Primer seats too easily

[jimster716]

Well after polishing 100 5x-fired casings of .308 (Federal brass from Gold Medal Match and American Eagle ammo), I proceeded to reprime them. Using Federal 210 Large Rifle primers (never tried anything else), I noticed that 6 or 7 of the casings resulted in the primer going in with very little resistance using my RCBS hand priming tool. The primers aren't loose...tried tapping them on the table at an angle and there was no walkout of the newly seated primer.

I'm guessing these casings are on the way out in reliability though I see no signs of wear and tear at the head or the case mouth. No bulging or cracking...though I don't need to get to that point to figure out that maybe it's time for some fresh brass even though we know that new brass is the most expensive part of handloading. I haven't decided if I'm going to load these casings up but I did Sharpie them to indicate that brass primer pocket is wider than spec.

I'm seeing a lot of new people entering the world of handloading like myself in this forum and I did some research. I guess I'm posting this to inform less experienced handloaders that this is also something to look out for with multi-fired casings and also to confirm from people their experience with easily seated primers.

[damndave]

6-7 times for Federal 308 brass is about right. Usually the primer pockets will be the 1st thing that goes on 308 brass.

[Raptor1Ronin]

I have had the same thing with LC .223 brass some go in super smooth and others take a little. Good question to bring up. I was wondering the same thing should it go in so smoothly?

[Divernhunter]

That is what is nice about hand priming. You can get a much better feel on seating primers.

[bigstones]

How hot are you loading? The hotter you load the quicker your brass will wear out. You may want to inspect your rounds for sign of excessive pressure.

[Alpha 1-4]

An easy primer is the beginning of the end for brass. If you plan on using them, keep an eye out for the shiny ring that is warning for case head separation. Remember once 10% of a lot has gotten to that point toss all of it. Be safe, getting one more firing out of brass is not worth the trip to a Hospital for face injury because the primer was loose and allowed gas to blow back.

[ronas]

I think quality of brass and whether fired from bolt rifle or something else plays a part in brass life.

I fire Lapua Palma brass from a bolt rifle, TRG-22. Only neck size. I have one batch, a 300 piece lot of this brass that is ready for it's 8th reloading.

I load 175 SMK over 45 grains of Varget with CCI 450 small rifle magnum primer. I also anneal after every firing. So far not a single issure or brass failure.