Inconsistent primer pockets

[Bazoo]

I mostly load pistol rounds, 44 mag, 357 mag, 38 specials. I aint ever loaded rifle rounds to where the primers were loose so I aint got that to go by.

What I get though with pistol brass is an inconsistent feel in primer seating.

Most recently it is with new starline brass in 44 mag. Loaded only a couple times, and both lighter loads. I loaded them again today, and there is quite a bit of difference between some of them. Some are normal, a few tighter, and some are pretty easy to seat.

I've used a hand prime tool and I could really tell a difference, and now I use a lee ram prime, but still have a good feel.

So what do yall have to say bout this subject?

~Bazoo

[Reddirt62]

I check everything with a primer pocket go/no-go gauge after I loaded a batch of 223 and had 30 or so with loose primers (some even fell out)....never again.

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[GhostHawk]

See that new depriming/primer pocket swaging die for sale? Looked like under 100$ would set you up.



Mind you I am not recommending it. I have not seen or used one, have no connection with the maker. But it does seem interesting.

www.mightyarmory.com

[buckshotshoey]

Does it actually tighten a loose pocket? I have my doubts. A primer pocket swage is for removing the crimp on the primer pocket of military brass. I have seen a way to tighten the pocket on shotgun hulls but not rifle and pistol brass. Educate me if I missed something.

[dragon813gt]

That's a pretty slick setup. I may have to buy it just to see how it works for swaging the pockets. A Lee Universal decoder works great so I have no need for that part of the tool.

[buckshotshoey]

With a 3 minute search, I found one. Not sure if it does all brass but it says it will tighten your pockets. And without loosening your wallet too much. 45 bucks.
http://www.rwhart.com/store/proddeta...dhb-f-swage-sm

[lightman]

Just wondering if the brand of primer you are using is the cause and not the brass? I have had this problem a few times when I was forced to use something other than CCI. I have always had fewer/no issues with them than any other brand.

It seems like everyones quality control slipped some during the 2008-2009 shortages. Brass and primers both. Many never regained the quality they had before then. Starline has a good rep but you occasionally read about them having issues. The same with Lapua and Norma. Don't even get me started on Winchester. I bought an annealing machine because of their case necks splitting on the first firing.

[plainsman456]

The only time i have had this problem with any brass is with the un-plated Winchester primers.

Had many that got pin holes in them when fired as well.

Don't use them now because of it.

[Jackpine]

I recently bought some 38 Special range brass that contained a handful of S&B which had pockets so small that I was deforming the primers is I tried to seat them. Wasn't that many, so I just tossed them.

[dragon813gt]

I recently bought some 38 Special range brass that contained a handful of S&B which had pockets so small that I was deforming the primers is I tried to seat them. Wasn't that many, so I just tossed them.

This is typical. The pockets are smaller on S&B brass. Some people uniform them and continue to use the brass. They take more force to size and I can always pick them out of a mixed batch this way. I toss them in the scrap bucket because I don't want to deal w/ them.

[mdi]

Does it actually tighten a loose pocket? I have my doubts. A primer pocket swage is for removing the crimp on the primer pocket of military brass. I have seen a way to tighten the pocket on shotgun hulls but not rifle and pistol brass. Educate me if I missed something.

I've never seen a tool to make primer pockets smaller...

[RogerDat]

You could stake them as the military does but I'm not actually going to advocate using a punch on brass right at the edge of a live primer. Just pointing out that is how one could make the primer a tighter fit.

[fredj338]

Starline is pretty good brass, but if you are not keeping track of the number of times reloaded & with what, primer seating can be very diff. No big deal really, as long as there is some effort when seating. If they slide right in, I mark the case & toss it after that firing. A stretched pocket tells me the brass is toast.

[buckshotshoey]

I've never seen a tool to make primer pockets smaller...

I posted this above. Post it again.

http://www.rwhart.com/store/proddeta...dhb-f-swage-sm

Don't know how well it works.

[MT Gianni]

I have found out of round primers before. Not often but they were CCI, not Fiocci or Magtech. Anyone can screw up, dies wear, etc. If you are not checking primer pockets though it is tough to eliminate variables.

[runfiverun]

measure stuff.

[Bazoo]

With the specific brass in question, I was using WLP primers, unplated. I'll have to measure some of the primers.

I aint ever heard of a primer go/no go gauge, that is neat.

Thats for all the replies.

[Love Life]

measure stuff.

Gospel


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[mdi]

I posted this above. Post it again.

http://www.rwhart.com/store/proddeta...dhb-f-swage-sm

Don't know how well it works.

Interesting, but I'd have to see on work. As one with many years experience machining/forming metal I need to see how a punch system will make a hole smaller. Besides, sloppy primer pockets are a good indication of a case's life expectancy...

Anytime there is a fit problem, anywhere, measure first...

[buckshotshoey]

Interesting, but I'd have to see on work. As one with many years experience machining/forming metal I need to see how a punch system will make a hole smaller. Besides, sloppy primer pockets are a good indication of a case's life expectancy...

Anytime there is a fit problem, anywhere, measure first...

Me too. I know the tool for shotgun hulls will tighten a pocket. Never seen this one before.