[AR guy]

Today when I was priming some brass I had problems. Don't know why, that's why I'm asking. When I put the brass .223 shell in the shell holder for the rcbs hand primer the primers were hard to seat. Meaning some were hard others went in crooked and stuck out so much I had to take apart the hand primer to get the shell holder and shell out, then use the press to get them separated. After all that the bottom of the shell was roughed up and couldn't tell if something was wrong with the shell. Shells were all clean some carbon was at the top of the primer socket but pretty much clean. Was it bad primers or what? It happened to about 7-8 shells. Any ideas?

 

[JLA]

Did you remember to remove the primer crimp from the primer pocket?? Assuming youre using milspec brass..

 

[AR guy]

All I did was decap all the brass. Have no idea about primer crimp. I've loade about 250 so far and these were the first. What's a primer crimp?

 

[Texxut]

When military brass is primed, a small amount of brass is displaced to "crimp" the primers in place. This is to reduce the chances of a loose primer causing stoppages in battle. This crimp must be removed so the case can be re-primed, using a de-burring tool or a primer pocket swager.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/447022/rcbs-primer-pocket-swager-combo

 

[AR guy]

Ok since my last reply I've looked it up and I see what he and you mean. Ok now I gotta go thru all my brass before I go to the next stage. Thanks.

 

[ozo]

To all you new re-loaders.......
Please read, read, read, read
before you start and you will save
yourself lots of frustration.

Work on only one caliber at a time.
When you choose which one to start with,
research the hell out of it.

I keep seeing the same problems that are simple
to have been avoided, and these same problems
are basics...with tons of info pertaining to them.

Above all, be safe.

Still feel free to ask.....
I personally am always glad to assist where
possible.....but save yourself some aggravation.

Slow down, and read, read, read,.....first.

 

[Texxut]

Slow down, and read, read, read,.....first.

There is GOLD in those words.