Primer pocket question

rep · March 24, 2011, 08:21 PM

I wanted to ask if there are times where a primer makes a piece of brass unusable. After depriming this case and trying to clean the pocket, I noticed it didn't feel right. When i looked inside the primer pocket, i saw ... (see pictures) It seems when the primer went off, it melted or dented the hole (not sure the terminology).

I'm new to reloading. Literally, this is my first set i'm reloading.

Will a Primer Pocket Uniformer fix something like this? Or should i discard this case.

Thanks for taking a look!

k4swb · March 24, 2011, 08:49 PM

Most PP holes are punched and they don't look all that good before being shot. Clean and uniform them if you like but it probably won't make any difference. These look fine to me.

chiefr · March 24, 2011, 08:51 PM

Looks like the hole is egg shapped. More than likely the primer punch pin is bent slightly. I have had this exact same problem. With RCBS dies, you can change the pin. If you are using Lee dies, you can remove the rod and try to straighten out the pin.

rg1 · March 24, 2011, 09:32 PM

Primer flash holes are punched out when manufactured. They were probably like that when newly made. Could be your primer punch but you'd notice it when depriming. Reload as usual with cases like in your pics.

Mike38 · March 24, 2011, 09:45 PM

I’ve seen off center flash holes before. I wonder if this was off center, then the depriming pin made the flash hole oblong like that? Me? I discard something that looks like that in a rifle brass. Pistol it wouldn’t make much difference.

89blazin · March 25, 2011, 07:31 AM

Is all three pics of 9MM?...and fired from the same pistol?

5RWill · March 25, 2011, 08:43 AM

K4, lapua is the only company that cuts their primer pockets correct?

k4swb · March 25, 2011, 09:36 AM

Quote:

K4, lapua is the only company that cuts their primer pockets correct?

I'm not sure about who drills/cuts PPs and flash holes. I usually clean up all my rifle brass and some of my handgun brass.

amamnn · March 25, 2011, 04:06 PM

This is why you inspect each piece of new brass when you buy it. As for the process Lapua uses to form primer pockets and flash holes-- this came up in a discussion about a related subject on one of the benchrest sites. A Q was sent to Lapua on the subject. The closest Lapua would come to a revelation was that their case forming process consisted of many steps all of which are prorietary information. This of course, did nothing to satisfy either camp--drilled or punched......but almost everyone agreed that inspection was mandatory and deburring sometimes required--even for Lapua brass.

March 24, 2011, 08:21 PM	#1
rep Junior Member Join Date: March 24, 2011 Posts: 1	Primer pocket question I wanted to ask if there are times where a primer makes a piece of brass unusable. After depriming this case and trying to clean the pocket, I noticed it didn't feel right. When i looked inside the primer pocket, i saw ... (see pictures) It seems when the primer went off, it melted or dented the hole (not sure the terminology). I'm new to reloading. Literally, this is my first set i'm reloading. Will a Primer Pocket Uniformer fix something like this? Or should i discard this case. Thanks for taking a look!

March 24, 2011, 08:49 PM	#2
k4swb Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2009 Posts: 389	Most PP holes are punched and they don't look all that good before being shot. Clean and uniform them if you like but it probably won't make any difference. These look fine to me. __________________ My posts are things I have tried or experienced. You may or may not wish to emulate them so read them with this in mind. Compromise means that both sides give something, but they never give, they just take. I'm The NRA!

March 24, 2011, 08:51 PM	#3
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	Looks like the hole is egg shapped. More than likely the primer punch pin is bent slightly. I have had this exact same problem. With RCBS dies, you can change the pin. If you are using Lee dies, you can remove the rod and try to straighten out the pin. Last edited by chiefr; March 24, 2011 at 08:58 PM.

March 25, 2011, 08:43 AM	#7
5RWill Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2008 Location: Mississippi Posts: 2,654	K4, lapua is the only company that cuts their primer pockets correct? __________________ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me."

March 25, 2011, 04:06 PM	#9
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	This is why you inspect each piece of new brass when you buy it. As for the process Lapua uses to form primer pockets and flash holes-- this came up in a discussion about a related subject on one of the benchrest sites. A Q was sent to Lapua on the subject. The closest Lapua would come to a revelation was that their case forming process consisted of many steps all of which are prorietary information. This of course, did nothing to satisfy either camp--drilled or punched......but almost everyone agreed that inspection was mandatory and deburring sometimes required--even for Lapua brass. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

March 24, 2011, 09:32 PM	#4
rg1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Posts: 1,125	Primer flash holes are punched out when manufactured. They were probably like that when newly made. Could be your primer punch but you'd notice it when depriming. Reload as usual with cases like in your pics.

March 24, 2011, 09:45 PM	#5
Mike38 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 2,710	I’ve seen off center flash holes before. I wonder if this was off center, then the depriming pin made the flash hole oblong like that? Me? I discard something that looks like that in a rifle brass. Pistol it wouldn’t make much difference.

March 25, 2011, 07:31 AM	#6
89blazin Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2009 Posts: 107	Is all three pics of 9MM?...and fired from the same pistol?