Primer Pocket Normalizer cutter

cervri · August 25, 2016, 04:42 AM

I recently purchased the RCBS case prep station, which I have a primer pocket normalizer bit..How do you hold your brass while using the normalizer. I am holding it with my hands right now, and the brass catches then twists the brass in my hands. Got to be a better way..

daboone · August 25, 2016, 07:05 AM

Some primer pockets like S&B are very tight. Some military brass primer pockets are crimped. In either case it will use the inside champher tool to open the pocket up or remove the crimp. It doesn't require much cutting, very little. With the real tight ones use a piece of rubber matting to help hold the case. Then very slowly start the insertion and back it out and in till the job is done.

Many will say this process is unnecessary, to each his own on this subject. As I load for several old milsurps simi autos I feel it's the right thing g to do.

alexcue · August 25, 2016, 11:21 AM

I had some old .45 surplus cases. They were crimped. I mistakenly used a Rifle Large Primer Uniformer... 100 cases later on a Lyman Case Prep... saw the error of my ways and purchased the right tool for the job. Large PISTOL Pocket Uniformer, Carbide no less.

Anyway, after hand cramps and stiff fingers, I just purchased some grippy gloves that are coated with rubber. Works like a charm. Just be slow on insertion and as straight as can be, otherwise it will grab.

cervri · August 26, 2016, 05:43 AM

Thanks for the info guys, should make things a little easier...

JeepHammer · August 26, 2016, 06:13 AM

This is a subject a lot of people won't touch...
(I shouldn't either if I had any sense!)

I tried a ton of ways, including the 'Prep' centers.
None worked 'Correctly'.

I finally built a frame that holds a sizing die so the brass is EXACTLY verticle & centered over the primer pocket and used a carbide primer pocket uniformer tool from below.

Using this, I found that 'Factory' primer pockets aren't always centered...

Cutting the primer pocket in the sizing die was the only way I could get enough clamp on the case for a clean cut in a production setting.
Its a good thing I'm a machinest, otherwise this fixture would have been out of reach.

August 25, 2016, 04:42 AM	#1
cervri Member Join Date: March 24, 2016 Location: Deming NM Posts: 75	Primer Pocket Normalizer cutter I recently purchased the RCBS case prep station, which I have a primer pocket normalizer bit..How do you hold your brass while using the normalizer. I am holding it with my hands right now, and the brass catches then twists the brass in my hands. Got to be a better way.. Last edited by cervri; August 25, 2016 at 06:28 AM.

August 25, 2016, 07:05 AM	#2
daboone Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2011 Location: Phoenix AZ, Kealakekua HI Posts: 100	Some primer pockets like S&B are very tight. Some military brass primer pockets are crimped. In either case it will use the inside champher tool to open the pocket up or remove the crimp. It doesn't require much cutting, very little. With the real tight ones use a piece of rubber matting to help hold the case. Then very slowly start the insertion and back it out and in till the job is done. Many will say this process is unnecessary, to each his own on this subject. As I load for several old milsurps simi autos I feel it's the right thing g to do.

August 25, 2016, 11:21 AM	#3
alexcue Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 134	I had some old .45 surplus cases. They were crimped. I mistakenly used a Rifle Large Primer Uniformer... 100 cases later on a Lyman Case Prep... saw the error of my ways and purchased the right tool for the job. Large PISTOL Pocket Uniformer, Carbide no less. Anyway, after hand cramps and stiff fingers, I just purchased some grippy gloves that are coated with rubber. Works like a charm. Just be slow on insertion and as straight as can be, otherwise it will grab.

August 26, 2016, 05:43 AM	#4
cervri Member Join Date: March 24, 2016 Location: Deming NM Posts: 75	Thanks for the info guys, should make things a little easier...

August 26, 2016, 06:13 AM	#5
JeepHammer Junior member Join Date: February 27, 2015 Posts: 1,768	This is a subject a lot of people won't touch... (I shouldn't either if I had any sense!) I tried a ton of ways, including the 'Prep' centers. None worked 'Correctly'. I finally built a frame that holds a sizing die so the brass is EXACTLY verticle & centered over the primer pocket and used a carbide primer pocket uniformer tool from below. Using this, I found that 'Factory' primer pockets aren't always centered... Cutting the primer pocket in the sizing die was the only way I could get enough clamp on the case for a clean cut in a production setting. Its a good thing I'm a machinest, otherwise this fixture would have been out of reach.