Thread: Trouble seating primer into pocket

Been trying to load some 243 ammo today.

Using Highland unprimed brass from Reloaders, Federal primers. Priming was done using a single stage RCBS press with a priming lever arm.

Had 6 out of 20 cases where the primer just won't seat properly into the pocket. Doesn't matter how hard I force the press, the primer would still be protruding out of the pocket. I applied so much pressure it even caused a small dent on the primer, I was afraid that applying more pressure might bust the primer, and stopped there. See photo below.



There was even one instance where the case, primer and shell holder got stuck as one unit, because the primer was protruding out so much that I could not slide it out of the shell holder. Took a while to take them apart.

Anyone has any tips?

Thank you very much!

Sounds like poor quality control on the brass, maybe a primer pocket uniformer tool would do the job ?
Dunno but I'm sure someone else will chime in

Maybe de prime a few and measure the depth of the primer pockets on ones that fit vs ones that don't, should narrow it down to primers or the brass

Originally Posted by dannyb

Sounds like poor quality control on the brass, maybe a primer pocket uniformer tool would do the job ?
Dunno but I'm sure someone else will chime in

Maybe de prime a few and measure the depth of the primer pockets on ones that fit vs ones that don't, should narrow it down to primers or the brass

I see I see, good idea measuring and comparing the pocket depths.

Also wondering whether it is safe to punch out a live primer using the decapping die? Just trying to save the 6 brasses, but if unsafe I don't mind tossing them out.

Originally Posted by Synthetic

I see I see, good idea measuring and comparing the pocket depths.

Also wondering whether it is safe to punch out a live primer using the decapping die? Just trying to save the 6 brasses, but if unsafe I don't mind tossing them out.

I’ve done it, carefully !

Originally Posted by Frogfeatures

I’ve done it, carefully !

Yup done plenty, wear eye and ear protection and do it gently.
I've never had one go off but if it did the above precautions would be plenty safe

Originally Posted by Synthetic

......Also wondering whether it is safe to punch out a live primer using the decapping die? Just trying to save the 6 brasses, but if unsafe I don't mind tossing them out.

Ummmmmm probably a question from the stupid boy but why not avoid any stress and just load them into the chamber, fire them and then deprime?

Originally Posted by Kiwi Sapper

Ummmmmm probably a question from the stupid boy but why not avoid any stress and just load them into the chamber, fire them and then deprime?

Good point actually, never thought about that before.
Waiting for some reassurance from the gurus.

Originally Posted by Synthetic

Good point actually, never thought about that before.
Waiting for some reassurance from the gurus.

could be wrong but would that be wise with the primers sitting so proud ? would they even chamber ?

Run them through a swager? That's really proud

I had similar problems with ex mil 5.56 military brass.

I think you'll need to borrow/buy a swaging tool. RCBS makes them, they press the primer pocket into uniform size.

It will be more practical to put the problem cases aside for now, and wait till you have a large enough amount to bother with.

I have deprimed lots of live primers without a hitch, just take it slowly for a start till you're comfortable doing it quickly.

Originally Posted by Max Headroom

I had similar problems with ex mil 5.56 military brass.

I think you'll need to borrow/buy a swaging tool. RCBS makes them, they press the primer pocket into uniform size.

It will be more practical to put the problem cases aside for now, and wait till you have a large enough amount to bother with.

I have deprimed lots of live primers without a hitch, just take it slowly for a start till you're comfortable doing it quickly.

Is this the tool you're talking about?
https://www.reloaders.co.nz/shop/Rel...ench+Tool.html

Originally Posted by Synthetic

Is this the tool you're talking about?
https://www.reloaders.co.nz/shop/Rel...ench+Tool.html

Nope, but i dont see why it wouldnt work.

My un's this 'un

Originally Posted by Max Headroom

Nope, but i dont see why it wouldnt work.

My un's this 'unAttachment 126895

Why would you launch into using that tool if you haven't done some basic measurements to understand the nature of the problem?

Originally Posted by zimmer

Why would you launch into using that tool if you haven't done some basic measurements to understand the nature of the problem?

Fair point. My understanding of swaging is that it trues up primer pockets regardless of dimension, ie cold forging the brass back to spec.
This is given that they're too tight/ distorted, not too loose.

I'd say that what you've posted above should be his first stop, before/instead of doing as I have suggested.

That or a SuperSwage