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Primer pocket ?

1K views 14 replies 11 participants last post by  PRR1957 
#1 ·
So I have some once fired hornady. 308 brass and they have been tumbled and resized. I'm pretty positive that it doesn't have millitary crimp .I go to put the primers in with rcbs primer hand tool and there's alot resistance when trying push in and yes I did clean the pockets out so does this mean I need a uniformer tool ?
 
#2 · (Edited)
What does the headstamp on your brass say? Commercial or military/NATO? If there is a little circle with a cross in it the brass is mil.spec., prolly Lake City...

Just as a "test", slightly chamfer the primer pocket with your case neck chamfer tool. There may be a burr on the pocket mouth or slight distortion. Maybe that'll help.

Primers are about a .002" interference fit to the primer pockets (hole is .002" smaller than the primer), so they will be tight (but I can't tell you if your's are tight or normal as your "tight" is prolly way different than my "tight").

Missed the "hornady". Hornady brass is pretty good, and I've used a bunch for my 308 w/no problems...
 
#4 ·
All the primer pocket's of new case's I've ever used have a tight fit first time out Military brass I've never seen with a manufacturer's name on, Hornady, Rem, Win ect! But I'm not sure where WWC is as I have some with a year date after them, mil. Don't recall if I had to take out the crimp or not. Years ago I had some Lake City Nat. Match cases I got once fired. They were not crimped in those. You'll find using new brass and even once fired military the pocket's are generally a bit tight. If they weren't I doubt the they would last to long. Reason being the case heads all expand a bit the first shot. They keep doing that a bit with hotter load's until the primer does really get loose. I use hotter loads and I'm good for five or six loading's then I get out new case's. All of the military I use now is dedicated to my 30-06 for case bullet's. I am using only case bullet's in it. Have never shot a handgun primer pocket lose using cast bullet's.
 
#6 ·
What primers are you using? I used to hear that CCI primers were "larger" than most of the other brands. Recently I have heard that they use a slightly thicker and stiffer material for the cup, which makes the a little harder to seat. Try a different brand to see which works the best for this brass.
 
#7 ·
I have noticed that the RCBS hand primer is very sensitive to shell placement. If the cartridge is pushed all the way into the shell holder the primer doesn't line up with the primer pocket. If I take the pressure off the case and let it center on the pocket it all works well. I actually ruined a couple of primers before finding this out.
 
#8 ·
Double check to make sure you have the correct shell holder installed. An RCBS #6 isn't the same as a hornady #6.
I don't hold the shell in place when I prime; but your description as it being "very sensitive" brought up some doubts on shell holder.
 
#10 ·
the RCBS Shell holders and the LEE Shell holders are identical, though the numbers are different both work in the Hand Priming tool and the press of both RCBS And LEE. for the Lee hand Primer you need the Shell holders for the Hand Primer.
 
#11 ·
You didn't say what brand of primers you are using. I have found in the past, that Nickle plated primers like CCI take a little bit more pressure to seat. I think that the plating hardens the brass cup of the primer.

I have also seen as much as .0004 in diameter variation from lot to lot of the primer cup from the same brand of primmer.
 
#15 · (Edited)
Slayer;
CCI primers are harder than other brands. I know this from using a Hardness tester set for Rockwell B & C scale.

I have also found different primer cup hardness from lot to lot of the same brand of primers. Same as hardness can vary with brass cases. I'm referring to virgin brass, not fired and work hardened. Brass is a Copper/Zinc alloy that can vary greatly from one suppler to next. Also the purity of the two elements can vary.

I used to to shoot IBS. We are the crowd that sweats the details so as to hopefully wend every bullet through the same hole.

When it comes to wringing out the most accuracy from a caterage, I will only use CCI BR or Federal Match, I did have a Remington XP-100 in 7 mm BR that would shoot its best with Remington 7 1/2 which are not known as a match primer. Go figure.

If you want proof of what I'm claiming, go find a bench rest shooters forum and you'll find 1000 word dissertations on the subject of primers.

The bottom line is to the average home ammo loader/reloader this kind of moot.

P.S. I like your little animated loading press.
 
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