So I'm loading for the 25/06 using Winchester brass which I saved up from factory ammo and I'm priming it with Remington primers. I'm finding that on many of my loads the primers do not seat down flush but rater stick up a bit, I am using a Lyman hand priming tool which seats the primers down until they bottom out in the prime pocket. On inspection I have found that the Remington primers appear to be a bit longer than the factory Winchester ones so that would explain it, I'm just wondering if this is something that could affect performance. I'm thinking that the protruding primer could prevent the case head from sitting flat against the bolt face. Any input much appreciated
Primers siting proud of the case head
- Thread starter XOK-DESIGN
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Re: Primers siting proud of the case head
I think the primers are not really bottomed out in the primer pocket. I would suggest applying a bit more pressure to your hand priming tool.
I've used BUNCHES of Winchester brass and I've used Remington primers and have never had the problem you describe.
I think the primers are not really bottomed out in the primer pocket. I would suggest applying a bit more pressure to your hand priming tool.
I've used BUNCHES of Winchester brass and I've used Remington primers and have never had the problem you describe.
Re: Primers siting proud of the case head
Protruding primer = bad juju. Clean pockets well, primer should seat about .005 below case head. It would probably take several things to add up to unexpected loud noises and projectiles flying in unwanted directions but why risk it. Besides un seated primers will not add to your accuracy.
Protruding primer = bad juju. Clean pockets well, primer should seat about .005 below case head. It would probably take several things to add up to unexpected loud noises and projectiles flying in unwanted directions but why risk it. Besides un seated primers will not add to your accuracy.
Re: Primers siting proud of the case head
You now understand why primer pocket uniformers were invented.
You now understand why primer pocket uniformers were invented.
Re: Primers siting proud of the case head
It's highly unlikely you would get a 'slam fire' in your bolt rifle but high primers can make chambering difficult and greatly increases the probability of a failure to fire or a hang fire.
I doubt your primers are of significantly different cup lengths. New primer anvils typically set proud of the cup and that will make them measure different but it's irrelivant when they are correctly seated so the anvil is properly pushed in flush with the cup. The factories usually suggest the seated cups be about 3 thou below flush. Driving them too deep may crush the priming pellet and that can destroy the primer.
I also doubt cleaning your pockets will make any difference. You would need a LOT of primer crud in a pocket to make a properly seated primer sit flush, never mind sitting high.
It's highly unlikely you would get a 'slam fire' in your bolt rifle but high primers can make chambering difficult and greatly increases the probability of a failure to fire or a hang fire.
I doubt your primers are of significantly different cup lengths. New primer anvils typically set proud of the cup and that will make them measure different but it's irrelivant when they are correctly seated so the anvil is properly pushed in flush with the cup. The factories usually suggest the seated cups be about 3 thou below flush. Driving them too deep may crush the priming pellet and that can destroy the primer.
I also doubt cleaning your pockets will make any difference. You would need a LOT of primer crud in a pocket to make a properly seated primer sit flush, never mind sitting high.
Re: Primers siting proud of the case head
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MitchAlsup</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You now understand why primer pocket uniformers were invented. </div></div>
+1 one of the best tools on my reloading bench
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MitchAlsup</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You now understand why primer pocket uniformers were invented. </div></div>
+1 one of the best tools on my reloading bench
Re: Primers siting proud of the case head
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: madcat mk II</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MitchAlsup</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You now understand why primer pocket uniformers were invented. </div></div>
+1 one of the best tools on my reloading bench </div></div>
+2 Cheap, quick, and easy. Get the ones from Sinclair that mount in a drill.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: madcat mk II</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MitchAlsup</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You now understand why primer pocket uniformers were invented. </div></div>
+1 one of the best tools on my reloading bench </div></div>
+2 Cheap, quick, and easy. Get the ones from Sinclair that mount in a drill.
Re: Primers siting proud of the case head
Pocket uniformers have a use - for unifoming. I've been reloading a very long time using a lot of different brands of cases and I'm yet to encounter a pocket too shallow for normal primer seating. Put the right amount of pressure on a primer and it will go home.
Pocket uniformers have a use - for unifoming. I've been reloading a very long time using a lot of different brands of cases and I'm yet to encounter a pocket too shallow for normal primer seating. Put the right amount of pressure on a primer and it will go home.
Re: Primers siting proud of the case head
Applying more pressure may fix your problem, but It may be seated all the way already and you may just be flattening them. I've had this problem before. My bet is your primers are bottoming out because primer pocket is too shallow. Get a primer pocket uniformer and call it good.
Applying more pressure may fix your problem, but It may be seated all the way already and you may just be flattening them. I've had this problem before. My bet is your primers are bottoming out because primer pocket is too shallow. Get a primer pocket uniformer and call it good.
Re: Primers siting proud of the case head
I don't know if it's a related problem to what you are experiencing. I just prepped 200 cases of Win .308 brass a few weeks ago. When I first get new brass I go the whole route of case prep: neck uniforming, trimming, flash hole deburring, primer pocket uniforming, etc. I've used lots of different brands of brass in the past. I've never had to use as much effort on primer pockets as I had to on this latest batch of Win brass. May have just been this run, but it was a noticeable change from others. Out of the 200 cases I had to put about 20+ aside for primer pockets that I could NOT finish up. I've never not been able to clean up a pocket before. They may have involved lots of work but I've always been able to eventually clean them up. These were too small diameter wise and it was very difficult to even get the tool in the pocket to start the uniforming procedure.
-Chad
I don't know if it's a related problem to what you are experiencing. I just prepped 200 cases of Win .308 brass a few weeks ago. When I first get new brass I go the whole route of case prep: neck uniforming, trimming, flash hole deburring, primer pocket uniforming, etc. I've used lots of different brands of brass in the past. I've never had to use as much effort on primer pockets as I had to on this latest batch of Win brass. May have just been this run, but it was a noticeable change from others. Out of the 200 cases I had to put about 20+ aside for primer pockets that I could NOT finish up. I've never not been able to clean up a pocket before. They may have involved lots of work but I've always been able to eventually clean them up. These were too small diameter wise and it was very difficult to even get the tool in the pocket to start the uniforming procedure.
-Chad
Re: Primers siting proud of the case head
"One of my reloading manuals stated that the anvil should be compresed into the compound .Arnie"
Correct. Done correctly, it's a matter of degree but the anvil will be lightly pressed into the compound if the primer is properly seated.
In a new primer the legs of the anvil will normally stand proud of the cup mouth a few thousanths; the top will not be in firm contact with the pellet until the primer is seated. Then the anvil gets pushed up into contact with the pellet and that slight compression helps sensitivity. But, going too far will crack or crush the fragile pellet and can actually push most, or all, of the compound aside and produce a hang-fire or failure to fire event.
Target depth for a seated primer is 3 thou below the case head but that will vary a tad by the actual dimensions of the cup and depth of the pocket. Use of a pocker uniformer helps us insure we have fully seated our primers and the compound and anvils are in the correct position.
"One of my reloading manuals stated that the anvil should be compresed into the compound .Arnie"
Correct. Done correctly, it's a matter of degree but the anvil will be lightly pressed into the compound if the primer is properly seated.
In a new primer the legs of the anvil will normally stand proud of the cup mouth a few thousanths; the top will not be in firm contact with the pellet until the primer is seated. Then the anvil gets pushed up into contact with the pellet and that slight compression helps sensitivity. But, going too far will crack or crush the fragile pellet and can actually push most, or all, of the compound aside and produce a hang-fire or failure to fire event.
Target depth for a seated primer is 3 thou below the case head but that will vary a tad by the actual dimensions of the cup and depth of the pocket. Use of a pocker uniformer helps us insure we have fully seated our primers and the compound and anvils are in the correct position.
Re: Primers siting proud of the case head
Thanks for all the feed back guys, I measured up a few spent primers and have found that the rems are indeed about 7 thou longer than the win's(measuring the cup), also I did clean the primer pockets free of carbon and believe me I put on some safety glasses and gave the primer tool a good squeeze. Ill be getting myself a primer pocket tool now. Also I might say the problem only affect about half my loads.
Thanks for all the feed back guys, I measured up a few spent primers and have found that the rems are indeed about 7 thou longer than the win's(measuring the cup), also I did clean the primer pockets free of carbon and believe me I put on some safety glasses and gave the primer tool a good squeeze. Ill be getting myself a primer pocket tool now. Also I might say the problem only affect about half my loads.
Re: Primers siting proud of the case head
I first found this problem on a friend's rifle when he noticed the bolt was a little too hard to close for his liking. At first I thought it was a COL problem. After examining his handloads i discovered it was the primer protruding and hitting the boltface.
I first found this problem on a friend's rifle when he noticed the bolt was a little too hard to close for his liking. At first I thought it was a COL problem. After examining his handloads i discovered it was the primer protruding and hitting the boltface.
Re: Primers siting proud of the case head
Just a note in passing. I have made it a practice to point the neck of the case away from me when I'm priming... I've never had one cook off, but it would definitely require a time-out for a change of linen.
Just a note in passing. I have made it a practice to point the neck of the case away from me when I'm priming... I've never had one cook off, but it would definitely require a time-out for a change of linen.
Re: Primers siting proud of the case head
Ordered myself a Sinclair primer pocket uniformer with the power adapter, sounds the biz.
Ordered myself a Sinclair primer pocket uniformer with the power adapter, sounds the biz.
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