ee APP Automatic Processing Press Review: Speed Up Your Decapping Process

[@nodakjohnsful]

I have had one since the preorders were allowed. For pistol decapping i run 4 tubes and it Flys. I also use it for sizing my cast powdercoated bullets. Just for them two things it has paid for itself in the time saved.

[@o2wow]

I have one to connect to a 3D printed case (and bullet) feeders I printed and assembled. There are also some improved APP slider parts out on the 3D printer universe. The APP replaced a single-stage Lee press I used for all my decapping work. It really helps keep my presses much cleaner.

[@FClassJohn]

That’s awesome. I’ll have to take a look.

[@jackwebb5917]

Your video is what made me pull the trigger for the APP for dedicated 5.56 decapping. It took a little bit of fiddling to get the height of the tube assembly right to not snag the top of cases. I added a 4 tube collator which fills up in like 30-45 seconds and now it’s running like a champ!

[@pocketbike698]

I highly recommend the "primer popper" from FW Arms so you can hear and feel the primer being popped out. I use mine in my XL750 to make sure the primer is gone before the shell plate rotates

[@don_sharon]

Whaaaaaaaaaat!!!! That's awesome. I've been reloading since the 70s - where has this jewel been? And no criticism from this fan-boy! Thanks for this one...

[@jeffpickard5548]

I absolutely love mine. Bought mine to do all my “dirty” brass work, both rifle and pistol. Multi-feeder works best on pistol, I use a single tube for all my rifle work. Enjoy!!!

[@dinoc.5537]

I used to keep a "dirty work" set up of Dillon 650 to decap by just dumping in dirty brass and running the machine fast to decap prior to cleaning the brass. It was a fair trade in terms of the machine cleaning versus the fiddling with touching every case for decap. You could even swage crimped cases on the fly that way and be ready to clean and continue processing cases. When the APP came out, I gave it a try and find it very clever once you learn the quirks to get it loaded and running smoothly. I got good at setting up that long stove bolt to adjust the case feed tubes between different cartridges, but then got lazy and dedicated one for the ones I do the most. They need some cleaning and lubing like anything else, but it isn't difficult compared to cleaning up a 650. Once in a while a case drops in upside down and you must watch for it, but that is no big deal. If the brass is crimped the 650 is still faster because the APP runs one type of process at a time and the 650 decaps and de-crimps in one dump. I still recommend the Lee APP for anyone who sits and does hundreds to thousands at a time.

[@HobbiesHobo]

The Lee APP press really is a winner, use mine all the time. Mike.

[@FClassJohn]

Awesome. I still use mine all the time too.

[@Anon.Emouse]

I've had one for couple of years. I found the tube feed to be fiddly, frequently jams and is a pain when you have to switch calibers. So now I don't use the tube. I have a bin of brass right next to the press and use my left hand to drop a case into the jaws at the top of each stroke. With practice it's still very quick and wouldn't be much slower overall if you factor in the pauses necessary to top up the tube(s).

[@DubfromGA]

Picked up one of these a few months ago with the hopes of using it as a deprimer & possibly some swaging. Great video, thanks....you have me realizing I need to get this thing running ASAP.

[@FClassJohn]

Glad it was helpful, I know the decapping will work and hope you can swage on it, I'm not sure.

[@jesseboutdoors]

I just got this press and love it for decapping and sizing bullets.

[@tallyman15]

I like it. Keep it simple. Lee makes some good, low cost products.

[@wowitslou]

Get the Lee roller handle for it, makes it a million times more comfortable.

[@michaeld9731]

Nice review! The APP press is really great, IMHO.

[@58harwood]

Look at the Lee Auto Breech Lock 4000. It’s a 4 station, auto indexing progressive (that can be used as a manual indexing by pulling one rod) for $120. Does the same thing as the APP but way more versatile. I decap on 1, then resize on 2 , then run a mandrel on 3. You can also prime on the machine if you want. I wet tumble, anneal, then use Hornady One Shot, then with every pull of the lever you’re decapping, resizing, priming and running a mandrel. Done, ready for powder and a bullet! It also can use the Lee auto case feeder and collator. To be fair, the finished brass may not be up to F-Class tolerances but for just about everything else, it’s good to go. I’m getting very little runout!

[@robertpowell2746]

It also works great for sizing cast bullets.

[@ryridesmotox]

Yea I do a ton of pistol sizing on mine and decap my rifle stuff on it. The xpress shell holders don't like to hold onto a bottlenecked case for sizing. I've ripped a few rims on it.

[@taylorharbin3948]

This looks like something I need to consider investing in. The automatic ones are too expensive, and the hand-operated ones wear me out. Yet, I have to decap brass before I take it to the scrap yard.

[@jgazdik1988]

John, great video! You need to get an upgraded case feeder for it!

[@patrickcolahan7499]

Darn it John, I hate using my progressive for decapping and the clean up afterwards, now I have another tool to add to the list. Thanks for sharing.

[@FClassJohn]

Glad I could help? 😀

[@damingrail3655]

I really Like my APP. Use it primarily for Decaping and Resizing pistol after I have tumbled my brass.

[@kip6006]

I use this with a mighty armory decapping die and I use the case feeder and its amazing to decap my 6br and .223 after matches. So much faster!

[@FClassJohn]

Yeah it's crazy fast. I'm going to try the Dillon case feeder on it next time.

[@tozaidesign1402]

Thanks Fclass John.

[@bigal4334]

I use mine for decaping and swaging military 5.56 and 7.62 brass. It's really fast once you get it setup and used to how it operates.

[@johnhautzinger3525]

Do you size on yours? I'm picking one up and didn't know if people actually sized brass on these.

[@bigal4334]

@@johnhautzinger3525 I don't. I've seen video of people sizing 9mm and .223 on them.

[@6handicap604]

I use mine for de-priming and for mandrel sizing also, have not found any issues with it. The hydro press and concentricity gauge shows very little to no difference. I size my necks twice, ,0015 then .001 over bullet diameter, just more consistent that way, for me. I got the 4 tube option and the American Accurate collator for rifle cartridges (6BRA) and it just screams. Not sure how the collator would work with .284, but I believe they show 30.06 cases. I grew tired of keeping track of brass, so I run my entire lot of 300 at a time, shoot em all, then process the whole lot, now just keep track of number of firings.

[@thepracticalrifleman]

Alright after giving you a hard time about these I’m buying one. It seems to me this will be the fastest way to swage primer pockets. And may as well decap too.

[@boggstucson5415]

I also use it to decap my 9mm. Keeps the junk out of my Dillon 750. Not expensive, simple to use. I use with my Inline Fab quick change plate.

[@glockparaastra]

I’ve been considering one of these for decapping only…

[@kip6006]

You won't be disappointed

[@FClassJohn]

Probably one of the best $76 products you can buy especially given it's versatility.

[@markahdz]

Add a case feeder and you’re golden 👍🏻

[@RatelLaw]

Thank you for sharing.

[@FClassJohn]

My pleasure!

[@happyhome41]

Excellent video ! The Lee directions leave much to be desired. I saw nowhere in the directions about slipping on the riser - your two second mention and visual made all the difference. Now I need to understand why a number of the cases hang up entering the through-way shell holder, leading me to develop a near habitual double tap on the up-stroke to be sure the case is over the center. And this APP is near essential with .40 S&W, with much of the range brass showing the classic bulge, necessitating depriming (APP), washing (Thumbler Tumbler Model B), de-bulging (APP), and *then* reloading (re-size, prime, powder, bullet, seat, crimp).

[@hughtanner208]

thank you

[@FClassJohn]

You're welcome

[@firearmconvention946]

I assume you can hook up a dillon casefeeder to it ?

[@CorwinBos]

Ive used mine a ton and setup and adapter for running my case feeder from my LnL on it. I just cant see a faster way to decap on the cheap.

[@graynotescartridgebox]

I mean, why not just decap on the 750? Or even on the Zero? If your press can’t take getting dirty, it isn’t worth owning. I really never saw the attraction of these with the other options out there. But I guess if you’re on an extreme low budget it has a place.

[@FClassJohn]

First off, the Zero can take the dirt, that's not the issue, and budget has nothing to do with it. I would easily pay the price for one of these even it all it did was decap (which is all I'll do on it) because for me all I'm doing in buying a dedicated decapping machine (just like I have a dedicated priming tool) that is faster and easier and the side benefit is the cleanliness of my main press. I can easily see why guys buy a few of these as dedicated stations for their needs, especially pistol but to each their own.

[@graynotescartridgebox]

@@FClassJohn certainly the zero can take the dirt, that’s why it’s so funny people complained about it. I guess I would rather just go through on the progressive and handle the brass one time less and not spend an extra $100. Handling the brass one extra time isn’t going to be faster or better.

[@FClassJohn]

@@graynotescartridgebox yeah I just don’t a progressive anymore. I only use the Zero Press now.

[@graynotescartridgebox]

@@FClassJohn did you sell it?

[@FClassJohn]

@@graynotescartridgebox Yeah I sold it off at the end of last year when I knew I was getting the zero press.

[@dalemoorman664]

love mine too. wondering what die you are using? I am using a Lyman decapper die. my only problem is breaking pins, I notice that I have to pay fairly close attention with 9mm brass, I do a lot of range brass, some brass, particularly norma has super hard primer crimps. do you clean it often? find that I have problems over team with the brass sliding in proper place.

[@FClassJohn]

I use the FW Arms popper decapper. It's a great decapper and if you manage to actually break one of their pins I'd be amazed.

[@1911GreaterThanALL]

I mean I am considering the app purely for decapping due to the pure bulk of brass I decap and swage. Also it is YOUR MONEY and really if you get a fair amount of use relative to your money I don't think people have legitimate criticism.

[@wreckz9145]

Was it also resizing

[@markwest5517]

John, will I be able to use a FW Arms Decapper die on this Lee APP? The die is very l-o-n-g. Like your FW Arms Popper decapper. It looks like there is a very short clearance vertically above where the arm passes above the die.

[@FClassJohn]

In order to use the FW you have to get the roller handle. The standard handle doesn’t have the clearance like you suspected.

[@MrBarbuster]

4 tube case loader is same as the one you are using now in diameter size

[@FClassJohn]

oh cool, thank you. I'm actually going to try hooking my Dillon case feeder up to it next time.

[@anotherfngg8739]

Was wondering what 284 your shooting? If it's a 284win or one of the 6-6.5 versions thanks for the great reloading info

[@FClassJohn]

Thank you, I shoot a straight 284win

[@85ZERO17]

JOHN CAN YOU FILM IN HIGHER RESOLUTION, ANY REASON WHY YOU DONT?

[@brucerichardson5647]

How do you keep the rifle brass from sticking in the die? I have to lube my 223 brass when I'm decapping and sizing.

[@FClassJohn]

I'm not sizing on it. Only decapping. But I do have friends who size on it for .223 and 9mm and they just make sure it's well lubed.

[@danielchampness]

That is cool. How tall of brass will it accommodate, .300Wby?

[@FClassJohn]

I honestly don’t know what they are rated for.

[@edolson4186]

Do you, or can you, resize your brass on this as you are decapping?

[@FClassJohn]

I don’t think I would trust it to do big rifle cartridges but I know a lot of people resize pistol brass on it without a problem when they are decapping.

[@katashi222]

What other use it has other tag decapping and swaging???

[@FClassJohn]

Depend on pistol or rifle. For pistol you can size or swags bullets, rifle and pistol can seat bullets and lots more. Check it out here leeprecision.com/app-automatic-processing-press/

[@davenimetz307]

Does the APP deluxe also have the same primer system as the ACP? It looks the same just want to confirm.

[@FClassJohn]

The regular APP doesn't prime, only the ACP did but it's discontinued now. I believe they replaced both units with the new Deluxe APP which does prime and do all the functions of the APP as well. But I have no idea if if's the exact same priming system as the ACP although in pics it does look the same so maybe it is.

[@davenimetz307]

Thanks I really just need the ACP but I cant find one anywhere online used or in stock because they discontinued. It looks like the same system from photos but no-one has a video of priming just de-capping. Thanks for the quick response. @@FClassJohn

[@IsaacMorgan1873]

I have a question. New to reloading. Just joined Sass as a hobby, so reloading is necessary. Why wouldn’t you clean brass after decapping? It looks like your e cleaned your brass before? Just curious as to why. Thanks-“Charlie Prince.”

[@FClassJohn]

My brass stays really clean so it's not needed until after sizing to get lube off

[@rossmitchell9599]

How about Stuck Cases? I'm not seeing you lube any of them, are you using a carbide Die?

[@FClassJohn]

I'm just decapping, there's nothing to get stuck.

[@rossmitchell9599]

@@FClassJohn thank you Sir, it decals from the bottom? So it comes with everything? I’m looking at purchasing one but I can’t find but bits and pieces of information

[@FClassJohn]

@@rossmitchell9599 No, the APP doesn't come with everything you need to decap but the ACP does. The ACP is designed to decap and prime but the APP requires that you put your own decapping die in.

[@petercastronovo9370]

What gauge are you using for primer depth?

[@FClassJohn]

It's this one bullettipping.com/products/precision-primer-gauge/

[@tobiastorsi]

Do you think it is precise enough to use it for expanding with a mandrel as well?

[@FClassJohn]

I’m not sure but I have thought about trying it for fun. If I do I’ll let you know.

[@tobiastorsi]

@@FClassJohn Thanks! That would make some parts of reloading really faster. Have ordered one already ;)

[@dr.bonscott3962]

Does this decap and size, or is it just for decapping?

[@FClassJohn]

I know people who size some cartridges on it but definitely not all of them. I tried with .284 for instance and I wouldn't recommend it.

[@dr.bonscott3962]

@FClassJohn ok. Thank you for the reply. I just get so annoyed with the processing steps.. but then have my progressive press running like a champ.. so I burn through all the cases I spent so much time to get prepared. Lol I know i know Life is hard 😂

[@chrismarkley1818]

I’m sure you said this and I missed it. You are only decapping, not sizing and decapping? What decapping die are you using?

[@FClassJohn]

Yeah just decapping. I have the Lee die on there for now but will play with my others too.

[@ryridesmotox]

Sizing is not recommended on the X-Press shell holders. I have sized 308 and 223 on it but it wasn't 100%. The X-Press shell holder doesn't grab the rim well

[@desabc221]

I have a Forester Co Ax and use a Lee decapping die. Would you think it is faster than this method?

[@FClassJohn]

The big advantage with the APP press is that their shell holder allows the brass to pass through you aren’t have to remove it. It definitely helps speed up the process and then if add any kind of feeder you’re only getting faster.

[@mab0852]

No, I have both and I never deprime on the Co Ax anymore. If I'm in the shop with known brass, I use the APP with a 4 tube case feeder and it's way faster. In the house I use a modified FA deprimer while watching TV. If I'm sorting for crimped stuff mixed in with range brass the FA let's me see and feel the crimp so it's faster in that case. Also in that case I'm usually going through 1000s of rounds of multiple calibers and the FA is quicker to change over. The APP takes some fidgeting between calibers to run smooth again.

[@jackwebb5917]

Are you using the standard Lee decapping die ?

[@FClassJohn]

Nope. I’m using the FW Arms popper decapper.

[@jackwebb5917]

@@FClassJohn Ok. Never heard of it. Would the standard Lee die work? What is the advantage of the one you used?

[@FClassJohn]

@@jackwebb5917 this is it fwarms.com/shop/reloading/fw-arms-primer-popper-auto-case-centering-decapper-deprimer/ but yes of course you’d be fine with a standard Lee decapper. The FW uses a beefier stem and auto enters and applies spring pressure to the decapping process.

[@jackwebb5917]

@@FClassJohn Awesome! Thanks! Will give it a go

[@gpav1]

Can you use this for 9 /40/45??

[@FClassJohn]

I don’t see why not. It’s supposed to be universal and I know one of my friends uses it on a pistol cartridge but I don’t know which one.

[@gpav1]

@@FClassJohn .. awesome.., ordered everything hope to have the same success as you sir… cheers again

[@stitchkwik8046]

What else can you do on it??

[@FClassJohn]

Just about anything. Decap, swage, seat, size and more. Super versatile.

[@jhnstuhlmiller]

I need something better for decapping pistol brass

[@FClassJohn]

This could be the ticket for you.

[@mab0852]

Give it a go with your neck mandrels.

[@randyemenhiser2573]

Nice video, but you should do a giveaway with it, bc you're not a common man that uses Lee products.

[@morrow275]

LOL. All I can see are primers. Lol