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Posted: 1/1/2015 8:31:57 PM EDT
| First off, HAPPY NEW YEAR! I recently started reloading and my first batch of 223 didn't have any issues. On my 2nd reload of brass the primers are having problems seating and not sure why, it worked 1st time around. I have used my press and an RCBS hand held and out of 20 or so brass(223) 5-7 wont seat. Today I was curious to see if I would have the same issue on swaged 556 brass with my hand held RCBS and got 3 good seats out of 10 using Federal AR match primers. Is there an issue with this primer or am I missing something. |
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Assume you swaged pockets, primed / loaded and first loads went without problem. Questions: Details of the first load? Type of brass used? Have you tried any other type of primer?
You are saying that you tried the press seater as well as the hand held, neither worked. Assume they just won't go into the pocket. Its not a matter where they seat but are just high, right? |
| I Used PMC 223 brass..all primers have been Federal AR Small Rifle Match....some just slip right in but then some are will only seat maybe 1/3- 1/2 in the way in pocket. This started on my 2nd reload of brass on my press then tried on hand held with same outcome. Pockets cleaned with Lee primer pocket cleaning tool both times around. |
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Quoted: I Used PMC 223 brass..all primers have been Federal AR Small Rifle Match....some just slip right in but then some are will only seat maybe 1/3- 1/2 in the way in pocket. This started on my 2nd reload of brass on my press then tried on hand held with same outcome. Pockets cleaned with Lee primer pocket cleaning tool both times around. So I run a primer pocket uniformer into the case. Primers then seat normally.  Tool in the rear drill is the RCBS uniformer. Front drill has a Hornady crimp remover. Both chucked in 6/32 hex extension. It's also possible the primer crimp is still on your cases. Some 223 PMC is crimped, some not. Your problem is either primer crimp, or tight primer pockets.
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OP, I agree that your only solution is treat the symptom, the primer pockets, w/ either the uniformer, the reamer or both (shown in Dryflash's excellent pic).
I will say that when you said PMC brass, that raised a life long flag for me. In my experience, (others may vary), PMC brass in rifle or pistol is ofhen where I have quirks not experienced with other brass. Doesn't mean they won't work, just means I have to do more work, or accept some minor compromise. For example, in certain lots of.45 ACP PMC brass, best I can get, including after uniforming, is seated flush. In .45 ACP pistol shooting, flush works for me, not my preference, but it works. (In rifle shooting, with a semi auto rifle, flush for the entire lot of brass is probably not ok, not safe.) Personally, w/ civilian brass, my perception in recent years that primer to primer pocket fit is increasingly difficult, especially since you often can't choose your components. So your issue, while more severe than most, is not uncommon. |
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Quoted:
First off, HAPPY NEW YEAR! I recently started reloading and my first batch of 223 didn't have any issues. On my 2nd reload of brass the primers are having problems seating and not sure why, it worked 1st time around. I have used my press and an RCBS hand held and out of 20 or so brass(223) 5-7 wont seat. Today I was curious to see if I would have the same issue on swaged 556 brass with my hand held RCBS and got 3 good seats out of 10 using Federal AR match primers. Is there an issue with this primer or am I missing something. http://www.surplusammo.com/223-rem-hornady-unprimed-brass-new-100-count/ |
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Quoted: ken: Your problems probably stem from inconsistent swaging or reaming of the primer pockets, not from the primers or your seating technique. Do yourself a favor and buy some quality unprimed .223 brass. Dump the military cases with crimped primer pockets. If you stick to moderate loads, say 55 grainers at 3000 fps or so, name brand cases will last a very long time. My first batch of 200 Winchester cases are still going strong after more than 10 reload cycles. - CW http://www.surplusammo.com/223-rem-hornady-unprimed-brass-new-100-count/ Quoted: Quoted: First off, HAPPY NEW YEAR! I recently started reloading and my first batch of 223 didn't have any issues. On my 2nd reload of brass the primers are having problems seating and not sure why, it worked 1st time around. I have used my press and an RCBS hand held and out of 20 or so brass(223) 5-7 wont seat. Today I was curious to see if I would have the same issue on swaged 556 brass with my hand held RCBS and got 3 good seats out of 10 using Federal AR match primers. Is there an issue with this primer or am I missing something. http://www.surplusammo.com/223-rem-hornady-unprimed-brass-new-100-count/ |
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