Primer Pocket Swaging

[Divernhunter]

No need to adjust the Dillon if you set it up like I do.
I never sort brass and have no problems
The problem I have with the case prep centers (rotary cutter types) is when I have 500-5000 to do they are hard on my fingers even with gloves. The Dillon causes me no problems or sore/blistered/cramped/hurting fingers

[slopoke]

I use the RCBS Military Crimp Remover like others have posted. You can't remove more material than is necessary because of the way it cuts. I have the Dillon and RCBS swagers, but cutting out the crimp, for me is the best.

The swaging method does not always remove the crimp and if you deform a primer when installing a primer because the pocket is tight, you will get hot gas leakage and etch the face of the bolt. Ask me how I know.

[Elgatodeacero]

I have the CH4D primer pocket swager set and it works very well, is very quick to use, and I am very happy with it. Reasonable price, great product. Buy with confidence.

[Air]

I have an LE Wilson reamer that goes along with their case trimmer. Works for me.

[GW]

Ugh. Swaging. Hate doing it. I'd punish criminals by making them swage brass cases.
Swaging was the primary driver for my buying a Super 1050.

[Wrangler John]

I haven't even shot military ammo for the past several decades, but when I did I used the simple little Lyman tool made to remove the crimp. They still make them, and I still have my old ones:

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/case-prep/primer-pocket-reamer.php

Then I switched to the RCBS swage kit for the press because after years of abusing my hands and wrists that twisting motion became less fun. Good thing is you only gotta do it once per case. For the past thirty years or so I only purchase new factory brass including 5.56 NATO, and never have to worry about crimped primers. Then both RCBS and Dillon make primer pocket swaging tools that don't require a press, but cost almost as much as a single stage press, so maybe . . . well you get the idea.

[croue]

Just finished swaging over 1,000 cases. I agree with Wrangler, it's a pain. I used to do it with the handheld reamer, these I did with my RCBS press-mounted kit. It was much easier, if not faster.

It was a batch of mixed brass, and I just did them all, some obviously didn't need it (by the feel of the press when swaging) others were very tight and lots of in between. Now that these 1,000 are done, they will be marked and I'll not have to do them again.

Shooting at an open range, it's often hard to know that you only get 'your' brass. And I also enjoy 'free range' brass when I can get it. I find the free range stuff is about 50-75% crimped these days. Must be all the bulk orders coming from military suppliers?

With the old reamer, I would have taken the time to sort. Withe the RCBS, it seemed like I could swage it as fast as sort it, and it didn't hurt my fingers and wrists twisting that little tool so much.

C

[dwalker]

For years I used a drill press with a countersink bit to decrimp cases, and have tried most of the swagers, trimmers, etc. and so far my favorite method is the RCBS crimp removal tool and a hand drill. I sit and watch TV and do a few hundred at a time. Its a bit messy but not that bad. I usually follow up with a primer pocket uniformer.

[M1NM]

If it's a one time deal for a few hundred cases use a reamer. Get a primer specific one that bottoms out in the primer pocket and you won't over cut the pockets. I have a RCBS swager set that I've done 1000s on. Slower than a reamer but moves the brass rather than removes it. I also vote for getting a quality single stage press. You'll thank yourself many times over the years. I bought an RCBS Jr about 1972 and it was still working fine when I sold it a couple years ago.

[9mmepiphany]

I've tried the RCBS one and the Dillon Super Swage, the Dillon really was easier to use. However...

Since I was already loading on a Hornady LNL AP and the price of their Primer Pocket Swaging system fell, that is what I got.

Setup was easy and the speed of processing, once you figure out the rhythm, was stunning. It was easy to swage 100 cases in < 10mins...granted, I have the Inline Fabrication attachments that reduce the motion of the left hand picking up new cases and dropping off processed cases

[PTLaro]

If it's a one time deal for a few hundred cases use a reamer. Get a primer specific one that bottoms out in the primer pocket and you won't over cut the pockets. I have a RCBS swager set that I've done 1000s on. Slower than a reamer but moves the brass rather than removes it. I also vote for getting a quality single stage press. You'll thank yourself many times over the years. I bought an RCBS Jr about 1972 and it was still working fine when I sold it a couple years ago.

Yes, I like the method of "moving brass" rather than removing brass. For budget reasons right now I am going with a pocket reamer, but plan to move to a swager.

Thanks for everyone's input.

[dadswickedammo]

Buy a dillon 1050 $99.00 swag 5k of cases then sell it for $85.00
You may never sell it its so nice to use.