Loose primer pockets

[Munny$hot]

Anyone have a way to check for loose primer pockets so they don't fall out after being shot.

The only thing I can think of is tapping the side of the case head to see if it'll pop half way out.

Is priming by feel a good way to get an idea (using a Dillion 650) if its to loose?

[bigedp51]

I use pin gauges to check the primer pockets "BEFORE" seating the primers. You will need to measure your primer diameters and have several pin gauges for checking the primer pocket "max" diameter.



After seating any questionable primers can be checked with a Lee depriming tool. If the primer moves with just finger pressure the case goes in the scrap brass bucket.



I was given three five gallon buckets of once fired .223/5.56 cases fired by our local police and SWAT teams. Over half the Federal cases had over sized primer pockets after the first firing. So after removing the primer crimp I started checking the cases with the pin gauges before doing anything else.

This was after prepping half the cases, sizing, uniforming the primer pockets and flash holes etc, only to find out the cases had over sized primer pockets.

['ol shooter]

I prime by hand, and if I get on that goes in too easy, I put a stripe across the base with a marker, and discard it after shooting it. I have never had one back pout under firing conditions yet, and have had some that went in very easy.

[bender152]

I bought this a few weeks ago.

http://ballistictools.com/store/three-gage-pack

So far, so good. I've already tossed over a dozen 308 cases.

[bigedp51]

I bought this a few weeks ago.

http://ballistictools.com/store/three-gage-pack

So far, so good. I've already tossed over a dozen 308 cases.

I bought one of these gauges and then bought pin gauges to get better readings. The NO-GO end of the gauge is the maximum allowable diameter of of your primer pockets. So if the NO-GO end fits in the primer pocket all it tells you is the primer pocket is stretched beyond limits. The largest pin gauge I have is .0005 smaller in diameter than your linked gauge.

By using the pin gauges you can measure your primer diameter and set tighter limits for the primer pocket. Look at the primer and primer pocket charts I posted above and the plus and minus limits.

[Munny$hot]

You guys are friggin Awesome...

[baih777]

You can also use your press to push out questionable primers. Just GENTLY push the primer . I always use a pair of pliers and crush the neck on any bad cases.

[sl0re10]

I prime by hand, and if I get on that goes in too easy, I put a stripe across the base with a marker, and discard it after shooting it. I have never had one back pout under firing conditions yet, and have had some that went in very easy.

yeah; me too. Hand primer are fast and 'let you know' if a pocket is worn... plus I super glue them and still use them the one last time when they are...

[J-cat]

Understand that not all brass is made to the same specs and .0005" is the difference between too loose and just right. For example, WLR is too loose in FC 300 Win Mag pockets. It's real tight in Hornady brass. It is moderately tight in RP brass. It is just right in Win brass, of course.

In your load development, you'll find that some powders prefer certain primers for accuracy and low extreme spread. But the brand of brass will ruin your day if you mismatch it to the rest of the components.

[pdq_wizzard]

I prime by hand, and if I get on that goes in too easy, I put a stripe across the base with a marker, and discard it after shooting it. I have never had one back pout under firing conditions yet, and have had some that went in very easy.

I do this also with my .223, except I don't have a bolt gun so I give them to a buddy and tell him to load it and toss it after shooing.

when a primer falls out in an AR and gets jammed up in the trigger things suck big time.

[Toy4Rick]

I loaded up a couple hundred 38's one day and dropped them into ziplock baggies, then I noticed a free floating primer and thought that's weird since the baggie was new. pulled them all out and found one without a primer. It was so loose I could turn it upside down and it would fall out, pulled the bullet and powder and scrapped the brass.

That's how I tell

Rick