Help Needed - Primer Seating Problem

[Enfield47]

I am seating CCI #41 primers into swaged 5.56 LC cases using my Lee Turret Press, but only one out six has actually seated properly. It is taking a lot of force to get them to seat and the primer isn't going in all of the way. It requires a second run through the press to get them to seat flush but they look flattened and two are slightly canted. The second run also seems to cause the rim of the case to get caught in the shell holder and I have to use some force to get them out. I am concerned that this will damage the rim of the case because I can feel the rough spots where it was caught in the shell holder.

I found three small brass, ring shaped slivers in the primer seater. Is this from the crimp that was supposed to have been removed by the RCBS swager?

I have seated Winchester LRP into .303 cases on my press and those went in easily - not nearly the amount of force I am having to use on the CCI SRP. Is this normal?

[waawaaweenie]

it sounds like they weren't swaged good enough

you may try another brand of primers or try those into a non crimped case

I gave up on the Lee primer feed attachment and use a hand primer, either the Lee or RCBS universal

the Lee primer arm seems to give me lots of trouble

[Grnjeep1]

Sounds like the crimp wasn't swaged enough. The primer pockets may need to be deepened a bit with uniformer also if the CCI #41's aren't seating deep enough. I have to deepen the pockets a hair with Winchester brass when using CCI primers.

[Enfield47]

If the primer pockets weren't swaged enough, wh can I do to remove the crimp? Would a drill bit work?

[chknlyps2]

Do you have a chamfer tool? I would try to chamfer a couple primer pockets and see if they seat then.... some people use a phillips screwdriver to get a crimped primer pocket chamfered.

[Enfield47]

Yes, I have the Lee chamfer tool. I also have a cordless drill I can use for the Phillips head. Do you know what size to use? I have sizes 1, 2, and 3.

[Divernhunter]

Adjust your sawger correctly first and you should be good to go. Better yet get a Dillon super swager. I have both and only use the Dillon. I also have cutters but do not use them either.

[chknlyps2]

Yes, I have the Lee chamfer tool. I also have a cordless drill I can use for the Phillips head. Do you know what size to use? I have sizes 1, 2, and 3.

Try a #2, it does not take much to get the crimp out.

[Grnjeep1]

Yeah, go easy on the crimp. A sharp chamfer tool will do it in a few twists, but it's kinda hard on the wrist if your doing alot of them.

[Enfield47]

I have about 180 to do so I'll try the #2 phillips head. I do have the RCBS Primer Pocket Swager Tool-2 coming in a shipment next week. Should I just wait until it arrives and re-swage the primer pockets?

Here is what I ordered.

[Grnjeep1]

I have never really cared for swaging, but a lot of people do. a sharp chamfer/deburring tool, or phillips screwdriver, is all you really need. If you process different manufactures brass, it can be a pain to set up a swager to run consistently through different headstamps.

[Enfield47]

Sorry for the noob question here, but isn't there an industry standard that all primer pockets the same size (small or large size of course)?

[waawaaweenie]

the primer pocket is the correct size,it is just the very edge of it that has been crimped. you need to remove that slight lip to get the new primer past it to get it to seat

[gemoose23]

counter sink bit.... chuck in drill $4.00 crimp primer solution..quickly touch tip on to the brass primer pocket, call it done.

[Grnjeep1]

Sorry for the noob question here, but isn't there an industry standard that all primer pockets the same size (small or large size of course)?

For some reason CCI #41's are a bit different, and it's a well known fact that Winchester brass quite often needs to be uniformed to seat the #41's fully. As far as LC, it's not usually a problem but the pocket may need to be squared off at the bottom to fully seat them if they are flattening when you are trying to seat them slightly below flush, where they should be. Try making sure the crimp is fully removed first, it may solve all of your problems.