LC 308 brass question

aarhunt · March 20, 2011, 01:54 PM

I have some 308 brass in Lake city that i have had decapped sized and trimmed but i cant get any primers in them.I was wondering if there was a chance that primer hole is off and needs to be cut to size so that the primer will fit???

Howard31 · March 20, 2011, 02:38 PM

The LC brass has crimped primers. You need to ream or swage the primer pocket hole. A little more work but worth the effort.

zfk55 · March 20, 2011, 03:44 PM

Unless they're headstamped LC/LR. Those are the once fired cases issued for Marine Corps use. They weren't crimped.

Latigo

**Unclenick** · March 20, 2011, 04:06 PM

LC/LR is like LC Match cases used in M852. No crimp.

Aarhunt,

As mentioned, for standard military ammo the primers are crimped. In Lake City ammo, the crimp is an impressed ring around the perimeter of the primer pocket. The metal flows over top of the edge of the primer pocket. This prevents primers backing, which was mainly an issue in some kinds of machineguns.

You can remove the crimp several ways. The fastest and easiest is the most expensive, and that is the Dillon Super Swage 600 tool. It's a separate high leverage press that forces a ram into the primer pocket that pushes the crimp aside and puts the radius back into the primer pocket edges. Slower and less expensive, but also using the swaging principle, is the RCBS primer pocket swaging tool that mounts on a loading press.

The other method is to cut the crimp out. The least expensive method (if you have the drill already) is to use a common countersink cutter on a variable speed electric drill. You just have to have an eye for when to stop. If you don't quite trust yourself with that, the least expensive stand-alone is the hand powered Lyman primer pocket reamer.

In addition to the above, there is a primer pocket profile cutter that goes with the Wilson case trimmer as an option.

HiBC · March 20, 2011, 06:38 PM

Agreed,the dillon is the best tool.The RCBS works but in time the spindle threads go.
Here is an idea to try.I was buying a VLD type case neck chamfering tool,the hand tool.The included angle is about equivalent to what a pencil sharpener puts on a pencil.I think its a Lyman.The gentleman selling it suggested it is good for removing crimps.Might work well.

hk33ka1 · March 20, 2011, 07:19 PM

I have the RCBS swage die set, a Lyman reamer and a Chamfer tool like everyone has.

I prefer now to Ream or use a chamfer tool. I usually just put the reamer in a drill press and touch each case to it. Your standard RCBS chamfer tool for case mouths will work too, by hand or in a drill.

I believe the HXP crimp is known as "Staking" I see this on foreign brands more so.

aarhunt · March 20, 2011, 10:39 PM

Thanks guys!! i wasnt quit sure.I`ve heard of swagging or reaming the primer pocket.i think thats what i`ll end up doing.

March 20, 2011, 01:54 PM	#1
aarhunt Junior member Join Date: January 17, 2009 Location: Chippewa Lake,Ohio Posts: 104	LC 308 brass question I have some 308 brass in Lake city that i have had decapped sized and trimmed but i cant get any primers in them.I was wondering if there was a chance that primer hole is off and needs to be cut to size so that the primer will fit???

March 20, 2011, 02:38 PM	#2
Howard31 Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2009 Location: Hudson Valley,NY Posts: 231	LC Brass The LC brass has crimped primers. You need to ream or swage the primer pocket hole. A little more work but worth the effort.

March 20, 2011, 03:44 PM	#3
zfk55 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2009 Location: Lost Prairie Montana Posts: 391	Unless they're headstamped LC/LR. Those are the once fired cases issued for Marine Corps use. They weren't crimped. Latigo __________________ www.swissproductsllc.com An'' ole' Brer' Rabbit, he set in de bushes, he watch an' he wait, lay low an' he don' say nuffin'

March 20, 2011, 04:06 PM	#4
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	LC/LR is like LC Match cases used in M852. No crimp. Aarhunt, As mentioned, for standard military ammo the primers are crimped. In Lake City ammo, the crimp is an impressed ring around the perimeter of the primer pocket. The metal flows over top of the edge of the primer pocket. This prevents primers backing, which was mainly an issue in some kinds of machineguns. You can remove the crimp several ways. The fastest and easiest is the most expensive, and that is the Dillon Super Swage 600 tool. It's a separate high leverage press that forces a ram into the primer pocket that pushes the crimp aside and puts the radius back into the primer pocket edges. Slower and less expensive, but also using the swaging principle, is the RCBS primer pocket swaging tool that mounts on a loading press. The other method is to cut the crimp out. The least expensive method (if you have the drill already) is to use a common countersink cutter on a variable speed electric drill. You just have to have an eye for when to stop. If you don't quite trust yourself with that, the least expensive stand-alone is the hand powered Lyman primer pocket reamer. In addition to the above, there is a primer pocket profile cutter that goes with the Wilson case trimmer as an option. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle Last edited by Unclenick; March 20, 2011 at 04:29 PM.

March 20, 2011, 06:38 PM	#5
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,283	Agreed,the dillon is the best tool.The RCBS works but in time the spindle threads go. Here is an idea to try.I was buying a VLD type case neck chamfering tool,the hand tool.The included angle is about equivalent to what a pencil sharpener puts on a pencil.I think its a Lyman.The gentleman selling it suggested it is good for removing crimps.Might work well.

March 20, 2011, 07:19 PM	#6
hk33ka1 Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2010 Posts: 275	I have the RCBS swage die set, a Lyman reamer and a Chamfer tool like everyone has. I prefer now to Ream or use a chamfer tool. I usually just put the reamer in a drill press and touch each case to it. Your standard RCBS chamfer tool for case mouths will work too, by hand or in a drill. I believe the HXP crimp is known as "Staking" I see this on foreign brands more so.

March 20, 2011, 10:39 PM	#7
aarhunt Junior member Join Date: January 17, 2009 Location: Chippewa Lake,Ohio Posts: 104	Thanks guys!! i wasnt quit sure.I`ve heard of swagging or reaming the primer pocket.i think thats what i`ll end up doing.