Tale of Two HNDY Bushmasters.... (brass)

mehavey · October 2, 2022, 08:13 PM

Interesting surprise today as I was preparing to load some cast for my Ruger/American/22"/Predator

450 Bushmaster
245gr SP

450 Bushmaster
250gr FTX

.... hmmmmm

akinswi · October 2, 2022, 10:02 PM

why are some small and some large??

**Unclenick** · October 3, 2022, 11:45 AM

I think that's the surprise he is referring to unless it is the fact some of the primers have left the stage.

Just as you now find 45 Auto in both small and large primer pocket brass, so it can occur with other cartridges. Given that primers are still in high demand, it wouldn't surprise me if it is a strategy to keep production going when one size is more scarce than the other. If you buy primers in large quantities, it may also be cheaper to buy small ones.

That said, I notice one other thing: If you look at the perimeters of the large primer pockets, there appear to be imprints of ring crimps on them that I am not spotting on the small primer pockets. So maybe the change was to address a problem with the large primers having more propensity to back out and hang things up.

mehavey · October 3, 2022, 12:13 PM

UncleNick ---

No problem in depriming/repriming/reloading or shooting the Large pocket cases -- or any primer backout.
It was when starting to reload what turned out to be small pocket cases that the 'what-in-the-world' moment occurred.

Same cartridge/same manufacturer/~same bullet weight/same velocity/same brass -- what on earth possessed them to mix primer sizes ?

Sevens · October 3, 2022, 12:40 PM

This is only partially related but Hornady (ammo) is the same company that sells factory ammo with cartridge cases -NOT- at SAAMI standard length as they load them with proprietary bullets and aim for a similar COAL and they land there by using non-standard brass.

So seeing evidence that they also dink around with primer pocket size shouldn't be a shock. But like you, I'd also be surprised to see that.

Hornady plays it fast and loose.

reddog81 · October 3, 2022, 03:39 PM

I've never heard of 450 BM brass with large pockets. From the beginning it was designed for use with small rifle primers. But with shortages and what not it doesn't surprise me.

October 2, 2022, 08:13 PM	#1
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 7,207	Tale of Two HNDY Bushmasters.... (brass) Interesting surprise today as I was preparing to load some cast for my Ruger/American/22"/Predator 450 Bushmaster 245gr SP 450 Bushmaster 250gr FTX .... hmmmmm

October 3, 2022, 11:45 AM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,735	I think that's the surprise he is referring to unless it is the fact some of the primers have left the stage. Just as you now find 45 Auto in both small and large primer pocket brass, so it can occur with other cartridges. Given that primers are still in high demand, it wouldn't surprise me if it is a strategy to keep production going when one size is more scarce than the other. If you buy primers in large quantities, it may also be cheaper to buy small ones. That said, I notice one other thing: If you look at the perimeters of the large primer pockets, there appear to be imprints of ring crimps on them that I am not spotting on the small primer pockets. So maybe the change was to address a problem with the large primers having more propensity to back out and hang things up. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

October 3, 2022, 12:40 PM	#5
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	This is only partially related but Hornady (ammo) is the same company that sells factory ammo with cartridge cases -NOT- at SAAMI standard length as they load them with proprietary bullets and aim for a similar COAL and they land there by using non-standard brass. So seeing evidence that they also dink around with primer pocket size shouldn't be a shock. But like you, I'd also be surprised to see that. Hornady plays it fast and loose. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

October 2, 2022, 10:02 PM	#2
akinswi Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: Bowling Green, Ky Posts: 725	why are some small and some large??

October 3, 2022, 12:13 PM	#4
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 7,207	UncleNick --- No problem in depriming/repriming/reloading or shooting the Large pocket cases -- or any primer backout. It was when starting to reload what turned out to be small pocket cases that the 'what-in-the-world' moment occurred. Same cartridge/same manufacturer/~same bullet weight/same velocity/same brass -- what on earth possessed them to mix primer sizes ?

October 3, 2022, 03:39 PM	#6
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,659	I've never heard of 450 BM brass with large pockets. From the beginning it was designed for use with small rifle primers. But with shortages and what not it doesn't surprise me.