Primer pocket tools?

[trooperdan]

I've been reloading for years and used a lot of military brass. I've always been satisfied with a combination of the RCBS primer pocket swage and a Lee chamfering tool to remove the military primer crimp but now I have a bunch of LC .30-06 I brought back from Perry several years ago and I'm not happy.

Even after I swage and chamfer when I put in a new primer, it requires more force than I like and the worst part is the "crunchy" feeling as it seats.

I've seen several tools advertised as primer pocket uniformers but I'm not clear if they just cut the bottom of the pocket or on the sides also.

Can someone recommend a cutter that will cut on the sides of the pocket and maybe the bottom as well? Really, uniforming the depth would be icing on the cake if I can get a smooth-feeling pocket for the new primer! Oh, and a power-option over manual would also be lovely! :)

[oneokie]

First the basics.

Did you clean the crud out of the primer pockets before swaging the crimp?
Did you adjust the stop stem for the thickness of the web on this lot of brass?
Are you sure the swage button is bottoming in the pocket?

What brand of primers are you having the problems with?

Have you tried another brand of primers to see if there is a difference in seating?

[1hole]

"I've seen several tools advertised as primer pocket uniformers but I'm not clear if they just cut the bottom of the pocket or on the sides also."

TD, my pocket uniformer is a Lyman but it seems they are all pretty much alike. Its primary function is to cut the pocket bottoms square AND to a uniform depth. BUT, they will also cut away any undersized diameter as they pass through the pocket.

I use a Lyman pocket reamer to remove GI crimps. It won't remove too much metal and leaves a nicely rounded pocket edge to ease primer insertion.

Both tools come with a wooden "screw driver" handle that can be reimoved so the tool can be chucked in vari-speed drill for power use.
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Glad you got back and - hope - in one piece! Thanks for filling the gaps since I got out, yawl done a good job! Now we can only hope our current "liberal" masters in DC don't give away what you guys have accomplished at such high cost. Again.

[trooperdan]

First the basics.

Did you clean the crud out of the primer pockets before swaging the crimp?
Did you adjust the stop stem for the thickness of the web on this lot of brass?
Are you sure the swage button is bottoming in the pocket?

What brand of primers are you having the problems with?

Have you tried another brand of primers to see if there is a difference in seating?

Well, now you have me questioning my technique! I didn't clean the pockets at all before I swaged and I didn't check the position of the swageing rod...I'll have to check on that. I was using CCI # 34 and Winchester regualr LR primers.

Also i forgot I have a RCBS Prep Center I bought on *bay a couple of years ago and never put to use! That needs to be dusted off and put to work!

[trooperdan]

[QUOTE=1hole;551235]"I've seen several tools advertised as primer pocket uniformers but I'm not clear if they just cut the bottom of the pocket or on the sides also."

TD, my pocket uniformer is a Lyman but it seems they are all pretty much alike. Its primary function is to cut the pocket bottoms square AND to a uniform depth. BUT, they will also cut away any undersized diameter as they pass through the pocket.

Both tools come with a wooden "screw driver" handle that can be reimoved so the tool can be chucked in vari-speed drill for power use.
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QUOTE]

Hey 1Hole! I see we are kinda neighbors! :) Thanks for the tips and the well-wishes! After I remembered I have the RCBS power case prep system I checked their on-line catalog and they have a pocket uniformer that cuts on all sides. Now if I can find a supplier that has it in stock i can tackle those 6 cans of GI Brass! :)

[Gary51]

The C&H is the top rate primer pocket swaging tool IMHO.

[Cowboy5780]

Ive got the RCBS case prep center it has a Crimp remover thats tapered and on another station it has the uniforming cutter the crimp removers are large part number 90380 and small number is 90381

[Dale53]

I have swaged thousands of GI cases both rifle and pistol. In fact, when I was shooting IPSC, military cases were my preference. I use the RCBS swage and it does a FINE job (but it must be adjusted correctly).

I have also uniformed primer pockets for bench rest match use. For that I used a proprietary uniformer.

Both tools worked very well. There is a short learning curve to using both.

Dale53

[BeeMan]

I've tried the swage method (home made tool) on 5.56 and various machinists countersinks on 30-06. I settled on the RCBS case neck deburring tool for 30-06.

My primer pocket uniformer did not cut anything from the pocket sidewalls on 5.56 or 30-06, so I concluded the only diameter under spec was the crimp.

[shooterg]

I use the Sinclair uniformer with the drill attachment - do the brass with the cordless Dewalt while watching Jack Bauer save the world !

[Doc Highwall]

The best one I have used is the L.E.Wilson for the Sinclair trimmer that puts a radius on the lead edge of the primer pocket. The primers go in smooth like brand new Lapua brass.

[1hole]

"Hey 1Hole! I see we are kinda neighbors! "

Kinda. I tried to find Aberdeen on my state map, it doesn't show. ???

[trooperdan]

Aberdeen is a suburb of Southern Pines.. the low-rent district! :)

[Dale53]

Hey! I wouldn't call Aberdeen, the "low rent district". My son is a retired Medical Officer (U.S. Army) and lives and has a Practice in Southern Pines. Southern Pines is a nice, charming (and QUITE pretty) little town where I enjoy visiting VERY much. Aberdeen is a nice town, also. I have shopped there and enjoyed a restaurant or two there. Really nice part of the U.S.

So there!:mrgreen:

Dale53

[dragonrider]

I have never like the "cutting type" of primer pocket uniformers because depending on how you hold the case or the tool you can remove too much and end up with a loose pocket. I use a Dillon 600 primer pocket swage. However in order to use it effectively you must remove the flash hole burr on the inside so perhaps it is a bit more work.

[1hole]

"Aberdeen is a suburb of Southern Pines.. the low-rent district! "

That puts you well east of Charlotte, I'm just south of Asheville. We live in different places together!

Shoot well....

[Doc Highwall]

The L.E.Wilson one will only cut so deep like the Sinclair one. When it bottoms out it stops cutting.

[TNsailorman]

I use a Sinclair uniform tool to cut the bottom of the primer pocket flat and to uniform depth on the civilian brass. It only cuts the bottom of the pocket and not the sides and depth is pre-set at the factory according to whether it is small pistol/rifle, large pistol or large rifle. On the military brass I first cut the ring of brass left by the crimped-in primer. Then I uniform the primer pocket as with the commericial brass. I also use a flash reamer to uniform the flash hole and cut the burrs left from the flash hole being punched. Several years ago I bought a chamfer tool made by Forster that works in a electric drill and makes quick work of the crimped ring. The Forster tool is not one for the hamfisted type though, it removes brass in a hurry. Just a light touch with it and the crimp is gone. Works for me, James

[TAWILDCATT]

I have a lyman on order.as far as I know no one makes a primer pocket cutter that reams on side and end except lyman however i exempt sinclar and others like wilson as they are more specialists.I use a swage RCBS,whats to adjust??I also have a herter that is same as RCBS but the flange broke so I got RCBS.I am cconverting berdan to boxer and have to enlarge the pockets diam and depth.
:coffee:[smilie=1:

[Cowboy5780]

Trooper if you want to send youre brass to me with the primers removed ive got the large military crimp remover for my RCBS prep center i'll be glad to run them thru it for you

[scb]

Ive got the RCBS case prep center it has a Crimp remover thats tapered and on another station it has the uniforming cutter the crimp removers are large part number 90380 and small number is 90381

+1, got rid of my dillon 600