Used to HATE swaging primer pockets

[Grmps]

I Used to HATE swaging primer pockets.
Just got done converting apr 500 military 30-06 into 8MM
I was dreading the primer pocket swaging ( I have an RCBS primer pocket swager tool - 2)
I always end up having to bang the press handle several times to dislodge the swaged brass.
I was sooooo close to getting a bench top primer pocket swager, I didn't care what one cost!!
I sat there looking at the Mink oil I used for forming the cases and put just a hint of mink oil on the swager and WOW,
I mean WOW the brass just slid right off with no "banging" I could do 5 - 10 cases before putting another hint of mink oil on again.
PS the mink oil worked wonderfully in reforming the brass also :)

[almostgone]

What an outstanding idea! I'll have to try that the next time I swage primer pockets

[avogunner]

I have almost chucked my RCBS swager tool for the exact same reason. I'm coming into a bunch of LC .30-06 cases soon and can't wait to try this. Thanks for the tip!!!

[Maven]

Yep, a little lube works wonders! (Almost tossed mine too!)

[lightman]

I hate crimped primers! I have the RCBS tool and the Dillon tool. I also have 2 or 3 different cutting tools. None of them work perfect everytime. I just about prefer using a carbide countersink and a cordless drill. The lube does help when swaging.

[Nueces]

I bet Imperial sizing wax would work, too.

[jmort]

I use the CH4D tool
No lube, no problems
The RCBS tool is a contraption and a PITA

[georgerkahn]

I have/use the Dillon tool, which is problem-free for me on, say 98% of .30-'06 cases. I'm about 2/3rds through roughly 3,000 cases in this batch. The only "problem" I encounter is having the height adjusted so I do not shear off any brass by it not being "right on". To help alleviate this, I cut a few strips of brass shim stock, and if I "know" I'm not centered on primer pocket, I remove the case, add a strip beneath where it will be placed, reinsert it, and voila! -- problem solved. All of the brass I'm working on is CMP military, once fired stuff, of quite a few different manufacturer, as well as year made, difference. I find it interesting that there apparently IS a difference to require the shimming for a few -- but, as my older son oft' says, "it is what it is". Even with my strips, however, I still find (too many ;) ) tiny crescents of brass which was cut after each session with this tool.

[mattw]

I hand cut mine... have worn out a tool or 2 on 06, 223 and 45's. I also cut the pocket and flash hole at the same time on the 06 and 223's.

[country gent]

Heres a little trick for this also. get a small plastic container that clips closed. A shallow pill bottle will work also. cut a piece of dense foam ( similar to the old lube pads or ink pads) and set in it. work some lube into it. Now simply press the base of the case into the foam it will leave a nice coat of lube on the edge of the primer pockets for the swage to pick up. I use this even with my Dillon super swage tool.

[shortlegs]

Wow! Just watched utube video and had to order one. got serveral thousand pockets to swage and this will be a blessing! Thanks jmort !

[Grmps]

I bet Imperial sizing wax would work, too.

Redding Reloading - Imperial Sizing Die Wax 2oz. container
by Redding Reloading $17.43

Hornady 9989 Case Sizing Wax $9.99 Prime 2.25 oz

FIEBING'S SNOW PROOF MINK OIL PASTE 3 OZ US $5.49 -(online auction site)

Fiebing's Mink Oil Paste, 6 Oz. - Softens, Preserves and Waterproofs Smooth Leather and Vinyl, One Size by Fiebing's $7.15 Prime

I can't see why this wouldn't work NOW Solutions Lanolin Pure, 7-Ounce NOW Foods $9.94


2 oz is practically a lifetime supply.

[kayala]

I've bought Dillon swager many moons ago, never looked back and it doesn't require any lubricant on the rod.

[pacomdiver]

a trick i found out to get brass off the RCBS swager is put a 1/8" thick washer under the over cup shroud where it sits down on the press ram, when you push the handle up, it pulls the swager out of the hole easily. i hated the dillon swager as you have to sort and seperate cases , then adjust for that brand. my dillon swager sits on the shelf where i put it 3 years ago

[dragon813gt]

Tried the RCBS, tossed it in the trash. Tried the CH4D, ripped off to many case heads, tossed it in the trash. Bought the Dillon Super Swage and couldn’t be happier. Should have bought it from the start. Would have saved money and countless ruined cases. It’s a buy once, cry once purchase. The only thing better is an automated 1050 w/ the built in swager.

[bullet maker 57]

I have the Dillon and RCBS. I prefer the Dillon. It is quick and trouble free for me.

[Hossfly]

Been using the Dillon super swage for several years and did all the tricks with it, spring thing to fling case into box. Kinda fun, every once in a while sends one across room. Never had a problems with 556,haven’t processed larger tho. May need Mink on large primer pockets.

[Three44s]

Heres a little trick for this also. get a small plastic container that clips closed. A shallow pill bottle will work also. cut a piece of dense foam ( similar to the old lube pads or ink pads) and set in it. work some lube into it. Now simply press the base of the case into the foam it will leave a nice coat of lube on the edge of the primer pockets for the swage to pick up. I use this even with my Dillon super swage tool.

This is a good idea!

I hand lube the case head for spinning primer pocket cutting tools so that the shoulder of the cutter does not gall the face of the case head. A foam pad will give more control on that procedure as well as softening the primer crimp swagging operation.

My beat up old mitts thank you country gent!

Three44s

[Grmps]

I ended up trading for a Dillon super swage.

trying to slide those 223's around the swaging pin hidden up under the RC IV was a PITA

[9.3X62AL]

The RCBS tool is a contraption and a PITA

Yes--why, yes it is. This brought a smile today.

[farmerjim]

I got the CH4D first, I was ripping the case head off of every 3rd case. I got an RCBS and it works fine for me. I have been lubing the case with lanolin.

[jmort]

No way CH4D will rip a case apart absent operator error
This short video shows how much faster it is as opposed to the far more expensive Dillion tool. The RCBS tool is a hot mess.
https://youtu.be/oFD3jJ9AEXk
https://youtu.be/oFD3jJ9AEXk

[RogerDat]

I use the CH4D tool and a touch of Lee case lube. Adjusting is critical. I also have a chamfer bit for a cordless drill or a flat bottom tapered cutter that I can just go once around the edge of the primer pocket with. I get about 2 or 3 "failures" per hundred. Mostly at the stage where I'm seating a primer and the pocket is still tight, and yes the occasional head or lip gets damaged, I can see that happen and toss in the scrap bucket. If only trimming was near as fast and easy.

[megasupermagnum]

I've been using my sizing lube on my RCBS swage kit. It works well for me, but took me a while to figure it out. What is with the instructions? They say to turn until it bottoms, then back off? At that point the tool doesn't even touch anything! I now set mostly by feel. I turn it in until the die touches, give it another half a turn or so. I then run a case in, and turn it in farther if it doesn't bottom in the pocket. I repeat until I feel it bottom in the primer pocket, and fine tune from there.

[brassrat]

I am glad for the hardened rod, bent a couple before.

[Walks]

I used the RCBS tool once. I swaged the pockets on 500 .30-06 cases, 500 .45ACP cases & 500 .223 cases.

Over swaged the .223 cases, ruined them all. Primers fell out. Gave me a bad case of Tennis Elbow too.

Went back to using the LYMAN primer pocket reamer.

[sniper]

Don'tcha just LOVE it when a plan comes together?:bigsmyl2:

[Crash_Corrigan]

I stole 3,000 30-06 cases many years ago for a very very low price. They ended up costing me about 5 cents apiece. I had a Garand to feed and I bought a 8x57 Mauser for which I had no cases. I reformed a thousand of the 30-06 cases in a set of 8 MM dies and trimmed them all to the same length. Then I swaged all the primer pockets with a Dillon swager and reamed out the flashing above the primer pocket.

Final chamfering and deburring with inspection and I had all the cases I will ever need for this Mauser. Then I went out and got another Garand, converted the 8x57 to 6.5x55MM Sweede and found an excellent commercial mauser at an insane low price.

The Mauser I just bought had a short chamber and would not accept a normal length round. I had it reamed out and now I am looking for some decent glass to mount on that rifle

[Bama]

I use the CH4D tool and a touch of Lee case lube. Adjusting is critical. I also have a chamfer bit for a cordless drill or a flat bottom tapered cutter that I can just go once around the edge of the primer pocket with. I get about 2 or 3 "failures" per hundred. Mostly at the stage where I'm seating a primer and the pocket is still tight, and yes the occasional head or lip gets damaged, I can see that happen and toss in the scrap bucket. If only trimming was near as fast and easy.

Check out "the worlds cheapest trimmer". It is inexpencive and does a great job. after sizing, it indexes from shoulder which is what happens to brass when firing. If you think about it it is the way a trimmer should work. I use the wrap like that they use when drawing blood wrapped on fingers to maintain a good grip when running into trimmer I use in drill press. Wrap is available at tractor supply several rolls for a couple bucks. It is used to wrap horses legs. once set it does n't take to process a box of500 rounds

[Iowa Fox]

a trick i found out to get brass off the RCBS swager is put a 1/8" thick washer under the over cup shroud where it sits down on the press ram, when you push the handle up, it pulls the swager out of the hole easily. i hated the dillon swager as you have to sort and seperate cases , then adjust for that brand. my dillon swager sits on the shelf where i put it 3 years ago

Want to sell the Dillon swager? PM me if you do

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I usually cut away the primer pocket crimp, but have a Herter's and an RCBS primer pocket swager. I just run a candle or lump off beeswax over the swager to prevent sticking. I have only swaged large rifle .308 and 30-06 military. Reaming the crimp gives a slight bevel that helps when priming 308 on a progressive tool. I now use an RCBS electric for primer pocket uniforming and crimp reaming, along with case mouth chamfer, but the Lee Chamfer Tool works well for primer pocket crimp. I have used the Lyman Primer Pocket Reamer but it did not seem to hold up(25 years ago?).

[DeputyDuke]

I know the RCBS press mounted primer pocket swager was slow and the upward tug on the press handle was annoying, however the processed primer pockets were perfect! Correct primer tension, beautiful radiused entry. The Dillon is smooth, and fast, but you can easily ruin a pocket without having perfect alignment, and I don't care for the brass shavings from some of the pockets. It does not create the sooth rounded mouth on the pocket either.
Duke

[lotech]

If you adjust the RCBS tool properly, it works fine. The only problem I ever had was with an improper adjustment. Once I got I got it right, I've never had to re-adjust.

[dhenry132]

Dillon all the way