WCC brass and crimped primers...

[Andyt591]

In a box of 9mm brass, that I recently received, is a bunch of WCC head-stamped cases. From what I can figure out (Google is my friend), this is military surplus ammo and the primers are crimped (the primers on these were a bit harder to remove). Is there anything special I need to do to the primer pockets before placing new primers?

[trails4u]

Andy, there are a number of ways to remove, swage, or chamfer primer crimps. Perhaps the cheapest and easiest is with one of the brass chamfering tools, such as this. 253226

You could probably use a countersink bit if you have one laying around. It won't take much of a chamfer in the primer pocket to allow you to easily seat primers.

There are also tools that swage primer pockets....both off and on press. RCBS makes a press mounted one for around $30 I think. They also make an off-press one as does Dillon and others.

The best news is.....you only have to do it once.

[Andyt591]

Andy, there are a number of ways to remove, swage, or chamfer primer crimps. Perhaps the cheapest and easiest is with one of the brass chamfering tools, such as this. 253226

You could probably use a countersink bit if you have one laying around. It won't take much of a chamfer in the primer pocket to allow you to easily seat primers.

There are also tools that swage primer pockets....both off and on press. RCBS makes a press mounted one for around $30 I think. They also make an off-press one as does Dillon and others.

The best news is.....you only have to do it once.

What about this tool?
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/6249483001

-Andrew

[trails4u]

What about this tool?
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/6249483001

-Andrew

I've not used it personally....but I'm not sure a pocket uniformer (the tool you've shown) will remove a crimp. It's more for making the interior of the primer pocket a uniform size and shape. (In fact.....just checked the listing on Midway, and it specifically says near the bottom that it will not remove a military crimp.)

[trails4u]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012920663?pid=235832 -- on press option

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012924654?pid=319662 -- off-press option

Or you could go something like this route.... https://www.forsterproducts.com/product/primer-pocket-chamfering-tool/

[Ateam]

Just my opinion here, but unless you have an availability problem with brass, I would chuck them in the scrap bucket. Or if it is a "just cause I can" sort of thing (most of reloading falls under this) then carry on.

[Eddie2002]

I have used the RCBS primer pocket swager for rifle brass to remove the military crimp and far prefer a chamfer tool which is a little faster and can be used on the mouth of the case. 9mm brass is so common I don't know if I would remove the crimp or not. As has been said before , you will only need to do it once and a chamfer tool can be used elsewhere also.

[lightman]

Like the others have said, you will have to remove the primer crimp. Primer crimps are not all the same and I have found no single tool that works perfectly 100% of the time. I find myself using a 45º carbide counter sinc more that any of the other tools that I have. The deburring tool that you use on case mouths will work for this.

WCC is good brass but its up to you to decide if its worth the trouble. 9mm brass is so plentiful right now that you might want to save it back until you get more experience.

[Outpost75]

The shallow-angle Lyman "VLD" mouth deburring tool is perfect for reaming the crimp from small primer pockets.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012871154?pid=342199

253354

[sundog]

I have a bit of a disdain for cutters and chamfering tools for primer pockets for lack of consistency. Recently I picked up a fair amount of really good looking LC 5.56 brass on a club range. Some was once fired and in good condition. Some appeared to be reloaded. The reloaded rounds had the primer pocket reamed with who knows what, and most of it way to deep. That brass, which was otherwise in very good condition, was ruined. It went in the recycle bucket.

My tool of choice is the Dillon swager. Something to do winter evenings while the idiot box is blaring away.

[GONRA]

GONRA sez pay attention to sundog. Dillion Swager is by far the best! Just did a pile of 5.56x45 brass for my younger son. (Guess wot he's gettin' for Xmas?)

[FISH4BUGS]

Just my opinion here, but unless you have an availability problem with brass, I would chuck them in the scrap bucket. Or if it is a "just cause I can" sort of thing (most of reloading falls under this) then carry on.

The other option is to put them into a "needs processing" bucket. Someday, when I am way too old to care, I'll clean, deprime and swage them with a Dillon Swager....the only way to fly. That way they don't go to waste.
But I bought my 9mm brass in lots of 10,000...who cares if you lose 30 or so every trip to the range?
The Dillon Swager actually reforms and uniforms the pocket and makes it perfect....every time.

[Walks]

Lyman makes a primer pocket reamer in both small and large.
Just make sure you keep the tool straight.

I learned to cut out the primer crimp with a pocket knife. DO NOT suggest you try that.

My experience with the primer pocket reamer is rather negative. Most pockets were enlarged.
Brass in 9mm is cheap and plentiful, You'll find more on the ground. Throw it in the scrap bucket.