Repairing Loose Primer Pocket?

So is he peening the outside edge of the primer pocked, or cratering the whole case head slightly to make the ID of the primer pocket smaller? Either way, it will create a tapered primer pocket, which doesn't interest me.
 
When the primer pocket becomes loose it means the entire base of the case has increased in diameter. Meaning the primer pocket diameter has increased and the primer is no longer a tight fit. The method of using a ball bearing and hitting the mouth of the primer pocket does not make the primer pocket smaller. And all you are doing is crimping the mouth of the primer pocket and also enlarging the mouth of the primer pocket.

This may make the mouth of the primer pocket tighter but it does not make the entire primer pocket depth smaller in diameter. Meaning if the primer pocket leaks your bolt face will be etched and scored. Bottom line brass is a expendable item but your bolt face is not.

IBJQA9p.gif


Below the effects of loose leaking primer pockets.

VMkEdYr.jpg
 
Not a repair. More like a bandaid. If there was an effective way to “crimp” a case head, that would be a fix. The problem is it took 60000 plus psi to blow it out...
I’ve often though you could machine a clamp the exact right size, you could repair them. You could probably do it with a bench vise. If it was cost effective, you’d see it more. I just toss them.
 
Last edited:
Why doesn't a primer company make a new standard that is like 20 thou oversize (or whatever makes normal primers impossible to stay in) and then sell a tool to convert to large +20.

Because the brass is already stressed beyond its safe service life if the primer pocket has stretched. I can't imagine a situation in which I'd be willing to repair a case that had been subjected to too much pressure, or too many loadings, just to do it "one more time". I value my fingers and eyes and rifles more than that.
 
Can't see the logic of pounding on the case head with a bolt/ball bearing then expecting it to withstand 60000 psi. The head is the strongest part of the case for good reason. Pounding could result in fractures or the like resulting in bad things happening when fired, and all for one more firing. JMO
 
Because the brass is already stressed beyond its safe service life if the primer pocket has stretched. I can't imagine a situation in which I'd be willing to repair a case that had been subjected to too much pressure, or too many loadings, just to do it "one more time". I value my fingers and eyes and rifles more than that.
And brass is cheap compared to loosing body parts or yours or someone else’s life.
 
Back
Top Bottom