Primer seating problems - The Firearms Forum

LHamer · 11-30-2011, 08:25 PM

I am loading 38 special and having trouble getting the primers to seat deep enough. Have cleaned pockets. Any suggestions. Thanks

cycloneman · 11-30-2011, 08:27 PM

Are you using small pistol primers? Not rifle primers hugh?

cycloneman · 11-30-2011, 08:28 PM

What tool are you using to seat them?

woolleyworm · 11-30-2011, 08:38 PM

double check your primer size, then make sure your punch and your shell-holder are correct. If they are correct, then check the alignment as the primer is going up into the case. Also, check your cases to make sure you don't have any mil .38 with crimped primers, they are out there.

312shooter · 11-30-2011, 09:29 PM

Are they flush? That should be ok, other than that we need more info to help properly diagnose.

LDBennett · 12-01-2011, 06:41 AM

They need to seat a few thousandths below flush, not just flush.

Could it be that the cases formerly had crimped in primers and the remaining crimp is causing the problem?

LDBennett

JLA · 12-01-2011, 10:18 AM

primers gotta be .004" below flush.

LHamer · 12-02-2011, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cycloneman

Are you using small pistol primers? Not rifle primers hugh?

Using #1 1/2 small pistol primers. They are working fine in my 9mm

howlnmad · 12-02-2011, 10:21 AM

Check the primer pockets on that 38 brass.

BobMcG · 12-02-2011, 11:53 AM

Just for the heck of it, what brand of brass are you using?

The Duke · 12-02-2011, 02:44 PM

Make sure you have the proper primer seating head on your priming tool...A large head wont set the small primer of the .38spl correctly...Just my best guess..

243winxb · 12-02-2011, 05:18 PM

Flush with the case head to .004" below is all thats needed.

mikld · 12-05-2011, 12:59 PM

Hand priming tool or press mounted?

11-30-2011, 08:27 PM	#2
cycloneman Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 7,401	Re: Primer seating problems Are you using small pistol primers? Not rifle primers hugh? __________________ Who are you going to serve today?

11-30-2011, 08:28 PM	#3
cycloneman Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 7,401	Re: Primer seating problems What tool are you using to seat them? __________________ Who are you going to serve today?

11-30-2011, 08:38 PM	#4
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,883	Re: Primer seating problems double check your primer size, then make sure your punch and your shell-holder are correct. If they are correct, then check the alignment as the primer is going up into the case. Also, check your cases to make sure you don't have any mil .38 with crimped primers, they are out there. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

11-30-2011, 09:29 PM	#5
312shooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 1,148	Re: Primer seating problems Are they flush? That should be ok, other than that we need more info to help properly diagnose. __________________ "Democracy is based on citizenship- perhaps the greatest gift the United States has given to the world- Power is vested in the people themselves, and government flows from the people" James M Henslin

12-01-2011, 06:41 AM	#6
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,712	Re: Primer seating problems They need to seat a few thousandths below flush, not just flush. Could it be that the cases formerly had crimped in primers and the remaining crimp is causing the problem? LDBennett Last edited by LDBennett; 12-01-2011 at 06:42 AM..

11-30-2011, 08:25 PM	#1
LHamer Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 3	Primer seating problems I am loading 38 special and having trouble getting the primers to seat deep enough. Have cleaned pockets. Any suggestions. Thanks -->

12-01-2011, 10:18 AM	#7
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: Primer seating problems primers gotta be .004" below flush. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

12-02-2011, 10:21 AM	#9
howlnmad Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Harriman, Tn Contributor Posts: 2,566	Re: Primer seating problems Check the primer pockets on that 38 brass. __________________

12-02-2011, 11:53 AM	#10
BobMcG Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Somewhere in the Twilight Zone. Contributor Posts: 1,119	Re: Primer seating problems Just for the heck of it, what brand of brass are you using?

12-02-2011, 02:44 PM	#11
The Duke Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NW Louisiana Posts: 813	Re: Primer seating problems Make sure you have the proper primer seating head on your priming tool...A large head wont set the small primer of the .38spl correctly...Just my best guess.. __________________ Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc'-ra-cy) - a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

12-02-2011, 05:18 PM	#12
243winxb V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: USA Posts: 106	Re: Primer seating problems Flush with the case head to .004" below is all thats needed.

12-05-2011, 12:59 PM	#13
mikld Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 573	Re: Primer seating problems Hand priming tool or press mounted? __________________ My Anchor is holding fast.