Primer Pocket Depth?

Sanman
Member
Posts: 1
(4/23/02 5:02:45 pm)
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Hi Gang. I've been lurking around this forum for a while now, just decided to get brave and join in.

Can someone tell me how deep the primer pocket should be for a 223 case? I've just bought a pocket uniformer and it is cutting to a depth of .019" That seems to be a tad too deep as the cases measure .015" before reaming.

Thanks to all,

Rick

cointoss 2
*TFF Staff*
Posts: 679
(4/23/02 8:31:43 pm)
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Sanman welcome and make yourself at home. Even though I load for the .223 I have not used anything to make the primer pockets uniform. I understand the reasoning of consistency but have done nothing more to the commercial cases I use than cleaning the pockets before loading. I realize that many shooters here do and will chastise me for not doing it but I am not shooting match etc., so I am sure someone will be along to help you out. I did check my RCBS balisitics program and did not find anything on the the depth of the primer pocket so wish I could be of more assistance.
cointoss2

AGunguy
*TFF Staff*
Posts: 1815
(4/23/02 9:25:29 pm)
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Welcome, Sanman.

Cointoss, I do likewise...just clean the old primer pocket out with a Dremel power tool and a little wire brush thingy. Never have to gouge out the primer pocket with any reaming.

The only time I would do that would be if the primer didn't seat below the flat of the rim.

But then I load mostly pistol brass. Rifle having higher pressures might require some eventual reaming. As well as a lot of attention to the case necks stretching.

I still shudder at my bygone .243 loading days, what a pain in the butt that was with the ultra small base dies for a lever action Savage E model.

GG

the real fredneck
V.I.P. Member
Posts: 981
(4/23/02 9:29:24 pm)
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I don't think 4/1000 will make any difference unless it's sticking OUT of the case

Sanman
Member
Posts: 2
(4/24/02 5:54:13 am)
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What? No one else does this to their brass? Seriously, I thought I was the only one around not doing it

Cutting the pockets to a uniform depth isn't very hard to do and it only has to be done once. I also bought a flash hole de-burring tool and that only has to be done once as well. I was told by a benchrest shooter that the more uniform my brass is, the better off I will be when the trigger is pulled. Believe me, I need all the help I can get!

I only shoot in competition against myself as I seek to obtain the smallest groups possible. Right now my PSS is stock but as soon as the bitter half hands over the Visa Card, a Jewel trigger is going into it.

Thanks for the replies, I was sure there was a "standard" for the primer pockets and maybe there is. I sure am glad I found this board for I'm actually a reloading "Newbie" & I have a ton of questions I will be asking in the future.

Rick



a81492
Member
Posts: 25
(4/25/02 12:59:02 pm)
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howdy Rick & welcome aboard

Got a good kick outta the typo: "Bitter 1/2"

Seem to recall a rule of thumb regarding seating depths, both lg & sm. "Flush to .005 below case head" sticks like hell in my foggy mind. Don't quite recall the origin of that info tho, & will take my lumps if a clearer memory comes forward w/ some firmer figures. Like Daniela Peskova

The decade-old uniformer tools I got from Midway needed a re-set as I was gettin' unreliable ignition right outta the box Too dang deep. Loosened the setscrews on each end & (using a depth mike) fixed 'em rite up. Like an cheap escort service

Good ta ramble with ya. Back to work for now.

Work is a 4-letter word

best,
joey

rayra
V.I.P. Member
Posts: 315
(4/25/02 3:58:12 pm)
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never worried about 'uniform primer pocket depth'.

Then again, I don't try for sub-MOA super-accuracy, either.



Sanman
Member
Posts: 3
(4/26/02 1:09:52 pm)
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"Bitter Half" It wasn't a typo

Sub Moa? This rifle (in the right hands) will already do that, I'm just trying to acheive benchrest type groups of 10 rounds placed into a single hole. The last time I was at the range, a gentleman had a Savage Varmint type 223 that did it. I was shooting my first handloads (for this rifle) that day and he really showed me up!

Thanks to all for the kind welcome, I really do appreciate that.

Rick