Decapping Die Retrofit

[Grizzly_A]

Does anyone know if the decapping pins in the LEE universal decapping die are hardened? I broke my unbreakable LEE universal decapping pin. Yes...I know LEE will replace it if I mail it in, and I can order a new pin for $0.00 and only pay the $8 shipping.

If it wasn't hardened I was thinking about drilling out the remnant, and setting another pin in it's place, and cross-drilling and tapping a set screw to hold it in place. Before I discover the answer the hard way, I just thought I'd ask before ruining a drill bit.

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[quneur]

Search for Squirrel Daddy pins for Lee. And no, I don't think the pin that Lee makes are harden steel.

 

[ar addict]

Decapping Pin Holder for Lee Universal Decapping Die - Small

 

[RogerJ]

They all bend or break. It is a consumable part. One of many spares you should have.

 

[Stomper]

If it were me I would just pay the eight dollars in shipping for a new one, and as some have said get a spare one or two before I would start modifying and drilling out things with setscrews.

just my opinion.

 

[CV-66]

You could email Lee Precision and ask them the question. I'd be interested in the reply they give. A resizing die would support the case and thus align the decapping pin with the flash hole quite well. I have this die too and it can't support any cartridge very well. Consequently alignment between the decapper and flash hole are sort of hit and miss. I wonder if anyone has experienced the same with other mfg. version of a universal decapper.

 

[oremike]

+1 for Squirrel Daddy.

 

[Louis Pratt]

Does anyone know if the decapping pins in the LEE universal decapping die are hardened? I broke my unbreakable LEE universal decapping pin. Yes...I know LEE will replace it if I mail it in, and I can order a new pin for $0.00 and only pay the $8 shipping.

If it wasn't hardened I was thinking about drilling out the remnant, and setting another pin in it's place, and cross-drilling and tapping a set screw to hold it in place. Before I discover the answer the hard way, I just thought I'd ask before ruining a drill bit.

Decapping pins are crap. I've had quite a few of them break or bend. For the .50 BMG I have to use a punch to remove the spent caps before I go to the resizing die for the first reload. After that they will come out somewhat normally.

 

[Grizzly_A]

Thank for the opinions and link to the tapered pin.

They are consumable, but they are replaceable on the RCBS, just not on the Lee without replacing the whole rod. I was due for a bend/brake, but I don't overbuy things on the chance that I "might" break them. This hobby is expensive enough. Besides....LEE said it was UNBREAKABLE!

 

[Greshamreloadr]

Www.mightyarmory.com
I got one of the universal decap dies and never looked back. I use it for military brass 223 and everything else. Not a single broken pin in over 5 years. It helps with the anger and frustration of lee products. If you break a pin in the first year the owner will replace it for free.