SmallCaliberCentral

Who makes/sells a manual decapping rod that'll fit through the neck of the .204? I can't seem to find one.

F.C.D.
Don'tknow what a manual decap rod is, but, a lee universal decap die is a perfect fit through a 204 neck.Ken.

+1 on the Lee Universal Decapping Die. I deprime spent cases on a separate dedicated press to keep all the filth away from my main press. Have decapped as small as the .204 Ruger, and large as the 500 S&W using the same die. Have had no issues at all.

Manual, meaning it doesn't go in a press. You stick it down the case neck, fish around until it settles in the detente in the back of the primer, then you whack it with a hammer.

You could check for an appropriate punch at the tool store or just take an 8 penny nail and shape it on the grinder.

How about this?

Order the replacement rod for the Universal Decapping Die (Part #DD2545, fits the 20 caliber case mouth, $2), and use it with the base you get with the .223 manual decapper kit (Part #90103, $3).



Would think it might bend when hammered on, but you could cut it down a bit to help prevent that. It shouldn't need to be so long if it's not not being clamped in the die body.

Hmm, I'll have to check, but at a glance my Lee universal decapper had a collar that I sure thought was over 20cal OD.

Some are made for non-press use and are hardened to better withstand hammering. The regular rods -- like the threaded ones for presses -- peen down pretty quickly.

Nonetheless, I bought a .22 Lee decapping pin today and I'm going to trim it down on a bench grinder.

I rechecked mine and yes the sten will just barely pass through a 204 neck.

TD, That lee tool was around long before 20 cal became popular, so i guess it's just good luck that it fits through a 204 neck.Ken.

My other brain cell finally kicked in. I just chucked a .22 rod in an electric drill, wrapped some sandpaper around it and whittled it down to .19.

WOW Fred, You were quick off the mark there.It was only May when you decided to do that. LOL.Ken.

kenbrofox wrote:WOW Fred, You were quick off the mark there.It was only May when you decided to do that. LOL.Ken.

The bench grinder didn't work, and I try not to have more than one idea per quarter (wouldn't want to jeopardize my membership in the Underachiever's Society of America) so I hadda wait on the third quarter to correct.

Fred, You're grinder might not work,but, you're sense of humour is working just fine.