the .223 Rem but the only thing carbide is the decapper rod and the carbide sizing ball. I hate the mess with the lube but it is a necessity unless you like removing stuck cases. What do you all think??
UNIVERSAL DECAPPING DIE??
- Thread starter 74man
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I wonder the same thing, except mine is the Lee #90292.
I did use mine for the first time the other day. I had a range pickup Aguila 308 that I couldn't do the full length resize and decap at the same time. This die broke it down into two steps. But it's literally the first time I've used it.
I did use mine for the first time the other day. I had a range pickup Aguila 308 that I couldn't do the full length resize and decap at the same time. This die broke it down into two steps. But it's literally the first time I've used it.
The universal decap die is only to remove the primer before you clean & size your brass. It's so you can get the primer pockets as clean as you can.
A light lube with lanolin & alcohol is easy to wash off with clean alcohol then let dry.
A light lube with lanolin & alcohol is easy to wash off with clean alcohol then let dry.
I understand what it's for. But there are several ways to skin that cat. In my case, I reload in the basement. I decap with a Franklin Arsenal depriming tool in the garage first, and then I use a pocket tool to clean the bulk of the debris out of the pocket. Then I clean the brass - in the garage. That keeps the most noxious compounds out of the house.
The universal decapping die just doesn't fit into my process.
The universal decapping die just doesn't fit into my process.
barnfrog
Member
Why did you think it would size the brass? The name of the item tells you what it does: decaps. It's not a sizing die.
I went back and read his post again. Maybe you should too. He never said it was a resizer. He was asking why he bought it at all.
Cheesemaker
Member
@74man - you talked about this exact thing in a thread last month - see post #49 in: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/best-universal-decapping-die.897270/
What has changed?
What has changed?
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Highland Lofts
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I always decap all of my cases and wet tumble before I go any farther with them.
So the Lee Universal Decapping Die fits my agenda.
I am anal on totally clean brass for my personal use.
Some people never clean their cases which is fine if it works for them.
It's all good.
If you are not going to use that die I'll take it off of your hands. I have an extra press that will hold it just fine.
So the Lee Universal Decapping Die fits my agenda.
I am anal on totally clean brass for my personal use.
Some people never clean their cases which is fine if it works for them.
It's all good.
If you are not going to use that die I'll take it off of your hands. I have an extra press that will hold it just fine.
The whole purpose of a universal decapping die is to remove the spent primers before cleaning the brass. You still have to size the cases afterwards in a resizing die. And with any bottleneck cartridge, you have to lube the cases no matter what.
I have an older RCBS universal decapping die that works on everything from 32ACP up to most 308/30 06 based rifle cartridges.It comes in very handy when I have a lot of brass I want to de-cap before running them through my tumbler. Yes a universal decayer adds another step to the process but it does have its place. I find using one to be very helpful.
barnfrog
Member
He made the statement "I can't figure out why anyone would want this die, if in the end you have to go back and size your cases anyway." That strongly suggests to me that he didn't realize when he bought it that it doesn't size the brass.
If he did realize it doesn't size the brass, and is now complaining that he has to add an extra step, a logical person would wonder why he bought it in the first place.
I leave my RCBS universal decayer die in my old Lee single stage O press all the time. I would rather get it filthy decapping range brass versus getting all that dirt on my turret press.
I consider my universal decapping die one of my best, if not the best reloading purchases ever. I never have to adjust anything about it and it decaps .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special, .45 ACP and .45 Colt. What's not to like about that type of versatility?
Soonerpesek
Member
That is EXACTLY why I purchased the LEE APP.......
.....It can get filthy while the workhorse press stays clean....markr6754
Member
Rather than pay 50% to repair my Lee Universal Decapping Die, I bought the Hornady Universal Decapping die. My Lee die got progressively worse at decapping over time, requiring me to continually re-tighten the aluminum nut. Eventually, the aluminum galled, distorted the split shell threads, and now, the decapping pin sits at a slant.
The Hornady die is made of the same components as their Custom Series dies, and I haven't pushed the decapping pin out yet. Not even on the tightest military crimped cases. If I use a die to decap a round, this is the only one I use now. However, for bulk decapping I use my Franford Arsenal hand deprimer.
The Hornady die is made of the same components as their Custom Series dies, and I haven't pushed the decapping pin out yet. Not even on the tightest military crimped cases. If I use a die to decap a round, this is the only one I use now. However, for bulk decapping I use my Franford Arsenal hand deprimer.
redcon1
member
I use one so I can take headspace measurements on my fired rifle brass without worrying if the primer is contributing to the measurement in anyway.
GeoDudeFlorida
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There’s a thread for paying it forward where people who have things they don’t want can pass them along to someone else.
Gooseman69
member
You have been reloading how long and you DONT KNOW what the purpose of a univeraal decapping die is for? Im not qute sure id want to be anywhere near you while your reloading or testing your reloads.
Gooseman69
member
Some people prefer a press mounted decapping tool vs the hand held F/a. (i use the f/a)
Zendude
Member
As others have noted, one reason to decap without sizing is if the brass is too dirty to run it through a sizing die. If using a wet cleaning method, it will clean the primer pocket.
The universal decapping dies are also great for removing new primers that may have been seated crooked or smashed.
You don’t need to run the case through the sizing die just to remove the primer.
Like others, I use the decapping die when I want to clean a fired case before actually sizing them. I’m lazy and do not want to wipe down grungy cases one at a time. I’d rather watch grass grow.
You don’t need to run the case through the sizing die just to remove the primer.
Like others, I use the decapping die when I want to clean a fired case before actually sizing them. I’m lazy and do not want to wipe down grungy cases one at a time. I’d rather watch grass grow.
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Highland Lofts
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I'm in the boat of seating with the seater die and use a separate die to crimp.
I do not readjust my seater die to crimp.
Every die has its purpose. I'm not that cheap where I can't buy another die to perform another operation.
I do not readjust my seater die to crimp.
Every die has its purpose. I'm not that cheap where I can't buy another die to perform another operation.
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
I use the universal on rifle brass for the most part before I clean the brass. I visited my dad last week. He put a primer in upside down. I found the one I purchased from him over 20 years ago which he never used. Smacked the primer hard with his co-ax (with hard meaning very delicate) and the universal. First time it was ever used.
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