Setting Lee Universal Decapping Die

[kbm6893]

I’ve been reloading for nearly 7 years and have loaded many thousand of rounds. I use the Hornady Lock and Load Bushings for my dies and once I set the die, I never move them. But I just got the Lee Universal decapping die to de-cap before cleaning and since it’s universal to all calibers, how do I set it? How far down do I go before locking it in? I’m not gonna use a bushing on this one. Is the setting for a .380 the same as for a .308? I’ve seen YouTube videos on the Die but not initially setting it.

 

[Bakebfr480]

I use a Lyman universal de-capping die and the only time I adjust it is when I use it in a different press. I use a Lyman All American, a Forster coaxial, a Redding T-7 turret, a Redding Big Boss, a hand held and a single stage Lee for standard 7/8 dies. I also use an ancient Lyman tru-line jr. for some oddball calibers.

 

[kbm6893]

But how do I know how far down to screw it in before tightening the lock ring? I’m thinking out brass in holder and raise it up until the pin pops the primer, then tighten?

 

[Engineer1911]

Place the shell holder and case in your press. Raise the ram to the "full up" position. Adjust the decapping die so the primer pops out and the decap pin extends about 1/16" below the bottom of the case.

When the ram is "full up", the bottom of every case, regardless of caliber, is in the same position. Top of the stroke is the top. The decapping die has an over size inside diameter so it never contacts the walls of the case, correct? The decapping stem is small enough to fit inside 223 Rem and strong / long enough to remove crimped primers in 30-06? You don't care about the top of the case, you just want the bottom of the case to be in the same place every time -- the top of the ram stroke.

 

[TMan51]

I have both Lee and RCBS decapping dies. (I have two of just about everything in case something breaks on a Sunday in bad weather).

I adjust the pin to clear the bottom of the case, simple as that. With the Lee dies, that moves around from time to time as the rings do not lock, and the decapping rod needs to be re-tightened from time to time.

 

[gwpercle]

Screw it in slowly , when the primer pops out add 1/8th turn .
You may have to readjust setting for other cases like magnum and rifle , not every cartridge has the same head thickness .
Buy some extra pins , just in case you get Berdan primer case mixed in .
Gary

 

[mikld]

Hmmm. I wonder at some of the questions I see.

A decapping die works by pushing a spent primer out the bottom of the case. Since your die is "universal" it will work on many cartridges as long as the pin protrudes enough beyond the case head when the case is fully inserted in the die. But try this; insert the die in your press. Raise the ram. Screw the die down until it touches the shell holder. Notice the stem. Does it protrude beyond the shell holder? Mebbe 1/8"? Tighten everything down and try to decap a case. Does the spent primer pop out? If not, extend/lower the stem another 1/16" and try again...

 

[rockquarry]

I bought the Lee decap die about thirty or more years ago. Adjust to the point where the primer is knocked out when you raise or lower the ram, however your press works. If you get a cartridge that requires re-adjustment for some reason, re-adjust. I use a non-locking ring on mine to make a quick adjustment very easy.

 

[SMSgt]

I found I had to tighten the **** out of the stem nut when removing crimped primers or else it would not hold the stem. Body adjustment is somewhat irrelevant.

 

[Jellybean]

Yes, the setting for .380 and .308 would be the same. I set mine down until the die just touches the shellholder.

I just had to replace the decapping rod in mine. In spite of the guarantee to be unbreakable even with crimped primers, mine died after the first 53 crimped primers I ever ran through it. The rods used to be made with a separate pin permanently attached to the rod, the replacements I ordered are turned from one piece of stock. I don't know if these are supposed to better, or just cheaper for them to make, but they will never see a crimped primer. Just in case you cared to hear that.

 

[crankyoldlady]

Simple.

Install per directions. Test every caliber you reload. Adjust as needed.