Has anyone had any issues with the dependability of a reload that has a loose primer pocket when seating the primer?
Keep them separate or just shoot 'em???
Keep them separate or just shoot 'em???
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Re: Loose Primer Pockets???
NOT a textbook answer:
I load my precision rifle ammo on a Dillon 650. If I feel a primer go in really easy, I remove that case, and give a poke at the primer with a skinny TIG welding tungsten electrode I keep at the bench. If I can poke the primer out by hand, I put the brass into my scrap bin. If not, I load it and forget about it. I've never blown a primer, and I've only smoked a primer once or twice - and it was on account of overpressure (doing load development on a new-to-me cartridge), not loose primer fit.
NOT a textbook answer:
I load my precision rifle ammo on a Dillon 650. If I feel a primer go in really easy, I remove that case, and give a poke at the primer with a skinny TIG welding tungsten electrode I keep at the bench. If I can poke the primer out by hand, I put the brass into my scrap bin. If not, I load it and forget about it. I've never blown a primer, and I've only smoked a primer once or twice - and it was on account of overpressure (doing load development on a new-to-me cartridge), not loose primer fit.
Re: Loose Primer Pockets???
Unless they are REALLY loose meaning slides right in with no push at all I never worry about it. My advice would be this: if your not confident when you put the primer in, ditch it. Isn't worth a new bolt and most certainly your health.
Unless they are REALLY loose meaning slides right in with no push at all I never worry about it. My advice would be this: if your not confident when you put the primer in, ditch it. Isn't worth a new bolt and most certainly your health.
Re: Loose Primer Pockets???
I'm leery even if they go in a just a <span style="text-decoration: underline">little</span> too easily. I think they can work lose like when driving on a rough road while in the plastic box and especially while in the magazine, under recoil. I toss anything that I have no confidence in. I don't know how easy it might be to determine, if using a press, as I have not done (other) but hand prime in 25 years. BB
I'm leery even if they go in a just a <span style="text-decoration: underline">little</span> too easily. I think they can work lose like when driving on a rough road while in the plastic box and especially while in the magazine, under recoil. I toss anything that I have no confidence in. I don't know how easy it might be to determine, if using a press, as I have not done (other) but hand prime in 25 years. BB
Re: Loose Primer Pockets???
another option, try a different brand of primer that will fit tighter -
here is a list I made a while back so current production may vary:
Rem 9 1/2 -----------.211
CCI 34 --------------.212
wolf -----------------.211
magtech 9 1/2 --------.212
WLRM --------------- .209
WLR ----------------- .206
CCI BR2 -------------- .211
another option, try a different brand of primer that will fit tighter -
here is a list I made a while back so current production may vary:
Rem 9 1/2 -----------.211
CCI 34 --------------.212
wolf -----------------.211
magtech 9 1/2 --------.212
WLRM --------------- .209
WLR ----------------- .206
CCI BR2 -------------- .211
Re: Loose Primer Pockets???
This is good to know. I've had issues with loose primer pockets using Black Hills and Lapua brass in 223 after only 3 to 4 reloads. I've been using WSR primers. Gonna have to try some CCI small rifle primers and see if they seat tighter.
This is good to know. I've had issues with loose primer pockets using Black Hills and Lapua brass in 223 after only 3 to 4 reloads. I've been using WSR primers. Gonna have to try some CCI small rifle primers and see if they seat tighter.
Re: Loose Primer Pockets???
They are not falling out loose, just real easy with the hand prime tool.
Only have 4 or 5 out of 100 or so, so far. These are once fired.
Winchester brass. .308
BR2 primers.
They are not falling out loose, just real easy with the hand prime tool.
Only have 4 or 5 out of 100 or so, so far. These are once fired.
Winchester brass. .308
BR2 primers.
Re: Loose Primer Pockets???
Tap the questionable bases on the bench, if the primers don't stay flush, sighter/fouler that one time and then the can. I swipe their base with a permament marker so they don't go back into the tumbler after firing.
Tap the questionable bases on the bench, if the primers don't stay flush, sighter/fouler that one time and then the can. I swipe their base with a permament marker so they don't go back into the tumbler after firing.
Re: Loose Primer Pockets???
If I feel a loose primer, I color the base with a red sharpie, similar to what Greg does. After it's next firing, I sh--can it.
If I feel a loose primer, I color the base with a red sharpie, similar to what Greg does. After it's next firing, I sh--can it.
Re: Loose Primer Pockets???
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: johngfoster</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This is good to know. I've had issues with loose primer pockets using Black Hills and Lapua brass in 223 after only 3 to 4 reloads. I've been using WSR primers. Gonna have to try some CCI small rifle primers and see if they seat tighter. </div></div>
I will measure and post some current SR dimensions
CCI -400, BR 4, 41
Rem 6 1/2, 7 1/2
Tula and wolf
all .175
FGMM - .176
so regular Fed SR will likely also be the same (.176)
not much variation
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: johngfoster</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This is good to know. I've had issues with loose primer pockets using Black Hills and Lapua brass in 223 after only 3 to 4 reloads. I've been using WSR primers. Gonna have to try some CCI small rifle primers and see if they seat tighter. </div></div>
I will measure and post some current SR dimensions
CCI -400, BR 4, 41
Rem 6 1/2, 7 1/2
Tula and wolf
all .175
FGMM - .176
so regular Fed SR will likely also be the same (.176)
not much variation
Re: Loose Primer Pockets???
If we were talking about custom formed brass for some rare or obscure cartridge, I would be a little more flexible in my comfort zone, but according to the above data, a larger diameter primer is not a solution, if you are already using one that measures .212".
I wonder about the sealant product that looks a lot like fingernail polish and is intended for waterproofing the primers? Seems to me, that stuff would be an insurance in case of marginally loose primers? I actually have a small bottle of George and Roy's, never used, but it's clear in color and would be easier than de priming and re primimg larger primers. Might be a solution? BB
If we were talking about custom formed brass for some rare or obscure cartridge, I would be a little more flexible in my comfort zone, but according to the above data, a larger diameter primer is not a solution, if you are already using one that measures .212".
I wonder about the sealant product that looks a lot like fingernail polish and is intended for waterproofing the primers? Seems to me, that stuff would be an insurance in case of marginally loose primers? I actually have a small bottle of George and Roy's, never used, but it's clear in color and would be easier than de priming and re primimg larger primers. Might be a solution? BB
Re: Loose Primer Pockets???
shoot them till the primers fall off on their own then recycle.
shoot them till the primers fall off on their own then recycle.
Re: Loose Primer Pockets???
I had a batch of LC09 5.56 brass that I had this same issue with.I was finding loose pockets at about a 30% rate.I put a swipe of red fingernail polish around the primer,not necessarily to seal it,but to identify it later,in case it got mixed in with the other stuff.
After looking at that brass sitting here for a while,I decided to load a few and try them.I loaded them like the rest(25.0 grs. of H335 behind a 55 gr hrndy bullet),took them out and shot them.I didn't have any problems with them.That said,when I find them now,I still seal them up with red figernail polish,but they get loaded,sealed in a bag,placed in a watertight ammo can,and prepared for burial.If you have to dig them up to shoot them,saving your brass will probably be the last thing on your mind.
I had a batch of LC09 5.56 brass that I had this same issue with.I was finding loose pockets at about a 30% rate.I put a swipe of red fingernail polish around the primer,not necessarily to seal it,but to identify it later,in case it got mixed in with the other stuff.
After looking at that brass sitting here for a while,I decided to load a few and try them.I loaded them like the rest(25.0 grs. of H335 behind a 55 gr hrndy bullet),took them out and shot them.I didn't have any problems with them.That said,when I find them now,I still seal them up with red figernail polish,but they get loaded,sealed in a bag,placed in a watertight ammo can,and prepared for burial.If you have to dig them up to shoot them,saving your brass will probably be the last thing on your mind.
Re: Loose Primer Pockets???
Primer pockets lossening up is mainly a problem of too much pressure.
I shoot a 308 load that is right on the edge of sane pressure limits (47.8 gr Varget with 155 Scenars) and have over 30 reload cycles on a set (50) WIN cases. I have not lost a single case to primer pockets, but have lost to to body craces, and culled 2 cases for ICHS before "bad things happened".
Primer pockets lossening up is mainly a problem of too much pressure.
I shoot a 308 load that is right on the edge of sane pressure limits (47.8 gr Varget with 155 Scenars) and have over 30 reload cycles on a set (50) WIN cases. I have not lost a single case to primer pockets, but have lost to to body craces, and culled 2 cases for ICHS before "bad things happened".
Re: Loose Primer Pockets???
Mine are Lapua brass 223.
Mine are Lapua brass 223.
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