Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters .223 decapping

Would I be able to make a .223 "universal" decapping die by replacing the RCBS .223 stem with a .17 Remington stem?

You could just buy the Lee Universal Decapping Die for about the same cost as buying a new .17 stem.

Stem in what?

As far as universal decaping dies go, Mighty Armoury can’t be beat.

Get a Lee universal decapping die.

The Lee universal is a good one, although my go to for years for decapping has been a Lee Loader. It's actually for a 221 fireball and cost a fiver at a gun show years back.

The Lee Universal is for 22 cal and up, too large for 17.

Get the standard decapper and one of these https://leeprecision.com/17cal-204-ruger-heavy-duty-guided-decapper.html

Bingo.

Like crackin' walnuts.

It started to work really well after a modded piece of 2x4 was added to the mix. Drill a hole the size of the opening in the decapping chamber through the board. This hole through the board will be used as a pilot hole for the next bit. Use a spade or auger bit slightly larger than the chamber to countersink a 1/4" holder for it. I have mine set up with bucket under it to catch the dead primers. It works quite well with once fired LC brass.

I use the lee universal decapper with no problems. I bent the pin , straightened it out and still using it

Get the Lee!

I use the Lee Universal decapper all of the time. Smallest that I load for is the .223, and it works fine. I also ordered a Lee .30 sizing stem, as they have a very long taper, and used it in the decapper to open .270 cases to .30 caliber, and then neck them back down to .284, for my .280 RCBS and create a false shoulder. 100 cases and no losses doing this process. miles

I was cleaning up the relloading area in my office and remembered this thread from the summer. This is a very old Lee decapping die that I have used since the dim times. It is mounted on a very old Lee 2001 press. The press is almost as old as John. The die is a bit haggard, but all original. Both are still used regularly. Most recently, decapping military cases. I believe that it was $6, new.

Do you think that I got my moneys worth out of it?