DELUXE CARBIDE EXPANDER/DECAP ROD COMPLETE Reviews & Ratings

Lyman’s Deluxe Carbide expander/decapping rod assembly fits all Lyman and RCBS rifle sizing dies and upgrades them with an extra-hard carbide expander button. Gives you the benefit of carbide neck sizing while keeping your favorite dies. The slick surface of the carbide helps the button pull out of the case neck more easily, with less “grab” on the brass, so it helps prevent case stretching. You need to trim cases less frequently, and overall case life is greatly extended. The free-floating button automatically centers itself in the case neck. Adjustable positioning sleeve gives you a choice of two positions for the button, for best fits in t different-size cases. It also gives you more control over what portion of the stroke the button pulls through the case neck, so you can get maximum leverage from the press linkage. Replaceable decapping pin.

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Reviews Summary

Customers appreciate the friendly service but have raised concerns about the durability and compatibility of the DELUXE CARBIDE EXPANDER/DECAP ROD. Several reviews point to issues with bending rods and incorrect sizing with specific dies, leading to frustration over part compatibility and quality control.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Customer Service

33%

Reviews highlight the positive experience with customer service, emphasizing the friendly and professional assistance offered when inquiring about parts, which adds a personal touch to the purchasing experience.

Product Durability

67%

A significant number of reviewers express disappointment with the product's durability, particularly noting that the rods bend easily and break during usage, which raises concerns about quality control and material strength.

Compatibility Issues

50%

Multiple reviewers reported issues with compatibility, specifically that the product did not fit certain dies as advertised. This mismatch between the product and existing equipment led to frustration among users.

Pricing Concerns

33%

Some users feel that the replacement parts are overpriced given the product's shortcomings. This sentiment indicates a perceived lack of value for money, particularly when considering potential replacement costs.

Performance Improvement

33%

Despite the criticisms, a few reviewers noted that the product significantly reduces the force needed to pull cases, highlighting its effectiveness in speeding up the sizing process when it functions properly.

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Decap rod

Friendly and professional service as always. I called the tech. line to find some reloading parts and was helped with all my questions.

Would you recommend this? Yes, I would recommend to a friend

by STEVE KOMENDA on July 07, 2025

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Reduces Force Required to Expand Neck

Significantly reduces the force required to pull the case over the expander and out of the sizing die. Speeds up the sizing process. Well worth the money.

...Unless You Have 1980'ish RCBS Dies

"...fits all Lyman and RCBS rifle sizing dies..." Not really. The supplied RCBS adapter did not fit my circa 1980 dies. The saving grace is that the sizer ball portion is threaded 10-32 and fits the old sizing rod. One Star off for inaccurate ad copy and the slight aggravation of having to Mix 'n Match parts.

weak steel.. bends easily

I just bought this set and was only on the 30th or so 5.56 case and it bent and broke the cap pin! These were twice fired cases which had already been re-uniformed and swaged... I also noticed that the pin never sits flush but always at an angle once the pin cap is tightened.... I paid $30 for the complete set so why the heck would I pay $25 for just the rod etc?????? NOT even a fair price to replace the smallest parts.... Needs better QC and steel on that rod or at a minimum an included replacement set of parts for WHEN it fails as it will...

Needs to be much tougher.

The carrier rod is dead soft, and bends easily. A shame since the rest of the unit is well built, and is a big advantage when mounted in a progressive press. Mine bent after less than 100 rounds, and destroyed the decapping pin. Hopefully, Lyman can provide a new rod and pin. Buying another assembly is out of the question under these circumstances since the damage is likely to occur again. I was able to straighten the rod with my fingers. It's that soft. The rod bent decapping a Lapua .308 case, so the damage wasn't from trying to decap a heavily crimped NATO round. No other rods will interchange. Hopefully, Lyman will correct the issue. Until they do, this is an item to avoid.

Does Not Fit RCBS 300 Blk Small Base Die

Thread size too large for RCBS 300 Blackout Small Base Die, so won't fit the die.