Did you know a .38 primer pocket is 11/64's? [Archive]

Ohio Rusty

01-02-2011, 05:16 PM

I was swaging the primer pockets of a bunch of military brass - Lake City .38 specials. Since my swage is hand made, how would I know if the pocket was the right size? I started checking the primer pocket of a normal shell with the ends of different drill bits. To my surprise, the non drill end of an 11/64th drill bit was a perfect fit in a primer pocket. I was able to swage and check all the shells and only found a few shells that were still a bit too tight, and a quick swaging fixed that.
11/64th ..... something to put on the sticky side of your memory ....
Ohio Rusty ><>

Cowboy T

01-03-2011, 02:39 AM

Thanks! .38 Spl cases from Sellier and Bellot tend to be tight. This could help fix those cases and put 'em back to std. spec.