Primer Seating Question?

Jamie Young · February 12, 2002, 10:20 PM

I've been reloading some .223 rounds and I have a question. The Brass I'm using is once Fired Military brass, and every once in awhile, I have some trouble seating Primers. A few times the Primers went into the case, but little shavings of the primer came off. I've gotten the primers seated all the way in but I'm not sure if this is something to worry about?

**Mike Irwin** · February 12, 2002, 10:50 PM

Yeah. You've either got some crimped primer pockets in there, or you have some with tight pockets.

Either way, you should probably swage or ream ANY military .223 cases prior to first use.

ryucasta · February 12, 2002, 11:36 PM

I'll agree with Mike, military rounds are crimped the only way you can resolve this is either to swage them manually (Time Consuming) or purchase a Dillon 1050 progressive press (Expensive). The Dillon press has a station that will automatically swage the brass prior to inserting the primer. The only caveat that I’ll give you regarding the 1050 is that its the only press that Dillon does apply it no BS warranty too (1 year only) since they consider it a commercial press.

Jamie Young · February 12, 2002, 11:47 PM

The thing is they already have been swaged but some of them are a little tight. Do you think they are safe to shoot? I'm going to probable test a few out one at a time.

zanthope · February 13, 2002, 08:37 AM

RCBS has an all-purpose green handle...looks like a screwdriver handle. You can buy all kinds of brushes and reamers to fit the handle.
Small primer pocket reamer is all I use....the pair might be $10.00 or so.
Swagers are available at Dillon for about $70.00.

Bogie · February 13, 2002, 11:46 AM

IF you can get the primer in, they're safe to shoot.

Dillon's swager is nice.

However, RCBS sells a press-mounted dealie that works just as well, and is a lot cheaper.

Lyman sells a handle-mounted reamer that works pretty fair.

Personally, I'd go with the RCBS press mounted dealie...

ryucasta · February 13, 2002, 11:56 AM

I would suggest you just buy Midway’s fired 223 brass it already comes swaged and de primed and it all tends to be all Lake City head stamps.

It's been my experience that time is a commodity that I can’t replace so I don’t bother dealing with crimped brass any longer.

Steve Smith · February 13, 2002, 12:03 PM

ryucasta: Soda said, "The thing is they already have been swaged "

Also, FYI, Midway is just reselling brass processed from www.scharch.com at a higher price.

Soda, as Bogie said, if you can get it in, use it. If you can't, either toss it or swage it out again...here's an easier option than the RCBS or Dillon, IMHO.

http://www.ch4d.com/ch4d/Catalog/Pag...Priming%20Tool

Ben Shepherd · February 13, 2002, 12:03 PM

I agree with zanthrope. Get the little hand-held rcbs unit. You can do a bucket of brass while you're watching your favorite t.v. show.

With practice you will be doing it by feel rather than sight. However this is about the only thing I'll do reloading-wise without paying 100% attention to, as it isn't super critical unless you're after match grade ammo.(But then you wouldn't be using the hand held unit either.)

ryucasta · February 13, 2002, 01:02 PM

Steve,

Thanks for pointing out SodaPop swaged comment, but I was already aware of it. If you had read earlier responses in the thread, you would have noticed that I gave him some advise on 2/12 and this was just a continuation of that earlier piece of advice.

I’m still of the opinion that’s it’s a waste of time to swage military brass unless your on a budget and time is not of the essence. BTW, thanks for the link to the Scharch website.

February 12, 2002, 10:20 PM	#1
Jamie Young Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2000 Location: SE/PA Posts: 4,834	Primer Seating Question? I've been reloading some .223 rounds and I have a question. The Brass I'm using is once Fired Military brass, and every once in awhile, I have some trouble seating Primers. A few times the Primers went into the case, but little shavings of the primer came off. I've gotten the primers seated all the way in but I'm not sure if this is something to worry about? __________________ Find out about Gun Shows and Training activities. www.TheRallyPoint.org Get your gun club involved!!

February 12, 2002, 10:50 PM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Yeah. You've either got some crimped primer pockets in there, or you have some with tight pockets. Either way, you should probably swage or ream ANY military .223 cases prior to first use. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

February 12, 2002, 11:47 PM	#4
Jamie Young Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2000 Location: SE/PA Posts: 4,834	The thing is they already have been swaged but some of them are a little tight. Do you think they are safe to shoot? I'm going to probable test a few out one at a time. __________________ Find out about Gun Shows and Training activities. www.TheRallyPoint.org Get your gun club involved!!

February 13, 2002, 08:37 AM	#5
zanthope Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 258	RCBS has an all-purpose green handle...looks like a screwdriver handle. You can buy all kinds of brushes and reamers to fit the handle. Small primer pocket reamer is all I use....the pair might be $10.00 or so. Swagers are available at Dillon for about $70.00. __________________ We are born naked, wet, and hungry. Then it gets worse.

February 13, 2002, 11:46 AM	#6
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	IF you can get the primer in, they're safe to shoot. Dillon's swager is nice. However, RCBS sells a press-mounted dealie that works just as well, and is a lot cheaper. Lyman sells a handle-mounted reamer that works pretty fair. Personally, I'd go with the RCBS press mounted dealie... __________________ Job hunting, but helping a friend out at www.vikingmachineusa.com - and learning the finer aspects of becoming a precision machinist. And making the world's greatest bottle openers!

February 12, 2002, 11:36 PM	#3
ryucasta Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 431	I'll agree with Mike, military rounds are crimped the only way you can resolve this is either to swage them manually (Time Consuming) or purchase a Dillon 1050 progressive press (Expensive). The Dillon press has a station that will automatically swage the brass prior to inserting the primer. The only caveat that I’ll give you regarding the 1050 is that its the only press that Dillon does apply it no BS warranty too (1 year only) since they consider it a commercial press.

February 13, 2002, 11:56 AM	#7
ryucasta Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 431	I would suggest you just buy Midway’s fired 223 brass it already comes swaged and de primed and it all tends to be all Lake City head stamps. It's been my experience that time is a commodity that I can’t replace so I don’t bother dealing with crimped brass any longer.

February 13, 2002, 12:03 PM	#8
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	ryucasta: Soda said, "The thing is they already have been swaged " Also, FYI, Midway is just reselling brass processed from www.scharch.com at a higher price. Soda, as Bogie said, if you can get it in, use it. If you can't, either toss it or swage it out again...here's an easier option than the RCBS or Dillon, IMHO. http://www.ch4d.com/ch4d/Catalog/Pag...Priming%20Tool __________________ Favor the X. Steve Smith NRA Life Member

February 13, 2002, 12:03 PM	#9
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	I agree with zanthrope. Get the little hand-held rcbs unit. You can do a bucket of brass while you're watching your favorite t.v. show. With practice you will be doing it by feel rather than sight. However this is about the only thing I'll do reloading-wise without paying 100% attention to, as it isn't super critical unless you're after match grade ammo.(But then you wouldn't be using the hand held unit either.) __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

February 13, 2002, 01:02 PM	#10
ryucasta Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 431	Steve, Thanks for pointing out SodaPop swaged comment, but I was already aware of it. If you had read earlier responses in the thread, you would have noticed that I gave him some advise on 2/12 and this was just a continuation of that earlier piece of advice. I’m still of the opinion that’s it’s a waste of time to swage military brass unless your on a budget and time is not of the essence. BTW, thanks for the link to the Scharch website.