Help Needed - Primer Seating Problem

[Enfield47]

Thanks for all the help and advice. I will try all of the tips here for getting rid of the crimp and using a hand priming system to see if I have some better luck with it than with the safety prime system on the press.

[yellowstealth]

I have the same setup as you, RCBS swager and lee press. I quit using the on press primer in favor of a hand priming tool for the same reason you describe.

Initially I thought I must not have had the swager set correctly, realized that wasn't the case when I tried to prime a non crimped case on the press and had the same issue. No problems using the lee hand priming tool.

[wxl]

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

When I run across a crimped primer pocket I hit it with a portable drill that has a drill bit that is larger than the pocket and shave a little off. I only reload 223 so i don't run across too many crimped primers. Also, Winchester primers run a little smaller than CCI and are easier to seat, but I've read some people have problems with them falling out because they don't fit as tight. I've neve had this problem.

[mark501w]

I ream the the pockets with a Lyman tool , cut depth uniform flash holes. Hand priming helps you check to see if you have any problems with individual cases. You only have to do this process once. You can't leave any primers sticking above the case & risk a slam fire with a auto loader or inconsistent firing of your primer.

[BigBronco also not a Cabinetguy]

Yes the they are safe to shoot. As for the primer seating issue the alignment of the primer seating may be just a bit off. Yesterday at the the work shop one student was having a heck of a time with the hand priming tool. He would hand it to me and it worked smoothly. Hand it right back to him and trouble again. Went back and forth several times with his issues to smooth entry when I had it. Very frustrating for the student.

I highly suggest using the hand priming tool. I so hate priming on a non progressive press. Yes even on a Rockchucker.

Enfield, I am not available much of this week but I would love to help figure out your issues. If you still have my number give me a call and lets get together and figure this snag out.

BB

[Enfield47]

I'll try to reswage them to see if I can get rid of the the remaining crimp. Once the crimp is removed, will I still see the crimp indentation? It seems so small and yet that it is causing me this much trouble. I guess it's all part of the learning experience (frustrating as it may be).

If the primers are flattened, are they still safe to shoot?

[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.

[gemoose23]

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

[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

[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)?

[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]

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]

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.

[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.

[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.