primer seating issues?

[Kerplow]

I just disassembled mine. What I noticed is that there is two different size "sockets" in the piece that pushes the ram up. The piece I'm talking about is the one underneath the spirng. The larger socket goes towards the bottom of the tool and the smaller one goes to the top where the ram will sit. I assembled it the "wrong way" and it seems to require more effort to cycle,but not much. Also are Your plastic bushings damaged? How is the little arc shaped bar that slides back and fourth,is it damaged/bent? Ensure that the ball end of the actuating rod is in the socket of the bottom piece under the spring. Maybe it's just worn out too.
Just thinking out loud here.

everything pretty much looks like it's in good shape. I called RCBS today and they are sending me some new parts pro-bono.

[Desert_Rat]

I just disassembled mine. What I noticed is that there is two different size "sockets" in the piece that pushes the ram up. The piece I'm talking about is the one underneath the spirng. The larger socket goes towards the bottom of the tool and the smaller one goes to the top where the ram will sit. I assembled it the "wrong way" and it seems to require more effort to cycle,but not much. Also are Your plastic bushings damaged? How is the little arc shaped bar that slides back and fourth,is it damaged/bent? Ensure that the ball end of the actuating rod is in the socket of the bottom piece under the spring. Maybe it's just worn out too.
Just thinking out loud here.

[Kerplow]

I use an RCBS hand primer with no issues.
Are you using the right end of the priming rod - flat not rounded?
Are you using the correct plastic inser and rod combination?

definitely using the right (flat) end of the priming rod. I'm using the smaller plastic insert and the larger priming rod will not fit through it, so i don't think that is the problem. I'm using small rifle primers.

Maybe the shell holder and the primer ram went out of alignment and only the edge of the ram is catching the primers? Or maybe you used the small primer ram with the large primers?

it seems more like the ram is out of alignment with its own bore. it's riding hard on one side and pushes against the plastic bushing as i work it.

[Desert_Rat]

I use an RCBS hand primer with no issues.
Are you using the right end of the priming rod - flat not rounded?
Are you using the correct plastic inser and rod combination?

^^ This ^^

Remove crimp,verify these few points and You'll be GTG.

[J-cat]

Maybe the shell holder and the primer ram went out of alignment and only the edge of the ram is catching the primers? Or maybe you used the small primer ram with the large primers?

[bruce381]

My RCBS Press does that I always figured it was old age cause they all go boom but I lloked at the seating punch and it does "lean" a little Guess I need a new primer arm.

[bruce381]

If the primers are below case head, then go ahead and shoot them off at a range, recover the brass, fix primer pockets (swage or ream crimp ring out) and you and this brass will be fine.

Yeah +1 live and learn

[Kerplow]

so i went and blasted off all those rounds today. all went well, no OBD action. my primer tool seems to be having problems though, as it is still denting primers on non-crimped brass. seems to be riding one side, really hard.

[bubbapug1]

Thats definitly crimped brass. Most 5.56 is crimped, military or not.

[mjsweims]

I use an RCBS hand primer with no issues.
Are you using the right end of the priming rod - flat not rounded?
Are you using the correct plastic inser and rod combination?

[freonr22]

counter sink in a drill press

[stewiegriffin]

I've used a RCBS hand primer for hundreds of rounds. Be sure there aren't any copper "splinters" or shavings in, around, or on the priming ram pin.

[Kerplow]

thanks for the help, guys. i got the swager out and learning how to use it. guess maybe its time to switch to a different brand of plinking ammo for my case supply. i dont want to have to swage the primer pockets on all my once fired brass. i'll do it to the supply i have now, but from here on out its no more federal wally world ammo unless im in a serious pinch!

[GeoffLinder]

If the primers are below case head, then go ahead and shoot them off at a range, recover the brass, fix primer pockets (swage or ream crimp ring out) and you and this brass will be fine.

[sequoia_nomad]

Instructions for primer pocket swager here:

http://www.rcbs.com/downloads/instructions/Priming_Tools_and_Accessories_Instructions.pdf