Thread: Best Universal decapping die for crimped primers

Just busted the pin on my cheap $28 Lee Universal Decapping die hitting a crimped 5.56 military primer. And of course they are out of stock. Mind you it has done a bit of work. It is meant to be rated for the job as according to Lee " it even does crimped primers". I suspect what happened is it has bent a little with use until it has struck the edge of the flash hole which bent it 90 degrees. Bugger! Possible I didn't have the case properly lined up too.

Anyway, all that aside, what do you like for the job?

The reason I use one is to speedily decap brass for storage without having to resize it at the same time. Avoiding primer pocket corrosion from fired seated primers if brass is stored for some time. Yes I could use a collet sizing die or just do the full job with an FL - but a Universal does not require mucking around with case lube etc

I haven't had any issues depriming Lapua brass with crimped primers, but understand they can be an issue for some. I use RCBS dies. If the depriming pin is the removable type like the RCBS, go to your local hardware shop and buy a few off the appropriate sized drill bits and cut new pins from them, works a treat.

Actually that's a pretty good idea in general. For this one they are a single piece full length pin but I may use your tip to fabricate something

Lee UDD is magnificent. Trick is not to bounce on decapping. Mil primer are a bit more solid to dislodge. Gentle and consistent pull.

Yep you may have been unfortunate with your lee decapper. Their strong point is also their weak point. I have bent one I had to thin it down to do small primer brass, so my own fault really.
I have gone back to the replaceable pins in a forster die that is case specific now. But for rough and ready primer removal the Lee is a better option ...... no needing to lube up prior to undressing ........oh I mean

It's a very simple job that the die has to do - poke a pin through a hole. Not a job that you need a high quality ultra precise die to perform. At the same time they're all going to use a <2mm steel pin and there's a limit to how strong that's going to be no matter what brand it is.

I'd just get a couple of replacement pins. This is the part you're after. And go easy with it next time.

Originally Posted by Pommy

It's a very simple job that the die has to do - poke a pin through a hole. Not a job that you need a high quality ultra precise die to perform. At the same time they're all going to use a <2mm steel pin and there's a limit to how strong that's going to be no matter what brand it is.

I'd just get a couple of replacement pins. This is the part you're after. And go easy with it next time.

All agreed. Currently no replacement pins available in NZ until a Reloaders order arrives next month.

https://www.gunworks.co.nz/shop/item...-decapping-die

look at how a LEE whackamole deprimer works..... pretty easy to make one up...chainsaw file comes to mind.
actually that looks just like it Pommy.....

Originally Posted by Pommy

https://www.gunworks.co.nz/shop/item...-decapping-die

Ha looked there too...thks

The shank of a 1.5mm HSS drill bit should do. The steel at the shank end is not hard-hardened like the tip so is less likely to break.

Originally Posted by Jhon

Just busted the pin on my cheap $28 Lee Universal Decapping die hitting a crimped 5.56 military primer. And of course they are out of stock. Mind you it has done a bit of work. It is meant to be rated for the job as according to Lee " it even does crimped primers". I suspect what happened is it has bent a little with use until it has struck the edge of the flash hole which bent it 90 degrees. Bugger! Possible I didn't have the case properly lined up too.

Anyway, all that aside, what do you like for the job?

The reason I use one is to speedily decap brass for storage without having to resize it at the same time. Avoiding primer pocket corrosion from fired seated primers if brass is stored for some time. Yes I could use a collet sizing die or just do the full job with an FL - but a Universal does not require mucking around with case lube etc

I use rcbs and have spare pins for them
You eventually break a few

Originally Posted by Jhon

Just busted the pin on my cheap $28 Lee Universal Decapping die hitting a crimped 5.56 military primer. And of course they are out of stock. Mind you it has done a bit of work. It is meant to be rated for the job as according to Lee " it even does crimped primers". I suspect what happened is it has bent a little with use until it has struck the edge of the flash hole which bent it 90 degrees. Bugger! Possible I didn't have the case properly lined up too.

Anyway, all that aside, what do you like for the job?

The reason I use one is to speedily decap brass for storage without having to resize it at the same time. Avoiding primer pocket corrosion from fired seated primers if brass is stored for some time. Yes I could use a collet sizing die or just do the full job with an FL - but a Universal does not require mucking around with case lube etc

Any universal de capping die but Lee will work fine, One problem you may come across is off centre flash holes it was common in PMC factory ammo a few years ago,
Some 5.56 can be Berden primed.

Originally Posted by Cordite

The shank of a 1.5mm HSS drill bit should do. The steel at the shank end is not hard-hardened like the tip so is less likely to break.

Unfortunately the Lee pin is a full length single piece. If i had the gear I'd consider drilling the end and converting it to a replaceable pin. Might have to have a chat with a local fitter...

Originally Posted by shooternz

Any universal de capping die but Lee will work fine, One problem you may come across is off centre flash holes it was common in PMC factory ammo a few years ago,
Some 5.56 can be Berden primed.

Yes, off centre flash holes are definitely a suspect.. don't have any Berdan