Primer Seating Problem

[Mordamer]

I'm having a problem getting my primers in .223 Remington cases to seat flush with the bottom of the case. I would prefer the primer's base to seat inside the base of the case by just a few thousandths of an inch.
I have a Lyman primer pocket uniforming tool that cuts the primer pockets to a uniform depth, but some of the primers are still protruding from the bottom of the cases about .003"-.005". This is throwing off my O.A.L. measurements.
I'm using Remington 7-1/2 bench rest primers and hornady brass.

Is there any thoughts on how I should be seating the primers or a tool I should have to get them to seat deeper? It feels like they are bottoming out when I put them in on my press.

 

[SnkBit]

Re: Primer Seating Problem

Are you seating them during the sizing operation? You may check the depth of the decapping pin. It may be just deep enough to slightly unseat the primer as you lift the case back up off of the primer seating anvil.

 

[Mordamer]

Re: Primer Seating Problem

I have a turret press and I size the case and seat the primer next. There isn't anything in the case after the primer except powder. I measured several cases then primed them and immediately measured again. It was hard to see that my calipers were sitting on the primer instead of the rim of the case, but the measurement told the difference.

 

[mikeyz250]

Re: Primer Seating Problem

So your priming on the up stroke right? Make sure you are pushing up good on it and check each case to make sure the primer is seated good, if not reseat it again. I use a RCBS hand priming tool, I have a lee turret but prefer the hand tool.

 

[Mordamer]

Re: Primer Seating Problem

I'm pushing up pretty hard on the primers after I find one sticking out too much, but that only moves them maybe one thousandth in. How deep do you seat them? Ever have some primers sticking out?

 

[skinnypitt]

Re: Primer Seating Problem

+1 on the RCBS hand priming tool...I wouldnt feel comfortable priming with a leveraged system like the press. You have absolutely no feel and that feel you get from a hand primer can tell you a lot about your brass. You can tell if the pocket is too loose or too tight which can reveal more serious problems when you investigate that first sign.

 

[Mordamer]

Re: Primer Seating Problem

I'll look into the hand priming tool, but I was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem. I can't see how a hand priming tool would seat them a little deeper if my hard shoves on the press wont.

I have also noticed that the problem is with at least half of my cases. I can see a mark on the back of the primers from the bolt when I load one and cam the bolt down and then unload it.

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: Primer Seating Problem

ummmm, have you cleaned your primer pockets lately?

 

[Mordamer]

Re: Primer Seating Problem

They are super clean. I have a primer pocket cleaner, reamer, and uniformer. I use them. The pockets are shiny. I just wish my uniformer cut them a hair deeper. I think that might be the problem. I also just compared some of the remington primers to the CCI 400 primers. The remingtons are pretty consistently two or three thousandths longer. That might take care of part of the problem, but not all of it.

 

[SnkBit]

Re: Primer Seating Problem

The decapping die is no longer in the press while your are priming, correct? I only ask because my dumb ass had this problem. I thought that I was not seating the primer deep enough but as it turned out the decapping pin was slightly contacting the newly installed primer as I lifted the case up off of the primer anvil.

Also, I just noticed you are in the Texas Panhandle. Where about are you in the Panhandle?

 

[Mordamer]

Re: Primer Seating Problem

Yeah, the turret turns to the next station when you lower the casing to prime it. Then when you raise it the powder charger is the only thing above it.

 

[SnkBit]

Re: Primer Seating Problem

Ahh, progressive. Gotcha.