Have a new problem

Dennis6474 · December 29, 2019, 04:20 PM

I have been reloading for a long time and just have not run into this and would like some advice. I know there is plenty of that around here.

I started to reload some Hornady SST .308 once fired brass. I cleaned them and waxed and removed the primer. I cleaned the primer pocket. I am using CCI 200 Large rifle primers. I tried to insert the primer and it would not go into the case all the way. this left me with a problem as I could not get the case out of the press with the primer sticking out of the case.

I am not going into what I went through except that I was back to square one. Using another case I made sure that the primer pocket was perfect and tried again with the same results. I next went to a Lee Auto-prime and inserted a few primers with all the strength I could muster. No Luck. Out of the few that I inserted they all went in with a lot of force.

I have no idea what the problem is. Help.

Don Fischer · December 29, 2019, 04:50 PM

Sounds like a crimped primer pocket. Bevel the primer pocket with a deburing tool and give it another shot.

Dennis6474 · December 29, 2019, 05:17 PM

I have tried that. I have about 75 cases and they all are the same. Tried Beveling the pocket and was able to load some but it is still EXTREMLY hard.

Is there something I don't know about Hornday cases

Old_School · December 29, 2019, 05:17 PM

Agree...sounds like crimped primer pockets.

Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk

Sequins · December 29, 2019, 05:27 PM

What steps are you taking to remove the crimp on the primer pocket?

stagpanther · December 29, 2019, 05:32 PM

Are you absolutely sure it's a large rifle primer pocket? I haven't heard of hornady using small ones in 308--but these days you never know. Otherwise, a pocket swager should do the trick. Come to think of it--a recent batch of hornady's American whitetail I got in 350 legend had what appears to be pocket crimps.

hounddawg · December 29, 2019, 06:24 PM

https://www.amazon.com/Lyman-Primer-...661794&sr=8-11

TimRB · December 29, 2019, 06:37 PM

There are only a few possibilities:

1) the primer is too large,
2) the hole is too small,
3) something is in the way.

Have you measured everything with your calipers?

Tim

gwpercle · December 29, 2019, 06:50 PM

They could be small rifle primer brass , it seems cases head stamped " MATCH" just might be small rifle for match competition loads .

Measure the pockets very carefully and see .

Chances are they are or were crimped . Use the Lyman tool (post #7) to ream it out and finish up with a primer pocket uniformer ... these two tools will insure the pocket is the correct dia. and depth .

I hate how all these small primered cases have started popping up in cases that have always used large primers ...just something else we have to look for !
Gary

oley55 · December 29, 2019, 06:51 PM

Sorta hi-jacking the thread but real close to this.

In the distant past I swaged a gaggle of old military 38spl on a Dillon Super Swage. When I went to prime them I found I had swaged too deeply and the primers went in way too easy. So I ended up tossing the lot.

Since then I pay close attention to my swage setting and pretty much under swage as seating the primers take a bit of forced. On a whim I let my grandson know I needed a go-no go primer pocket swage gauge for Christmas. On Christmas day I tested some of my de-miled LC 308 brass and they are all no-go (too tight) as per the gauge.

In the past I would test my swaging by reseating spent primers. Obviously not ideal as they have already been compressed in a primer pocket. Good news is no more BS guessing around.

Check out the Ballistic Tools Swage Gauges available from Brownell's for $12 and change.

https://www.brownells.com/reloading/...30-150244.aspx

kilotanker22 · December 29, 2019, 07:48 PM

All of the hornady brass I have gotten from their factory ammunition in the last year have had crimped primer pockets.

I have not bought the proper tool for it yet, but using my RCBS chamfer tool has done a pretty good job of removing it.YMMV

J.G. Terry · December 29, 2019, 10:36 PM

Before anything I'd see if my priming tool/device is working correctly. Another way of putting this is about the primer seater been damaged or needs adjustment in the press. I have had exactly the same problem with my 550 when the primer seater got jammed up. Just deprime that case in the press and look to the cup and spring. It would be great to have a picture. Putting as much pressure as described would have crushed a primer flat.

Dennis6474 · December 30, 2019, 09:35 AM

Thanks everyone. I obviously need to pay more attention to the primer pockets. I realize that the prime pockets are too small but the why was beyond me. I have not ever run into this before and reloaded many different headstamps.
Will purchase a tool to fix it.

Thanks again.

**Unclenick** · December 30, 2019, 02:08 PM

How small is "way too small"? If it is 0.175", approximately, they are for small rifle primers. If they are 0.210", approximately, they are for large rifle primers.

bbqncigars · January 1, 2020, 09:52 PM

From your initial description, that brass had crimped primer pockets. Easiest fix is via a large primer pocket reamer. I'd unscrew it from the handle and mount it in a drill (assuming you have one handy) to save wear and tear on your hands and wrists. That's how I remove the crimps in the milsurp brass I load.

308Loader · January 2, 2020, 05:13 PM

+1 on crimp.

don't know when or why they started crimping primers but have had same issue in 300blk, 308 win, and some 223. all once fired range pickups. it is a lighter crimp than I have found on some "military" brass but just enough to deform a primer if you force it. I set the hard to seat ones aside and swage with RCBS tool when I have a good pile of them. good news is you will only swage them once.

armoredman · January 3, 2020, 05:48 AM

My RCBS Primer Pocket Swage die set has been a life saver for me with crimped primer pockets.

straight-shooter · January 3, 2020, 08:44 PM

Crimped primer pocket be damned! LOL, Great tool for swaging the primer pockets.

https://www.amazon.com/RCBS-Primer-P.../dp/B007ZZO4MI

jetinteriorguy · January 4, 2020, 12:38 PM

I just got the RCBS primer pocket swager from my wife for Christmas. Excellent tool. Excellent wife as well. Also got the Frankford Arsenal precision primer seating tool, so much easier on my arthritic hand and works great.

T. O'Heir · January 4, 2020, 04:09 PM

Hornady SST is about the bullet construction, nothing to do with the case.
Swaging the pockets isn't a big deal. Neither is chamfering 'em with your regular chamfering tool.
Anyway, primer and pocket dimensions are here.
http://ballistictools.com/articles/p...d-diameter.php

December 29, 2019, 04:20 PM	#1
Dennis6474 Member Join Date: October 6, 2011 Location: Florida Panhandle Posts: 84	Have a new problem I have been reloading for a long time and just have not run into this and would like some advice. I know there is plenty of that around here. I started to reload some Hornady SST .308 once fired brass. I cleaned them and waxed and removed the primer. I cleaned the primer pocket. I am using CCI 200 Large rifle primers. I tried to insert the primer and it would not go into the case all the way. this left me with a problem as I could not get the case out of the press with the primer sticking out of the case. I am not going into what I went through except that I was back to square one. Using another case I made sure that the primer pocket was perfect and tried again with the same results. I next went to a Lee Auto-prime and inserted a few primers with all the strength I could muster. No Luck. Out of the few that I inserted they all went in with a lot of force. I have no idea what the problem is. Help.

December 29, 2019, 05:32 PM	#6
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,784	Are you absolutely sure it's a large rifle primer pocket? I haven't heard of hornady using small ones in 308--but these days you never know. Otherwise, a pocket swager should do the trick. Come to think of it--a recent batch of hornady's American whitetail I got in 350 legend had what appears to be pocket crimps. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!* Last edited by stagpanther; December 29, 2019 at 06:30 PM.

December 29, 2019, 06:51 PM	#10
oley55 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2013 Location: JAX, FL Posts: 377	Sorta hi-jacking the thread but real close to this. In the distant past I swaged a gaggle of old military 38spl on a Dillon Super Swage. When I went to prime them I found I had swaged too deeply and the primers went in way too easy. So I ended up tossing the lot. Since then I pay close attention to my swage setting and pretty much under swage as seating the primers take a bit of forced. On a whim I let my grandson know I needed a go-no go primer pocket swage gauge for Christmas. On Christmas day I tested some of my de-miled LC 308 brass and they are all no-go (too tight) as per the gauge. In the past I would test my swaging by reseating spent primers. Obviously not ideal as they have already been compressed in a primer pocket. Good news is no more BS guessing around. Check out the Ballistic Tools Swage Gauges available from Brownell's for $12 and change. https://www.brownells.com/reloading/...30-150244.aspx __________________ “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem.” ― Ronald Reagan

December 29, 2019, 07:48 PM	#11
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	All of the hornady brass I have gotten from their factory ammunition in the last year have had crimped primer pockets. I have not bought the proper tool for it yet, but using my RCBS chamfer tool has done a pretty good job of removing it.YMMV __________________ “We do not seek peace in order to be at war, but we go to war that we may have peace. Be peaceful, therefore, in warring, so that you may vanquish those whom you war against, and bring them to the prosperity of peace. – St. Augustine

December 29, 2019, 10:36 PM	#12
J.G. Terry Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2014 Posts: 577	Let's Keep it Simple Before anything I'd see if my priming tool/device is working correctly. Another way of putting this is about the primer seater been damaged or needs adjustment in the press. I have had exactly the same problem with my 550 when the primer seater got jammed up. Just deprime that case in the press and look to the cup and spring. It would be great to have a picture. Putting as much pressure as described would have crushed a primer flat. __________________ Intentionally Antagonizing Another MemberInsults and Ad Hominems Last edited by J.G. Terry; December 29, 2019 at 10:50 PM.

December 29, 2019, 04:50 PM	#2
Don Fischer Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2017 Posts: 1,868	Sounds like a crimped primer pocket. Bevel the primer pocket with a deburing tool and give it another shot.

December 29, 2019, 05:17 PM	#3
Dennis6474 Member Join Date: October 6, 2011 Location: Florida Panhandle Posts: 84	I have tried that. I have about 75 cases and they all are the same. Tried Beveling the pocket and was able to load some but it is still EXTREMLY hard. Is there something I don't know about Hornday cases

December 29, 2019, 05:17 PM	#4
Old_School Member Join Date: March 19, 2012 Posts: 74	Agree...sounds like crimped primer pockets. Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk

December 29, 2019, 05:27 PM	#5
Sequins Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2014 Posts: 394	What steps are you taking to remove the crimp on the primer pocket?

December 29, 2019, 06:24 PM	#7
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 4,232	https://www.amazon.com/Lyman-Primer-...661794&sr=8-11 __________________ “How do I get to the next level?” Well, you get to the next level by being the first one on the range and the last one to leave.” – Jerry Miculek

December 29, 2019, 06:37 PM	#8
TimRB Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 1,049	There are only a few possibilities: 1) the primer is too large, 2) the hole is too small, 3) something is in the way. Have you measured everything with your calipers? Tim

December 29, 2019, 06:50 PM	#9
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,752	They could be small rifle primer brass , it seems cases head stamped " MATCH" just might be small rifle for match competition loads . Measure the pockets very carefully and see . Chances are they are or were crimped . Use the Lyman tool (post #7) to ream it out and finish up with a primer pocket uniformer ... these two tools will insure the pocket is the correct dia. and depth . I hate how all these small primered cases have started popping up in cases that have always used large primers ...just something else we have to look for ! Gary

December 30, 2019, 09:35 AM	#13
Dennis6474 Member Join Date: October 6, 2011 Location: Florida Panhandle Posts: 84	Thanks everyone. I obviously need to pay more attention to the primer pockets. I realize that the prime pockets are too small but the why was beyond me. I have not ever run into this before and reloaded many different headstamps. Will purchase a tool to fix it. Thanks again.

December 30, 2019, 02:08 PM	#14
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	How small is "way too small"? If it is 0.175", approximately, they are for small rifle primers. If they are 0.210", approximately, they are for large rifle primers. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

January 1, 2020, 09:52 PM	#15
bbqncigars Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 525	From your initial description, that brass had crimped primer pockets. Easiest fix is via a large primer pocket reamer. I'd unscrew it from the handle and mount it in a drill (assuming you have one handy) to save wear and tear on your hands and wrists. That's how I remove the crimps in the milsurp brass I load. __________________ "Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most." A. Brilliant

January 2, 2020, 05:13 PM	#16
308Loader Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 639	+1 on crimp. don't know when or why they started crimping primers but have had same issue in 300blk, 308 win, and some 223. all once fired range pickups. it is a lighter crimp than I have found on some "military" brass but just enough to deform a primer if you force it. I set the hard to seat ones aside and swage with RCBS tool when I have a good pile of them. good news is you will only swage them once. __________________ Just a dude with stuff.

January 3, 2020, 05:48 AM	#17
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,299	My RCBS Primer Pocket Swage die set has been a life saver for me with crimped primer pockets.

January 3, 2020, 08:44 PM	#18
straight-shooter Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: North Central Indiana Posts: 436	Crimped primer pocket be damned! LOL, Great tool for swaging the primer pockets. https://www.amazon.com/RCBS-Primer-P.../dp/B007ZZO4MI

January 4, 2020, 12:38 PM	#19
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,175	I just got the RCBS primer pocket swager from my wife for Christmas. Excellent tool. Excellent wife as well. Also got the Frankford Arsenal precision primer seating tool, so much easier on my arthritic hand and works great.

January 4, 2020, 04:09 PM	#20
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Hornady SST is about the bullet construction, nothing to do with the case. Swaging the pockets isn't a big deal. Neither is chamfering 'em with your regular chamfering tool. Anyway, primer and pocket dimensions are here. http://ballistictools.com/articles/p...d-diameter.php __________________ Spelling and grammar count!