removing military crimp

rebs · June 5, 2012, 09:20 AM

After all the troubles I had trying to remove military crimp using a deburring tool, primer pocket reamer,etc..

I read this on another site and gave it a try, it worked great.
I put a 3/8" drill bit in a cordless screw driver and only gave it about 3 turns and the crimp is gone. The new primers go in perfectly. This is the easiest, fastest way I have found so far.

Ole 5 hole group · June 5, 2012, 10:25 AM

Depending upon the brass etc there are some methods that work better than others, but for about every type of brass out there that needs the primer pocket swaged easily and quickly the Dillon tool is a mighty fine long term investment.

http://www.dillonprecision.com/conte...uper_Swage_600

rebs · June 5, 2012, 02:08 PM

A Dillon is just out of my price range, especially for as many as I will swag. 1000 cases reloaded 5 times = 5000 cases and will last me a year or more.
A $2.50 drill bit is just way more cost effective for me.

Marco Califo · June 5, 2012, 02:31 PM

Couple days ago I came across one crimped case while priming a batch. I grabbed the nearest bladed tool: pruners - a couple of twists and the primer went right in. I have used knives, screw drivers, etc. I have the RCBS tool but only like to use it for 500 or more at one time. Best bet is to buy processed brass, www.GIbrass.com, glad I did.

moxie · June 5, 2012, 05:10 PM

I have the RCBS tool and it works great, but this way sounds so good I'm going to try it. thanks.

hooligan1 · June 6, 2012, 07:26 AM

Rebs, 3/8 is way to large. Maybe 3/16's is what you meant?

sundog · June 6, 2012, 08:51 AM

+1 on the Dillon. Reloading tools are life time investments. When the cost of a tool is spread over that period it's cost per use is minimal.

rebs · June 6, 2012, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Rebs, 3/8 is way to large. Maybe 3/16's is what you meant?

3/16 would be way too small and would easily go right into the pocket, I use 3/8 to just remove the crimp at the top of the pocket. You don't want the drill to go into the pocket, just remove the crimp from the top. This method is really fast and easy, I did about 200 cases and everyone took a primer perfectly

**Unclenick** · June 6, 2012, 02:49 PM

3/16" is 0.1875". Large primer pockets are about 0.210" most of the way to the bottom. Small are just under 0.175". 3/8" is 0.375", so I'm guessing we're not understanding where the measurement is taken or we're not understanding how the screwdriver is being used.

Hardcase · June 6, 2012, 02:59 PM

I use the Lyman bit chucked in a slow-turning drill press. I have a little jig to keep the brass steady and in line with the bit. It takes no time at all to de-crimp a bunch of .30-06 brass.

I tried using it by hand, but it only took about five or six cases before my fingers started getting sore.

The Dillon tool looks pretty nice - if I didn't already have the drill press, I'd consider it.

rebs · June 6, 2012, 03:15 PM

Quote:

3/16" is 0.1875". Large primer pockets are about 0.210" most of the way to the bottom. Small are just under 0.175". 3/8" is 0.375", so I'm guessing we're not understanding where the measurement is taken or we're not understanding how the screwdriver is being used.

I am using a 3/8 drill, all I want to do is remove the crimp nothing more. The crimp is at the top of the primer hole.
Give it a try.

hooligan1 · June 6, 2012, 06:54 PM

I see now Rebs, thanx for clearing me up on that, it's just basically taking very little of the mouth out. Gotcha.

rebs · June 6, 2012, 09:58 PM

Quote:

I see now Rebs, thanx for clearing me up on that, it's just basically taking very little of the mouth out. Gotcha.

Yes thats all it takes to get rid of the crimp. You are removing very little brass.
I have found this to be the easiest, quickest and inexpensive way to do it.

Ike666 · June 9, 2012, 06:08 PM

I just got 500 .308 cases (LC with 2011 headstamps) from the Brassman that needed pre-processing. I used a Lee Universal Decapper to punch the old primers out and my Dillon Super-Swage to swage out the crimp. It took me right at 2 hours to complete both tasks at a moderate, watching John Wayne in the background, pace. I'd still be futzing around with it with any other tool.

Watch out for the lure of a false economy, it'll cost you in the end.

rodfac · June 11, 2012, 07:42 PM

I've used a broad angle counter sink before with good results, or you might try chucking up your two ended chamfer tool in a drill press; a light touch at low rpm does the trick. BTW, you use the post on the outside chamfer cutter to chuck it up; or even a hand drill, lightly clamped to your bench will work. Both methods work well. Rod

Romeo 33 Delta · June 13, 2012, 07:08 PM

I just screwed the tip from the RCBS hand tool into one of the positions on their case prep center and it takes only a second to "decrimp" the primer pocket ... you get a nice chamfered edge when you're done!

June 5, 2012, 09:20 AM	#1
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 1,587	removing military crimp After all the troubles I had trying to remove military crimp using a deburring tool, primer pocket reamer,etc.. I read this on another site and gave it a try, it worked great. I put a 3/8" drill bit in a cordless screw driver and only gave it about 3 turns and the crimp is gone. The new primers go in perfectly. This is the easiest, fastest way I have found so far.

June 5, 2012, 02:31 PM	#4
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA Posts: 580	Any blade will do Couple days ago I came across one crimped case while priming a batch. I grabbed the nearest bladed tool: pruners - a couple of twists and the primer went right in. I have used knives, screw drivers, etc. I have the RCBS tool but only like to use it for 500 or more at one time. Best bet is to buy processed brass, www.GIbrass.com, glad I did. __________________ ........................................................

June 5, 2012, 05:10 PM	#5
moxie Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: TX Posts: 513	I have the RCBS tool and it works great, but this way sounds so good I'm going to try it. thanks. __________________ If you want to shoot...shoot...don't talk! Tuco USAF Munitions 1969-1992 RVN 1972-1973

June 6, 2012, 07:26 AM	#6
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 2,833	Rebs, 3/8 is way to large. Maybe 3/16's is what you meant? __________________ Thanks for coming!

June 6, 2012, 08:51 AM	#7
sundog Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 1999 Location: Green Country, OK Posts: 715	+1 on the Dillon. Reloading tools are life time investments. When the cost of a tool is spread over that period it's cost per use is minimal. __________________ safety first

June 5, 2012, 10:25 AM	#2
Ole 5 hole group Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2002 Location: South of Winnipeg Posts: 142	Depending upon the brass etc there are some methods that work better than others, but for about every type of brass out there that needs the primer pocket swaged easily and quickly the Dillon tool is a mighty fine long term investment. http://www.dillonprecision.com/conte...uper_Swage_600

June 5, 2012, 02:08 PM	#3
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 1,587	A Dillon is just out of my price range, especially for as many as I will swag. 1000 cases reloaded 5 times = 5000 cases and will last me a year or more. A $2.50 drill bit is just way more cost effective for me.

June 6, 2012, 02:49 PM	#9
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 9,149	3/16" is 0.1875". Large primer pockets are about 0.210" most of the way to the bottom. Small are just under 0.175". 3/8" is 0.375", so I'm guessing we're not understanding where the measurement is taken or we're not understanding how the screwdriver is being used. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Patron Member

June 6, 2012, 02:59 PM	#10
Hardcase Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Location: Sunny Southern Idaho Posts: 1,880	I use the Lyman bit chucked in a slow-turning drill press. I have a little jig to keep the brass steady and in line with the bit. It takes no time at all to de-crimp a bunch of .30-06 brass. I tried using it by hand, but it only took about five or six cases before my fingers started getting sore. The Dillon tool looks pretty nice - if I didn't already have the drill press, I'd consider it. __________________ Well we don't rent pigs and I figure it's better to say it right out front because a man that does like to rent pigs is... he's hard to stop - Gus McCrae

June 6, 2012, 06:54 PM	#12
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 2,833	I see now Rebs, thanx for clearing me up on that, it's just basically taking very little of the mouth out. Gotcha. __________________ Thanks for coming!

June 9, 2012, 06:08 PM	#14
Ike666 Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2009 Location: SW VA Posts: 399	I just got 500 .308 cases (LC with 2011 headstamps) from the Brassman that needed pre-processing. I used a Lee Universal Decapper to punch the old primers out and my Dillon Super-Swage to swage out the crimp. It took me right at 2 hours to complete both tasks at a moderate, watching John Wayne in the background, pace. I'd still be futzing around with it with any other tool. Watch out for the lure of a false economy, it'll cost you in the end. __________________ ___________________ "I'm your huckleberry."

June 11, 2012, 07:42 PM	#15
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,223	I've used a broad angle counter sink before with good results, or you might try chucking up your two ended chamfer tool in a drill press; a light touch at low rpm does the trick. BTW, you use the post on the outside chamfer cutter to chuck it up; or even a hand drill, lightly clamped to your bench will work. Both methods work well. Rod __________________ Our Flag does not fly because the wind blows against it, It proudly waves because a soldier's dying breath blows upon it. USAF Forward Air Controller, 5th Spl Forces, An Loc, lll Corps, RVN, 69-70, Vietnam Vet '69-'73

June 13, 2012, 07:08 PM	#16
Romeo 33 Delta Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2009 Posts: 249	I just screwed the tip from the RCBS hand tool into one of the positions on their case prep center and it takes only a second to "decrimp" the primer pocket ... you get a nice chamfered edge when you're done!