|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
October 16, 2012, 05:09 AM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 16, 2009
Posts: 115
|
Universal decapping die???
I have an older? Lyman Universal decapping die that will not accept .300Remington Short Action Ultra Mag cases...they are too fat! Is there a truly universal decapping die out there? You have to go all the way up to .378 Weatherby dies to get such a fat case into the sizing die.
|
October 16, 2012, 07:08 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 16, 2011
Location: North Bend, OR
Posts: 743
|
I have a Lee universal decapping die that a .300 winchester magnum case fits into.
|
October 16, 2012, 07:23 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 5, 2008
Location: DeLand, FL
Posts: 110
|
Lee Universal has on ID of 13.65, it will fit up to H&H .375 belted magnum derivatives, it will not fit .404 Jeffrey cases (such as the Remington Ultra Magnum) nor the .416 Rigby cases as the .338 Lapua Magnum and .378 Weatherby Magnum.
__________________
http://nitrorigging.com |
October 16, 2012, 07:40 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 8, 2007
Posts: 2,001
|
Sticking my calipers into my Lee Universal Decapping Die gave me a measurement of 0.560" without taking out the decapping pin to get a really precise line-up.
So, that MAY handle the Super Mag cases at a nominal 0.550" (Remington) and 0.555" (Winchester) if the chambers are not so loose that the pressure rings will contact the "universal" die before the case is sized in a regular sizing die. It surely will NOT handle the Weatherby .378 case at 0.582". Which makes me wonder how Lee justifies the name "universal," since that Weatherby case is not a new thing. SL1 |
October 16, 2012, 09:50 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 16, 2011
Location: North Bend, OR
Posts: 743
|
How does Lyman justify calling theirs "universal" if their won't fit it either?
|
October 16, 2012, 11:55 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 21, 2007
Location: Between CA and NM
Posts: 856
|
>Which makes me wonder how Lee justifies the name "universal," since that Weatherby case is not a new thing.
It is like their "Universal Neck Expanding Die" that does NOT expand the case neck at all--all it does is flare the case mouth. Remember: One size fits all never fits any one very well. |
October 17, 2012, 05:00 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 16, 2009
Posts: 115
|
From the replies to my query, it looks like 'Universal' is baloney in today's cartridge world, particularly the inability to handle the .378 Weatherby. I will call RCBS to get their take on the 'new' short/ultra mag cartridge families and post their reply on this thread. At least Wilson has kept up with the new cartridges as they have shell holders for their case trimmer readily available.
|
October 17, 2012, 08:08 AM | #8 |
Staff
Join Date: March 4, 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 21,023
|
SAAMI specs show your chamber maximum diameter 0.2" forward of the base is 0.553". Extending the taper back by 0.075" to meed the shell holder deck (0.125" high) makes it 0.5538". So you cases should fit in the Lee universal decapper. Call or e-mail Lee and ask.
Alternately, you can buy a Lee's .30 call decapper rod. Then take a ¾" spade drill and drill a scrap of 2×4 just deep enough to set the rim into. Then drill the center down another inch with a 3/8" drill to form the primer catch well. With that and a brass hammer, you can decap manually. Unless your loading more than a hundred at a time, that's not too terrible a task. Also, you can take this setup to the range with you to decap shells as soon as they come out of the chamber, while the carbon in primer pocket is still soft and falls out. At least one fellow thinks that helps extend bore life in high power rifles.
__________________
Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle |
October 17, 2012, 09:25 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 5, 2010
Posts: 151
|
There's a reality to be faced with the "Universal" decapping die folks. The die still has to be screwed into a 7/8" hole threaded into the press. There is a requirement for some wall thickness in the die at the root of the threads sufficient to resist the forces required to pop out a primer, from crimped to too loose for reuse. So cut the die manufacturers some slack eh?
A "Universal" die made for the overwhelming majority of presses will not decap a .50 BMG so by definition it's not "Universal. Marketing will not allow the title "Semi-Universal". |
October 18, 2012, 11:11 AM | #10 |
Staff
Join Date: March 4, 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 21,023
|
Yep. After subtracting the thread depth, a 7/8-14 die leaves you only about .75" to whittle out under the threads. Subtract the 0.560" SL1 measured from that and you have metal wall thickness of only about 0.020" left all around.
If you have a .50 BMG or a .577 Snider or other fat case, you need 1¼" dies and a press that will handle them.
__________________
Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle |
October 18, 2012, 12:29 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 28, 2007
Location: Upper Indiana
Posts: 609
|
In the final analysis it must be Bush's fault!
__________________
U.S. Army Veteran NRA Certified Range Officer |
October 19, 2012, 07:51 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 20, 2010
Location: Central Arkansas
Posts: 1,074
|
At one time the universal decapping dies were universal before the short mag calibers appeared, the universal decapping die is still a useful die and I still use mine and love it. I'm not a lover of the short fat case because many of the rifles chambered for these short mags have feeding issues. IMO William
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|