Ream out small-pistol primer 45 ACP?

maillemaker · March 15, 2014, 12:13 PM

It seems to me, upon looking at cross sections of .45 ACP brass, that there would be nothing wrong with reaming out small primer .45 ACP brass to a bore that can accept the standard large pistol primers.

What do you think?

Steve

Rico567 · March 15, 2014, 12:55 PM

This might be done. I say "might," not having thought about it much at all. I suppose the biggest problem would be to ensure concentricity of the new, enlarged primer pocket. I guess I see it as someone who just discards the small primer .45s.....sort of a 'why bother' attitude.

mikld · March 15, 2014, 01:02 PM

I'm like Rico; haven't thought about it much. I guess if there were no more small pistol primers to be had, forever, I might look into reaming. I would like to make sure there is enough metal left in the case head to contain the pressure. I would just use a lathe with a floating tool holder in the tailstock to enlarge the pockets...

mmb713 · March 15, 2014, 01:57 PM

I think it would be a whole lot easier to just use small pistol primers in those cases. Or do like I do and just never buy 45 Auto ammo with small primers.

tangolima · March 15, 2014, 02:12 PM

Why?

Gdawgs · March 15, 2014, 02:13 PM

Sounds like a waste of time to me.

4runnerman · March 15, 2014, 03:52 PM

just buy small pistol primers. My load with small and large are the same loads.
Keep them seperate in bags and there is no hassel.

boondocker385 · March 15, 2014, 04:02 PM

I keep finding them and just sort them out.

Nick_C_S · March 15, 2014, 06:38 PM

Quote:

What do you think?

Steve

I think you've thought about it more than me

Heh, and that's okay. Fun to think about, but more hassle than I'm going to go through.

maillemaker · March 15, 2014, 06:50 PM

The why is because I have no way to reload the small pistol primer brass. My Lee Pro 1000 is set up for the large ones. I could get the parts to make it do the smaller ones, but then I'd have to switch out the bits to change over from one to the other.

It also annoys me to pick out the small ones from the large ones. I figured if I could make a fixture for the drill press and run a cutter into the pocket to enlarge it I could convert them to large.

Steve

lee n. field · March 15, 2014, 07:17 PM

Quote:

It seems to me, upon looking at cross sections of .45 ACP brass, that there would be nothing wrong with reaming out small primer .45 ACP brass to a bore that can accept the standard large pistol primers.

What do you think?

I wouldn't bother. Segregate them out. Load them with the appropriate prime, or trade.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · March 15, 2014, 07:43 PM

Necessity is the Mother of all inventions. You got to do what you got to do. Or FWIW: You could run a sale / trade add here (TFL) and make someone an offer they can't refuse to get a little of what you wish you had.

4runnerman · March 15, 2014, 08:10 PM

Small Hint--By a $15.00 hand primer

Marco Califo · March 15, 2014, 09:04 PM

I do not think it would be safe. You are assuming that the small primer brass is otherwise the same in every dimension, just more metal. Then you would need to remove exactly the correct amount of metal. No way Jose!
It is also, IMO not worth the time and effort.
Sort 'em. Save them until you get a hand primer.

guruatbol · March 15, 2014, 10:58 PM

There's a small ammo mfg in St George Ut called High Country Ammo and they will buy the small primered brass and sell you the large ones.

They offered to trade me any brass I take to them.

They are on St George Blvd.

I don't think modifying the cases is a good idea.

Mel

mmb713 · March 15, 2014, 11:48 PM

Buying the parts to be able to seat small primers and swapping out those parts is still going to be cheaper and faster and easier than drilling out primer pockets, if it's even possible. You'll likely end up loading for a cartridge that takes small primers someday anyway so the easiest and safest thing to do is use small primers in them. Or trade them and never buy 45 Auto ammo with small primer pockets.

jmorris · March 15, 2014, 11:59 PM

Anything can be done, lots of things shouldn't be done.

Better idea than reloading steel or aluminum cases but still not for me.

pctechdude · March 16, 2014, 07:30 AM

Actually I reamed out a small primered 45acp case just to try this out, as other have stated its slow and tedious work. Not to mention any time I have tried it you cannot ream enough material around the flash hole to seat a large primer in below flush. They all stick out. As been noted load em separate or just toss them etc...so unsafe and not worth risking yourself or your gun over.

mikld · March 16, 2014, 11:48 AM

Geeeeze! We all know it's easier to just buy small primers. We all know reaming would be too much work to be worth while. But if every idea is met with the same "don't bother" attitude, nuttin' would change! Who ever heard about using beer cans for gas checks? Who'da thunk you could use a metal preserver as a bullet lube (alox)? And nobody would even think about powder coating bullets. If all shooters kept that attitude, we'd still be shooting flinters with black powder...

Keep thinkin' "outside the box"!

maillemaker · March 16, 2014, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Actually I reamed out a small primered 45acp case just to try this out, as other have stated its slow and tedious work. Not to mention any time I have tried it you cannot ream enough material around the flash hole to seat a large primer in below flush. They all stick out. As been noted load em separate or just toss them etc...so unsafe and not worth risking yourself or your gun over.

Well, this is the winning answer. I know there is enough material to accommodate the diameter of the large primer, but I did not know that they went to different depths. If the large primer will not seat flush, then it's game over for this idea.

Steve

maillemaker · March 16, 2014, 12:12 PM

I guess the hand primer is the way to go.

I already use my Lee Pro 1000 as a deprimer machine by fishing the cases out on the start of the down stroke after depriming, so they don't move on to the charging/priming station.

I'll just stick the hand-primed ones it at the same stage and let it move to the charging station as normal.

Steve

Vance · March 16, 2014, 01:15 PM

Drill bits have a beveled tip to facilitate cutting. The edges of the hole you drilled will not be as deep as the center of it. What you need is a milling bit that will cut flush so your hole is the same uniforn depth. That way you can get the edges of the hole deep enough so the primer will seat deep enough. You would probably need to enlarge the flash hole also.

maillemaker · March 16, 2014, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Drill bits have a beveled tip to facilitate cutting.

Yes, I know, which is why I was talking about reaming instead of drilling.

Anyway, I have ordered a Lee XLR hand press and a die holder for .45 ACP from MidwayUSA. $36 delivered.

I was just at Gander Mountain this morning and they had a bunch of primers. I should have picked up a few hundred smalls.

Steve

guruatbol · March 16, 2014, 02:04 PM

You can grind down a drill bit to make a milling bit. Make sure to make the center of the drill bit more inverted so the cutting edge on the outside of the bit will do the cutting and the material doesn't get in the way.

Mel

mikld · March 17, 2014, 11:57 AM

Drill bits have a beveled tip to facilitate cutting. The edges of the hole you drilled will not be as deep as the center of it. What you need is a milling bit that will cut flush so your hole is the same uniforn depth. That way you can get the edges of the hole deep enough so the primer will seat deep enough. You would probably need to enlarge the flash hole also.

They call them "end mills". Available in as many different sizes/diameters as drill bits. An end mill will give a flat bottom as deep as needed...

March 15, 2014, 12:13 PM	#1
maillemaker Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2010 Posts: 1,635	Ream out small-pistol primer 45 ACP? It seems to me, upon looking at cross sections of .45 ACP brass, that there would be nothing wrong with reaming out small primer .45 ACP brass to a bore that can accept the standard large pistol primers. What do you think? Steve

March 15, 2014, 12:55 PM	#2
Rico567 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Posts: 162	This might be done. I say "might," not having thought about it much at all. I suppose the biggest problem would be to ensure concentricity of the new, enlarged primer pocket. I guess I see it as someone who just discards the small primer .45s.....sort of a 'why bother' attitude. __________________ "Dear reader, suppose you are a member of Congress. Now, further suppose you are an idiot. But I repeat myself." - Mark Twain

March 15, 2014, 01:02 PM	#3
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	I'm like Rico; haven't thought about it much. I guess if there were no more small pistol primers to be had, forever, I might look into reaming. I would like to make sure there is enough metal left in the case head to contain the pressure. I would just use a lathe with a floating tool holder in the tailstock to enlarge the pockets... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

March 15, 2014, 03:52 PM	#7
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	just buy small pistol primers. My load with small and large are the same loads. Keep them seperate in bags and there is no hassel. __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

March 15, 2014, 04:02 PM	#8
boondocker385 Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2013 Posts: 640	I keep finding them and just sort them out. __________________ No second place finishes in a gun fight. Last edited by boondocker385; March 16, 2014 at 09:42 AM.

March 15, 2014, 01:57 PM	#4
mmb713 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2011 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 421	I think it would be a whole lot easier to just use small pistol primers in those cases. Or do like I do and just never buy 45 Auto ammo with small primers.

March 15, 2014, 02:12 PM	#5
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 3,827	Why?

March 15, 2014, 02:13 PM	#6
Gdawgs Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2009 Location: MN Posts: 656	Sounds like a waste of time to me.

March 15, 2014, 06:50 PM	#10
maillemaker Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2010 Posts: 1,635	The why is because I have no way to reload the small pistol primer brass. My Lee Pro 1000 is set up for the large ones. I could get the parts to make it do the smaller ones, but then I'd have to switch out the bits to change over from one to the other. It also annoys me to pick out the small ones from the large ones. I figured if I could make a fixture for the drill press and run a cutter into the pocket to enlarge it I could convert them to large. Steve

March 15, 2014, 07:43 PM	#12
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	Necessity is the Mother of all inventions. You got to do what you got to do. Or FWIW: You could run a sale / trade add here (TFL) and make someone an offer they can't refuse to get a little of what you wish you had.

March 15, 2014, 08:10 PM	#13
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	Small Hint--By a $15.00 hand primer __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

March 15, 2014, 09:04 PM	#14
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area) Posts: 2,598	I do not think it would be safe. You are assuming that the small primer brass is otherwise the same in every dimension, just more metal. Then you would need to remove exactly the correct amount of metal. No way Jose! It is also, IMO not worth the time and effort. Sort 'em. Save them until you get a hand primer. __________________ ............

March 15, 2014, 10:58 PM	#15
guruatbol Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 285	There's a small ammo mfg in St George Ut called High Country Ammo and they will buy the small primered brass and sell you the large ones. They offered to trade me any brass I take to them. They are on St George Blvd. I don't think modifying the cases is a good idea. Mel __________________ They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Thomas Jefferson It matters not what color the cat is, but that the cat gets the mouse. - Some Asian

March 15, 2014, 11:48 PM	#16
mmb713 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2011 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 421	Buying the parts to be able to seat small primers and swapping out those parts is still going to be cheaper and faster and easier than drilling out primer pockets, if it's even possible. You'll likely end up loading for a cartridge that takes small primers someday anyway so the easiest and safest thing to do is use small primers in them. Or trade them and never buy 45 Auto ammo with small primer pockets.

March 15, 2014, 11:59 PM	#17
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,077	Anything can be done, lots of things shouldn't be done. Better idea than reloading steel or aluminum cases but still not for me.

March 16, 2014, 07:30 AM	#18
pctechdude Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2013 Posts: 159	Actually I reamed out a small primered 45acp case just to try this out, as other have stated its slow and tedious work. Not to mention any time I have tried it you cannot ream enough material around the flash hole to seat a large primer in below flush. They all stick out. As been noted load em separate or just toss them etc...so unsafe and not worth risking yourself or your gun over.

March 16, 2014, 11:48 AM	#19
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	Geeeeze! We all know it's easier to just buy small primers. We all know reaming would be too much work to be worth while. But if every idea is met with the same "don't bother" attitude, nuttin' would change! Who ever heard about using beer cans for gas checks? Who'da thunk you could use a metal preserver as a bullet lube (alox)? And nobody would even think about powder coating bullets. If all shooters kept that attitude, we'd still be shooting flinters with black powder... Keep thinkin' "outside the box"! __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

March 16, 2014, 12:12 PM	#21
maillemaker Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2010 Posts: 1,635	I guess the hand primer is the way to go. I already use my Lee Pro 1000 as a deprimer machine by fishing the cases out on the start of the down stroke after depriming, so they don't move on to the charging/priming station. I'll just stick the hand-primed ones it at the same stage and let it move to the charging station as normal. Steve

March 16, 2014, 01:15 PM	#22
Vance Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2011 Location: North Bend, OR Posts: 743	Drill bits have a beveled tip to facilitate cutting. The edges of the hole you drilled will not be as deep as the center of it. What you need is a milling bit that will cut flush so your hole is the same uniforn depth. That way you can get the edges of the hole deep enough so the primer will seat deep enough. You would probably need to enlarge the flash hole also.

March 16, 2014, 02:04 PM	#24
guruatbol Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 285	You can grind down a drill bit to make a milling bit. Make sure to make the center of the drill bit more inverted so the cutting edge on the outside of the bit will do the cutting and the material doesn't get in the way. Mel __________________ They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Thomas Jefferson It matters not what color the cat is, but that the cat gets the mouse. - Some Asian

March 17, 2014, 11:57 AM	#25
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	Drill bits have a beveled tip to facilitate cutting. The edges of the hole you drilled will not be as deep as the center of it. What you need is a milling bit that will cut flush so your hole is the same uniforn depth. That way you can get the edges of the hole deep enough so the primer will seat deep enough. You would probably need to enlarge the flash hole also. They call them "end mills". Available in as many different sizes/diameters as drill bits. An end mill will give a flat bottom as deep as needed... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...