The meticulous craft of hand-loading ammunition demands precision, consistency, and often, a significant investment of time. For dedicated reloaders who process high volumes of brass, the initial step of decapping spent primers can become a bottleneck, slowing down the entire workflow and turning an enjoyable hobby into a tedious chore. This is where specialized tools designed for efficiency become invaluable.

Enter the Frankford Arsenal Universal Progressive Decapper, a revolutionary tool engineered to transform the laborious process of primer removal into a swift, seamless operation. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, "How can I speed up my brass preparation without sacrificing quality?" or "What's the most efficient way to remove spent primers from hundreds of cases?" – this innovative decapper provides the definitive answer. It's an indispensable addition for anyone committed to high-volume reloading, whether for competitive shooting, bulk practice ammunition, or simply optimizing their reloading bench for maximum throughput.

Unlocking Unprecedented Efficiency in Brass Preparation

The Frankford Arsenal Universal Progressive Decapper (Product Identifier: 1136230) is not just another die; it's a dedicated brass processing powerhouse designed from the ground up to tackle the most demanding decapping tasks. Unlike conventional sizing dies that combine decapping with resizing, this tool focuses solely on primer removal, allowing for unparalleled speed and a cleaner, more focused operation. This specialized approach means you can decap your brass quickly and efficiently before any subsequent cleaning or sizing steps, preventing primer residue from contaminating your sizing dies and ensuring cleaner primer pockets for consistent priming.

Key Features That Set It Apart:

• Universal Compatibility: Designed to handle an expansive range of cartridge calibers, from delicate .20 caliber wildcats all the way up to robust .50 BMG (with appropriate shell holder and press clearance). This broad compatibility means one tool can serve the needs of a diverse reloading enthusiast, eliminating the need for multiple caliber-specific decapping dies. It seamlessly integrates into any reloading press that accepts standard 7/8"-14 threaded dies, making it a truly universal solution for most popular progressive and single-stage presses from manufacturers like Dillon, RCBS, Hornady, Lee, and Lyman.
• Progressive Press Optimization: While fully functional on single-stage presses, this decapper truly shines on progressive setups. Its robust design and efficient operation allow reloaders to decap brass at an incredible pace, often hundreds of cases per hour, effectively keeping up with the speed capabilities of multi-station presses. This significantly reduces the time spent on the initial brass preparation phase, allowing more time for the actual loading process.
• Included Hardened Steel Decapping Pins: The Universal Progressive Decapper comes complete with three distinct decapping pins:
  • #0 Decapping Pin: Specifically engineered for smaller flash holes, commonly found in .20 and .22 caliber cases, ensuring thorough and reliable primer removal without damaging the delicate flash hole. This addresses a common challenge for small-caliber reloaders.
  • #1 Decapping Pin: The workhorse for most common rifle and pistol calibers, perfectly suited for standard small and large primer pockets. Its robust construction ensures longevity and consistent performance across a wide array of popular cartridges like 9mm, .223 Remington, .308 Winchester, and .45 ACP.
  • #2 Decapping Pin: Designed for those particularly stubborn or crimped primers, and larger diameter flash holes often encountered in military brass or certain magnum rifle cartridges. This pin provides the extra strength needed to push out even the most recalcitrant primers without bending or breaking. The ability to switch between these pins means you’re equipped for virtually any primer removal challenge.
• Integrated Primer Catch System: A thoughtful design element that keeps your reloading area tidy. Spent primers are automatically collected into a removable, high-capacity reservoir. This not only maintains a clean workspace but also simplifies disposal, eliminating the mess associated with loose primers scattered around the press. This feature alone enhances the user experience and reduces cleanup time.
• Floating Die System: Frankford Arsenal's innovative floating die mechanism reduces side-loading and improves the alignment of the decapping pin with the flash hole. This design minimizes stress on both the brass case and the decapping pin, virtually eliminating bent pins and stuck cases, even when dealing with off-center flash holes or slightly out-of-spec brass. This leads to fewer interruptions and a smoother decapping process.
• No Sizing or Expander Ball: By focusing solely on decapping, this tool avoids the common pitfall of introducing an expander ball into a dirty case. This ensures that only the primer is removed, leaving the case body untouched and preventing abrasive grit from scratching your expander ball or the inside of your case neck. This design choice contributes to tool longevity and cleaner brass processing.
• Robust Construction: Manufactured from high-quality, durable materials, including hardened steel components and a sturdy aluminum body, the Frankford Arsenal Universal Progressive Decapper is built to withstand the rigors of high-volume reloading. Its resilience ensures reliable performance for tens of thousands of decapping cycles, making it a long-term investment for any serious reloader.

Why the Frankford Arsenal Universal Progressive Decapper is an Essential Investment:

• Dramatically Increases Throughput: For the reloader processing hundreds or thousands of cases, the speed at which this decapper operates is unparalleled. It turns what was once an hour-long chore into a matter of minutes, freeing up valuable time for other aspects of the reloading process.
• Enhances Brass Longevity: By separating the decapping process from sizing, especially before cleaning, you minimize the risk of scratching sizing dies and reduce wear and tear on your brass. Decapping prior to wet tumbling, for instance, allows for thorough cleaning of primer pockets, which can extend the life of your cases and improve primer seating consistency.
• Eliminates Stuck Primers & Bent Pins: The combination of hardened pins and the floating die system significantly reduces common frustrations like bent decapping pins or primers stuck in the flash hole. This means fewer interruptions and a more fluid workflow.
• Cleaner Primer Pockets: When decapping before cleaning (e.g., ultrasonic or wet tumbling), the absence of the primer allows cleaning solutions to thoroughly clean the primer pocket, ensuring optimal primer seating and ignition for improved accuracy and reliability.
• Streamlines Workflow: By having a dedicated decapping station, you can set up a highly efficient brass processing line, moving from decapping to cleaning, then to sizing and trimming, without having to change dies on your main loading press.

Optimizing Your Reloading Process: How to Use the Universal Progressive Decapper

Using the Frankford Arsenal Universal Progressive Decapper is incredibly straightforward, allowing you to quickly integrate it into your existing setup:

1. Installation: Simply thread the decapper into any standard 7/8"-14 threaded die station on your progressive or single-stage reloading press. Adjust the die body down until the decapping pin protrudes sufficiently to push out the primer without contacting the shell holder.
2. Pin Selection: Choose the appropriate decapping pin (#0, #1, or #2) based on the caliber and primer type you are processing. For instance, the #0 pin is ideal for .22 Hornet, while the #1 or #2 would be used for 9mm or .30-06. Ensure the selected pin is securely installed.
3. Operation: Place a piece of brass into the shell holder and actuate the press handle. The decapping pin will precisely push out the spent primer, which will then fall into the integrated primer catch reservoir.
4. Continuous Flow: For progressive press users, simply continue feeding cases and operating the press. The tool is designed for continuous, high-speed operation. For single-stage users, it makes rapid work of batch processing.

Addressing Common Reloader Questions:

• Can this decapper remove crimped primers? Yes, absolutely. The hardened steel decapping pins, especially the #2 pin, are robust enough to confidently push out even heavily crimped military primers. This tool is an excellent first step before swaging or reaming crimped primer pockets.
• Does this tool resize my brass? No, the Frankford Arsenal Universal Progressive Decapper is a dedicated decapping tool only. It does not resize the case body or expand the case neck. Its sole function is to remove spent primers, leaving your cases ready for cleaning and subsequent sizing operations.
• What calibers is it truly universal for? It's designed to work with virtually all centerfire pistol and rifle cartridges from .20 caliber up to .50 BMG, provided they fit in your press's shell holder and have a standard flash hole. This includes popular cartridges like 9mm Luger, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .223 Remington, .300 Blackout, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .44 Magnum, and many more.
• Is it difficult to clean or maintain? Maintenance is minimal. Periodically empty the primer catch. The die body can be wiped clean with a cloth. The hardened steel pins require no special maintenance beyond ensuring they are not bent or broken from misuse (e.g., attempting to decap a live primer).
• What if I bend a decapping pin? Are replacements available? Frankford Arsenal designs its tools for durability, but accidents can happen. Fortunately, replacement decapping pins are readily available at DEGuns, ensuring your investment remains operational for years to come.

A Commitment to Quality and Performance

The Frankford Arsenal brand is synonymous with innovation and quality in the reloading world, providing solutions that empower reloaders to achieve better results with less effort. The Universal Progressive Decapper (model 1136230) stands as a testament to this commitment, offering a professional-grade solution for a critical part of the reloading process. It’s an investment that pays dividends in saved time, reduced frustration, and consistently prepared brass, forming the foundation for accurate and reliable ammunition.

Whether you're a seasoned reloader looking to optimize your production line or a newcomer seeking the most efficient way to handle brass preparation, the Frankford Arsenal Universal Progressive Decapper is engineered to meet and exceed your expectations. Its thoughtful design, durable construction, and universal compatibility make it an unparalleled tool for anyone serious about hand-loading ammunition. This essential piece of equipment is readily available to enhance your reloading experience.

Feature	Description	Included Items
Product Identifier	1136230	#0 Decapping Pin
Function	Universal Primer Decapping	#1 Decapping Pin
Compatibility	Standard 7/8"-14 Threaded Presses; .20 - .50 Caliber Brass	#2 Decapping Pin
Design	Floating Die System, Integrated Primer Catch	Primer Catch Reservoir
Material	Hardened Steel Decapping Pins, Durable Aluminum Body
Primary Benefit	High-Volume, Efficient Primer Removal