Pocket Swager

[Gliden07]

I'm on a tight budget (as always, finishing up school) looking for something to Swage primer pockets in some .223 and 556 Military brass I acquired through trades and some purchases. Are the press types better or the reamer type? Found a tool made by Weldon (DB-18) looks like it might be a very reasonable alternative to something like the Dillon (which I can't afford anyway!!). The Weldon tool is a reamer type. Any input from people in the know would be GREAT!! Thanks!!

[Silverboolit]

Why not just use a countersink in a portable drill?? I have used this for years with great results.

[Zymurgy50]

Many years ago I paid $25 for the RCBS primer pocket swage combo. (Some of the best cash I ever spent on reloading equipment).
I have put tens of thousands rounds through it, mostly for friends. Faster than cutting the crimps out, but you better make sure your press is bolted to a sturdy bench first.

[OBIII]

I have to chime in to agree with Zymurgy50. I paid somewhere around 30.00 for mine, and while it is designed for RCBS presses, I've used it successfully with my Lee Classic and currently my SmartReloader.
OB

[prsman23]

I'll have to agree with the other two gents who favor the rcbs. Reasonably priced and works well.

[Dale in Louisiana]

If you're going to make a regular habit of this, I highly recommend the Dillon SS600 (http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/25263/catid/8/Super_Swage_600).

It's a bit pricey compared to other options, but I used to do a LOT of 7.62x51 and .30-06 military brass and nothing compares to this tool for that task. It pushes the metal back into place from the swaged primer pockets. Once set up (which doesn't take long at all) you can run through cases very fast.

If you have buddies, buy one and split the costs.

dale in Louisiana
(satisfied and impressed customer)

[44Vaquero]

I really like C&H4D's Pocket swage it's simple and effective. 419001 Swage Kit it's maybe $23.00+S&H. You do need a decent O-Frame press to use it.

[jonas302]

The RCBS swagger works great I had to make a little piece of wood for the case stripper to hit on my lee press not hard at all also a little touch of lee case lube on the tool every once in a while sure makes them release better and less violently

[1hole]

Citing what I paid for anything decades ago is hardly helpful to anyone today.

The lowest cost tool that removes pocket crimps and makes them the right shape is the Lyman pocket reamer. Chuck the reamer bit in an electic drill and it's done in a few seconds. I know nothing of the Weldon but it's probaly good too. I've been told Hornady has one also but I haven't checked.

[dbosman]

A standard counter sink from your local big box store would be less expensive. Get one with a hex shank so it will fit a screwdriver - powered or not. Actually, a 3/16''s screwdriver bit makes a good primer pocket reamer.

Also, ask around your shooting colleagues for a loaner or if you can buy them a beer and bs.
I have a Dillon and I'd be happy to be sit and chat with mid Michigan area people who wanted to stop by on a weekend and shoot the breeze while they swaged primer pockets.

There is a slight danger that I might have an area that was in need of a hole. Perfect college student type work. We have clay soil. ;-)

[DCM]

Many years ago I paid $25 for the RCBS primer pocket swage combo. (Some of the best cash I ever spent on reloading equipment).
I have put tens of thousands rounds through it, mostly for friends. Faster than cutting the crimps out, but you better make sure your press is bolted to a sturdy bench first.

+1 especially on a budget. It works well without over doing it like many folks tend to do with the chamfer tool causing loose primers.

[dragon813gt]

I really like C&H4D's Pocket swage it's simple and effective. 419001 Swage Kit it's maybe $23.00+S&H. You do need a decent O-Frame press to use it.

Agree w/ all but the press. I currently have mine set up on a RCBS JR3. But before I purchases that one on the cheap I was using it on a LCT w/ no problems. If it was working on. LCT w/ play in the turret it will work on anything.

[Victor N TN]

I have 2 of the RCBS swager combo sets. The Dillon unit is nice. But it also has a price tag he may not appreciate while in school.

[max range]

If there is any chance you have some shooting buddies who *might* pay you 1 cent per case to swage their brass it might be worthwhile to buy the Dillon swage. I mean to say if there is enough interest to pay for it or at least offset the cost. You can do 1000 in a very, very short time.
I put off buying one for many years, telling myself that I could not afford it, that I didn't have enough crimped pockets to justify it. I got by for many years with a pocket knife, a countersink, and a set of the Lyman hand reamers.
Problem with a pocket knife or a countersink is how do you know if you have cut too much or too little?
I mounted my swage on a stub 2 x 4 and clamp it in my table vise so as to save room on my workbench. I even varnished the wood block. It looks pretty cool.

[Gliden07]

Thanks for your all your input!! I would love a Dillon Super Swage 600 but right now School no job tough to spend at least a hundred bucks to swedge around 500 or so primer pockets. I'll save and get one. I'm gonna ask at my club too maybe someone I can borrow one from there? I have some time! Still have a few hundred 223 left and I don't shoot the AR nearly as much as my Kimber 1911 or my M&P 9C.

[Dale in Louisiana]

Thanks for your all your input!! I would love a Dillon Super Swage 600 but right now School no job tough to spend at least a hundred bucks to swedge around 500 or so primer pockets. I'll save and get one. I'm gonna ask at my club too maybe someone I can borrow one from there? I have some time! Still have a few hundred 223 left and I don't shoot the AR nearly as much as my Kimber 1911 or my M&P 9C.

there's the idea!

I had mine mounted on a section of heavy aluminum 'T' stock so I could just chuck it in a vise when I needed it. I loaned it out more than once to friends who wanted to process surplus brass.

And yes, it is a luxury, really, because there are many much less expensive ways to accomplish the task. You trade time for money, just like in real life.

dale in Louisiana

[lightman]

I have used several different methods over the years, and as my budget would allow. They all worked ok. I reamed my first cases with the tang end of a flat file. It worked ok, but was a little hard on the hands. A deburring tool, like you use on case mouths works ok. I later bought a 45 degree countersink, and used it in a drill. It worked ok, but as others have stated, can easily be over done. Most loading tool companies make a hand tool for this, like Lyman, and Wilson makes one for their case trimmer that is very high quality. I have an RCBS swager, and it will shake even a sturdy table, but works ok. The best that I have found is the Dillon, it's just expensive. It does require minor adjustments for different cases. Anyway, I've used all of these methods, and they all work, so just pick what your budget will allow, and run with it. Lightman

[blackhawk44]

Why not use your chamfer tool? Even though I have the RCBS swage, I find it much faster and easier to use my chamfer tool. A couple of half twists and its done. For only 500 rounds, I'd save the funds for some future project.

[km101]

I have used my RCBS swaging combo so much that RCBS has sent me two replacements for the small swager rod. It works well and you cant "over do it" like you can with a reamer or a countersink.

Since my daughter and son in law have both acquired AR's, I think that I may have to purchase a Dillon swager tool to keep up with the increased load. One of us can use the Dillon and one can used the RCBS.

[angus6]

started with the RCBS unit picked up the Hornady reamers and mounted to a sm. motor, ran across a decent deal on a Dillon so grabbed it to see what all the hopla was about, of the 3 the Hornady is the only one I still own

[MtGun44]

I'll sell a CH pocket swager tool for a reasonable price. Been poor, same
situation, in school. No breaathing room for stuff like the Dillon. PM me.

Bill

[W.R.Buchanan]

I have to disagree with the majority who like the RCBS primer pocket swaging tool being the best low cost primer pocket tool.

I have had one since 1978 and I stopped using it in 1979. It is not a nice tool to use. Stripping the swaged case off the plug is not easy and requires a serious rap on the handle to accomplish consistantly every time. Sometimes they come off easy and sometimes hard but if you don't smack it hard everytime you just have to go back and do it again. It is also hard on your bench!

Since 1979 I have been using a countersink to remove the crimp, mounted either in a cordless drill or drill press or power screwdriver.

I do this simply because it is the simplest and fastest way to do this job there is.

All you need to do is remove a small amount of material and it takes about one second to do this. Anyone who can't do 20 cases a minute is not trying very hard.

You'd be lucky to do 5 cases a minute with the RCBS tool.

I also have a Dillon 600 and it is definately a Cadillac tool. Only problem is you don't need a Cadillac to go down to the convienience store a block away. You can ride a bike or walk.

Do yourself a favor and buy a $29 cordless drill (that you can use for other things) and a nice Severance 6 flute countersink for $6. You'll be set up for life and you'll use the drill for alot more things than just processing brass cases.

Randy

[Gliden07]

I was checking out the Severance countersinks could you suggest a size?? I am looking to swedge 223/556 primer pockets. I have a Milwaukee cordless drill and a large drill press too!


I have to disagree with the majority who like the RCBS primer pocket swaging tool being the best low cost primer pocket tool.

I have had one since 1978 and I stopped using it in 1979. It is not a nice tool to use. Stripping the swaged case off the plug is not easy and requires a serious rap on the handle to accomplish consistantly every time. Sometimes they come off easy and sometimes hard but if you don't smack it hard everytime you just have to go back and do it again. It is also hard on your bench!

Since 1979 I have been using a countersink to remove the crimp, mounted either in a cordless drill or drill press or power screwdriver.

I do this simply because it is the simplest and fastest way to do this job there is.

All you need to do is remove a small amount of material and it takes about one second to do this. Anyone who can't do 20 cases a minute is not trying very hard.

You'd be lucky to do 5 cases a minute with the RCBS tool.

I also have a Dillon 600 and it is definately a Cadillac tool. Only problem is you don't need a Cadillac to go down to the convienience store a block away. You can ride a bike or walk.

Do yourself a favor and buy a $29 cordless drill (that you can use for other things) and a nice Severance 6 flute countersink for $6. You'll be set up for life and you'll use the drill for alot more things than just processing brass cases.

Randy

[harley6699]

If you're going to make a regular habit of this, I highly recommend the Dillon SS600 (http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/25263/catid/8/Super_Swage_600).

It's a bit pricey compared to other options, but I used to do a LOT of 7.62x51 and .30-06 military brass and nothing compares to this tool for that task. It pushes the metal back into place from the swaged primer pockets. Once set up (which doesn't take long at all) you can run through cases very fast.

If you have buddies, buy one and split the costs.

dale in Louisiana
(satisfied and impressed customer)

I agree with you I have a Dillon and it sits right nest to the press and when I pull it out of the deprimming die I swage the case so I don't forget to do it..

[Idz]

W.R. B.
You must have different RCBS version than I have. My RCBS comes with a steel cup that pops the case right off after swaging. You may have to make a wood shim if your press has ribs sticking out around the shellholder but the only times I have extraction problems are when I forget to put the cup in place before swaging.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Gliden: I use a 3/8" diameter 90 or 82 degree one with a 1/4" shank most. anything from 3/16" up will work but the smaller ones have finer teeth which cut the brass with less effort. All you have to cut is the flash of the crimp . About .02-.03.

You simply sit the drill on the table facing you and stuff the cases into it as it spins. If you set your "in and out" baskets right next to the drill you can burn thru them pretty fast. It all becomes about handling the cases and how fast you can pick one up hit the CS and drop it. It takes about 1 second to make the actual cut.

Idz: I have two of them. [smilie=p: They are the same as yours. They are not a friendly tool, and using them is not pleasureable. This is why I don't use them. Would you like to buy them?

Harley: that is the best idea I have heard for using the Dillon. I got one a while back with a press and trimmer etc. I haven't used it since all my current crop of cases have been processed, but my bro in law has had one for several years and I have used it extensively to process some of my cases (@1000). Countersink is still faster.

Randy.

[Guardian]

I also did not care for the RCBS press mounted tool. As W.R.Buchanan said, it's hard on the bench and press slamming the handle up to get some pieces of brass off the lower punch. The other problem I had was the end of the upper punch swaging, particularly on the small case punch, making it tough to get the case neck over the upper punch. The upper punches were also pretty soft and I ended up bending one. I realize this is from having the upper punch set too long (i.e., operator error) according to the instructions, but I thought it was a poor tool.

My neighbor uses the countersink/deburring tool option for his 223 cases, but the volumes we process are very different. I process several thousand military cases at the time. He deals with the occasional one.

I haven't used the Dillon, but I purchased the RCBS version of the same tool. I've been very happy with the way it works, the quality of it, and the speed with which I can process cases.

[Maximumbob54]

Saving up for the Dillon SS600 was the best thing I've done for all the milsurp brass I've bought. I broke one RCBS rod, bent the next, and found it to be painful slow in use. Looking back I would have eaten ramen for months to have bought the Dillon sooner than I did. See if someone in your club has the Dillon and you will know why this non blue kool aid drinking guy is still spewing on about this one Dillon product like he's a diehard fanboy.

[Gliden07]

Due to budget constraints I probably am gonna use the reamer. I only have about 500 rounds to do so it shouldn't be too bad. Doesn't keep me from looking for a Dillon Super Swage though!! There is still a lot of stupidity on EBay!! Someone had one on there for $227 Buy it now and wanted shipping too!!! No shortage of "PANIC" on there yet!! LOL!!

[BoolitSchuuter]

Gotta go with the RCBS. I've done thousands of 7.62 and 5.56 brass and never had a problem. The trick is to use a little case lube. You wouldn't re-size a case without it and expect no problems would you? I started with primer pocket reamers and progressed to chamfer tools and discarded them for the same reasons as everyone else. That Dillon tool is the bee's knees but too pricey for me.

[Benjlan]

I use the CH4d primer pocket swager and it works great for me.

[punk427]

Seriously? The advice some of you gave this kid just amazes me. Makes me wonder if some of you have been reloading as long as you say you have...Does a chamfer tool work on certain kinds of brass? Yes it does, but not all brass is crimped the same, some could be the same methed but just not the same. and its not always military brass that's crimped that way. A lot of commercial brass in certain calibers that are popular in semi autos are crimped. ever try to remove the crimp from fiocchi 223? or s&b?? If you have some s&b and no swaging tool, your better off just throwing that **** away! and everyones tolorances are different. Seriously, theres absolutely no reason what so ever you cant look around on a few forums and find either an rcbs swager combo or the c&h for $40.00 or less. Do yourself that one favor.

[44Vaquero]

My 1st tool was a couple of flat blade screw drivers that I profile ground to fit small and large primer pockets. In my experience they never met a primer pocket they could not remove the crimp from. I have tried all the above listed techniques/tools at one time or another with varying degrees of success. Counter sinks and drill bits do work but require a moderate degree of skill and luck for consistent results.

Punk427, having re-read the entire thread could you please point out the egregious advice that offended you I must have missed it.

[44Vaquero]

My 1st tool was a couple of flat blade screw drivers that I profile ground to fit small and large primer pockets. In my experience they never met a primer pocket they could not remove the crimp from. I have tried all the above listed techniques/tools at one time or another with varying degrees of success. Counter sinks and drill bits do work but require a moderate degree of skill and luck for consistent results.

Punk427, having re-read the entire thread could you please point out the egregious advice that offended you I must have missed it.

[dudel]

Anther vote for the RCBS unit. I've had mine for more years than I can remember.

I replaced the rod with a stronger one made by someone on eBay. It's also a bit thinner which makes using it on .223 easier.

Countersink works well for removing the crimp; but doesn't uniform the pocket.

[greenhornet-1]

Why not use your chamfer tool? Even though I have the RCBS swage, I find it much faster and easier to use my chamfer tool. A couple of half twists and its done. For only 500 rounds, I'd save the funds for some future project.

Yep!!!

[kyle623]

here's an idea, if its only 500 or so cases and your not in a real big hurry to get it done. send it to me, i will process it and all you need to do is cover the shipping. I had a mod do this for me at the same cost and am only too glad to return the favor to a fellow member. I use the rcbs primer pocket swager and have had good luck with it.

[alamogunr]

I use a Wilson tool to ream primer pockets. I was almost given the small pocket reamer and bought the case trimmer. A little expensive but very versatile. I'm pretty well tooled up to trim cases and ream primer pockets. For the cases that I don't have case holders for I use the RCBS trimmer that I got many years ago. The case holders are fairly cheap for it.

[Love Life]

Seriously? The advice some of you gave this kid just amazes me. Makes me wonder if some of you have been reloading as long as you say you have...Does a chamfer tool work on certain kinds of brass? Yes it does, but not all brass is crimped the same, some could be the same methed but just not the same. and its not always military brass that's crimped that way. A lot of commercial brass in certain calibers that are popular in semi autos are crimped. ever try to remove the crimp from fiocchi 223? or s&b?? If you have some s&b and no swaging tool, your better off just throwing that **** away! and everyones tolorances are different. Seriously, theres absolutely no reason what so ever you cant look around on a few forums and find either an rcbs swager combo or the c&h for $40.00 or less. Do yourself that one favor.

Please point out the bad advice given. All the advice given seems legit to me.

[jmort]

"Seriously? The advice some of you gave this kid just amazes me. Makes me wonder if some of you have been reloading as long as you say you have."

Love Life you beat me to it. Glad our newest member is here to "learn us,"

[Love Life]

Next he'll be asking why his boolits are being shaved upon seating. Of course he adjusted the expander die, and has loaded 10,000,000,000 rds using the same bullet, brass, and press with no problems before.

Oh, and he has been loading since 1925.

[mikeym1a]

I bought a pair of primer pocket reamers some years back, and they must have been oversize. I used them on some military 9mm, and when I went to reload, the primer pockets were too large. Some of the primers literally fell out. That was the last time I used those reamers.